When Neighbors Team, Civics Grows: Sharing Insights from the Oct 23rd WSCA Mayoral Forum

I am sharing this as part of a new Civic Parent’s series, Take Your Seat at the Table: A Taxpayer’s Guide to Demystifying Your Municipal Budget. . This post is not an endorsement of any political candidate(s). 

This past week I co-moderated a mayoral forum with the West Side Community Alliance (WSCA). I co-moderated with West Side resident and advocate Esther Wintner who I’ve known for years around issues related to city and board of education issues in Jersey City. Three mayoral candidates showed up (more are running for office) and it was a civil and well-informed dialogue. I am sharing the link from WSCA’s YouTube page below.

Background

The debate was held in the Hank Gallo Community Center in Lincoln Park and the room was full to capacity; more attended via a Zoom invite and the forum was recorded and posted to YouTube on WSCA’s YouTube channel.

WSCA leaders – many of whom worked behind the scenes to make this happen – volunteered to bring this to the community. These events never happen without thoughtful planning, phone calls and zoom calls that stretch outside of working hours, and time to reflect and prepare by all who take part.

Learn, Engage, Act

At the end of the debate I was asked by a few in attendance: “Where did you get your questions from?”  My response: I created them. I did so by reading the budgets, doing research online, and talking with community — Esther, Charlene, and other leaders within WSCA as we prepped. The series I’m currently writing (“New Series. Take Your Seat at the Table: A Taxpayer’s Guide to Demystifying Your Municipal Budget“) was my real-time prep and I have more staged that I’ll be sharing in the weeks ahead.

This is how we learn. It’s not beyond the average taxpayer, but it helps to have encouragement and a road map to get started. When you learn, you’ll feel more empowered to get engaged and act.

I leave these events encouraged by the power of civics and what can happen when people who care decide to act in good faith to help others get learn and get engaged.

WSCA is on Instagram and YouTube at @jcswsca

With Gratitude

I’m grateful to the West Side Community Alliance (WSCA) for hosting this debate and putting in countless hours to support community in understanding their options around mayoral candidates.