Council candidates promote campaigns on Web

Columbia voters who want to know whether City Council candidates can think on their feet, how they interact with the public or where they stand on lesser issues will have to catch them at a candidate forum or wait for a knock on their door.

But those who want biographical information, stances on major issues or an opportunity to donate time or money can get all that and more online.

Five of six candidates for the three seats on the council that will be filled April 3 have established Web sites promoting their campaigns. Mayoral challenger John Clark, Third Ward contestants Gary Kespohl and Karl Skala, and Fourth Ward candidates Mike Holden and Jerry Wade all use the Internet as an easy and effective means of getting information out to the public.

“There is only so much you can tell someone in a limited amount of time,” Skala said. “But you can always give them information on a Web site.”

Most candidates said the exchange of information is the primary focus of their Web sites.

“There needed to be something about me out there,” Wade said. “There needed to be information about what I stood for, information about how people could talk to and relate to me, and there needed to be more detailed information for people to share information about topics that people have questions about.”

Clark has had his Web site running since he first ran for mayor three years ago. Since he already had his general information posted, he just updated the specifics of this campaign.

“For people who have computers and can get to the Web, it is an excellent way to communicate,”

Clark said. “People can look up there for a variety of information on articles that have run and forums coming up. This kind of technology is very, very helpful in the process of talking to people.”

Skala launched his Web site soon after announcing his intention

to run. He said the site is a “tremendous resource to get information, and information is what it’s all about.”

“I don’t know how much effect it will have on the election,” Skala said, “but it is a basic thing you need to do to establish a campaign or even to demonstrate your credibility. I think it’s very important, and it’s one of the first things I thought I should do.”

Holden launched his site in early January. His primary purpose, he said, was to solicit and accept donations online. But he also likes the Internet’s ability to spread information about his candidacy.

“We wanted very early on to start shaping the debate as to what was important to the people who live in the Fourth Ward,” Holden said.

Kespohl cited similar rationale.

“I want people who are Internet in-tune to be able to go there and know about me and know what I have done and what I stand for,” he said. He added that his goal for the site is “to inform as many people as possible about my candidacy.”

Mayor Darwin Hindman is the only candidate without a Web site.

“I’ve been mayor for 12 years, so my record is pretty well established,” Hindman said. “I think there will be a great deal of information that people will have through newspapers and the radio, although I know there are a lot more people who rely on the Web than used to be the case.”

The five candidates with Web sites said they’ll continue to update them as the election progresses, but they won’t rely solely on the Internet.