Kister puts forum online

               by Anna Starzyk
               THE POST; January 21, 2000

               Democratic candidate Chad Kister is not settling for a low-tech campaign strategy.

               In an attempt to get more people involved in the Athens County Commissioners
               election race, Kister has launched an online forum for citizens to post their opinions.

               Kister, who is running for commissioner, is a local environmentalist and the
               coordinator of Dysart Defenders. He will face incumbent Commissioner Bill Theisen
               and Nelsonville business owner Carolyn Fisk in the March primary.

               At a news conference Wednesday, Kister said his Web site is the first interactive
               site any county commissioner candidate has had.

               The Web site, which can be reached by following the "Kister 2000" link at
               www.chadkister.com, allows citizens to give input on what issues they feel are
               important, as well as any ideas about how the county should be managed.

               Kister said he will post all questions and comments on his site, as long as they are
               not false and do not contain profanity. He also will post his own responses.

               "People can get my ideas, and they can really question and quiz me about anything
               they want," he said.

               Fisk said she thinks Kister's Web site is an excellent idea and added she probably
               will launch a similar site if elected.

               Political officials should make it as easy as possible for citizens to voice their
               opinions and get information.

               "Public officials are servants of the public. That's what they're here for," Fisk said.

               Kister said he feels students often feel left out of the race, and his Web site will be a
               convenient way for them to get involved, despite their hectic lives.

               "I hope to create just a real interactive forum where people can get their ideas out
               about the commissioner race from the comfort of their own home," he said.

               Theisen said Kister's Web site is a good idea because it could make it easier for
               some citizens to be heard.

               "I think that's a wonderful opportunity for people to express themselves," he said.

               But Theisen said electronic communication is not available to the majority of people
               in the county, many of whom live in poverty and do not own a computer.

               He said he prefers to have instant communication with the public, either over the
               phone or face to face. "I like to talk one on one with people who have concerns,"
               he said.

               But Kister said everyone will be able to voice their opinions, whether they have a
               computer or not.

               "Even if people don't have Internet access, they can call me and I'll type up their
               question on the Web page," Kister said. "It's important that people who don't have
               computers should be able to be involved too."

               Kister also plans to publish county documents on his Web site to make them more
               accessible to the public. He started Wednesday by posting the county budget.

               Theisen agreed this might make it more convenient for some people to find public
               records, but commissioners are always willing to help people find documents and
               answer any questions.

               If elected, Kister said he plans to keep the site updated and continue to address
               citizens' concerns about the county.

               "I'm trying to bring the county into the 21st century," he said.