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Main Street Forum Connects Independent Businesses and Candidates

The Greater Valley Independent Business Alliance (GVIBA) hosted their second community forum event last week—a worthy follow-up to GVIBA’s Community Forum Series opener in January, 2007, with award winning author Thomas Hylton (Save Our Land, Save Our Towns).

On Thursday, October 23, GVIBA’s Main Street Forum, in Luzerne, focused on just that—MAIN STREET USA—our Main Street, and what our congressional candidates had to say on related topics. In attendance at the forum, which was closed to the media, were Congressional Candidates Lou Barletta and Chris Hackett. The incumbents, Congressmen Paul Kanjorski and Chris Carney, responded via taped interviews. They, each in turn, responded to a dozen “Main Street”-oriented questions, submitted by area business owners. The topics addressed included government support for small business, health care, the economy and recession, sustainability and energy independence, jobs, and illegal immigration.

As we find ourselves caught up in the final weeks of explosive campaign ads from every media outlet and channel, how could we not have found ourselves confused about who to vote for in a number of key races? Many of those who attended the forum reported that, in listening to the candidates’ responses, they are now able to make wiser and clearer voting decisions.

Also in attendance at the forum were State Senator Lisa Baker (R-Lehman), who recently received the Guardian of Small Business Award from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB); Dallas resident Jack Cleary, whose son Mchael was killed in Iraq in December of 2006; and Independent Magazine’s fall/winter issue feature celebrity, Stephanie Jallen. A special magazine subscription fundraiser was launched during the forum—all subscription monies received will be donated to the Stephanie Jallen Paralympic Fund.

Response from the Main Street Forum

This election is the most important one of our time. I have personally never been more electrified by politics and the tremendous "differences" between parties and their candidates. The Main Street Forum was a tremendous grass roots effort to showcase our local and state politicians and their views. I can actually say that I was "enlightened" and altered one of my choices for political office due to the "real words" I heard without the influence of a "marketing campaign"! I only wish that more people would have been exposed to The Main Street Forum and its candor!

– Susan Collini

The whole evening could be summed up in a phrase: Democracy at Work. With the four candidates answering the same questions, the audience got a real feel for what the candidates thought were the important aspects of the problems and their views on possible solutions. Differences both in style and substance became evident. Especially with the candidates who appeared in person, one got a real sense of where they stood on the issues. In fact, one of the candidates connected so with the audience, that he earned my vote. The incumbents who did not attend in person but supplied a video instead, I believe, did themselves a disservice.

– Diane Dreier

I believe that the Main Street Forum was a great opportunity for our community to come together to speak directly with the candidates! The forum was well attended, organized, professionally presented, and timely! Thanks to all who supported this event!! Well done!

– Beth Ann Delaney