Illarion.org

Greetings,

Here we are again, after two unfortunate delays, trying to clean up the current mess we find ourselves. While others try to figure out who was a citizen when, who was governor and who wasn't, and who insulted who, there are a number of issues that need to (and can) be fixed during this election cycle. Among four of the most concern in my opinion are the following:

• ~Salaries to Town Officials

Giving a salary to various town officials is something that needs to be done away with. There are ideological and practical reasons for this. First off, an establishment already has a natural strive to resist change, even without money involved, so making town officials rely on their positions for income will only further this. Second and more importantly, is the practical reason. Think about how much slower town improvements would come if salaries were taken out as they are intended. It would slow it down considerably, and which is more important, town improvements, or paying volunteers?

• ~Law Reform

When someone commits a murder in cold blood, we know it when we see it. The same holds true for theft, assault, rape, arson, and numerous other crimes. What is unfortunate is that there are currently laws that rely on a judgement call from a guard or governor, and they can use (and abuse) them as they wish. The purpose of law is to be an objective moral authority, not to cherry pick offenses of someone you don't like under the guise of "laws". In the end this means doing away with laws involving disrespect of authority, defamation, 'mayhem', 'rebellion', and heresy. If something is wrong with the town or its officials, it is a responsibility of the people who live there to bring up this problem, which is discouraged under such laws.

• ~Abiding by Election Standards

Samantha announced the last elections over a year and a half ago. The yearly deadline passed without any word of reasoning from the previous governor, no explanation or apologies. Anything over a year and the governor loses timely accountability to the citizens, and anything under means they can't complete long term goals, so the year mark is the right way to go, and I would promise never to abuse this, even as 'King' I still knew when my time was up and began elections again.

• ~Accountability of Officials

We went most of the time of the last governor without a magistrate. We spent most of the time with Taliss, the second in command, holding up what was left of the guard from complete collapse as the former captain's absence reached into the months. This is the ultimate problem we face for town prosperity. We need officials who can be here, and know what is going on. Those who aren't arround need to be replaced by the second in command. If they return and wish their old position something can be worked out, this wouldn't be done out of disrespect of the person, but out of the need for efficiency. We shouldn't have to endure such a long period without officials ever again.


We face a lot of problems and turmoil, the problems listed above I have given solutions that take little time and effort to put into place. We just need to have the willingness to acknowledge these problems and have the initiative to know how to fix them. These are things to think about between now, the end of initial election processes, and the beginning of actual voting. All others seem to lack experience dealing with crime (as magistrate), and dealing with political and military turmoil (as governor/king) unlike myself. I'll discuss these subjects and any others with anyone, anytime and anywhere.

Fooser ---> The Logical Choice

Vote Lennier! Vote Lennier! Lennier for Governor!

Braydar Wolfstar

...

So, a nice, well planned out letter from Fooser to the citizens, and then a turnip posting about something completely irrelevant.

I'm sure your sheer incompetence in correspondence with your support to Lennier reduces the amount who would vote him, rather than what you may hope.

~Unsigned~

VOTE FOR LENNIER! VOTE FOR LENNIER! LENNIER FOR GOVERNOR!
Braydar Wolfstar

Fooser, it is always refreshing to read your words! Either you are complaining about everything and everybody or you are speaking about known things.

I am curious how you want to solve the problems you mentioned, but I think you just want to quarrel again while having no real solutions at hand.

Well, we probably won't see the "Logical Choice" because I highly believe the citizens of Troll's Bane aren't going to give their vote to a person who failed as Governor in the past.

-Midrusio

PS: Why didn't you try to help Siltaris instead making trouble?

Dis stoopid lizard nebbur hab done anytin good fer dis town. Meh nebbur hab seen dis fishy in town fer long time. He only writes much. And all ob dem is rubbish.
He is best tur eat, hurr!
Rugh

Miklorius wrote:Fooser, it is always refreshing to read your words! Either you are complaining about everything and everybody or you are speaking about known things.

I am curious how you want to solve the problems you mentioned, but I think you just want to quarrel again while having no real solutions at hand.

Well, we probably won't see the "Logical Choice" because I highly believe the citizens of Troll's Bane aren't going to give their vote to a person who failed as Governor in the past.

-Midrusio

PS: Why didn't you try to help Siltaris instead making trouble?

You are the true embodiment of the word "shill" if there ever was one. You seem to acknowledge all of these problems I listed as "known things", so where were you when elections were delayed with no reasoning? Where were you when the top competitor was jailed on false charges? Why do you like to bring about the supposed law breakings of others without looking at the plain ones of your buddies?

You defend a defunct government right to the very end, and now beyond. I didn't make trouble, trouble came to me, and I got banned for no reason, and I am willing to fight for my right to be a citizen.

F

This man makes me chuckle. Fooser was perhaps one of the greatest Governors/Kings that Trolls Bane ever has had. He didn't fail, lose, or fall in any way. He simply gave up his term because he felt that since he would be gone for short periods of time that he wouldn't be able to run the town to the best of his abilities. He protected us against Negros even.

Fooser for Governor,
Grant Rothman

Fooser must be elected! It is IMPERATIVE!


IMPERATIVE!

Brer Beothach the astral bard.

I didn't say that all your points are valid, I only said they (or: the accusations) are known.

The election phase was indeed started later than declared, but no citizen ever complained about that. And right after the election was announced, you and your Caelum friends started making trouble and then behave illegaly instead of waiting until the legal case about the "top competitor" was finished regularly.

I didn't defend a defunct government, I defend a government which worked all in all quite well and nobody complained about it except outsiders.

I will not deny that you made efforts back in your leading days and I was on your side for some time, but the town guard was in the same condition as it was under Siltaris, so I doubt you know another way against that issue besides salaries (and in this way, there was not much protection against Negros or the Temple, Grant).

Well, and you declared yourself as "King". Enough said.

No, it didn't work quite well, 2 out of 3, and usually 3 out of 3 of the top officials weren't here, and didn't do anything. Elections were delayed, and conveniently began right after construction was announced, perhaps as a ploy to make it look like they accomplished something in those 1 and a half years. So they delayed it for no reason, jailed someone on charges that never had any merit. That doesn't bother you at all?

I didn't start trouble with anyone when the elections were announced, I supported Edward when he announced and was planning on waiting the process out to the end. Then they jailed him unjustly. I protested this act, other people joined me, but I am not responsible for their behavior. Then, I was banned for what some others did. At that point I couldve said "Oh, banned from Trolls Bane ... screw that town I'll just leave." But I wouldn't, and I had to fight for the right to come back because there was no other option remaining.

I declared myself king, but our previous governor was more of a monarch than I ever hoped to be.

F

First I would like to state that from my understanding that it was Evan Ross who caused the jailing of Edward Cromwell. Not only that, but Evan Ross had lied in order to get him jailled. I do not think this jailing was done on purpose.

Second, about keeping around goverment figures like the captain of the guard and the second leutienant. Could you please explain how you intend to do this?

Sir Dantagon Marescot

Very good but not as good as mine.

Grant for Governor!,
Grant Rothman

Dantagon Marescot wrote:First I would like to state that from my understanding that it was Evan Ross who caused the jailing of Edward Cromwell. Not only that, but Evan Ross had lied in order to get him jailled. I do not think this jailing was done on purpose.

Second, about keeping around goverment figures like the captain of the guard and the second leutienant. Could you please explain how you intend to do this?

Sir Dantagon Marescot

I know that, Evan was wrong to do it, and the others were wrong to harass Edward and ban people.

Captain yes, second leutienant for taking over if they aren't around. I believe Taliss said he would be getting out of things, if that's the case a lot of moving around will be needed, since most of the old leadership would be gone. For better or for worse, we'd need to change things up if that is the case.

F

I think my real question was, how do you intend to keep both of them from disappearing? Tis a great idea, but what if both disappear for a while, how do you intend to keep that from happening?

Dan

You all have nothing to offer. Find some warriors to lend their swords in your service, and find some traders to back you with money. If they can find honor and profit in you, and cast their lot with yours, I think you can win. One person with a head full of idea's won't have the power to do anything.

Gilbert Merimac

Dantagon Marescot wrote:I think my real question was, how do you intend to keep both of them from disappearing? Tis a great idea, but what if both disappear for a while, how do you intend to keep that from happening?

Dan

Chain them to the gatehouse? Can't really stop people from doing what they need to do, but if that happens, instead of letting it sit stagnant for months, you keep promoting someone up until you don't have people who have disappeared. If they return, then they can come back if willing. An inexperienced person is better than none at all.

F

• ~Keeping Spending, Efficiency and Government in Check

It seems nearly unanimously, everyone else believes that the amount of officials in the Trolls Bane government should be increased, without noting the key downfalls of this. We couldn't even keep the three basic (Governor, Magistrate, Guard Captain) positions together and coherent, so how do they expect to add more people to the fray and expect to be efficient? Do they plan on taking the peoples and towns money to pay salaries for all of this? Having so many peoples also lowers efficiency. If the governor is relying on everyone else for information and approval, nothing would get done. And when these people come and go from the island, it would make it even more difficult.


F

• ~The Pro-Citizen, Pro-Trolls Bane Position

-The pro-citizen position is to remove any obstacles that are in the way of expressing concerns and problems to officials, and this includes getting rid of laws that can be used to harass those who don't share the same position as the officials. At this time only two people have seriously addressed this problem, and have made promises to remove these laws, but what about the others?

-The pro-citizen position involves giving back to the people as much and as directly as possible. All others have discussed increasing the number of officials without getting rid of salaries in a serious way. Money should be going right from the treasury to complete building projects and keep the armory full, not being lost 50% or possibly more just to pay for volunteer and optional work.

-The pro-Trolls Bane position is to respect the citizenship laws, and the positions within the government, not to give them to people of other towns as has been suggested by others. Gaining town revenue at maximum ability, and not handing it back out to your friends you appoint, and yourself, basically free money from the people, is also the pro-Trolls Bane position. This way, the town can grow, build structures it needs, buy tools, subsidize local workers and foreign trade partners.

F

Did you already have certain persons in your mind for your government positions?

-Midrusio

Nothing concrete, but for guard captain probably the most able person who is currently a guard rather than bring someone in from the outside, I'm not sure if the list is up to date, but judging from it I would say Gildon best fits that currently. Can't say I have my mind premade for magistrate.

F

Here we are in the final period before voting begins, most will have voted within the next days so this will be my last meaningful discussion probably. This has been the most interesting and productive election, possibly ever, so that's a good start, now voting will begin, though I think a week is a bit long considering the unfortunate outside circumstances. But anyways, onto the real things--

When it comes to paying officials, no one is saying their effort and time isn't appreciated, that isn't the debate, it's a matter of giving back not taking. If I had to choose between buying new tools, new buildings, and repairs for the town or taking money and giving money to a select few and slowing down these contributions to the town. Everyone benefits from new buildings, events, and repairs. Only a few benefit from a salary. Having the first construction project after a year and a half while taking a 30 silver salary and upkeeping a mansion is astounding to me. It wasn't until very recently the idea of paid politician work was put into place, I think one cannot make the argument these individuals need it, since none others before them needed it. We've all made a conscious decision to run for this position, so let's not pretend we need the towns money.

Crime has been an issue for a bit of time, it has gone up and down, it has been better recently but seems to be going back in the wrong direction. The first gesture we can do to help this isn't to buy armor and weapons or even do anything with the town guard. We need to reform our laws and put forth full attention to violent crime, rather than placing value judgements on pieces of parchment people slap up on this wall. Most of it is nonsense anyways, people could be drunk when writing or speaking, who cares? Remove the laws that distract us from real criminals, and then follow with buying armor and perfecting the guard.

And lastly, a response to criticism. Most of which seems to be concerning events that have happened in the past month. Let it be known that I didn't cause trouble out of nowhere, or because elections were opened by Siltaris. I was fully willing to use the election process they had set up to vote, and see how it ended. That all changed when false information was sent out, and out of negligence or right-doing (whichever your opinion may be), Edward Cromwell was jailed and held due to a bad law and unjust suspicion. I was willing to wait for the election process to end right up to my banning, which was supposedly for a lifetime, for pointing out their errors. I wasn't the one who used magic or threatened anyones life, and am not responsible for others actions.

So what to do at that point? Siltaris would never let me or Brer be a citizen again. I was condemned for showing up with one side in the battle, but the alternative would be to say "oh I was banned from Trolls Bane, I don't care it's a bad town anyways I'll go somewhere else." Is that the attitutude you want from people? I've fought in 2 orc wars, 2 undead wars, the Negros war, and a few bandit and zombie invasions. Not bragging, but loyalty is not the issue here, if you think it is, then I believe you lack common sense. If its the behavior, then I'd be interested to here what you would do in such a condition. I supported reconciliation between the two sides the moment the battle ended, and still do. Ive been willing to die to be a Trolls Bane citizen for a long time, and that hasn't changed.


-Stop needless spending
-Promote local workers and new construction/improvements
-Change law to fight real crime

I think these points are something all citizens can agree with on some level.

F