Republican State Senator Raymond Finney represents Tennessee's 8th District, which includes Blount and Sevier counties. I don't agree much with his politics, but he is doing an impressive job using internet websites as effective tools for communicating with his constituents.
His "informational website" has biographical information, a schedule of speaking engagements, links to state and local government websites, extensive contact information, and more.
His voting record website documents his votes on legislation and committee actions, sometimes with discussion of why he voted the way he did. He also explains how to find out more about any legislation before the Tennessee General Assembly.
Even more impressive is his Finney Listens website, which he calls an "online town hall meeting." Here, constituents can record their views and preferences on pending legislation and participate in an opinion survey on issues affecting the state. His "there ought to be a law" page lets you suggest your own legislation.
These sites don't have a slick, flashy design and don't employ a trendy "blog" format, but they are highly functional, well organized, loaded with information, and provide numerous opportunities for voter interaction and feedback. Whoever put this together did an excellent job, and Sen. Finney appears to invest tremendous time and effort in maintaining it.
There may be other constituent oriented websites similar to these, but I haven't seen them. These websites should be the model for elected officials at all levels of government. If he hasn't already, Sen. Finney should offer his website software as a template for any Tennessee politician who wants to establish a similar site.
Sen. Finney's websites are just part of a comprehensive "community outreach" effort that incorporates e-mail and postal mail newsletters, regularly scheduled radio show appearances, regular newspaper columns, and town hall-style meetings. Regardless of what you think about his politics, he should be commended for his efforts to stay in touch with voters.
As an editorial comment, in my view we elect our representatives to, well, represent us by voting the will of the people, which usually means the majority. We also expect them to vote their conscience on tough issues, so we elect people who we hope will best represent our values.
Unfortunately for us Democrats over here in Blount Co., the majority view is very conservative, and Sen. Finney represents that constituency with great enthusiasm. So in that respect he's doing his job and doing it well.
But our democratic republic form of government is also designed to protect against "mob rule", so I don't think we should expect our elected officials to always base their votes strictly on the majority of public opinion. The minority view deserves adequate representation, too. The best way to make sure your representative knows your views, whether in the majority or the minority, is to let them know. In Sen. Finney's case, he's made that pretty easy.
OK, then.
Topics:
|
|
Discussing:
- Rep Burchett (5 replies)
- Knoxville stays among top-10 US cities for rising home prices, most realtors expect continued increases over the next year (4 replies)
- How the Cost of a Burger Stacks Up in Every State (1 reply)
- Judge blocks Biden administration rule capping credit card late fees at $8 (1 reply)
- Private equity ownership of hospitals made care riskier for patients, a new study finds (24 replies)
- Labor Dept. says Tennessee firm employed minors to clean meat saws, head splitters at slaughterhouses (3 replies)
- Yowza! That was some storm last night (2 replies)
- Why are prices still so high? Corporate greed, some say (4 replies)
- UT pro-Palestine protests (7 replies)
- Boeing was once known for safety and engineering (11 replies)
- Walmart is closing its health centers and virtual care service (5 replies)
- Accidental shooting at local park? (4 replies)
TN Progressive
- Toons (RoaneViews)
- Appeals court: Wildlife officers’ warrantless searches of private property are unconstitutional (RoaneViews)
- Friday Toon (RoaneViews)
- Kimmell Destroys Trump in Monologue (RoaneViews)
- Chef steals food to serve at restaurant? (BlountViews)
- Blount County, TDOT make road deal for gun mfg ignoring town of Louisville,TN, (BlountViews)
- It's voting time again. Let's get out the vote. (BlountViews)
- Winter at the Big Rocks (Whitescreek Journal)
- Maryville Daily Times Home Delivery changing again (BlountViews)
- Secrets from My Radio Days (Joe Powell)
- Fall 2022 (Whitescreek Journal)
- Mmmm, A Fresh Hot Cup of Joe (Joe Powell)
TN Politics
- Abortions rise slightly since Roe v Wade was overturned, driven in part by telemedicine (TN Lookout)
- Biden celebrates ‘the power of an education’ on Brown v. Board 70th anniversary (TN Lookout)
- Stockard on the Stump: Lee stays on Trump bandwagon despite legal battles (TN Lookout)
- As states loosen childhood vaccine requirements, health experts’ worries grow (TN Lookout)
- U.S. House panel debates voting by noncitizens, which is already illegal (TN Lookout)
- Independent presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, Jr. makes brief, late stop in Nashville (TN Lookout)
Knox TN Today
- Beaver Creek Flotilla is Saturday (Knox TN Today)
- Tracking down joy (Knox TN Today)
- Cruising with Headricks, Crockers (Knox TN Today)
- Opening soon: New Harvest Dog Park (Knox TN Today)
- What’s new at Kern’s Food Hall (Knox TN Today)
- Come meet the world’s greatest eater (Knox TN Today)
- College + Industry developing new degree programs (Knox TN Today)
- Research shows effects of chemicals downstream (Knox TN Today)
- Bullhead melody (Knox TN Today)
- Honey Badger gets spectacular shot of northern lights (Knox TN Today)
- Spring brings whirlwind to Realty Executives (Knox TN Today)
- Find some treasures at Vintage, Etc. (Knox TN Today)
Local TV News
- Pickleball tournament raises money for Blount County Deputy Greg McCowan's family (WATE)
- Joey Chestnut takes title of Bologna Eating Champion in Knoxville (WATE)
- Some Knox County Schools graduations rescheduled for inclement weather (WATE)
- Police: Man charged after two fatal shootings near North Broadway (WATE)
- North Carolina couple searches for video of proposal in Market Square (WATE)
- After son nearly dies in crash, East Tennessee mother urges drivers to look twice for motorcycles (WATE)
- East TN man gets 8-year term in connection with boy's death, abuse suffered by girl (WBIR)
- Roane County couple accused in children's deaths face key court hearing Tuesday (WBIR)
- Family of fallen Knox Co. deputy Tucker Blakely attends 2024 Tennessee Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Service (WBIR)
- Tennessee Theatre hosts first-ever Marquee Awards to honor high school musicals (WBIR)
- 'We are heartbroken and grieving' | Zoo Knoxville humanely euthanizes 46-year-old elephant Tonka (WBIR)
- Tennessee Valley Fair announces Ludacris to perform in September (WBIR)
News Sentinel
State News
Wire Reports
Local Media
Lost Medicaid Funding
Search and Archives
TN Progressive
Nearby:
- Blount Dems
- Herston TN Family Law
- Inside of Knoxville
- Instapundit
- Jack Lail
- Jim Stovall
- Knox Dems
- MoxCarm Blue Streak
- Outdoor Knoxville
- Pittman Properties
- Reality Me
- Stop Alcoa Parkway
Beyond:
- Nashville Scene
- Nashville Post
- Smart City Memphis
- TN Dems
- TN Journal
- TN Lookout
- Bob Stepno
- Facing South