You have 5 more chances to join Richland Source for ‘Talk the Vote’ listening sessions

MANSFIELD — The launch of our Richland Source “Talk the Vote” six-week listening tour on Monday was akin to tossing a first pebble into the still water.

It starts with a small ripple and builds to larger concentric rings, hopefully culminating in a fully engaged public eager to tell candidates what’s on their minds — and then participating fully in the Nov. 2 election.

You have five more opportunities to participate in a unique process that will conclude with:

— an informal “Meet the Candidates” night Oct. 25 at Idea Works, during which we will use your ideas to mold questions in a public forum to those seeking to lead Mansfield City Council.

— the creation of a new “Citizens’ Agenda,” a blueprint based on your thoughts that we will present to city leaders when new terms begin in January.

— a series of solutions-based stories in 2022 that will take your concerns and questions, examine how those topics are being addressed successfully in other communities, and provide that information to readers and civic leaders.

It’s a reprise of the popular event we first did in 2019, a voter-engagement project that gained international attention. The effort this year is being funded through a grant from the Solutions Journalism Network.

The simplistic beauty of the “Talk the Vote” informal, hour-long format was clearly evident on Monday evening in week one.

We ate pizza and sat in a circle — residents and candidates — as we asked a simple question: “What is it you want to hear candidates talk about this fall as they campaign for your votes?”

As expected, answers varied widely: Concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. Strategies to keep young adults from feeling the need to leave Mansfield and Richland County. The need to bring people together on projects from the public and private sectors. 

Methods to engage more young people in the political/government process. Government assistance in providing more activities for young people. Inadequate public transit.

And there was a general recognition that while Mansfield has made progress, much more needs to be done and the pace of improvement needs to quicken.

The candidates listened to what residents said without responding. Some took notes. We invite and appreciate candidates to attend these sessions. But their role at “Talk the Vote” sessions is simply to listen.

These evenings are designed strictly for residents to talk.

Here are your remaining opportunities to join us. Each session is from 6 to 7 p.m. and refreshments will be offered. You are invited to attend any and/or all of the listening sessions.

All sessions are open to the public. We ask that you register in advance, but drop-ins will always be welcome.