To clarify, none of the people I voted for in any way solicited my vote or endorsement for any particular reason. I just posted whom I voted for, and the reasons why I voted for them.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif

One of my votes went to Starwood Lurker. I hope I can take William, clone him, and then use him for customer service positions in other organizations. You da man!

Duh, Im still trying to figure out what the one issue is. Maybe that isnt such a bad thing....

Besides the reasons you have mentioned, I voted for *lurker and gleff because of their industry knowledge. I can only see this as a benefit to the community as a whole.

I voted for richard and Radiocycle for their ability, as moderators, to remain open-minded, coolheaded, and fair, in their moderation of the forums I frequent. I am sure there are other moderators as equally qualified, but I had to go with those I have grown to know. Whether they can be both moderator and Talkboard member is for them to decide. I trust all to make that decision as they see fit.

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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin

[This message has been edited by tazi (edited 08-13-2003).]

I voted for Starwood Lurker because if he's crazy enough to want to volunteer for this with all of his other Lurker responsibilities, he should be allowed to do so.

After that, I voted for the people that are most likely to send me drunk pictures of other FTers in embarrasing situations. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Well I voted just now.

The closing of Omni spurred me to vote and hopefully select those who will do what they can to make Omni and other forums more friendly. I voted for those whom I saw from their posts were willing to help others and were welcoming to new people and as well as long-term FTers. Do the research---these four have been consistent with the above. Their words from past threads say what they will bring to the TalkBoard.

They are:

gleff
Starwood Lurker
jfe
squeakr

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Like others here, I voted with my conscience. This was a HARD process for me because I struggled with a couple of issues - one was exactly what the TalkBoard is supposed to be (democratic representation? closed door advisory panel?) and the other was who would represent me and MY interests well over the long term.

In doing that, I thought about several things. Who will represent "my" forums well? As moderator for FT Community and Women Travelers, I first looked to see who had contributed to either of those forums. I then thought about the greater FT as a family and who had brought the most to the table - who had been even-handed in their approach to various board issues - and who I felt would level with me if I really needed to ask tough questions.

So... here are my votes (followed by the "why"):

gleff
missydarlin
squeakr
Starwood Lurker

And why...

gleff - What can I say about Gary? He is friendly, diplomatic, always willing to share knowledge and give back to the community, and he shows a bit of business sense in what he posts. I had the opportunity to hang out with him at the Freddies this year and found him to be the kind of guy everyone wants to be friends with. In working alongside him on TalkTeam, I have come to see his logic and reasoning. Gary really sealed it for me when he said "Jen, I just want to do a good service to Randy". I can't think of a better advisor for Randy to have.

missydarlin - Missy embodies to me what the FT Community is all about. She is always ready to lend a ear to a fellow FT Chat buddy, makes friends quickly, and gives back a LOT to the community. She jumped in to host SEA Do III despite having not attended any FT DOs yet... and has hosted two more DOs plus contributed to the events of others. Missy is sensitive to the feelings of others and brings a unique edge to FT as both a frequent flyer AND an airline employee. I admire Missy's ability to look at both sides of an issue and to see things that some of the rest of us don't always notice. I have no doubt Missy will be one of the most accessible members of TalkBoard and will be willing to take our concerns to her fellow members.

squeakr - Roberta might be surprised that I voted for her because we don't always see eye-to-eye on all issues. I definitely respect her, however. I think she is one of the most level members of TalkTeam and is willing to put her time into the FT family for the betterment of the community. One thing I really like about Roberta is that she really pays attention to the little details. How else would she have picked out the *perfect* FT Secret Santa gift for me last year? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif She also gives back to the two forums I moderate so I can't think of a better person to watch out for what I consider to be a common interest?

Starwood Lurker - Well, I just adore William. I guess my tears when he won the Industry Impact Award at the Freddies gave me away. This man is amazing... from helping me out with the first DO I ever planned to demonstrating an incredibly level head day-in and day-out in his FT dealings, he is a whiz. I think anyone who frequents the Starwood forum knows that William is not only a good listener, but he doesn't miss a detail. He does a great job of advising Justin the Intern on how better to market to the rest of us... why wouldn't he do the same for Randy?

---

As for the candidates I didn't vote for... I honestly wish the entire 10 seats on TalkBoard were up for election this year. I waited 20 days into the month to vote because it was SO hard for me to make up my mind. If I could have voted for 10, I think I could have filled almost all the slots from the slate I saw here. This was REALLY REALLY tough this time around... but I feel confident I made the right choices with my votes.

I thank all of you who took the time to respond to my questions I posed and to chat with me about the elections over the past few weeks. Many of you already give back to the community as moderators or active forum participants, and those who don't, I would encourage you to get more involved as TalkBoard isn't the only way to give back to this place.

Wow!! Unexpected and flattering..thank you!!

Very sad however that you don't get to attend SeaDoo V this year http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

well, I voted today as well. To keep a little mystery, I'll keep two secret, the other two..

1) Starwood Lurker: Everything has already been said numerous times, in summary, a superb addition to FT

2)CMK10: A younger FT'er who has a very refreshing exhuberance and passion about flying that has gone amiss with many of us here...

I did NOT vote for anyone thinking starting hundreds of inane threads on OMNI is somehow "adding value".. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif

you know, I still haven't voted (I'm waiting for all the freebies and goodies http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif ) but I am certain that one of my votes will go to kempis. He is an extremely intelligent guy who has been very helpful to many folks throughout FT... especially in the SAS & the *A Fora for over three years!

For those who don't frequent those fora, I'm sure you've seen his helpful & kind posts sprinkled throughout the rest of FT! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

And if you aren't familiar with him, maybe it's b/c he isn't stirring up trouble! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

OK... I finally voted.

Tried earlier today... but for some reason, the system did not work. HHHHmmm... are we using the Florida system? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I voted for:

missydarlin
gleff
kempis
Starwood Lurker

Not sure if it helps others, but here is how I made my decisions.

I spent time reading various posts for all the candidates. If I felt a candidate caused many flame wars or attacked other posters, then they were immediately out of consideration. I also had a tough time considering anyone who only had 5 or 10 posts.

I also asked other FTers I place in high esteem and considered their opinions.

I also considered what candidates added to the community in the three years I have been part of FT. I can say that I believe the four candidates I voted for have added much to Flyertalk over the years.

I hope anyone who is undecided will consider these fine candidates.

William

I voted for candidates who I believe will foster an "activist" TalkBoard and fight the good fight. The TalkBoard has several pressing issues to confront, and the Community simply cannot afford a ceremonial or figurehead TalkBoard at this time.

Therefore, I voted for the following people:

avek00
CameraGuy
ScottC (come back Scotty!) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
UAX@SFO

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All those who fly Continental Airlines, raise your hands.
The rest of you, raise your standards.

I've made decision for 3 candidates so far

kempis
Gaucho100K
Starwood Lurker

I think kempis is a symbol of the true FlyerTalk Spirit, being helpful and having a fantastic overview of what's going on in all forum's and is giving lots of valuable inputs whereever he can http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif
He will for sure be a good addition to the new Talkboard Team !!!

I say vote early and vote often, so I have registered 86 new FT members and voted them all in a way to stop certain candidates from attaining election. Tammany Hall has nothing on me! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

(edited to change 82 to 86 and counting)

P.S. I actually don't remember who I voted for, it has been several days, lol.

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dallasflyer

[This message has been edited by dallasflyer (edited 08-26-2003).]