Hey everyone!
After an ever so interesting primary, we've found ourselves with the final seven candidates! I'm really grateful to those of you who have given me the chance to make it this far in the election, and also to those of you who have supported me in the past election. I definitely gained a whole new insight on what being senator is really about, and I am ready and willing to apply what I've learned to a second term if you would so graciously let me!
Going into my first senate meeting, I quickly learned of Whyville's "list", *dun dun dun*. Not nearly as scary as it sounds, it's a large list the City Workers keep, chock full of things to add to and improve Whyville. What I didn't really realize going into this was that they were very well aware of almost every idea I, and pretty much all of you, have had. We weren't exactly there to give them new ideas, but to give them an idea of what they should work on first! So, after warming up to the situation, City Hall asked us,"What is the one thing you'd most like to see changed on Whyville?".
After some thought, I've come to realize that this isn't a question that should be answered by the senators, but through the senators with an answer from the Whyvillians as a whole. Senators aren't there to perform miracles and make the sun dance (that's what the City Workers are for, right? haha), but to keep the communication open between the City Workers and citizens and make suggestions on everybody's behalf.
If given a second chance, the Whyville citizens are something I would absolutely like to focus on in terms of my suggestions. In addition to the many fabulous ideas I'm sure you guys are willing to share, I have a few suggestions that would improve the sense of community on here and be a little more directly beneficial to the Whyvillians!
Public Senate Meetings
This is something Scyllacat had offered as a possibility to Kittieme, Lilchiche, and I at the very beginning of our senate term, and is something I feel should happen again atleast once or twice per term. In Scylla's words, they would be held in the Greek Theater during the week at a convenient time for the majority of people. I see this as being a nice way to to keep the Whyvillians a little more directly involved in what gets passed on to City Hall.
Online Submission Form for the Times
The Times is an absolutely amazing aspect of Whyville that I think everyone should get the opportunity to participate in. In order to submit an article as of right now, one must send an e-mail to the Editor with a certain format for both the title and the body of the letter. Times participation has seemed to be on the low side lately, and I know a lot of citizens who have struggled with submitting their articles in the past. I feel it'd be easier for a lot of citizens if there were a submission form on the Whyville website. It could include different boxes to put in your title, article description, article type, and actual article, and I think it would compel some more citizens to become more active in the Times.
Community Events
As of right now, some community events that are regularly offered in the Greek Theater include the Scion Solutions Quiz Game, Math Expressions, Letter Squash, and of course Trivia. Trivia seems to be a big hit with everyone and is a great even that really brings Whyvillians together. I'd love to see some new exciting community events taking place, in addition to bringing back fun old ones such as Story Telling and Rhyme Time!
Game Updates
Games are a fun way to spend time with your fellow Whyvillians and enhancing Whyville's current games could, in turn, enhance the fun! Some of our current games that don't already do so, could be made a little more exciting by adding a clam reward to things such as Simon Says. Possibly an option to play against the computer in games such as Checkers and Kalah, like you can in Microbe Wars against Sonya, would also be a fun new addition. Also, I feel like the addition of a few new games could be an exciting new thing to bring to the site as well!
All in all, building on the sense of community in Whyville is something I'd plan on pushing for. I'd really like to thank all of you, once again, that have supported me in this election and the past senate term to get me where I am. And regardless of the outcome of this election, I'd like to thank Kittieme, Lilchiche, Scyllacat, and City Hall for making this a truly awesome experience for me. I've really enjoyed the time I've had as senator and have learned a lot. I can only ask that you be kind enough to support me for a second term!
Best of luck to all the other candidates!
-Xoxkitkat
