July 4th, 2003: Independence Day. A day that would go down in Whyville history. Summer was in full swing, and many eager Whyvillians were awaiting the latest issue of the Whyville Times. Many were looking in particular for another of summer Times Writer Giggler01's interesting articles. The Whyville Safety Patrol was out on watch, carefully monitoring their peers, and making sure everyone was following the Whyville Way. It was on this day, in 2003 that City Hall herself announced the coming of the Whyville Senate.
Whyville was ablaze with excitement. There were those in support, those in protest, and those eager to be the first to claim the title of Whyville Senator. Nobody quite knew what was going on. What was a Senator supposed to do? How long would they serve as Senator? How would they become Senator? It seemed that even City Hall wasn't sure about these answers.
After several long days of campaigning, hours of begging citizens for votes, and many Times articles, three potential candidates emerged from the crowd. There was the Why-friendly TIKE, who was well liked by all in Whyville, and a faithful follower of the Whyville Way. There was the allusive Amazing, the mysterious Whyville veteran. And of course, there was the infamous Giggler01. The voting went on for a week, with each and every citizen keeping his or her eyes peeled for the next issue of the Whyville Times which would announce the first holder of the most honourable citizen position in Whyville. Her name was Giggler01, and she was the first Whyville Senator. Citizens and City Workers alike were excited. The position of Whyville Senator had been filled, and everything went smoothly. Giggler01 would go on to serve as the sole Senator for six months, before Whyvillians elected another citizen to lead them.
After two or three senators served the standard six month period, Whyvillians called out for more. Two Senators a year was not enough. Our senator brought this to the attention of City Workers and they responded. There would be three senators elected, each serving for six months, but with a new senator to be elected in two month intervals. This would see six Senators in one year, with three Senators serving at any given time. The Whyville Senate was truly alive.
Becoming a Senator is not an altogether difficult process. First, you submit your 'platform' in the "Poll Booth" in your bus menu. Your platform contains your aims and goals if you were to become the Senator, and tries to convince others as to why they should vote for you. If, in this one week process, your platform receives one of the top three numbers of votes, you will be a finalist. The three finalists then write new platforms in the Whyville Times, and citizens will receive another week to vote between these three candidates only. After this week is completed, City Hall announces the winner in the latest issue of the Whyville Times. An inauguration is held, and the winner is provided with the Senatorial crown. The race is over -- for now.
If any of that information sounds new to you, then don't be worried. The Senate race has NOT been happening behind your back. You haven't missed out on any opportunities just yet. So, if you haven't missed anything, then what has happened? Where has the Senate race gone? Where is that excitement and anticipation we all love to observe and participate?
In January of 2007, the three finalists of the 14th Whyville Senate Race were announced. They were ps2man1, willis4, and peachadee. All that remained was the Senate Debate and the final vote, before Whyville would see its newest Senator. Unfortunately, that has never happened. The Senate Debate never received an official date, and the final vote has not occurred. The Whyville Senate has been thrown out of order, and citizens are once again calling out to City Workers to be heard. News of the Senate Race was non-existent. Knowledge that the Senators did at one time govern Whyville has faded.
Current senators hotboi764, Mitsuy, and Andy109 have long since expired their time in office, and a completely new Whyville Senate is due. Although they have been excellent and valiant senators, democracy calls for change in our Whyville government. Our senatorial system has been the subject of ridicule for far too long. It must stop now. I went to our current Senators, and they agree. They feel that their position has been ignored, and that their role in Whyville has diminished.
We want to be heard, not ignored; pulled in, not pushed away; and we want our opinions to count for what they are! We are the voice of Whyville. City Workers, can you hear us? We need a solution to this problem, and we need it now. We will not go quietly! Give us back our voice!
Your fellow citizen,
Deriko
