It was a RTN 311/364 reunion in Pomepeii's Cathedral School yesterday, but 
instead of sitting down for a four hour lecture, the class got to interview and mingle with a 'whos who' list of Syracuse politicians. "Are you student reporters? From SU? In Professor Nicholson's class?" As soon as I walked into the school I was asked these questions by several different people and that made approaching people easier since they already had an idea of why I was there and what I was going to ask. I found that our class stood out like a sore thumb - with our reporter notebooks and recorders giving it away, but most people who weren't busy enjoying their spaghetti were approachable and happy to answer questions.
I interviewed Michele Pirro Bailey who was running for the vacant position of Family Court Judge. She won, defeating Democratic rival Mark Waldauer by a substantial percentage of the vote. Bailey treated me like a professional reporter and provided thoughtful answers to all of my questions. Bailey was confident that she would be elected, and even cited her experience as a mother of two as a qualification. The hardest part about conducting the interview was that I didn't really have any hard hitting questions. I'd only researched the major players (Nick Pirro, Bill Magnarelli, Joanie Mahoney, etc.) and I regretted that strategy as soon as the interview with Bailey got underway. I really wish I knew more about her history, her campaign, and the issues she plans to implement as Family Court Judge but I still survived the interview and got a great sound bite that I used in my wrap. I tried getting an interview with her opponent Mark Waldauer, but I had no idea what he looked like until it was too late. Another case of not being prepared!
instead of sitting down for a four hour lecture, the class got to interview and mingle with a 'whos who' list of Syracuse politicians. "Are you student reporters? From SU? In Professor Nicholson's class?" As soon as I walked into the school I was asked these questions by several different people and that made approaching people easier since they already had an idea of why I was there and what I was going to ask. I found that our class stood out like a sore thumb - with our reporter notebooks and recorders giving it away, but most people who weren't busy enjoying their spaghetti were approachable and happy to answer questions.For my second location I went to the Goldstein voting booth and learned just how sketchy poll inspectors can be. I didn't have a permission letter to get into the voting room, but I managed to sneak in (suit and tie finally pays off) and began looking for people to interview. I went from table to table, ward to ward, until I finally got somebody willing to speak to me. Most of the people I asked for interviews told me they were forbidden to talk to anyone, but luckily one guy said yes and I had a story. Election Inspector Harry Robinson let me know that there had hardly been any students there to vote since 5 A.M. that morning. He noted the weather, the fact that many students aren't from the Syracuse area, and the location of the polls as reasons why student turn out was so low.
(picture from http://pirrobailey.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/bailey1.jpg
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