In one of your shows, you solicited ways that citizens can interact with elections. Here is what I organized in Salem, Virginia to hold City Council candidates accountable. Three activist leaders made up the steering committee of newly-formed Salem FOCUS (Fairness, Openness, Citizens United for Salem) drafted 45 questions to record candidates' answers so they can be held accountable after they are elected. The questions are distributed through blast emails with request to share. Also, posted in various locations.
(Ralph, my husband, Frank Munley, worked in your aviation safety subgroup, ACAP (Aviation Consumer Action Project). I also met and walked with you between buildings at Hollins U. in Roanoke when you spoke there at the Student's Union invitation. Thank you for your continued, unending leadership to bring a better government to US.))
Here are our questions and we're constantly thinking of more.
45 questions for Salem City Council Candidates in Fall Midterm 2026 Election
Questions were drafted by newly-formed Salem group: FOCUS (Fairness, Openness, Citizens United for Salem
(This is the first time Salem City Council election is taking place in the fall instead of the traditional Spring where the city council election was a separate election devoted to focusing on City issues only.)
1. Should Salem officially adopt Robert’s Rules of Order or an equivalent so all citizens understand by what rules the city’s business +and meetings are conducted?
2. Developers and others are allowed to use the city taxpayers- paid audiovisual equipment. During citizens’ permitted five minutes to speak before Council, shouldn't citizens be also be able to use this equipment, provided they submit to the same protocol inspection required to screen other Salem City-invited official presenters to City Council for use of a thumb drive or other equipment that is reviewed by Salem's IT department?
3 Should Council's, the Planning Commission's and all public body meetings--including pre-planning meetings and workshops--be held after the normal workday (5:00 p.m. and after), so citizens can attend?
If not, why not?
4. Should Salem’s top zoning and planning priority be to maintain the character of existing residential neighborhoods?
If yes, why?
If not, why not?
5. Should Council members vote for something despite vocal and visible opposition using phrases like these: “I am voting for ALL Salem citizens.” “There wasn’t anything we could do to stop it.” or “Property rights…”
6. Is protecting Salem's historic buildings and lands a top priority?
Yes
No. If not, why not?
How could Salem do more?
7. How can we maximize citizens’ and visitors’ use of the Roanoke River?
8. The growth of vacancies--especially in the downtown area--is troubling. Building owners +who are holding onto empty spaces for lower tax rates should be discouraged. Other cities have been known to tax owners after a period of time for excessive vacancies. What should Salem do about excess commercial vacancies?
9. Should “affordable housing” be the principal guide for future Salem and rezoning regardless of whether impacted area residents are overwhelmingly opposed?
If yes, why?
10. Without any cited evidence or without any provided evidence, should elected officials simply vote for what they think is best and ignore citizens’ concerns often citing the phrase: "We are voting for “ALL of Salem."?
Why or why not?
11. Roanoke City and County have begun installing solar panels on schools. Do you favor going solar with Salem's Public buildings?
Why or why not?
12. Do you support a Salem Architectural Review Board (ARB) to protect Salem’s historical structures and lands?
Yes If No, why not?
13. Should Salem install more green spaces?
No Yes If yes, what are your ideas?
14. Should Salem make removing blighted and deteriorating properties a top priority?
If not, why not?
15. Salem is marketing itself as a championship city. However, there is a void in the city for development of the arts, fine and performing arts, especially for young adults. How could the city improve its commitment to help foster this development?
Below are the 30 takehome questions:
16. Why are you running for Salem City Council?
17. In your view, who do you represent as a City Council representative?
18. Do you favor transitioning Salem City Council to a Ward system consisting of four councilmen to represent North, South, East and West areas with three seats at large totaling seven instead of five councilmen?
Why or why not? If yes, what are your thoughts on expanding Council to seven members as described?
19. What ideas do you have that Salem could use to encourage new initiatives or facilities to invite people to visit our city and spend money in Salem?
20. Certain topics are complex and some citizens more informed. Should citizens be allowed to yield their three or five minutes to another speaker when speaking before Council or during a public hearing?
Yes No. Why or why not?
21. Should all Council “retreats” and meetings be held within the Salem City limits so citizens can attend?
No Yes Why or why not?
22. Should Salem City Council weigh in on federal and state projects that directly impact Salem to voice concerns and opposition? Example: the Mountain Valley Pipeline proposed compressor station in Elliston or Bent Mountain data centers if that applies, potential state mandates for denser housing and future mandates that are unfunded?
Planning
23. Do you support Salem establishing a fund to purchase key Salem properties that become available so that appropriate development can eventually go there?
Yes If No, why not?
Housing
24. Is Salem’s housing development growth rate about right, too low or not high enough?
25. Should Salem act to allow denser rezoning beyond what is allowed currently?
No Yes If yes, how does Salem benefit?2611. Should Salem invite government-subsidized housing to be built in Salem?
Environment
26. Do you think Salem's tree canopy is adequate?
Yes If No, why and what should be done?
27. Should Salem’s 2024 Comprehensive Plan be amended to include a section on Climate Resilience?
Do you have ideas for this?
Protection of Neighborhoods, History and Green Spaces
28. Should 18-wheeler tractor-tractor trucks be allowed on all Salem streets except for moving or other necessary trips?
Yes If No, what alternatives would you suggest?
Recreation
29. Do you support one or more interplay and interactive water play fountains or “splash parks” in Salem’s downtown and/or parks area to provide relief from increasingly hot weather for children so they can play outside? Also to attract summer visitors to Salem and its downtown businesses?
No If Yes, how many “splash parks” and where?
30. Do you support a local, centrally-located skate park?
If so, where?
31. Do you support a bike circuit trail for younger kids? If so, where?
32. Do you support a public pool to provide for Salem residents to swim laps and help foster Salem children's ability to swim?
No Yes. If Yes, where and what kind of swimming pool? Chlorine or saltwater pool? Indoor or Outdoor?
33. Do you favor Salem investing in or supporting the construction of a Community/Teen Center with meeting rooms to be available to groups who need a location to meet?
No If Yes, where?
34. What do you think should or could be done to end the common practice of vandalizing Salem Park restrooms which have been shut to children/visitors this summer at Longwood Park for example?
What Sources Inform You?
35. To which of the following do you subscribe or read regularly? If yes, Please type and “X” to the left of the media you read/or subscribe to:
Salem Times Register
Roanoke Times
Cardinal News
Other: Please list:
36. Have you read the following? Please identify by putting an “X” to the left of your answer:
Salem’s current Comprehensive Plan
If yes, what do you like about it?
What corrections or tweaks does it need in your view?
Salem’s Zoning Code
What are your thoughts on Salem’s Zoning Code?
Salem’s Charter
Any thoughts about Salem’s Charter?
37. How many Salem City Council meetings have you attended this year? (provide dates from your calendar if you wish.)
Other Salem meetings? (please list by name and date).
38. Should citizens be able to ask questions at Council meetings and receive answers by at least the next Council meeting?
If not, why not?
39. Should citizens be allowed to submit written ideas or concerns and request Council discuss these at a City Council workshop or work session before a city council meeting where citizens can interact?
If not, why not?
40. Should Salem Council yearly hold two or more community Townhall meetings?
If not, why not?
41. Should any/all Council retreats be held within the Salem City limits so citizens can attend?
42. In your view, is it appropriate for Salem Council candidates to run for Salem office backed by a national political party?
43. Please describe your character qualities and unique abilities to navigate complex interactions and challenging situations to forge a productive path forward that represents your Salem constituents fairly.
44. Please describe how you will make yourself available to Salem citizens, attend meetings and fulfill other obligations of the office of Salem City Council.
45. Please share anything about how your life and work experience demonstrates your leadership and competence to prepare you to serve on the Salem City Council.
Also on the 4th of July let's keep in mind that the "revolution" based on high taxes was a fraud as even this well known libertarian wrote about, that the Colonists had a taxation rate of 1/25th of Great Britain: https://www.garynorth.com/public/16833.cfm
“It is critical for us to go on the offensive now, before we lose this window of opportunity, and politicians (and the non-profit industrial complex, which we call out in the Declaration) derail our movement again.”
Decades ago, someone talked to a room of hundreds of students about windows of opportunity; that really stuck with me, though at the time I did not know that it would be a pivotal moment that I would recall often in later years. I cannot remember verbatim what she said now, but I have applied that concept ever since. Windows open and close, and they may not open again for generations. I have taken this to mean that when they are open you should punch through them [or climb, depends on the circumstance ;) ]. It is sort of like picking your battles. See the opening and take it.
This is not just about just Jewish homeland for the jews. This is about gaining as much land as possibe for the jewish people, if that means illegal settlements or making life miserable for the Palestinian people where they are forced to leave their homeland.
Only 9 million in Israel, think about that. Our foreign policy almost totally hijacked by a tiny country, as we bomb and attack their neighbors from Libya in the 1980s, to Iraq, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, etc..
Already there✊👍. Thank you Ralph for all you do
HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE BY CHECK AND THROUGH THE MAIL - ALSO FOR THE 'NADER ROADIO HOUR'?
SAM ALLEN
Please see/publish Richard’s Substack obituary on The Declaration of Independence. Thank you.
In one of your shows, you solicited ways that citizens can interact with elections. Here is what I organized in Salem, Virginia to hold City Council candidates accountable. Three activist leaders made up the steering committee of newly-formed Salem FOCUS (Fairness, Openness, Citizens United for Salem) drafted 45 questions to record candidates' answers so they can be held accountable after they are elected. The questions are distributed through blast emails with request to share. Also, posted in various locations.
(Ralph, my husband, Frank Munley, worked in your aviation safety subgroup, ACAP (Aviation Consumer Action Project). I also met and walked with you between buildings at Hollins U. in Roanoke when you spoke there at the Student's Union invitation. Thank you for your continued, unending leadership to bring a better government to US.))
Cynthia Munley: FOCUS leader cell: 540 309 4668 and email: cmunley@live.com
Here are our questions and we're constantly thinking of more.
45 questions for Salem City Council Candidates in Fall Midterm 2026 Election
Questions were drafted by newly-formed Salem group: FOCUS (Fairness, Openness, Citizens United for Salem
(This is the first time Salem City Council election is taking place in the fall instead of the traditional Spring where the city council election was a separate election devoted to focusing on City issues only.)
1. Should Salem officially adopt Robert’s Rules of Order or an equivalent so all citizens understand by what rules the city’s business +and meetings are conducted?
2. Developers and others are allowed to use the city taxpayers- paid audiovisual equipment. During citizens’ permitted five minutes to speak before Council, shouldn't citizens be also be able to use this equipment, provided they submit to the same protocol inspection required to screen other Salem City-invited official presenters to City Council for use of a thumb drive or other equipment that is reviewed by Salem's IT department?
3 Should Council's, the Planning Commission's and all public body meetings--including pre-planning meetings and workshops--be held after the normal workday (5:00 p.m. and after), so citizens can attend?
If not, why not?
4. Should Salem’s top zoning and planning priority be to maintain the character of existing residential neighborhoods?
If yes, why?
If not, why not?
5. Should Council members vote for something despite vocal and visible opposition using phrases like these: “I am voting for ALL Salem citizens.” “There wasn’t anything we could do to stop it.” or “Property rights…”
6. Is protecting Salem's historic buildings and lands a top priority?
Yes
No. If not, why not?
How could Salem do more?
7. How can we maximize citizens’ and visitors’ use of the Roanoke River?
8. The growth of vacancies--especially in the downtown area--is troubling. Building owners +who are holding onto empty spaces for lower tax rates should be discouraged. Other cities have been known to tax owners after a period of time for excessive vacancies. What should Salem do about excess commercial vacancies?
9. Should “affordable housing” be the principal guide for future Salem and rezoning regardless of whether impacted area residents are overwhelmingly opposed?
If yes, why?
10. Without any cited evidence or without any provided evidence, should elected officials simply vote for what they think is best and ignore citizens’ concerns often citing the phrase: "We are voting for “ALL of Salem."?
Why or why not?
11. Roanoke City and County have begun installing solar panels on schools. Do you favor going solar with Salem's Public buildings?
Why or why not?
12. Do you support a Salem Architectural Review Board (ARB) to protect Salem’s historical structures and lands?
Yes If No, why not?
13. Should Salem install more green spaces?
No Yes If yes, what are your ideas?
14. Should Salem make removing blighted and deteriorating properties a top priority?
If not, why not?
15. Salem is marketing itself as a championship city. However, there is a void in the city for development of the arts, fine and performing arts, especially for young adults. How could the city improve its commitment to help foster this development?
Below are the 30 takehome questions:
16. Why are you running for Salem City Council?
17. In your view, who do you represent as a City Council representative?
18. Do you favor transitioning Salem City Council to a Ward system consisting of four councilmen to represent North, South, East and West areas with three seats at large totaling seven instead of five councilmen?
Why or why not? If yes, what are your thoughts on expanding Council to seven members as described?
19. What ideas do you have that Salem could use to encourage new initiatives or facilities to invite people to visit our city and spend money in Salem?
20. Certain topics are complex and some citizens more informed. Should citizens be allowed to yield their three or five minutes to another speaker when speaking before Council or during a public hearing?
Yes No. Why or why not?
21. Should all Council “retreats” and meetings be held within the Salem City limits so citizens can attend?
No Yes Why or why not?
22. Should Salem City Council weigh in on federal and state projects that directly impact Salem to voice concerns and opposition? Example: the Mountain Valley Pipeline proposed compressor station in Elliston or Bent Mountain data centers if that applies, potential state mandates for denser housing and future mandates that are unfunded?
Planning
23. Do you support Salem establishing a fund to purchase key Salem properties that become available so that appropriate development can eventually go there?
Yes If No, why not?
Housing
24. Is Salem’s housing development growth rate about right, too low or not high enough?
25. Should Salem act to allow denser rezoning beyond what is allowed currently?
No Yes If yes, how does Salem benefit?2611. Should Salem invite government-subsidized housing to be built in Salem?
Environment
26. Do you think Salem's tree canopy is adequate?
Yes If No, why and what should be done?
27. Should Salem’s 2024 Comprehensive Plan be amended to include a section on Climate Resilience?
Do you have ideas for this?
Protection of Neighborhoods, History and Green Spaces
28. Should 18-wheeler tractor-tractor trucks be allowed on all Salem streets except for moving or other necessary trips?
Yes If No, what alternatives would you suggest?
Recreation
29. Do you support one or more interplay and interactive water play fountains or “splash parks” in Salem’s downtown and/or parks area to provide relief from increasingly hot weather for children so they can play outside? Also to attract summer visitors to Salem and its downtown businesses?
No If Yes, how many “splash parks” and where?
30. Do you support a local, centrally-located skate park?
If so, where?
31. Do you support a bike circuit trail for younger kids? If so, where?
32. Do you support a public pool to provide for Salem residents to swim laps and help foster Salem children's ability to swim?
No Yes. If Yes, where and what kind of swimming pool? Chlorine or saltwater pool? Indoor or Outdoor?
33. Do you favor Salem investing in or supporting the construction of a Community/Teen Center with meeting rooms to be available to groups who need a location to meet?
No If Yes, where?
34. What do you think should or could be done to end the common practice of vandalizing Salem Park restrooms which have been shut to children/visitors this summer at Longwood Park for example?
What Sources Inform You?
35. To which of the following do you subscribe or read regularly? If yes, Please type and “X” to the left of the media you read/or subscribe to:
Salem Times Register
Roanoke Times
Cardinal News
Other: Please list:
36. Have you read the following? Please identify by putting an “X” to the left of your answer:
Salem’s current Comprehensive Plan
If yes, what do you like about it?
What corrections or tweaks does it need in your view?
Salem’s Zoning Code
What are your thoughts on Salem’s Zoning Code?
Salem’s Charter
Any thoughts about Salem’s Charter?
37. How many Salem City Council meetings have you attended this year? (provide dates from your calendar if you wish.)
Other Salem meetings? (please list by name and date).
38. Should citizens be able to ask questions at Council meetings and receive answers by at least the next Council meeting?
If not, why not?
39. Should citizens be allowed to submit written ideas or concerns and request Council discuss these at a City Council workshop or work session before a city council meeting where citizens can interact?
If not, why not?
40. Should Salem Council yearly hold two or more community Townhall meetings?
If not, why not?
41. Should any/all Council retreats be held within the Salem City limits so citizens can attend?
42. In your view, is it appropriate for Salem Council candidates to run for Salem office backed by a national political party?
43. Please describe your character qualities and unique abilities to navigate complex interactions and challenging situations to forge a productive path forward that represents your Salem constituents fairly.
44. Please describe how you will make yourself available to Salem citizens, attend meetings and fulfill other obligations of the office of Salem City Council.
45. Please share anything about how your life and work experience demonstrates your leadership and competence to prepare you to serve on the Salem City Council.
I look forward to the articles and to David Cay Johnston's "DC Report" too.
Retired Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski recently wrote about the dead in Gaza being over a million: https://karenkwiatkowski.substack.com/p/explaining-the-numbers-in-gaza
Also on the 4th of July let's keep in mind that the "revolution" based on high taxes was a fraud as even this well known libertarian wrote about, that the Colonists had a taxation rate of 1/25th of Great Britain: https://www.garynorth.com/public/16833.cfm
“It is critical for us to go on the offensive now, before we lose this window of opportunity, and politicians (and the non-profit industrial complex, which we call out in the Declaration) derail our movement again.”
Decades ago, someone talked to a room of hundreds of students about windows of opportunity; that really stuck with me, though at the time I did not know that it would be a pivotal moment that I would recall often in later years. I cannot remember verbatim what she said now, but I have applied that concept ever since. Windows open and close, and they may not open again for generations. I have taken this to mean that when they are open you should punch through them [or climb, depends on the circumstance ;) ]. It is sort of like picking your battles. See the opening and take it.
This is not just about just Jewish homeland for the jews. This is about gaining as much land as possibe for the jewish people, if that means illegal settlements or making life miserable for the Palestinian people where they are forced to leave their homeland.
Only 9 million in Israel, think about that. Our foreign policy almost totally hijacked by a tiny country, as we bomb and attack their neighbors from Libya in the 1980s, to Iraq, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, etc..