Publisher Notes: First Madison County Candidate Forum - County Commissioners

I heard about this late (I know, I know...), but I was able to make it up to the first Candidate Forum at City Hall tonight. The event was put on by The Herald Bulletin and WHBU.

Random notes as I work on video(s)...

• Met Leland Franklin for the first time tonight. Nice guy. I hope to contact WHBU to see how AFP can work together with them on ... something.
• Mr. Underwood. Heh. Not too many comments here. I think he did a pretty good job asking questions - which were compiled from citizen suggestions picked by the HB editorial board (which, unlike the AFP editorial board, actually exists. ;)
•  Not having been to one of these in Anderson before, I asked Leland how many people they were expecting. "Oh, 700 or 800," he said non-chalantly. I kind of nodded my head, a little surprised at the number. "No, seriously," he added a minute later. Heh. Funny stuff.
• I received some "wind in my sails" tonight. I showed up early to set-up the camera then used the rest of the time to 'work the crowd' - handing out papers, introducing myself, collecting business cards, etc. The network grows. A few had heard about AFP, which was nice.
• Henry Bird arrived with a gentleman I don't know. I didn't recognize him at first, across the auditorium as he walked in a few minutes before showtime. I headed over toward that direction, though, with a few papers in my hand. About halfway up the aisle, I recognized him. Heh. We exchanged a few pleasantries and I handed him a copy of AFP. More words were exchanged. It appears we may have lunch once he gets settled in more. Should be interesting.
• The real 'wind' came from standing in front of the camera (hungry but happy - although on another level, hungry in a good sense...) and Bird was on stage talking to Underwood and the others before everything started. And I turned around and saw a room full (well, a normal sized room... I should've taken a head count...I did pan the audience once...) ... I saw a lot of people reading AFP. I instantly wished it was better. I wondered what they thought. Would they come to the site and 'talk' with me? The thought of the HB publisher (newly arrived from corporate) standing on stage while a a handful of people read my "rag."
• Peter Lyonshad heard of AFP (liked the video interviews, he said) and sought me out to get a copy. It was nice meeting him. At 24, I have a feeling he has a long political career ahead of himself.
• I had a chance to talk to all of the candidates at one point or another.
• I wish there had been a bigger turnout. There were not many people. (Maybe a bigger banner on the HB homepage? Heh. Freebie there for ya...)
• I captured it (to the best of my abilities!) on video. I offered the HB a copy if they wanted - crediting me or not. I'll most likely post it at Hey Martha. They don't seem to have much synergy between their print and online products, imho. I'm obviously a little biased, though.
• I'm tired. It's been a long day. But a good one. Met with Prosecutor Broderick and Ed Leonard for lunch as well. (Shameless plug for Tommy J's who feeds me well...) AFP is going to be working with their office more in the future. I almost forgot the 'speech' I give on what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. I haven't given it in so long. Felt good to say those words aloud again, though.
• Ok, back to work on the video for a bit. (Yes, I finally had supper too...)