Contemporary Issues

This flyer is being made in an attempt to clarify the different movements, ideas, and arguments circulating in our little city. I hope to speak without bias and welcome anyone who wishes to correct mistakes within; merely contact me to make such arrangements. Keep in mind, these are city wide issues and although helpful for this campaign season, they are not to be considered the only issues nor are they specifically issues of the Upper Council, but instead reflect upon the entire city.

The Issues: -City Division -Canal Ward Ownership -Specifics of Spellguard Authority -Troop Movements Rights of Separated States -Lower Sanctuary Governance

City Division

Our city is currently divided into three bodies: Lower Sanctuary, the Canal Ward, and Upper Sanctuary. Within each of these three larger divisions, there are many smaller regions, such as New Dunwarren or the Machine Zone. Currently, there are three reigning notions. The first notion is that Sanctuary itself is not capable of unity, at least at the current time. The second notion is that Sanctuary is capable of being unified only when the authority of Upper Sanctuary takes control of the other two divisions. The third notion is that all three can co-exist in harmony after Lower Sanctuary and the Canal Ward become one unified body with a functional government; additionally, the first notion may be appropriate at a considerably later date.

Canal Ward Ownership

Stemming from the previous issue, the Canal Ward is now an open domain, in theory. The question is which occupant should take control of the region and its valuable port. One notion is that Lower Sanctuary and the Canal Ward would become one unified body, sometimes referred to as Sanctuary Below. The other notion is that, coinciding with the second notion of the "City Division" topic, both regions should be absorbed as Upper Sanctuary domain. The third notion is that it should be an open domain, occupied by neither Upper nor Lower Sanctuary alone but allowed to remain autonomous.

Specifics of Spellguard Authority

Currently, the Spellguard has been given much the same power as any officer of the Watch. The issue is very complicated and detail-oriented, thus there are numerous different approaches to its resolution. Some of the points to consider are: -Agents' ability to arrest and fine -Agents' requirements to promote a positive public image -Agents' power/influence over directing the Watch -numerous smaller details

Troop Movement Rights in Separated States

After the separation of Upper and Lower Sanctuary, followed by a number of violent exchanges between the Upper authorities and Lower citizens, there were a number of laws passed to restrict the movement of Watch and Spellguard members in the Lowers, followed by a simpler law that gave them greater liberty to enter Lower again. The question is how much liberty the civil servants in the Watch and Spellguard should have when entering Lower Sanctuary: total liberty in uniform, total liberty outside of uniform and duty, highly restricted liberty verbally, highly restricted liberty by writ of passing, or no liberty. Following this and if they are allowed to enter Lower Sanctuary, what are the terms of their admittance and what courses of action can they take? Should they be allowed to fulfill their duties to Upper in Lower domain? Should they be required to gain admittance from some sort of authority, regardless of the current scarcity/ambiguity of such in Lower? Should they have no rights to their duties outside of their state?

Lower Sanctuary Governance

Currently there is no standing governance in Lower Sanctuary, although some efforts are being made by various individuals (such as myself, Lucius Westmore). Would it be for the benefit of Lower Sanctuary to have a governing body, or should it continue to be an open state with no order any further than gangs and their territorial claims? If a government were to be created, what should its duties and responsibilities be? Should it be merely a protective body with light taxes that are enough to run a defensive armed forces and small public projects, or should it be empowered to regulate trade and large public projects? Should its laws be simple and open to magistrates’ interpretations, or should it be detail-oriented for less subjective adjudication? Should it absorb the Canal Ward or leave it as an open domain?

If you would like to suggest amendments or additions to this flyer, please contact Lucius Westmore at the Crone. Mail is preferable for this.

If you would merely wish to discuss the issues, also feel free to contact me to arrange a meeting. ((Or just find me ingame.))

A few more of these are provided in small stacks at the Last Stand and the Crone- and one tacked on the Town Hall board. There is a small caveat.

If any councilor-nominees would like to express their stance on these issues for a quick comparative guide for voters, please provide your stands on each topic. Please keep your stance/opinion shorter than fifty words and follow the rubric provided.

Name:

Stance on...

City Division-

Canal Ward Ownership-

Specifics of Spellguard Authority-

Troop Movement Rights of Seperated States-

Lower Sanctuary Governance-

Current Residence:

Example

Name: Lucius Westmore

City Division- I believe that the city should remain divided as long as necessary to promote stability in Sanctuary Below, but rejoining may be a possibility within as little as six months.

Canal Ward Ownership- The Canal Ward should be an autonomous state. The government should be simple and support the needs of both Upper and Lower Sanctuary, emphasizing the restoration of peace between the two states.

Specifics of Spellguard Authority- The Spellguard should be supported as a research institution, but should have a simple, clearly defined role as a support for the Watch, not an independant law enforcement organization.

Troop Movement Rights of Seperated States- It would cause undue strife and violence in Lower Sanctuary to allow the open movement of Watchmen and Spellguard Agents in Lower Sanctuary. The emphasis should be on developing a means to reduce crime; i.e. a cooperative Lower-based defense force.

Lower Sanctuary Governance- Lower Sanctuary ought to remain independant. It would be rape in the clearest sense of the term if, after having seperated because of unrest, Upper Sanctuary were to retake Lower by force in order to have absolute control over the port and the profits it will provide.

Current Residence (for correspondance): The Pissing Crone Inn

((Councilor-nominees ONLY.))

*posted beneath many of the fliers by a pink haired female halfling*

Name : Merle Barer

City Division- I believe that the two city's should remain separate and maybe have lower try to create its own form of self governance.

Canal Ward Ownership- If a lower government of some sort could be formed i would like to see ownership of the canal go to them. However i would also like to see upper businesses rent out land in the canal to use from the lower council. Said rent could then be used to improve conditions and security in lower.

Specifics of Spellguard Authority- The spellguard should be treated equal to the watch in matters of defence. However they should have to work in supervision of the watch in matters of law enforcement (IE be accompanied by a watchman if they attempt arrests and such).

Troop movement right of Separated States- If a lower government was formed i believe they should strive to create there own law enforcement to keep the peace. However with the agreement of both councils allow Watch and spellguard in lower sanctuary in times of crisis (Such as an attack on the canal gate or to apprehend very dangerous criminals.) and then only at the request of the lower council.

Lower sanctuary Governance- See above although not gang based and elected by the lower people if at all possible.

Current Residence: The last stand inn