The Province
By Brian Lewis
Very few politicians would have the nerve or stamina to do what Delta North MLA Guy Gentner does to keep in touch with constituents.
It amounts to holding three unrehearsed town-hall meetings per week, week in and week-out, as well as performing the countless other tasks of elected officials.
Since last fall, the second-term New Democrat has been hosting a regular Internet-radio show from his North Delta constituency office or the Victoria legislature.
Listeners tune in via Gentner's website at www.guygentner.ca, where they can hear the separate one-hour shows live beginning at 8 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays or at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays. Podcasts are available for those who miss the live shows.
The Monday show covers issues specific to Gentner's riding or just the south-of-Fraser region. Provincewide issues are the focus of Tuesday's show, while Wednesday-edition topics are open.
"As far as I know, I'm the only politician in Canada who does an Internet-radio show," Gentner says. "But others will start soon because I've had inquiries from eastern MPs wanting to try something similar."
Gentner launched his broadcasts last Oct. 24 to fill what he feels is a significant void between MLAs and their constituents.
"MLAs, in particular, are inaccessible to constituents because we're often across the water in Victoria, unlike front-line municipal politicians who you'll find at local council meetings Monday or Tuesday nights," he explains. "So I thought of using 21st-century technology like the web to create an Internet town hall for my constituents."
It took just $600 to buy the basic broadcast equipment needed for an Internet connection together with approximately $200 monthly in fees for the necessary bandwidth. In other words, the costs are much in line with printing a brochure.
And, not surprisingly, given the numerous big issues facing Delta these days, Gentner has no shortage of topics for the show, so his audiences are growing. Currently, an individual show draws up to about 800 listeners, he says.
Topics include major local issues such as the South Fraser Perimeter Road or Burns Bog, together with larger issues such as Lower Mainland garbage incineration, or health care, or the HST.
One of his most popular shows was his recent exclusive interview with former NDP premier Glen Clark, who has been keeping a very low profile since leaving politics and joining the Jim Pattison Group.
In addition to featuring other NDP MLAs, Gentner has had guests such as independent Delta South MLA Vicki Huntington on the show. He says he'd also welcome B.C. Liberals and others with different points of view to drop by for a chat.
However, this project isn't just about one local MLA's new-found affinity for a microphone.
Periodically, Gentner passes the mic over to fellow or former MLAs and other advocates so they too can have their say on issues and receive feedback from listeners.
In fact, he'd like to see more of this happen. But for now, it's "Goooooood morning, North Delta!"
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