For the candidates profile stories, I’m going to interview Paul Zimmerman from the Civic Party and Siu Ka Yi from the DAB. The Civic Party is a new pan-democratic party, whereas the DAB is the most organised and well established party from the pro-Bejing side.

I have already contacted Paul previously so I was planning to interview him and take some photos whilst he’s out canvassing in his constituency on Stubbs Road. I realise that he has been very active in promoting urban planning and development so getting pictures and quotes related to those topics would be most appropriate. Mr Zimmerman is convenor of the Designing Hong Kong Harbour District and has written numerous stories for SCMP.

Siu Ka Yi is from the DAB, which always has the most supporters and candidates. She is running in the Tung Wah constituency for the Central and Western District Council. Her profession according to her nomination information is community co-ordinator. The material I get will largely depend on what I find out during the interview. I hope to get some photos of her ‘in action’ in her community with some colourful soundbites to go along with it. I haven’t found many online sources of information on Ms Siu.

During an election, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between different candidates who are trying hard to be everything for all people. They use promotional opportunities to embellish on their achievements and deny or gloss over whatever shortcomings they may have. I wanted a blunt and honest assessment of the candidates in my constituency so I found two people willing to share their opposing views. Both are long-time residents and regular voters in the Stanley Shek O constituency, however, Mrs Lee is a retiree, whereas Mr Ko is a business owner. Their expectations, needs and priorities differ significantly from one another although they both live in the same estate. As I reflected on both of the interviews afterward it dawned on me that I hadn’t just learned more about the candidates for the upcoming election but I had also learned more about my local community as well… which is a good thing.

Mrs Lee’s interview, with translation, 1:48:

a001work.mp3

Mr Ko’s interview, 4:45:

a006.mp3

The rally for universal suffrage last Sunday, not only attracted those in favour of democracy but also this plucky individual, who was holding a banner stating that democracy resulted in people like Chen Shui-bian being elected.

The vast majority of the demonstrators read the banner, chuckled or shook their heads and simply continued on their way. A handful of people, however, stopped and began taunting the man. As more people marched by, the man and his banner developed into a congregation point and the taunts became more aggressive. At least two people tried to knock the banner down with their umbrellas

Fortunately the police resolved the problem by forming a cordon around the fellow and removed his banner. This defused the situation immediately and the crowd moved away.

Afterward I kept wondering to myself what in the world was this person thinking? Why mention Chen Shui-bian when he could have used George W. Bush instead? It just doesn’t make any sense.

Today, I interviewed Jojo as part of the New Media class at the Journalism and Media Studies Centre at HKU. Here is the audio file: Jojo

A dragon dances past the Stanley Fishermen’s Recreation Club as part of the national day celebrations on Sunday 30 September. Lasting for over eight hours, the organisers appear to have spared no expense in demonstrating their patriotism. Suckling pig, Cantonese opera, dancing dragons and dancing maidens were all included in the jam-packed programme.

Stanley and Shek O District Councillor, Chan Lee Pui Ying, was on hand to boost the profile of her re-election campaign. Mrs Chan, a former movie actress, was spotted distributing leaflets and greeting residents in her constituency a week before the nomination period of 2-15 October. During the last election, Mrs Chan narrowly kept her seat in the District Council and she is determined to keep it again this time.

Mrs Chan’s rival for the District Council, Alson Wong Kam-chuen, also took part in the day’s festivities. Mrs Chan’s expression, in the background, speaks volumes about the feelings these two candidates have for one another. It’s interesting to note that in the last election, six of the 17 constituencies in Southern District were uncontested, but Mrs Chan and Mr Wong battled fiercely for the Stanley and Shek O seat.

Some of the more mature residents of Stanley and Shek O can usually be relied upon to raise attendance figures for community events like this one. More photos of the celebrations can be seen at www.flickr.com/photos/robertolsen