Children's+Hall+of+Fame

"All politics is local." former Speaker of the House Thomas "Tip" O'Neill (D-MA)

The Pleasure Drive and Park District of Peoria ("Peoria Park District") is the oldest park system within the State of Illinois. It manages a wide array of programs, and controls 9,000 acres of land within Peoria County. Nationally recognized for excellence, the Park District is facing a period of economic stress. Currently, the District is considering eliminating specific programs in an attempt to balance the budget.

In this assignment, your group will choose by draft a park district program that you will advocate saving from the budget axe. You will also choose a program that you will attack as unworthy of keeping. This draft will be by choice, in serpentine order. Order to be determined by Blackjack. In the initial round of arguments, you will have no more than five minutes to present your case. When all parties have presented a secret ballot will be conducted, where each person will choose three programs for the Park District to save.

In their presentation, each group will explain their program in some detail, making clear why it fits into the mission and purpose of the Park District. You also will be working with __**linkage** **institutions**__ (media, grassroots, interest groups) to get the message out. You need to create a 30-60 second ad, as well as a billboard. One of these products must be from the viewpoint a grassroots movement/interest group ally.

Should you address your program opponent? Do you have to? While the public says they do not like negative campaigning, history shows it works. While you cannot outright be dishonest (e.g. Riverplex: Does it give discounts to North Korean spies?), you are allowed to bend it. You need to decide what to do about your opponent. Keep in mind the quote attributed to coaching legend Vince Lombardi: "Winning isn't everything. It's the **only** thing."

Groups will be assigned randomly, with all (except one) composed of three people. Each person will be specifically responsible for one component (information, media, opposition research). Ample time to finish this project will be given (all day Tuesday and Thursday; Monday will be given based on prior work effort).

Grading:

Arguments

50 pts: Factual support 30 pts: Persuasiveness (bonus points will be given for moving your program forward). 20 pts: Incorporation of linkage institutions

Good luck, and may the best programs survive!