Wikinews:Arbitration Committee/Elections July 2007

The Arbitration Committee is community-elected group of users who can hold hearings in serious disputes that cannot otherwise be resolved by the community (through discussions or quick, generally temporary actions by administrators).

In general, ArbCom hearings are intended to be about whether core policies like NPOV and Wikiquette are followed. The members of ArbCom can decide whether or not they want to hear a particular case brought before them through Requests for arbitration. Be aware that arbitration duty can still be rather time-intensive in complex cases, and that you will be required to recuse yourself from cases you are involved in. Generally, all members of the Arbitration Committee are given Oversight, however if you are currently under the age of 18, you cannot receive this right (according to a resolution of the Wikimedia Foundation).

This Arbitration Committee election will be held from July 18, 2007, 20:00 UTC to July 31, 2007, 20:00 UTC. The elections are an open process and we strive for consensus. Anyone can be nominated. The 3 candidates with the most support will be appointed to the 3 open seats on the committee left vacant due to the expiring terms of committee members Chiacomo, Ilya Haykinson, and the seat left vacant when Messedrocker resigned from the committee.

The Arbitration Committee members elected will tentatively serve through July 31, 2008.

Election Policies

 * You must have at least 250 edits in the Main namespace before July 1, 2007 at 00:00 (UTC) in order to vote.
 * Your first edit must have been made before June 1, 2007 at 00:00 (UTC) in order to vote.
 * The results will become valid once they have been confirmed by the Wikinews Arbitration Committee Election Coordinators (see below).

Wikinews Arbitration Committee Election Coordinators
The Wikinews Arbitration Committee Election Coordinators currently consists of Thunderhead (chair), Daniel, Martinp23 and Brian New Zealand. The Committee oversees the election of the Arbitration Committee and verifies votes, using checkuser when needed to verify votes.

Nominations
Before voting, please check the F.A.Q..

User:SVTCobra
I nominate SVTCobra for a position on the arbitration committee. His tireless work in writing and editing shows a dedication to the Wikinews project. But further than that, I think his ability to mediate disputes based on the rules we all have to work with, would be a welcome addition to the committee. From what I have seen, he is focused on ensuring all users work within system. He has rescued countless articles and, more importantly, guided new users with specific suggestions on improvement - delivered with encouragement. Jcart1534 01:03, 11 July 2007 (UTC)


 * Acceptance: Thank you, Jcart1534, I accept your nomination. I would like to think that I am well-suited for a position on the Arbitration Committee. I try to abide by the rules/policy/precedent laid out before us by those who started this project. I also think that I have shown myself to be able to correct my own errors and mistakes and to apologize when I was rude or too blunt. The inability to do so is probably the main source of disputes on Wikinews. On the rare occasions, where I have entered myself into a debate or discussion between others, I think have always been fair. I have been reading the dispute archives, though it thankfully hasn't been too busy lately, so I think I am somewhat familiar with the process. I hate talking this much about myself, so I'll just say that I think that I'll be tough, but fair as a member of ArbCom. --SVTCobra 01:24, 12 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Questions

Votes

 * 1) Support Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 01:07, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 2) Support.--Steven Fruitsmaak (Reply) 19:30, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 3) Support DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 19:37, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Support -- Alastor Moody (T + C) 21:31, 20 July 2007 (UTC) Vote stricken because user does not meet eligibility requirements for voting (see above) Martinp23 22:18, 20 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 1) Support --Jcart1534 14:07, 21 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Support This guy helps me a lot. Brock contact... 14:17, 23 July 2007 (UTC) Vote stricken because user does not meet eligibility requirements for voting (see above) Martinp23 16:31, 23 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 1) Support --TUFKAAP 21:50, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

User:IlyaHaykinson
I nominate IlyaHaykinson for a position on the arbitration committee. Ilya has been faithful component of the community for many years, another term for him would be a excellent idea Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 06:49, 11 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Acceptance: I accept the nomination. As with my last term, I intend to act as a voter in any disputes that reach the ArbCom but will not want to act as an activist in the arbitration process.  Additionally, I believe that the fact that the ArbCom has been very inactive recently is a very good thing.  Please feel free to ask any questions about my position on my talk page. -- IlyaHaykinson 16:10, 11 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Questions

Votes

 * 1) Support Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 01:07, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 2) Support --Nzgabriel | Talk 03:43, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 3) Support DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 03:49, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 4) Support--+Deprifry+ 08:40, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Support Andre (talk) 03:05, 20 July 2007 (UTC) Vote stricken because user doesn't meet eligibility requirements (see above) - Martinp23 19:27, 20 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 1) Support Nyarlathotep 18:36, 20 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 2) Support —Zachary talk 19:48, 20 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Support -- Alastor Moody (T + C) 21:31, 20 July 2007 (UTC) Vote stricken because user does not meet eligibility requirements for voting (see above) Martinp23 22:18, 20 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 1) Support -Edbrown05 06:56, 24 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 2) Support --TUFKAAP 21:50, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

User:Cspurrier
I nominate Craig Spurrier for a position on the arbitration committee. Craig previously served ArbCom from January 31, 2006 to January 31, 2007. He is an admin, a bureaucrat and a steward, with still time left to stay in touch with the community here and answer requests or participate in discussions. In discussions, I've come to know him as someone who will make valuable critical remarks while remaining sensible, an essential quality for ArbCom. --Steven Fruitsmaak (Reply) 11:40, 11 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Acceptance: I accept --Cspurrier 23:42, 12 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Questions

Votes

 * 1) Support Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 01:07, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 2) Support.--+Deprifry+ 08:40, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 3) Support.--Steven Fruitsmaak (Reply) 19:29, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 4) Support: DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 19:37, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Support Andre (talk) 01:32, 20 July 2007 (UTC) Vote stricken because user doesn't meet eligibility requirements (see above) - Martinp23 19:27, 20 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 1) Support —Zach</b><b style="color:#0e448d">a</b><b style="color:#1c55b5">ry</b> talk 19:48, 20 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Support -- Alastor Moody (T + C) 21:32, 20 July 2007 (UTC) Vote stricken because user does not meet eligibility requirements for voting (see above) Martinp23 22:18, 20 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 1) Support halp me i've been on an train for twelve god damn hours :(( → MR  01:55, 21 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 2) Support -Edbrown05 06:56, 24 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 3) Support --TUFKAAP 21:50, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

User:Brianmc
I nominate Brian McNeil for a position on the arbitration committee. Brian is an admin and accredited reporter. He has been a long-time member of our community and is still very active. I think he is a passionate wikinewsie who understands the needs of Wikinews very well, for example his recent initiative to set up Wikinewsie.org and to start another Writing competition. --Steven Fruitsmaak (Reply) 11:40, 11 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Acceptance: Thanks. I accept.
 * However, as a brief IRC discussion with MessedRocker pointed out - we've not needed the arbcom for a while. His proposal was to suspend it - I assume after we elect new members and can then quickly reactivate it. Policy dictates that the arbcom must accept a case that is put before them. For the suspension I'd propose a wider pool. If a case is submitted whilst the arbcom is suspended a certain number of established wikinewsies must request activation of the arbcom.
 * Personally, I hope it never comes to that. I'd rather see our arbcom totally idle and the disputes that led up to its initial formation avoided in the future. --Brian McNeil / talk 12:07, 11 July 2007 (UTC)


 * Questions

Votes

 * 1) Support Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 01:07, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 2) Support --Nzgabriel | Talk 03:43, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 3) Support DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 03:49, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 4) Support--+Deprifry+ 08:40, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 5) Support.--Steven Fruitsmaak (Reply) 19:29, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 6) Support--TUFKAAP 01:14, 19 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 7) Support Nyarlathotep 18:38, 20 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 8) Support —<b style="color:#1780bb">Za</b><b style="color:#084d83">c</b><b style="color:#003366">h</b><b style="color:#0e448d">a</b><b style="color:#1c55b5">ry</b> talk 19:48, 20 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 9) Support <font color="#800000">Pilotguy roger that  01:09, 21 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 10) Support --Jcart1534 14:07, 21 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 11) Support -Edbrown05 06:56, 24 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 12) Support --TUFKAAP 21:50, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

User:Markie
I nominate Mark for a position on the arbitration committee. Mark is a very active admin who does an excellent job helping out new users. He can be blunt at times but always reasonable and understanding. --Steven Fruitsmaak (Reply) 11:40, 11 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Acceptance: i accept - thanks --Mark Talk to me 19:44, 11 July 2007 (UTC)


 * Questions

Votes

 * 1) Support Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 01:07, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 2) 'Support DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 03:50, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 3) Support --Jcart1534 14:07, 21 July 2007 (UTC)

User:Terinjokes
In the spirit of being inclusionist I believe this user should be given a chance to be elected. --Brian McNeil / talk 21:19, 13 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Accept The song by Alice Cooper was ok, was not a fan of the video. terinjokes | Talk 04:56, 14 July 2007 (UTC)


 * Questions

Votes

 * 1) Support Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 01:07, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 2) Support DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 03:51, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 3) Support --Jcart1534 14:07, 21 July 2007 (UTC)

User:Nzgabriel
I nominate myself for a position in the Arbitration Committee. While I have only been here at Wikinews for over a year, I believe I know the workings and the community here and can serve them well. I know that the committee doesn't hear many cases, but when a case does arise, I will try my hardest to do the best job I can and be completely neutral in all cases I hear. --Nzgabriel | Talk 06:01, 15 July 2007 (UTC)


 * Acceptance: Self-Nomination
 * Questions

Votes

 * 1) Support Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 01:07, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 2) Support DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 03:51, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 3) Support --Jcart1534 14:07, 21 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 4) Support -- IlyaHaykinson 20:33, 23 July 2007 (UTC)

User:TUFKAAP
I nominate myself for ArbCom, I've been an "lone-wolf" admin type on Wikinews for a while and I feel like contributing to the community more. Currently, I am no eligible for CheckUser and Oversight until the end of next month when I turn 18, however, I don't see this as much of a problem due the very good inactivity of ArbCom. --TUFKAAP 17:36, 15 July 2007 (UTC)


 * Acceptance: Self-nom
 * '''Questions

Votes

 * 1) Support Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 01:07, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 2) Support DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 03:51, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
 * 3) Support --Jcart1534 14:07, 21 July 2007 (UTC)

Results

 * I confirm IlyaHaykinson, Cspurrier, and Brianmc as the winners of the election. Thunderhead - (talk) 20:36, 31 July 2007 (UTC)
 * IlyaHaykinson, Cspurrier, and Brianmc are the winners. As soon as we have a third opinion, they will be able to be declared elected Brian | (Talk) | New Zealand Portal 22:04, 31 July 2007 (UTC)
 * I, as the fourth-place finisher, concede defeat to IlyaHaykinson, Cspurrier, and Brianmc. I consider the election process to have been free and fair. I do not contest the results. --SVTCobra 22:26, 31 July 2007 (UTC)
 * I confirm the results stated above. Martinp23 12:00, 1 August 2007 (UTC)