Many people have done an outstanding job of helping shape the future of Cybertown.
One such person is GORTz. I have known GORTz for almost five years ( I was born in Pointworld also) and continue to admire the way he stands by his principals, especially during the toughest of times. Courage.
Being the former Mayor, I had considerable interaction with all members of the City Council and although I may not have always agreed with his viewpoint, I have always relied upon GORTZ's keen sense of fair play and
his unassuming and unselfish way in which he approaches problem solving. Cybertown is very lucky to have GORTz as one of its citizen/leaders and I am fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to work with him.
Q-1. In your own words, how did you "discover" Cybertown?
Like many of the real old timers I was notified when it opened because I was
on Blaxxun's mailing list (I think that was it). The reason I was on that list
was because I found PointWorld way back when (94 or 95?).
Q -2. How did you become involved in Cybertown politics?
I replaced another old timer (Jedi) as the BL for the Founders Block when he
decided City Politics was not for him. My first official act was to delete
his house, at his request! It was not an easy task. I held the BL job for
about 9 months. I was then moved up to ND to help out at that level.
Q-3. How has your responsibilities and involvement as Colony Leader and City
Council member of Cybertown affected your "real life" dealings with people
and situations?
I don't think there has been any affect at all. If anything, my real life is
reflected in my City dealings. I call them as I see them.
Q-4. How would you describe your style of leadership?
If you ever saw the movie "12 O'Clock High" I'd be General Savage. Most
people won't understand my leadership philosophy until they are actually
leaders, too. The upper echelon jobs in the city need to be filled with
people who can also build leaders of the future to replace themselves.
Q-5. Describe a typical day in the Cybertown life of GORTz.
I log onto the 'hood map page' of one of my hoods, check messages there, then
check the Council and Feedback/Town Politics Message Boards, then off I go to my house's inbox.
I then go to our Colony Plaza and check the Message Board there. There are usually
a couple of people who come to visit, so I chat with them for a while. I may go
to the Mall for a time, or go check my other neighborhood message boards. I spend about an
equal amount of time dealing with emails with other Council Members and our
Morning Star Leadership e-group.
Sadly, I don't get nearly as much time to just chat as I used to. I'd
really like to get time to do that again.
Q-6. Does GORTz, the man, differ from GORTz, the Avatar? If so, how?
The "avatar" is an indestructible galactic police robot (from the movie "The
Day the Earth Stood Still") created to keep peace in the galaxy by
immediately taking action against the aggressor in interplanetary conflicts
(capable of reducing a planet to a burned out cinder).
GORTz the human is quite fragile physically (permanently disabled).
Q-7. Do you have aspirations to further your Cybertown political career?
Please explain.
There is not much higher up the food chain than CL/Council Member.
I considered running for Mayor, but felt I could serve the City better staying right where I am.
Q-8. Does being a former member of security help or hinder your ability to run a Colony?
Definately helps! I was actually 3rd in command and had a great deal of
input into policy and training, as well as dealing with people one on one.
As a result, one element of training we have for BD's is roughly equivalent
to the training we gave CD's, minus, of course, the usage of tools. I think that sets
us apart from most other Colonies!
Q-9. Can you give our readers any tidbits of insight to any new programs you have
initiated, or are beginning in Morning Star Colony?
Not really, my staff are always coming up with new things but I can't say I
had a hand in initiating those ideas or projects. My main input has been in
establishing the core policies and, of course, our *Saga* (the mythological running story of the colony).
Q10. Parting thoughts, puns, quips, jabs or reflections?
Something I came up with responding to a post on the Feedback board:
"A thousand people whispering make more noise than one person shouting."
For all the people who complain that Security is not doing enough, I'd
invite them to volunteer their services.
For all the people who say they are bored, I'd invite them to create some activity themselves.
"..hey flyby, be sure to thank GORTz for making you the avatar you've had for over four years.."
