Using Councilpedia

From Councilpedia

Councilpedia is designed to create a discussion about politics and money in New York City. Use this site to find out more about who gives what to whom -- and to tell us what you know about politicians and the people who support them.

To get started, go to the main page and click on the name of the politician who interests you. The politician's home page will list all contributors since 2005. You can also narrow the search by selecting any of the options under "Follow the Money" or by searching for a section of the alphabet.

Links under Major Navigation will help you examine the office holders' records: the bills they sponsored, how they spent their campaign money and who received their member items.

Anyone can view Councilpedia. But to comment you must register. This is to keep unsubstantiated and malicious comments to a minimum. Go here to register.

Once you're registered, you can tell us -- and Gotham Gazette readers -- what you know. To report on any item -- contributors, bills, member items, expenditures -- click on the item and then on the discussion tab at the top of the page. If you're the first one to add a comment, type it in the box and save it. If others have commented before you, click edit, add what you have to say and then hit save.

When an item has an unconfirmed comment, it will appear in red throughout the Councilpedia site. Once Gotham Gazette staff confirms the tag, it will be in blue. We will delete erroneous comments.

Councilpedia is an experiment that aims to involve readers in reporting on politics in New York City. We hope it will provoke the exchange of information, encourage a discussion of money and politics, and serve as a model for other Gotham Gazette projects and for other news sites throughout the country. Please mail us your suggestions and comments to info at gothamgazette.com.