Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee Elections December 2007/Candidate statements/John Reaves

John Reaves

 * I've been an editor since 2005 (mainly active since November 2006) and an administrator since March 2007. I do the usual administrative tasks, occasionally answer unblock-en-l e-mails, answer questions and help operate some of the IRC channels. I generally view the happenings of Wikipedia from the sidelines. I'm not too involved in the politics and drama of Wikipedia because I seek to minimize and ultimately eliminate (I know it's not possible, but hey) both.  First and foremost, Wikipedia is an collaboratively built encyclopedia (yes, we all forget this sometimes) and the arbitration committee is an unfortunate byproduct of this. I see my non-involvement in much of the drama as an advantage to being an arbitrator. If elected, I will lend my impartial views to issues brought before the committee and seek to swiftly, but thoroughly, see cases and keep the encyclopedia running.  I'm strongly opposed to wikilawyering and process wonkery and would like to put a stop to all forms of process and policy abuse. I feel the community needs to occasionally take a step back when considering a user's contributions.  We need to think "Does the bad out way the good? "Is the development of the encyclopedia being impeded by this user?".  I intend to make make decisions that benefit Wikipedia and not a specific user or group and help keep trolls out. If I haven't addressed an issue you feel to be important, feel free to ask me about it. Thanks for your consideration.  -- John Reaves 06:30, 14 November 2007 (UTC)
 * Note about answers to questions: While my answers express my personal views, were I to be elected to the committee, I would always consider other proposals and treat each case as unique and be willing to adopt measures that bring the most benefit to a case. 08:59, 14 November 2007 (UTC)


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