Excellent work sun surfer. I like all of your suggestions, and particularly:
Voting polls will be multiple choice - this is a brilliant enhancement, and should encourage less tactical voting.
Voting polls will be open - I agree that this is more fun, and stimilulates debate.
The discussion thread for a month's chosen selection will begin just after it is chosen - I often find that by the time we get to the discussion, I have forgotten just what I want to say, even if I kept notes (which I usually do) or have less enthusiasm for fully explaining my thoughts.
A big
.