Six School Board Candidates Snub Voters

Six School Board Candidates Snub Voters
Print this page Six school board candidates didn't show up for the March 30 Candidates Forum. Now they plan a "Do-over" Forum, just like they had a "Do-over" bond election! Six School Board Candidates Snub Voters Six of the 10 candidates for the three school board positions snubbed the voters by not showing up for the recent Concerned Citizens for Cleburne Candidate Forum. Insulting the voters does not seem to me a good way to get elected. On the bright side, four candidates attended, representing all three of the open places. For Place 3 there were two candidates present (out of five running) - Brad Parsons and Kenny Haferkamp. While they both had strong positions, there is enough difference between them that voters will be able to pick which one to vote for. Place 4 had one of two candidates running - Write In Candidate W. G. Dempsey. Place 5 had one of three candidates running - Teresa Blackwell. Thanks to the strong commitment by these four in seeking School Board Places, the voters know where they stand. Commitment is the key. There are always scheduling conflicts, but those conflicts are resolved by priorities and commitment. Brad Parsons, Kenny Haferkamp, W. G. Dempsey and Teresa Blackwell gave top priority to being elected to the School Board by turning up, answering questions, and interacting with the voters. Three of the candidates who did not attend did send their answers to the prepared questions that the voters could read. These were placed on the tables provided for each candidate. Those sending in answers to the questions were Place 3 - Jennifer Dugger and Woody Mathews, and Place 4 - Brent Easdon. Three candidates had such disrespect for the voters that they just did not show. These were Place 3 - Trey Kirkpatrick, and in Place 5 - Teddy Martyniuk and Mike Brand. If these candidates cannot find time to meet with the voters, how will they find time for the duties of being a School Board member? If they cannot find time for the voters now, they certainly will not have time for the voters after the election. The present need is for Board Members who are committed and have a good sense of priorities. The answers to the five prepared questions and the eight questions from the audience gave voters a good feel for the candidates. The candidates felt they had been thoroughly grilled. One candidate quipped "I'm glad the others didn't come because we would have been here til midnight!" All Candidates were contacted in person or by phone prior to setting the Forum date, with one exception and a message was left with his secretary. Then all candidates were sent a packet containing the five prepared questions and the rules of the Forum. The six candidates who did not attend were ill-advised in their actions. This Forum was the most important event in the campaign. The candidates who attended gained stature in the eyes of the voters. The candidates who showed contempt for the voters by not attending lost stature. Just how much they gained or lost will be seen when the votes are counted. Early voting runs May 1-9. Election day is May 13. April 13 is the deadline to register to vote if you are not registered. The Forum narrowed down the field for me. Thank you Teresa Blackwell, W. G. Dempsey, Kenny Haferkamp and Brad Parsons for caring about the voters. An audio CD of the Forum is available for $1 at CPU, 603 N. Main, Cleburne Texas 76033, or for $2 if sent by mail. Alden Nellis

Six school board candidates didn't show up for the March 30 Candidates Forum. Now they plan a "Do-over" Forum, just like they had a "Do-over" bond election! Six School Board Candidates Snub Voters

Six of the 10 candidates for the three school board positions snubbed the voters by not showing up for the recent Concerned Citizens for Cleburne Candidate Forum. Insulting the voters does not seem to me a good way to get elected.

On the bright side, four candidates attended, representing all three of the open places. For Place 3 there were two candidates present (out of five running) - Brad Parsons and Kenny Haferkamp. While they both had strong positions, there is enough difference between them that voters will be able to pick which one to vote for.

Place 4 had one of two candidates running - Write In Candidate W. G. Dempsey.

Place 5 had one of three candidates running - Teresa Blackwell.

Thanks to the strong commitment by these four in seeking School Board Places, the voters know where they stand. Commitment is the key. There are always scheduling conflicts, but those conflicts are resolved by priorities and commitment. Brad Parsons, Kenny Haferkamp, W. G. Dempsey and Teresa Blackwell gave top priority to being elected to the School Board by turning up, answering questions, and interacting with the voters.

Three of the candidates who did not attend did send their answers to the prepared questions that the voters could read. These were placed on the tables provided for each candidate. Those sending in answers to the questions were Place 3 - Jennifer Dugger and Woody Mathews, and Place 4 - Brent Easdon.

Three candidates had such disrespect for the voters that they just did not show. These were Place 3 - Trey Kirkpatrick, and in Place 5 - Teddy Martyniuk and Mike Brand.

If these candidates cannot find time to meet with the voters, how will they find time for the duties of being a School Board member? If they cannot find time for the voters now, they certainly will not have time for the voters after the election. The present need is for Board Members who are committed and have a good sense of priorities.

The answers to the five prepared questions and the eight questions from the audience gave voters a good feel for the candidates. The candidates felt they had been thoroughly grilled. One candidate quipped "I'm glad the others didn't come because we would have been here til midnight!"

All Candidates were contacted in person or by phone prior to setting the Forum date, with one exception and a message was left with his secretary. Then all candidates were sent a packet containing the five prepared questions and the rules of the Forum.

The six candidates who did not attend were ill-advised in their actions. This Forum was the most important event in the campaign. The candidates who attended gained stature in the eyes of the voters. The candidates who showed contempt for the voters by not attending lost stature. Just how much they gained or lost will be seen when the votes are counted. Early voting runs May 1-9. Election day is May 13. April 13 is the deadline to register to vote if you are not registered.

The Forum narrowed down the field for me. Thank you Teresa Blackwell, W. G. Dempsey, Kenny Haferkamp and Brad Parsons for caring about the voters.

An audio CD of the Forum is available for $1 at CPU, 603 N. Main, Cleburne Texas 76033, or for $2 if sent by mail.

Alden Nellis