Letters: Scheduling of school board forum bad for democracy

I was so disappointed when I attended the public forum for the School Board candidates. There were few in attendance, maybe 10 persons in addition to four Addie Meedom residents.

Saturday afternoon is a time when people are busy with household chores or children's activities. There was a soccer tournament going on, a Halloween Parade, Octoberfest at St. Joseph's (usually attended by the community), and of course, merchants were busy tending their stores. Who picked this date and time?

Both Frances Costello and Mark Dodd were well prepared in expressing themselves, along with the incumbent, Faith Crist. The program was very structured, and a person had to write a question on a card, and the moderator decided whether or not to ask it of all candidates. There was no opportunity for direct conversation with the candidates.

The incumbent always has the advantage of name recognition, so this is an opportunity for the public to meet the candidates. Obviously, this did not happen, since there was virtually no public there. How about another date and time when the public can attend?

This sounds like political manipulation, which can destroy democracy.

Calie Martin

Crescent City