The Hour published interviews with all 8 of the BOE candidates today.
Rosa Murray (D)
Amy Jimenez (D)
Shirley Mosby (D)
Heidi Keyes (D)
Steven Colarossi (R)
Sue Haynie (R)
Erin McNeil Halsey (R)
Artie Kassimis (R)
Here is the press release about the debate on Thursday:
The Board of Education Debates will take place on Thursday, Oct. 29 from 7pm-8:30 pm at City Hall in the Concert Hall.
The League of Women Voters (LWV) will be hosting the debates in conjunction with the PTO Council, Norwalk Education Foundation, the Coalition of Norwalk Neighborhood Associations and the Norwalk NAACP.
“This is the first time that such a broad range of community groups are coming together to co-sponsor this debate,” said Diane Lauricella, President of Norwalk League of Women Voters.
There are eight candidates running for four at-large seats on the BOE. Unlike previous years, there is a challenger for each seat.
The Democratic candidates are incumbent Rosa Murray, incumbent Shirley Mosby, incumbent Amy Jimenez and newcomer Heidi Keyes.
The Republican candidates, who are running under the banner called “Parents Not Politicians”, are Steven Colarossi, Sue Haynie, Artie Kassimis and Erin Halsey.
The election of the Board of Education comes at a critical juncture for education in Norwalk. The city is in the process of selecting a new superintendent who will provide the district with leadership and vision. In addition, Norwalk faces other pressing challenges including budgetary constraints and closing the achievement gap.
The moderator for the debate is Charlotte Garrell of the Fairfield LWV. Ms. Garrell has over twenty years of experience moderating debates with the LWV throughout Connecticut and specializes in BOE debates.
Audience members will be able to submit their questions in writing to the candidates at the event.
“Just as we assign homework to our kids, we would like adults to do their homework and come prepared with questions for these candidates,” said Ms. Lauricella.
Monday, October 26, 2009
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Is it legal for some of these groups to sponsor a political debate? I thought the Norwalk Education Foundation did not get involved in politics.
ReplyDeleteHosting a debate which represents both political parties is neutral. NEF and PTOC are the 2 organizations which provide leadership and guidance on educational issues. This is truly a civic responsibility they're providing to enable taxpayers to hear both sides and make an informed decision.
ReplyDeleteThe NEF and the PTOC would be remiss if they didn't sponsor debates and other means for people to hear the messages of multiple candidates at the same event. Nowhere else do the voters have an opportunity to hear candidates answer the same questions and even debate one another.
ReplyDeleteIt is a great service for these non-partisan organizations to sponsor candidates' forums but unfortunately the candidates did NOT have to answer the same questions at their first forum. Some candidates were given easier questions. I hope that the NEF/PTOC will learn to have a more fair and balanced forum next year where each candidate has to answer or rebut the same challenging questions.
ReplyDeleteI have a question for you. Norwalk has a principal who is receiving an award on Nov. 12 and Board of Education members were invited. Not one has indicated they will attend and the deadline is this week. Not only that, no one from central office is attending either. Mr. McCain has named Norwalk as the beneficiary of a $5,000 donation. Wouldn't you think there would be some gratitude, if not the common decency to admit a job well done? Those are good qualities to remember come election day - involvement, courtesy, appreciation, intelligence.
ReplyDeleteThat's a disgrace.
ReplyDeleteWhat award is Mr. McCain receiving? I'd like to know more.
ReplyDeleteThe Bank of America Local Hero. He was nominated by a parent for the job he has done in turning Nathan Hale Middle School around. And then no one from Norwalk shows up to support him? That is poor Norwalk leadership!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Mr. McCain. The award is awesome and so is his benevolence in giving the money to Norwalk.
ReplyDeleteThere are many hard-working people who really do a great job, but they are too busy working to tout themselves. Luckily a parent noticed and cared enough to nominate him for the award.