What Were They Afraid Of?
There are drawbacks of living in a predominately one party community. Officeholders sometimes take their constituents for granted. This was apparently the case at the Carmel-Clay Republican Club’s annual candidate forum. Three sitting Carmel city council members were noticeably absent from the meeting. Brian Mayo, Kevin Kirby and Joe Griffiths, all elected as Republicans, skipped the forum. That might be excusable, normally, but they are the candidates!
One attendee assumed that they had something better to do. Their decision to stay away may have backfired. It not only is troublesome for the three AWOL candidates, but it reflects badly on the Mayor. One observer who calls himself a Jim Brainard supporter stated, “I’m disappointed because these Republicans are on the Mayor's team. How can you just not show up?” It also reflects badly on the Republican Party.
The Township’s Republican leadership has come to grips with the fact that Messrs. Mayo, Kirby and Griffiths don't seem to care about either the Party or the GOP Club. The Club has survived quite nicely without them but it would be good to have the participation of these three at Carmel Republican functions.
You have to wonder what they are afraid of. The fact that these candidates are not willing to submit themselves to the review process should be a huge red flag for voters. Public officials need to be accountable and accessible. Shunning the only opportunity to face the public in a forum setting seems to indicate it’s worth the political risk not to attend. It also sends the message that it’s perfectly fine to duck the scrutiny of the voter.
Republican Clerk-Treasurer Diana Cordray could not attend. She, however, showed the respect and dignity of dropping Club President Paul Ayers a note of apology ahead of time explaining her absence, and arranging for a proxy (Carl Mills) to stand in for her. That’s being responsible. The letter of invitation to appear states, “If a candidate is unable to attend, a proxy may stand in as their representative.” The letter continues, “…please email CCRC President Paul Ayers the reason for the candidate’s absence…” One of the three did respond that he couldn't, then he could, then he couldn't attend, but no excuse was given. The other two flat out didn't answer. We had hoped to write about the success of the forum. Instead, the talk that night centered on denying Republicans the only opportunity to hear the incumbent's opinions on issues facing Carmel voters.
One attendee assumed that they had something better to do. Their decision to stay away may have backfired. It not only is troublesome for the three AWOL candidates, but it reflects badly on the Mayor. One observer who calls himself a Jim Brainard supporter stated, “I’m disappointed because these Republicans are on the Mayor's team. How can you just not show up?” It also reflects badly on the Republican Party.The Township’s Republican leadership has come to grips with the fact that Messrs. Mayo, Kirby and Griffiths don't seem to care about either the Party or the GOP Club. The Club has survived quite nicely without them but it would be good to have the participation of these three at Carmel Republican functions.
You have to wonder what they are afraid of. The fact that these candidates are not willing to submit themselves to the review process should be a huge red flag for voters. Public officials need to be accountable and accessible. Shunning the only opportunity to face the public in a forum setting seems to indicate it’s worth the political risk not to attend. It also sends the message that it’s perfectly fine to duck the scrutiny of the voter.
Republican Clerk-Treasurer Diana Cordray could not attend. She, however, showed the respect and dignity of dropping Club President Paul Ayers a note of apology ahead of time explaining her absence, and arranging for a proxy (Carl Mills) to stand in for her. That’s being responsible. The letter of invitation to appear states, “If a candidate is unable to attend, a proxy may stand in as their representative.” The letter continues, “…please email CCRC President Paul Ayers the reason for the candidate’s absence…” One of the three did respond that he couldn't, then he could, then he couldn't attend, but no excuse was given. The other two flat out didn't answer. We had hoped to write about the success of the forum. Instead, the talk that night centered on denying Republicans the only opportunity to hear the incumbent's opinions on issues facing Carmel voters.
posted by Roll Call America at 4:54 PM
4 Comments:
It is unfortunate that this event was not publicized very well. It is also unfortunate that the League of Women's Voters forum was declined..
I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Carmel-Clay Republican Club, for giving the community an opportunity to meet the canidates.
I too, have a concern that the incumbents did not belive that it was necessary meet with their constituents - such is, unfortunately, a pattern.
Actually, I understand that the event was fairly well publicized, in the Star, a couple of times. The public's awareness of the event, was exemplified, by the number of attendees.
I concur however, that it is unfortunate, that there will be no other opportunity to listen to all the the canidates, incumbent and challengers, in a common forum.
If the Democratic Candidate for Mayor can attend, ALL of the Republican Candidates should have been the there. The ones not in attendance, are they Republicans in Name Only(RINO). I object to it not being recorded and put on the Government Information Channel.
It would appear that the only time events are allowed to be televised on Cahannel 16 - The Government Information Channel, is when those events have been choreographed by Mayor Brainard.
I would also seem that he and by proxy (Stakeholder.com) did not want the general public to see the response to the absense of the incumbents - Brian Mayo, Kevin Kirby and Joe Griffiths.
This is disappointing also from the stand point that, the franchise fee paid by the taxpapyers and residents of Carmel and Clay Township, ultimately pay for Channel 16 and its programming - which I understand is controlled by Stakeholder.
This same type of thing is / has happened in Kokomo. The Kokomo Tribune has allowed the link to expire, however, the artilce can be read at : http://www2.indystar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=193140
See the post marked #3, interesting reading.
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