Forums aren't the most effective forum for voters

Any opportunity that engages voters in the political process is a good thing. But arguably, some are not as good as others. This holds true for "candidate forums" that give candidates a place to tout their platforms without having to expose themselves to the uncertainty and spontaneity of an actual debate. While they may offer a safer alternative for candidates to spread their message, forums do a real disservice to voters who want more than canned answers and two minute, pre-written campaign speeches.

That was the case on Oct. 19 when the Chesterfield Council of PTAs/PTSAs, the Chesterfield County Chamber of Commerce, the Responsible Growth Alliance of Chesterfield and the Meadowbrook Community Council co-sponsored a forum for the five candidates running for school board in the Dale District. In case you missed it - and over 99.9 percent of the district did as evidenced by the 30 or so folks who actually attended the event - it was a chance for candidates to introduce themselves to constituents and talk about the top issues facing Chesterfield County Public Schools.

The candidates were asked about 15 questions by panelists on topics ranging from classroom overcrowding to how they plan to secure funding for educational initiatives. The questions were thoughtful, but so were the responses. And that was the problem.

The candidates were provided with a list of questions long before the event, so they had time to compose their answers, and compose them they did. One candidate, David Wyman, wrote his responses down on note cards and then proceeded to actually read some of his answers to the audience.

Toward the end of the forum, when the audience was invited to ask questions, he literally shuffled through his stack of cards, trying to find the appropriate answer to a question about continuing education for teachers.

At one point, one of the panelists began to ask a question that didn't appear on the pre-approved question list. Audience members snickered when Wyman interrupted her, saying the rules of the forum required panelists to stick with the agreed upon questions.

Don't voters deserve someone who can think on their feet and answer questions without having to refer to note cards in order to know his/her position?

Then there were the typical, passé answers that voters have come to expect, but still cause them to cringe - like when candidate Verena McCall said, "We have to look at what's best for our children." Who doesn't support that?

Or, when each candidate listed "school safety" as a top priority. They all probably read the national news a few days previously and knew about the school shootings in Colorado and Pennsylvania and thought, "Oh, that's a perfect concept to add to my campaign! After all, who can argue with school safety? It's...safe."

Worse still, the forum rules prevented the candidates from even engaging each other. Each candidate answered each question in the same order each time, so that by the time the last candidate seated, Janet Stephens, gave her response, half of the time, she just said, "I agree with David...." or "I agree with Mr. Maxwell...." She didn't even have to compose her own position. She could just ride someone else's predetermined coattails.

It was so predictable and, at times, downright painful. Many sitting in the Meadowbrook High School auditorium that night must have wondered if it would all be over in time to arrive home and watch "Grey's Anatomy." (It wasn't.)

That being said, we can be envious of the Dale District voters next week when they head to the polls. With five candidates, there's somebody on the ballot for everybody. If you're looking for a candidate who is more polished and well-spoken, there's Wyman. If you like the grandmotherly type who will lead with her heart, there's McCall. Jim Holland offers a rounded background in both business and education, and his calm personality seems to be a good match with current School Board members. Art Maxwell is the wildcard - exmilitary, more outspoken, less predictable, but definitely more fun to watch - and Stephens is the champion of teachers, since she works as a teacher herself.

Having this many choices is a very good thing for voters. Hopefully, we'll all be as lucky as Dale District constituents next year when all of the School Board and Board of Supervisors seats are up for grabs. Only next year, hopefully, candidates will start serving the voters early by agreeing to actual debates instead of playing it safe.

- Donna C. Gregory