Thursday, January 24, 2008

Voters have chance to see District 14 candidates on Eye on Oshkosh

Following is what appears to be
a press release
on the Oshkosh Community News Network’s blog…


“The Oshkosh Area League of Women Voters will hold two separate candidates’ forums before the February 19th primary election.

“A forum for the six Oshkosh Area School Board candidates is set for Thursday, February 7, 6:30 to 7:30 in the Oshkosh City Council Chambers, 4th floor City Hall.

“The six candidates are incumbents Tom McDermott and Ben Schneider II. The challengers are John Daggett, Kevin Jahnke, John Lemberger and Michele Monte. Panel members are Jim Fitzhenry, managing editor of the Oshkosh Northwestern and Frankie Mengeling, vice-president Oshkosh Area LWV. This forum will be broadcast on Oshkosh Community Access Television CitiCable 10 and simulcast by WOCT 101.9 FM, Oshkosh Community Radio.

“The other forum centers on a primary race for County Board District 14. The reduction of the county board from 38 to 36 districts has put two incumbents, Donna Lohry and Claude (sic) (it's actually Claud) Thompson vying for this newly created district. Their challenger, a former county board member, is Harold Steinike (sic) (it's actually Steineke). To see the outline of this district go to http://www.co.winnebago.wi.us/, click on “election information” and then “supervisory district maps.”

“This forum is set for Monday, February 4 at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 1100 E. Murdock Avenue. From 5:30 to 6:30. Panel members are Alex Hummel, editorial editor for the Oshkosh Northwestern and Frankie Mengeling, vice-president Oshkosh Area LWV. This forum will not broadcast.

“The public is invited to attend these forums. They submit questions for the candidates in person at the forum or electronically to fgmem@sbcglobal.net.

“The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan, political organization; one of its main goals is to provide election forums to increase voter awareness of issues.”


I believe it is a poor decision on the part of whoever made it to not televise the forum with candidates for District 14. In an age when so many are clamoring for candidates to run for office and for an organization for which one of its main goals is to “provide election forums to increase voter awareness of issues” it seems the League would want to televise all its forums. In any event, I am proud to say we have already taped an episode of “Eye on Oshkosh” with the three candidates for District 14 and it will air three times before the primary, beginning the week of Monday, Feb. 4. Given that the League’s forum not being televised, it seems like this will be the best chance for the largest number of voters in that district to see these candidates and hear their positions on the issues. We also hope to interview county board candidates in other contested races in our viewing area before the general election in April.

As an aside, I will tell you that while there are some fundamental differences between the candidates, they are all extremely thoughtful in their approach to issues and sincerely respectful of one another - something rarely seen in politics these days. If I lived in District 14 I would be honored to have any one of them representing me.

- Cheryl Hentz

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