|
Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 10/07/2010 05:00 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 10/07/2010 11:18 PM
Expires: 01/01/2015 12:00 AM
:
District 5 Race Heats Up!~by Charity Maness
Copperopolis, CA,,,,,The Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce held a District 5 Candidate Debate between incumbent Russ Thomas and Darren Spellman Wednesday evening at the Armory in Copperopolis. There were approximately 50 people in attendance. Upon entering the door citizens were greeted by Executive Director Diane Gray and asked if they would like to ask the candidate a question. If so they were to write the question on a piece of paper and place it in a basket. This form of questioning allows residents of the community to ask questions anonymously creating a less “inflammatory” environment.....
Though Spellman was notified on multiple occasions how the Chamber of Commerce would be conducting their open debate, Spellman addressed the audience informing them he would only allow questions asked of him in the forum he put forth: the question must be posed by a member of District 5 only, they would be required to come to the microphone state their name and ask their question. He pointed out that this was the way the BOS ran their meetings and it allowed citizens a chance to ask question that pertained to the subject. If this was not the way it would be run he “would not proceed with the agenda as set forth.” After multiple comments from the audience varying from outrage to shock, Spellman explained his reasoning being that he was leary of an anonymous forum due to the large number of perceived questionable attacks on him and his character at the last debate he attended hosted by the Chamber.
Thomas requested a timer and then said this is an “odd thing for this young man to do” referring to questioning the Chamber’s forum. He talked of his work on the community plan and applauded those that had worked on it stating, “The only thing I have is to bring you is my background experience and my integrity. I don’t know where to go from here if he (Spellman) won’t take the opportunity to engage in this methodology then I don’t know where to go” from here.
Asked again if he would take questions Spellman reiterated he would answer questions from the audience from District 5.
One audience member stated that at the last debate hosted by the Chamber that the questions asked of the candidates did seem skewed, yet received a largely negative response to that suggestion from the surrounding audience. “One man claimed, “I was there, they were not.”
Diane Gray from the Chamber addressed the crowd stating that they had been hosting candidates nights for some time and have been holding these events in the same format so to avoid yelling from the audience. As evidence of anonymity she held up a basket of questions written by people as they had entered the debate that evening
Another person from the audience yelled, “Play by the rules or you’re not going to play…who are you to change the rules this late in the game?”
Spellman pointed at specific persons in the audience claiming they had been at the debate two nights before and maintained that he was only protecting himself from attacks. He added a claim that the President of the Chamber had donated monies to the Thomas campaign showing proof of why he was justified in his unwillingness to answer questions selected by the chamber. He repeated he would answer any questions from the audience but would not answer questions selected by the chamber
Thomas tried to speak but was unable to get a word in through audience firing questions and Spellman attempting to respond. When asked to hand the microphone to Spellman he obliged saying he would let Spellman speak for the next hour if he wanted to. Spellman took the opportunity to name many of Thomas’ contributors alluding to the fact that the mere list of contributors should speak volumes to the candidate.
Approximately 25 minutes into the debate with Spellman still not willing to answer anonymous questions, Chamber Board Member, Mark Gerton apologized, thanked the citizens for coming out, and closed the debate.
“If you get elected I’m moving!” Yelled one man in attendance pointing his finger at Spellman
Following the debate information from the Chamber came forth that each candidate was informed of the format prior to the debate. It was also pointed out that Spellman had participated in such a format at a Candidates Forum in April hosted by the Chamber. “Our Candidate forums are open and honest and only intended to provide the Candidates with an opportunity to meet the public and get their message out.
A District 5 citizen and attendee at many other Chamber debates was “shocked by Spellman’s statement that he was going to change the rules” of debate stating that the rules were in place to control a meeting and give anonymity to the person asking the question. This attendee questioned the ability of Spellman to follow rules of the BOS if he should be elected, pointing out that any vote he (the elected Supervisor) casts would affect the entire county.
|
| What's Related |
| These might interest you as well
Photo Albums
Local News
phpws Business Directory
|
|
|
