[EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a Letter to the Editor, written and submitted by a verified Burien resident. It represents the opinion of the author, and does not necessarily reflect the views of South King Media or its staff.]
Last night, October 7, I attended the League of Women voters public Candidate Forum in the Burien Library. I always look forward to these events because of the Leagues long history of its non-partisan commitment to fostering public information by inviting ALL the candidates running for Burien City Council to participate. I’m grateful to the League for their professional and fair way of supporting the democratic process of a public forum. It provided 8 candidates the opportunity to share their background, their primary concerns and priorities and to answer questions from the public. It was very interesting and I thank all those candidates who attended for their thoughtful replies, their passion for public service and their commitment to being present at this event.
WHO DID SHOW UP: Sam Mendez, Jessica Ivey, Hugo Garcia, Rocco DeVito and Sara Moore.
I cannot overstate my disappointment when I discovered only 5 of the 8 candidates showed up.
WHO DID NOT SHOW UP: Stephanie Mora, Marie Barbon and Claudio Fernandez.
The League requested that if any of the candidates were unable to attend they could send someone in their place and or provide a written statement that would be read on the behalf of the candidate. NONE replied. Not even a thank-you to a group dedicated to providing voters with a first hand opportunity to better know and understand each candidate.
When I asked about their NO SHOW reason I was told that it was “too partisan” and they therefore refused to participate. WHAT? THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTES IS KNOWN FOR BEING ABSOLUTELY NON-PARTISAN and their history demonstrates that over and over. Check out all the Candidate Forums they have hosted in our area from Board of Education to state races.
I am left with no conclusion except they preferred NOT attend a public forum because they did not want to. Well, fair enough. I’m only left to wonder why. Their excuse about partisanship rings hollow and does not square with any facts. I guess they must believe that their public participation and discussion about their candidacy does not include public appearances. That makes me wonder why they are seeking a public office. I’m sorry the 3 candidates missed an opportunity for all of us to hear from them and learn about them.
Unfortunately, I’m uncomfortable voting for any candidate who does not believe in the value of public participation and is unwilling to share their priorities with Burien residents. We do want to hear from all of you. We do want you to be present. Reading a web site or a political flyer is not the same as showing up in person to respond to your constituents.
Thank you to the 5 who did show up. Sorry 3 who chose not to show up.
– Sally Nelson
Former Mayor/Burien City Council
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That League has show itself to be jaded and discriminatory time and time again, for you to say otherwise is nonsense. I fault no one for skipping because the deck is already stacked against them by pure statistics when it comes to that organizations views.
Do you have any evidence to support that?
@EVGuy, Evidence? Just take a look at “their” FaceBook posts that should be enough evidence for you.
The new and improved City Council….Go Stephanie, Go Marie, Go Gabriel, Go Jessica!!!!
Go back to the last or even further election cycles and you will see other candidates skipping for exactly the same reasons because that organization has a skewed perspective.
It’s disappointing to hear that only 5 of 8 candidates attended the Burien City Council forum. Public forums are vital for transparency and allow residents to make informed decisions. The commitment of those who showed up demonstrates respect for voters and the democratic process. Candidates who skip such events miss an important opportunity to connect with their constituents. Thank you to those who participated and shared their priorities.
So did you have the same shock and disgust when Sam Mendez, Rocco DeVito and Hugo Garcia refused to respond to one simple question about public safety from The Highline Journal (formerly Burien.News)?
Pretty sure the same lazy hit piece was tried last election cycle and it had zero impact.
There is absolutely no comparison between the nonpartisan League of Women Voters and the partisan blog The Highline Journal (“Burien News”). None.
It’s no wonder Claudio Fernandez didn’t show – he didn’t make it past the primary!!
Could this simply be a typo, and he meant to say Gabriel Fernandez?
I, too, was very disappointed that only 5 of 8 candidates showed up for a non-partisan LWV forum and a chance to connect with voters. Connecting with voters is what a campaign is about. I hesitate now to vote for anyone who did not see fit to show up.
The harsh rhetoric directed to the three candidates who did not show up was unnecessary. One of the candidates listed , C Fernandez did not make it past the primary. A true no show. The other two have families and work commitments which may have made scheduling difficult. That does not indicate a lack of interest. The city of Burien council members salary is $750.00 per year. Most support themselves and families with full time jobs. What ever their political views, the hours, financial investment and time away from friends and family should be respected. Attacking anyone for missing an event is unprofessional and ignores the real issues of the campaigns.
“The other two have families and work commitments which may have made scheduling difficult”: as was already mentioned in the letter, they could have at least responded, or sent a representative to read a statement in their stead. They chose to do neither. They chose not to participate in a time voters need to hear from them most. Are those folks that we want working for us and representing our interests?
I always try to keep top of mind that my council — my government — works for me, my neighbors, and the businesses in my community. The fact that CM Mora, and candidates Barbon and Fernandez, chose to turn down one of the VERY FEW opportunities we as constituents have to hear directly from them in a mediated conversation, speaks volumes. I applaud Jessica Ivey not only for attending, but clarifying that she is not part of, nor will accept funding from, the “Enough is Enough” PAC, and that her inclusion on the “Restore common sense” signs was not approved by her nor her campaign.