COMMENTS ABOUT OTHER CANDIDATES

Rich Muha:  I lived next door to Rich Muha on North Broad Street when we were young boys.  I like Rich Muha.  In 2009, when I argued against closing Franklin School, he was the school board member who treated me more civilly than any other member of the board.  I appreciate that.  But, if Rich Muha is still for closing Franklin School, then I hope that he loses.  Also, Rich Muha has been on the school board for the last four years.  To one degree or another, Rich Muha helped to decide how to spend school funds and helped to cause the financial mess that faces our schools now.

Raymond E. White, Jr.: I like him.  He is a very pleasant fellow.  I believe that he could be a great elected official in some other office.  But, not on the school board.  His uncle is Gary Sutton who is the assistant to Superintendent Peter Morikis.  How could White exercise independent judgment and ask tough questions of his uncle Gary Sutton and Superintendent Peter Morikis?  His uncle’s job might be affected.  That is why I don’t believe that he would be an effective member of the school board.  School board members should be free to think independently and ask tough questions to get at the truth of any important issue that faces the school board.  I just don’t believe that White could be effective with an uncle who is the assistant to the schools superintendent. If Gary Sutton retired, I would feel much better about White being on the school board.

John C. Dudlicek: I don’t know much about this candidate so I will make no comment.

Charles Ted Cook: I have known him for years.  His father and my grandfather Percival Wilcox were union buddies and friends who visited each other at their homes for coffee and conversation.  Charles Ted Cook lives two streets from Franklin School.  I believe that he is just as committed to keeping Franklin School open as I am.