On Paul Dennis’s website, there is an endorsement video by Mike Nerland. Not only does he have his title splashed across the page, but where is he? Standing on School District grounds?
Might be a PDC issue ?
Will his political endorsement offend or alienate voters?
Will it be remembered when the next bond issue rolls around?
Wouldn’t it be smarter for a School Superintendent to remain neutral in a political race?
http://www.mayordennisforcamas.com/endorsements.html
School Board member Doug Quinn is listed on the mayor’s fundraiser flyer also – and also with his title
State/PDC regs require supers/directors to make it clear that they are speaking for themselves, not the district – these two sure aren’t…
Sept. 2 -Primary Election is Certified
46 Comments
September 23, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Contrarian, I agree with your points that it is unusual, but not unacceptable.
>…And no it is not clear that they are speaking for themselves, especially when one considers how uninformed many voters are today.
It should not be a concern of those supporting to withhold their opinions because the electorate is uninformed. That just perpetuates the problem.
September 24, 2007 at 2:47 pm
It is amazing that more people aren’t up in arms over this. I’ll bet he even made the video during school hours.
And I didn’t mean withold support because they are uninformed. What I meant is when you see a video that is titled “Mike Nerland, Superintendent for Camas Public Schools”, THAT could clearly mislead someone who didn’t pay close attention.
September 24, 2007 at 3:28 pm
Contrarian, I’ll agree with you on that point. It could be listed better. At this point last year I would have never imagined this race to be this interesting. I’m making certain to get my 6-year-old to understand how important public discourse in elections is to the process.
September 24, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Matt, I guess it is interesting but more tragic than enlightened wouldn’t you say? (what’s that saying “like watching a train wreck”)
I guess we have hit the big times…
September 24, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Unfortunately, they are not able/willing to actually go head-to-head. Maybe we need to form a non-profit organization to host a debate for the next mayoral election.
September 24, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Mud wrestling would probably be more interesting.
September 25, 2007 at 8:34 am
Organizations are too scared to host real debates anymore. LWV’s is as close as they get. Chamber, Roatary, Post-Record, etc. will not take a position or stand or make an endorsement on most issues or election races. Best you get from them are softball lobbed questions that don’t address specific issues or concerns. “Whats the biggest challenge Washougal faces over the next 4 years?” Might as well get out your list of cliches, buzz words and bolier-plate language. Post and Columbian used to conduct face to face interviews and then make an endorsement. They don’t do that anymore unless is a potentially volatile race, aka more papers sold. Columbian told me in 2005 that they are focused to big ticket races and don’t have the time or space to address smaller city races for Mayor, Council, Port or School Board
September 25, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Well Jeff, as usual you are right and wrong. The Post Record uses a lame system where candidates submit written responses, then the Post skewers them the way they want to.
The Columbian still uses editorial board interviews. They did the ones for Camas Mayor last week.
The debates are really much ado about nothing. How many people will attend? How many will watch CCTV? It is good that the process continues but in our little burb it doesn’t matter.
BTW, the Chamber doesn’t know how to host one as evidenced by the last election. Their attempt at the luncheon was almost as juvenile as the one put on by the high school.
September 25, 2007 at 7:10 pm
This post is so typical of Nerland. He makes mistakes and everyone is distracted by some side issue. He is a master bureaucrat who has never seen a difficult question he can’t dodge…someone, anyone, please tell me what he has done to improve CSD?! Someone, anyone tell me why is using his position to politic for local candidates?!
September 29, 2007 at 8:10 pm
He better hope Dennis wins or he is deep in the muck, all of his capital spent…
Comments are closed.