LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS—DIABLO VALLEY

500 St. Mary’s Road, #14

Lafayette, CA 94549

 

October 6 2006

 

Dear Candidates for West Contra Costa Unified School District Gov. Board:

 

Robert W. Brower, Anton Jungherr, Madeline Kronenberg,
Marguerite Meade, Antonio Medrano, Audrey Miles, Charles Ramsey

 

In an unprecedented action, the League of Women Voters has withdrawn co-sponsorship of a political forum because one of the WCCUSD candidates, Anton Jungherr, made unsubstantiated accusations against Board President and candidate for reelection Charles Ramsey in violation of the ground rules for the debate.

 

The text of the letter, which is also an attached file, reads as follows:

 

This letter is to inform you that the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley has withdrawn as a co-sponsor of the West Contra Costa Unified School District Gov. Bd. Televised Election Roundtable which was filmed on Friday, September 29, 12:45-1:15 PM at Contra Costa TV studios, 10 Douglas Drive in Martinez. 

 

The decision to withdraw is based on what the League considers a violation of one of the Ground Rules for Televised Round Table Discussions.  Ground Rule 1 requires that candidates confine their remarks to their own qualifications and issues, without personal comments regarding an opponent.  This rule further states, “Matters of undisputed public record, such as a vote, a public statement, a financial statement, or anything which has a bearing on how the person has conducted or will conduct him or herself in office, are acceptable subjects.”

 

In our opinion, Mr. at the beginning of his closing statement violated Ground Rule 1 by accusing Mr. Charles Ramsey of “attempting to buy a seat” on the Board (Governing Board of the West Contra Costa Unified School District).  We have a signed statement on file saying that Mr. Jungherr agreed to our Ground Rules.  This is an important issue for League members, so important that we will not allow our name to be used even if others feel Mr. Jungherr’s statement is acceptable.  Consequently, the League requested—and Contra Costa TV complied—that the League be removed from the list of sponsors of the Televised Roundtable “Election Preview” on the WCCUSD election. 

 

We are proud of the candidates, and proponents and opponents of the ballot measures, and co-sponsors-- Contra Costa Newspapers, the Contra Costa Council, CCTV, Contra Costa Elections Office, and Comcast--that were part of the 29 televised roundtable discussions.  Together we worked to keep democracy alive.

 

Sincerely,

(original signed by Karrie Connors)

Karrie Connors, LWVDV President