RRTC Praises Ridgefield BOE Candidate Forum, Denounces Democrat and Unaffiliated Candidates Disregard for Voters

Ridgefield RTC praises BOE; denounces Democrat and Unaffiliated candidates disregard for voters 

Yesterday evening at the Town Hall Annex, Ridgefield Board of Education candidates participated in a forum with local residents about key issues confronting Ridgefield schools.

The participants included Republicans Sean McEvoy and Christine More, and Democrat Divya Dorairajan, a write-in candidate. The event was organized by two Unaffiliated Ridgefield residents, Jennifer Brakenwagen and Geri Clark, and moderated by Dr. Jessica Anderson Schofield, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Western Connecticut State University.

Given last month’s cancellation of the League of Women Voters Candidate Forum, and the league’s refusal to include Democrat incumbent Divya Dorairajan on the grounds of her being a write-in candidate, last night’s forum was the only event that would allow voters to interact with ALL the BOE candidates running this November 7th. The organizers deserve thanks for filling the void for an open, inclusive and neutral discussion and for all their work putting this together on short notice.

It is unfortunate that the Democrat and “Unaffiliated” BOE candidate(s) backed out of the forum at the last minute. According to the Ridgefield Democrat Town Committee, Paradiso and Lipman declined to participate because they believed that the event “will not provide positive value to voters”. They also claimed the discussion was “unsanctioned” when the use of the room required prior approval from the Board of Selectman, which was granted.

Ridgefield residents deserve to know all the candidates' positions. Agreeing to and then backing out of the forum is a sheer disregard for voters as is the arrogant presumption that the candidates know what issues are and are not of value to Ridgefield residents.

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