Snow Thumbs Nose at Parents; Decides NOT to Attend Candidate Forum at Conley

Yesterday Larry Snow announced that he would not be attending the District 158 Candidate Forum this evening at Conley Elementary School.

It was pretty much a case of

"If you're not going to play by my rules (attacking reputations and throwing out ridiculous allegations) I'm taking my ball and going home."

Snow said he was backing out of the forum because he disagreed with the rules set forth by the teachers union and the support staff union, which organized the event. Here are the rules:

1. There will be a rotation of which candidate responds to the question first.

2. Each candidate will be given two minutes to respond to questions asked.

3. People are not allowed to interrupt when another person is speaking.

4. Personal attacks will not be allowed.

5. At the end of the session, each candidate will be allowed four minutes for a closing statement.

6. If the event cannot be cordial, we reserve the right to end the public forum.

Sounds fair to Bongo. But evidently Snow got into one of his "obsessive compulsive" e-mail exchanges with the event chair, and started throwing out all kinds of allegations and insults once it became clear that the HEA and the HESPA would not cave into Snow's demands that he be allowed to engage in personal attacks.

Two of Bongo's readers shared the following comments from Snow's exchange with the event chair:

"Comparisons between candidates' positions will not be permitted. The event is designed to allow candidates to share anything about themselves they wish to convey to the public. However, candidates are not permitted to share their views on other candidates or other candidates' views, board voting history etc. We hope you can see where that type of interaction could quickly deteriorate into personal attacks.
In response to concerns initially expressed by at least one candidate that the event might turn into a free for all or X number against one, we decided to eliminate the variables that might promote hostile and negative interaction between the candidates. It was made very clear that the event will be a strong reflection on the two unions hosting the event. We took that feedback under consideration in arriving at the format we did.
Candidates will be guests of the HEA and the HESPA. Candidates are invited to participate in what we understand to be the only candidate forum open to the public. We do not believe that it is too much to ask that participants abide by the ground rules put in place to address the concerns expressed by those very same individuals." -Event Chair

"Does the HEA want to take a position against professionally phrased
political free speech?" -Larry Snow

"I can understand why the HEA wants to hide Mr. Skala's voting record and actions from voters." -Larry Snow

"I understand how Mrs. Skala has been an official in your teachers union, and teacher in our district, and how you want to help her husband get elected to be in a position again to overtly help your union during future negotiations." -Larry Snow

"Your ground rules are intended to make your event a publicity event for Mr. Skala with restrictions that favor Mrs. Skala's husband. Your remarks have highlighted how it will not be a neutral event but showcase the union's bias." -Larry Snow

Once again, is this the guy you want making decisions for kids for the next two years? Is this the guy you want representing District 158? You can early vote Snow outta here between 8:30 and 4:30 M-F and from 9-1 this and next Saturday at the Huntley Park District.