CONNEAUT — Organizers of Conneaut’s candidates night forum, criticized by some of the participants, defended the integrity and objectivity of Tuesday night’s event.
James Furman, whose Port Conneaut Federal Credit Union co-sponsored the event, said Thursday planners routinely review and critique each forum after completion.
“We’re always looking at ways to make it better,” he said. “There may be some tweaking.”
Some of the 12 candidates and their supporters, speaking via a local radio talk show, have claimed some questions asked by the audience were designed to embarrass Republican office-seekers.
Furman said there was no deliberate effort to discredit candidates. All questions asked came from the crowd, and were first screened by a three-person panel. Questions that passed muster were then given to moderator John Florian, who also reviewed them before reading them aloud.
The questions that raised the most ire, which inferred misconduct, were actually submitted by numerous people in the audience, Furman said. “The same questions were asked by several people,” he said.
The questions got the green light because they dealt with candidates’ “character and integrity,” Furman said.
While a few people have contacted the credit union to complain, the vast majority have been very supportive, Furman said. “A lot of the feedback has been positive,” he said.
Mike Bambarger, an at-large council candidate, said he felt the organizers “broke their own rules” regarding the way questions would be handled. “Candidates didn’t have the opportunity to answer all the questions (posed),” he said.
“I think it was a set-up from the get-go and was improper,” Bambarger said. “But it exposed the establishment that has run Conneaut for years and helped the candidates it tried to slander.”
Port Conneaut Federal Credit Union has been involved with similar candidate forums for many years, all successful, Furman said. “(The format) has worked seven times prior,” he said.
The other co-sponsor was the Conneaut Human Resources Center, which hosted the event. Edward Somppi, CHRC executive director, said he has fielded no complaints about the forum.
“And nor should we,” Somppi said. “It was a positive program. It’s unfortunate some people feel they were picked on.”
Local News
‘Candidate’ organizers deny any political bias
- Local News
-
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
The Buckeye Local Board of Education will conduct interviews with six superintendent hopefuls next week, said Board President Jacqueline Hillyer.
-
Shooting suspect to be tried as adult
A 17-year-old will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday after hearing a sheriff’s deputy describe how the teen wore a T-shirt with the word “Killer” and admitted shooting people.
-
Ohio EPA takes AIM at site of hazardous wastes
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency staff members returned this week to the site of the now-bankrupt Ashtabula Iron and Metal on West 30th Street to take samples of the unknown liquids and analyze hazardous wastes, asbestos and other potential health and environmental concerns.
-
Commissioners look at selling nursing beds
Commissioners have retained the services of a law firm that specializes in the sale of excess nursing home beds as the board looks at ways to raise additional revenues.
-
Conneaut looks at demolition funds
The city is making preparations to secure its share of nearly $692,000 in demolition funds expected to be Ashtabula County’s portion of a multi-billion dollar settlement with national mortgage lenders.
-
Volunteers get more help than needed at rescue spot
Despite their good intentions, Edward and Mary proved more hindrance than help to the Conneaut KeyBank employees lending a helping hand Thursday to a farm animal rescue operation in Kingsville Township.
-
220 graduate at Lakeside
Thursday night was a time of pomp, circumstance and smiles as 220 seniors graduated from Lakeside High School.
-
Lost money?
There is no map, and “X” may not mark the spot, but hundreds of Ashtabula County residents may have unclaimed cash ready and waiting for them through the Ohio Department of Commerce.
-
Lane to be tried as adult in Chardon High shooting
A 17-year-old boy will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday.
-
Happy Hearts School holds commencement for its Class of 2012
As commencement exercises go in Ashtabula County, the one at Happy Hearts School was small, with just five students.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
