Even before some or all 6 of the School Board candidates assemble Wednesday evening at 7 for a forum at the Democratic Club meeting at the Vets Auditorium, the spunkier contenders already have been making news on a daily basis.
The eternal election-season argument —whether any news, good or bad, about a little-known candidate is good news because he gains instant visibility — will be tested this autumn in Culver City.
Two months before Election Day on Nov. 3 for three open seats on the Board, there are these developments:
• Contender Gary Abrams and School Board member Scott Zeidman have been jousting over the format for the next candidates’ forum, Thursday, Sept. 17, at 7 at El Marino Language School.
• Contender Robert Zirgulis has been riding his unusual theme — millions for the School District in oil drilling revenues — like a hobby horse with no “off” button. He also has been soaking up plenty of criticism for the same reason.
• Former Mayor Alan Corlin said this afternoon he has precise questions for Mr. Zirgulis and his much publicized theme, and he would like equally precise answers, not generic ones.
• Tomorrow, David Mielke, longtime President of the Teachers Union, will talk about why his members endorsed Karlo Silbiger, Kathy Paspalis and Mr. Abrams, and why the Union passed over the more widely known Alan Elmont.
Democratic Audience on Wednesday
In the first beauty contest of the season, what some regard as a test run for next week’s District-sponsored candidates’ shindig at El Marino, the challengers will try to convince Democratic Club members to endorse them for the School Board.
An evolving community consensus appears to be emerging that Mr. Silbiger and Ms. Paspalis are the primary favorites for two of the seats.
But the scramble for No. 3, among Prof. Patricia Siever, Mr. Abrams, Mr. Elmont and Mr. Zirgulis, is likely to be fought out until Election Day.
Speaking of Ground Rules
Mr. Abrams, as a first-time candidate for the School Board — 5 of the 6 are running for the first time —told Mr. Zeidman he is concerned about the fairness of the format for the forum at El Marino.
Winning and losing former candidates can assure Mr. Abrams that formats are starting markers. They have a tendency to break down as the program, and the players, warm up.
When Mr. Abrams objected recently to the intended 20-question format, Mr. Zeidman told him:
“Gary,
“Election time is truly an exciting time of the year. The candidates (if they so desire) put on forums (Karlo's got one on Sunday), fundraisers, (Kathy's got one the following Sunday), and hit the doors and phones hard, trying to get voters to go to the polls on November 3 to support them. Soon, we will be seeing lawn signs popping up at every third house, or so.
“Candidates get interviewed, and their photos are all over the local papers, and their names are in everyday conversation.
“A lot of good comes out of the campaign. Issues get discussed, potential resolutions get mentioned. The candidates agree on some things, and likely vehemently disagree on others. The public weighs in on November 3, and three new elected Culver City officials will be designated (swearing in doesn't happen until early December).”
In response, Mr. Abrams said, in part:
Dear Scott,
“Did not intend for this to be so complicated. I am really a simple dude. Did not intend to elicit a confession. Just thought that it would be a good idea to see how each candidate and remaining members answered the same 20 questions and turn them in after the forum.
“That's all! How it has gotten construed to overthrowing the forum format is beyond my mortal capacity.
“Since ‘these’ 20 questions are supposed to be so important to ‘us’ voters, it would only be ‘FAIR’ to have all of us answer them. Voters would have insight to ‘all’ of our minds on such important 20 topics.
“I did not think it was so innovative, but that's how I think.”
Since it could take longer to describe the format than to answer the first 3 questions, the conclusion is that the Abrams-Zeidman correspondence did not budge the format. And if you get to the El Marino campus by 6:45 or so a week from Thursday, you will know whether and how many of the candidates will report for duty.
Corlin Challenges Zirgulis
Is it a good thing that Mr. Zirgulis, not prominently known, has gained more mileage for his campaign out of his much talked about “Millions in Oil Drilling Revenues” claim?
The answer is not clear, and may not be for awhile.
Mr. Zirgulis wrote a letter to the newspaper this morning, purportedly outlining a plan he claims would yield millions to the School District’s shallow coffers. The emphasis was more on “outline” than a detailed scheme.
But he certainly has people talking about him, though a considerable amount is not favorable.
Mr. Corlin, the two-term former City Councilman, says Mr. Zirgulis must stop speaking in generalities.
“The time for conjecture is over,” the former Mayor told the newspaper. “I want to know specifically who, exactly who, is giving him his information and specifically how that person knows.”
