To the Editor,
Re: Trustee resignation unfortunate for community, Guest Comment, Dec. 8.
The question is being raised about who should run for public office. How much does the voter need to know about candidate’s personal history?
Eric Ricker cited a foreign country and its policy of barring people with a criminal record. Nelson Mandela came to mind, he spent 18 years in jail before he successfully won the presidency of South Africa.
At worst, the policy of barring people from serving in public office is discrimination or self-serving for people able to beat the conviction with good legal representation.
Does the public need to know financial fitness, past addiction issues or even age, weight or race of the candidates?
Teachers and their spouses could be banned from school board for conflict of interest since budgets for schools are decided by trustees.
Donna Allen appears to be about 55 from her picture; is that too old to serve? Should she have disclosed her age and issues with election rules?
Bill Bard followed election rules and was democratically elected by taxpayers. He does not need to explain his personal life or history.
Now all trustees need to work co-operatively and conscientiously for public education and pave the way for an inclusive school board that equally represents people of all backgrounds.
Elizabet Vonarx
Nanaimo