LETTER TO THE CITIZENS OF CENTRAL FROM TED McCULLEY. My purpose in writing this letter to the citizens of Central is to offer the truth about the confidentiality of the questions for the Mayoral debate. I also want to clarify the misconstrued and false facts reported in the March 13th issue of Central Speaks newspaper. In the Mayoral debate of March 6th, I served as Jr. Shelton’s representative to the panel to formulate questions for the debate. My verbal instructions from Shelton were to formulate 2 questions, typed in bold type, one question to a sheet of paper. These questions were to be placed in a sealed, unmarked envelope, and given to the moderator before the debate. The questions were to remain confidential. At no time did Shelton indicate that he was supposed to formulate or have knowledge of the questions. A few days later Mr. Shelton informed me that I was to formulate a third question, but it was to be put in a separate envelope, sealed, marked “extra”. The day before the debate, March 5th, I had my questions completed, in the appropriate envelopes, and only Joyce and I knew the questions. Also on March 5th, knowing that all my instructions had been verbal from Shelton, I wanted to reconfirm that my understanding of the task was correct. I texted Harry Rauls of the CCA. My question to him was and I quote: “Are questions to be shared with candidates?” Raul’s text to me “Absolutely NOT.” My text to him “ That was my understanding. Thanks.” I was never confused about the instructions, nor did Rauls give me additional instructions (as reported by Central Speaks newspaper). On March 6th, we 4 panelists: One from the Chamber, one from the CCA, one representative of Shelton, and one representative of Freneaux, met at 6:15pm before the debate to give our questions to the moderator. At this time we were asked if any of the questions had been shared with the candidates. Rodney Bonvillian, Freneaux’s representative, expressed that Freneaux had sent him his questions by email. Obviously Mr. Bonvillian and I had not received the same instructions. Mr. Rauls commented that the questions were not to be shared with the candidates. I asked the moderator about the subject of Mr. Freneaux’s questions. We were not to know the questions. The moderator said the questions were about salaries. The decision was made by the Chamber, CCA, and panelists to let the questions be used and continue with the debate. I did not contest the decision at that time, nor did I alert Mr. Shelton of the breach in confidentiality. My instructions from Shelton had all been verbal. The day after the election, March 7th, I requested from Shelton all the emails he received regarding the formulation of the questions for the debate. I wanted to see for myself whether there was a misunderstanding by Shelton and/or me about the formulation of the questions. All of the emails regarding formulation of the questions were sent to Shelton, Rauls, Freneaux. None were sent directly to me or Bonvillian. The February 26th email sent by Ron Erickson to Shelton, Rauls, and Freneaux suggested a change from the original plan that was to draw 8 questions from a pool of 20 questions 15 minutes prior to the debate. The new plan offered by Erickson stated: “On the night of the event, each panelist shows up 15 minutes prior to start with two questions typed out, in an envelope and with no names or organization on the pages or envelope…I would ask that each panelist contact me when their questions are selected so I can be sure the task is accomplished. Please instruct them to please not tell me the questions….” Erickson’s email of February 27th was the first time the term “representative” was used when describing a candidate’s panelist. Also, he stressed that “Questions are to remain confidential and will be submitted to the moderator.” I determined from this email that I had received the correct instructions for the formulation of the question. It was also evident that Mr. Bonvillian had not received the same instructions. The emails sent to Shelton, Freneaux, and Rauls never said the candidates were to formulate the questions. The handout (that Central Speaks reports about) that was handed out at the debate saying the candidates formulated the questions was WRONG. The February 27th email from Ron Erickson stated who would formulate the questions. As to Chairman of the Chamber, Wayne Leader’s statement that he did “exhaustive research” and concluded that there were no improprieties on the part of the Chamber and the CCA.: I beg to differ with him. There were only 4 panelists. If he had spoken with all of us he might have gained more insight into the fact that there were improprieties which made the debate weighted toward one candidate. As of this writing neither Wayne Leader nor Central Speaks newspaper has contacted me. Had they done so they might have both avoided stating and printing misconstrued and false statements about the events of the Mayoral debate. On March 7th, I sent Jr. Shelton an apology for not alerting him to the fact that the confidentiality of the questions had been compromised. I also apologize to you the citizens of Central for not voicing a strong objection when I suspected there were possible improprieties about the fairness of the questions/ debate. Ted McCulley CC: Central Chamber of Commerce, Central Community Alliance, Central Speaks, Central City News
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 21:46:01 +0000
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