2008 Woodie Awards
STAFF EDITORIAL
Candidate investigation is a must
Arunkumar Sukumaran
Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: Opinion
With Nov. 4 approaching quickly, it is important for voters to remember that they are responsible for learning about candidates running for positions in all government levels.
Active citizens should know more about their voting choices than campaign slogans and smears. Sometimes important pieces of a candidate's history can be found by reading information in a newspaper or online.
The Terre Haute Tribune Star reported on Monday that Larry M. Faulkner, a candidate for Vigo County School Board, has served time in jail and has also been banned from ISU's campus.
Faulkner has been found guilty of battery, trespass and resisting law enforcement.
The battery charge came after an incident in which Faulkner grabbed a high school runner by the waist and "squeezed her buttock with his hand."
In addition to these charges, Faulkner has been banned from the ISU campus for approaching several female students, touching them and ignoring their requests for him to leave them alone.
He responded to their attempts to get help from ISU police by calling them "queers" and "lesbos."
Bill Mercier, the director of ISU Public Safety, maintains the ban against Faulkner.
Whether voters believe that Faulkner has been treated fairly or misunderstood, it is important that they gather this information prior to Nov. 4 in order to analyze it and see if it fits with their goals and values.
A wealth of information is available on the presidential candidates, and their records have been scrutinized closely.
Those running for office at a state or local level do not spend as much time under a magnifying glass, but voters should not rely on instinct and biased campaigns to make their decisions.
School board members make important decisions that can affect the whole community.
As the election season draws to a close, please do your homework and get to know the candidates.
Active citizens should know more about their voting choices than campaign slogans and smears. Sometimes important pieces of a candidate's history can be found by reading information in a newspaper or online.
The Terre Haute Tribune Star reported on Monday that Larry M. Faulkner, a candidate for Vigo County School Board, has served time in jail and has also been banned from ISU's campus.
Faulkner has been found guilty of battery, trespass and resisting law enforcement.
The battery charge came after an incident in which Faulkner grabbed a high school runner by the waist and "squeezed her buttock with his hand."
In addition to these charges, Faulkner has been banned from the ISU campus for approaching several female students, touching them and ignoring their requests for him to leave them alone.
He responded to their attempts to get help from ISU police by calling them "queers" and "lesbos."
Bill Mercier, the director of ISU Public Safety, maintains the ban against Faulkner.
Whether voters believe that Faulkner has been treated fairly or misunderstood, it is important that they gather this information prior to Nov. 4 in order to analyze it and see if it fits with their goals and values.
A wealth of information is available on the presidential candidates, and their records have been scrutinized closely.
Those running for office at a state or local level do not spend as much time under a magnifying glass, but voters should not rely on instinct and biased campaigns to make their decisions.
School board members make important decisions that can affect the whole community.
As the election season draws to a close, please do your homework and get to know the candidates.
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