Politics & Government

Citing Bias And "Bullying," School Board Candidates Skip Forum

Cherokee school board candidates Susie Tlacil of District 6 and Erica Williams of District 5 withdrew their intentions to participate in a forum.

Two candidates running for the Cherokee County School Board were no-shows at a forum organized by the Cherokee County Republican Women organization.

The forum, which was held on Thursday at the historic Cherokee County Historic Courthouse, initially was set to feature all eight candidates running for the four seats up for re-election.

District 3 candidates John Harmon and Brett Ladd, as well as District 4 incumbent Rick Steiner and challenger Robert Strozier, took questions from the moderator, which were submitted by the audience before the forum got underway

However, candidates Erica Williams of District 5 and Susie Tlacil of District 6 backed out of the forum at the last minute, so the audience was treated with a monologue featuring District 5 candidate Clark Menard and District 6 candidate Mike Chapman.

Tlacil cited the group's alleged biased as her reason why she decided to rescind her decision to participate. 

"It was made apparent to me that the organizers and members of this particular group were campaigning against me via signs, fundraisers as well as through negative posts on social media as well as a blog that misrepresents me," she said. 

Tlacil, who said she has no plans to contribute to the "division" in Cherokee County, added she felt her time was best spent with voters and not in a "combative situation." 

Tlacil was spotted at a local batting cage during the time the forum was taking place. 

"I canvassed Thursday afternoon and evening and rushed to my daughters batting practice (still in my campaign shirt)," she added. "I am not sure why anyone would be upset about a mom spending time with her kids."

Williams also said she made the decision to back out at the last minute for two main reasons: her daughter's illness — which she said prompted a visit to a local hospital — and "that the host group for this event has participated in cyber bullying and mean spirited attempts to divide Republican leaders and elected officials in this county at various levels."

"This effort that has divided our community and caused us to take our eyes off the ball," she said. 

Williams went on to say the Republican women's organization no longer "has the best "interest of our wonderful Cherokee County community at heart."

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She also said she plans to participate in events held closer to her district "that I feel can remain unbiased and fair in this upcoming Republican primary."

Tell us: what do you think of these candidates' decision to skip the forum? Will it have any bearing on who you vote for during the May 20 primary?

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