A Proxy Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Asking a sitting alderman to at a candidate forum is like asking your brother to fill in for you on your wedding night. It’s not appropriate! And if your new wife doesn’t mange to muster a minimum protest, your lack of judgment may be the least of your worries.

Of course, we’re talking about the then out-of-town Third Ward aldermanic candidate asking outgoing incumbent to read a statement on his behalf at the FACTS group’s March 15 . FACTS stands for “For Accountable Controlled Tax Spending.”

To be fair, in lieu of an appearance, the rules clearly allow a candidate to anoint a substitute to read a statement. Pawlak made it clear he never intended to field questions from the audience. “I’m supporting Dean,” Pawlak said, “We’ve been friends for a long time. That’s why I’m reading his prepared statement.”

When challenger found out she’d be facing off against Pawlak and not Kilburg, she saying, “I just don’t think it’s fair for a new candidate to have to debate against the incumbent who has been in office for 16 years.” It’s good to know  I’m not the only Genevan imbued with a keen perception of the obvious.

Considering the relatively rational folks involved, I can’t figure out how they let it get to the point where Hruby was backed into that untenable corner.

Let’s start with Mr. Kilburg. Having worked with him on one particularly touchy journalistic issue when he was School Board president, I have nothing but respect for Dean. He claims he wasn’t seeking a sneaky advantage by having Pawlak speak and I believe him. The problem is, the appearance of impropriety is almost always worse than any actual impropriety.

Of the 21,500 Genevans, 21,499 could’ve read that statement without so much as raising one thin eyebrow. Instead, Kilburg chose the .0000005 percent of the populous that actually made it look like he was angling for a leg up.

Which brings us to Alderman Pawlak. All politicians have the God-given right to publicly support the candidates of their choice, but not at a debate. That’s when the phrase “level playing field” really ought to mean something. A sitting alderman sitting in your seat says so much more than some pre-printed words.

Again, I’ve dealt with Alderman Pawlak for as long as I’ve been writing and, despite our frequent disagreements, I have a great deal of respect for him, as well. But when Kilburg asked him to appear in his place, he should’ve known better. Sticking to his guns, Pawlak told me, “We’ll have to agree to disagree on this one.”

One thing we can agree on is politicians can be a crafty bunch. Things seem to go so much better when someone’s keeping an eye on 'em. Which brings us to FACTS. Though Kilburg never should’ve asked Pawlak and Pawlak never should’ve accepted, those semi-minor improprieties were compounded by the fact that no one at FACTS said, “Um, wait a minute guys!” Why, FACTS principal Bob McQuillan even said, “The fact that Ray Pawlak read the statement should not be a surprise to anyone.”

It surprised the heck out of me! C’mon! A group that’s that as tough on taxing bodies as FACTS is must apply those same high standards to themselves or they become an ineffective parody of themselves. Hruby was generous when she said, “I won’t put this on Dean, but I’m leery of FACTS for believing that Ray would be an appropriate proxy. That made me rethink my participation in the forum.” She said she’d be happy to debate Kilburg if another opportunity arose.

By the way, though I understand the logic for permitting proxy statements, FACTS should reconsider that one, too. With the current substitution rules, a candidate who doesn’t fare well in public could send in a crack replacement to read professionally written prose while facing no audience cross examination. Call me crazy, but shouldn’t a forum be just that?

Though I completely agree with Hruby’s decision, were I in her shoes, I would’ve shown up and had a little fun. For example, when my 14-year-old son ignores my attempts at conversation, I start answering my own questions. And when those “answers” get outrageous enough, he starts paying attention.

So proffered a tax question, I’d cogently make my point and then say something like, "You know, Mr. Kilburg favors heavily taxing any family that gives any child a “last” first name like Taylor, Tyler, Madison or Riley." (Actually, that would make me vote for him!)

Come to think of it, in the spirit of Major League Baseball, we could make the process  far more interesting if candidates could choose “designated debaters.” Imagine the possibilities! You could have Sarah Palin or Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) mangle history which would make you look so much better. If you’re short, Tea Partier Christine O’Donnell could declare you’re not a leprechaun. Newt Gingrich could explain away those excessive parking tickets by describing your extreme love of Geneva.

Now, those are forums I’d attend!

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