Posted: 03/09/08 10:43, Edited: 03/09/08 21:44
by Dave Mindeman
It is kind of ironic. In House District 37B, the "Ozment" like candidate is the Democrat.
After the district endorsing conventions on Saturday, the Republicans gave their endorsement to Judy Lindsay -- one of the most blatantly extremist candidates they could have found. On the Democratic side, Phil Sterner got the nod. I know Phil and although he certainly won't be mistaken for a "progressive" candidate, he clearly fits the Dennis Ozment version of moderation.
Phil looks even more moderate when lined up beside Judy Lindsay. Lindsay was a former ISD 196 school board member. She was often the lone dissenter on many budget decisions. Her rants about, what she considered, "pro-gay" policies in the schools are legendary. The most benign program for counseling students would be the target of Lindsay's accusatory finger if there was any hint of helping troubled gay teenagers. Lindsay also advocated religious programs in the schools....to counter the "pro-gay" agenda.
Lindsay was endorsed for the school board by the Republican party and she used a "fiscal responsibility" personna to keep her place on the board. She complained about every spending program and every dollar "wasted". Her votes were nearly always isolated... the rest of the school board forged ahead -- keeping the ISD 196 reputation as one of the finest and best managed school districts in the state.
As an example of her thought process on district budgets, here is a quote from an Apple Valley This Week article about budget cutting in 2001:
Board Member Judy Lindsay suggested alternative cuts, including eliminating DARE, district cell phones, and potentially the School of Environmental Studies.
The DARE program is a highly regarded anti-drug program for schools and the School of Environmental Studies (called the Zoo School by local residents) has won national recognition for its environmental educational approach. And as for cell phones? Could district employees survive without them? Enough said.
Now, it is unclear yet, as to whether or not either of the endorsed candidates will have primary opponents. But, if these are the November choices, a couple of things are clear.
Dennis Ozment will not support the candidacy of Judy Lindsay. And that Phil Sterner will be the best choice for 37B.
