ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / November 1, 2000

LAPLACE – St. John the Baptist Parish School Board candidate Russ Wise isfinding it hard to debate anyone these days.

For the second time during his campaign for the District 8 seat on the school board, Wise has called for a forum between the candidates to debate the issues and answer questions from the voters.

For the second time, his opponent has turned him down.

During the primary election in October Wise tried to arrange a forum between himself, and the other District 8 candidates, Michael Maggiore, Randy Triche and Charles Duhon. However, he ran into some legal problemswith the school board when he asked if he could use LaPlace Elementary School for the forum. He wanted the children to bring leaflets home to theirparents telling them of the forum, but school board attorney John Diasselliss told Wise that was not legal. Plus, none of the other candidates wanted tojoin in the forum because they wanted the forum to be arranged by an objective third party.

Despite the lack of a forum, Wise won a run-off spot in the November election with 37 percent of the vote. Maggiore, who got 35 percent, will faceoff against Wise in the Nov. 7 general election.Again, Wise has put together a forum to be held at LaPlace Elementary School, this Thursday at 7 p.m. This time, he has spent $200 of his ownmoney to rent out the school cafeteria and he has found other ways to advertise the event.

Wise said, “I think that people running for public office should present themselves at least once to the voting public.”But Maggiore said he would not attend.

“This a forum that he set up,” said Maggiore. “It is really a rally for RussWise.”Maggiore said if a third-party had set up the forum he would happily attend.

Wise was not upset with Maggiore’s refusal. “That’s fine with me,” Wise said.”I have no trouble debating with an empty chair.”Maggiore’s claim that it would be a rally for Wise because Wise put the forum together did not impress Wise.

“If Coach Maggiore wants to set it up and pay for it, I will attend one of his forums,” said Wise. “If this turns into a Russ Wise rally, it won’t be becauseof Russ Wise. But if Coach sees a sinister plot in this, so be it.”For the past two weeks Wise said he has been trying to get someone to sponsor the forum with no success.

“I have tried to get the schools, the PTOs and even Belle Terre Country Club to sponsor this, but I didn’t get any response,” said Wise.

Wise is dismayed that getting a political forum organized in the community has been so difficult.

“If I win this election,” said Wise, “I will try to pass legislation that will make it necessary for school board candidates to participate in open forums.”Wise said the forum will still go on as scheduled Thursday night even if Maggiore doesn’t show up.

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