Peg Bumgardner sends in this note…

Due to a death in the family and travel Wednesday, I was unable to send my congratulations publicly to Garrett for his win. It was refreshing to have a positive election process that allowed us to bubble school issues to the top of conversations.

Friends, neighbors, supporters, and Decaturites, thank you for the opportunity to get to know more about you, your thoughts, ideas and concerns. I look forward to continuing to serve all the children of Decatur, as I always have.

I wish Garrett all the best.

Peg

Are you suffering from heated, local political rivalry withdrawal?  Do you find yourself listening to the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling” repeatedly just so that it feels a bit more like 2009, when Decatur had FOUR hotly contested races (two city/two school board) going on at the same time?

Well, this might not be an all-out cure, but at least it has the potential to mollify some of the less attractive symptoms of local politi-talk withdrawal until election day.  (It’s only a couple weeks away!)

Patch has asked School Board District 1 candidates Peg Bumgardner and Garett Goebel 11 questions regarding their candidacy.   Questions include: What are the biggest issues facing the school system?  Should Westchester be reopened?  The new nepotism policy.   The bus schedules.  Would you raise the school millage rate?  And more!

So get on over there and learn up on your candidates!  You ain’t just going to the polls to vote for Sunday liquor sales, are ya?

Dave over at inDecatur posted two videos, which together show a good portion of the forum between school board candidates Peg Bumgardner and Garrett Goebel at the Church of Decatur Heights on Sunday afternoon.

Bumgardner-Goebel debate for CSD School Board 10/9/2011 Pt 1 of 2 from Dave Kell on Vimeo.

Part II after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

Just a reminder that the Decatur Heights neighborhood is hosting a District 1 school board candidates forum this Sunday at the Church of Decatur Heights from 1:30p to 3:30p.  In case you missed the full announcement previously, here’s the link.

Sadly, due to the recent passing of her mother, School Board member Julie Rhame will be unable to attend as originally planned. “It speaks volumes to Julie’s dedication to our schools,” said DM commenter and forum organizer Deanne, “that she still wanted to try to meet with the community to answer questions. It’s certainly in keeping with all that she’s always done.”

Our best to Julie and her whole family during this difficult time.