School board elections

Dear Editor:Does anyone else think it is strange that there are banners prominently displayed at the schools advertising the "State of the Schools" event concurrent with a school board election? It must be nice for the incumbents to have their pictures and names displayed for all the parents to see on a daily basis. I only hope that public monies were not expended to purchase these banners. Jack Horvath Downey

Dear Editor: In Mr. Cartozian's letter ("Independent Voters," 10/17/13), he states that "certain school board challengers are using party affiliation" to sway voters. I do not know which candidates Mr. Cartozian is referring to, since he failed to list any names, but I can assure him and other Downey voters that I have not requested nor would I accept any party affiliation for my candidacy for school board in District 5. Furthermore, I have not and will not accept any campaign contributions. As a true independent, I am not beholden to teachers unions, employee unions, politicians or current board members because of their financial or campaign support. My only constituents are the students and the parents of the Downey Unified School District. I must also question the propriety of the balance of Mr. Cartozian's letter. It seems to me that if Mr. Cartozian wants to use the media to campaign for his candidates of choice, he should pay for a political advertisement. The editorial page should not be used as a soapbox for political advertisement by individuals or by public entities. In the interest of transparency, it should be noted that, as of Sept. 21, 2013, Cartozian Associates Inc. has donated $250 to the campaign of Nancy Swenson. John Anagnostou DUSD school board candidate

********** Published: Oct. 24, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 28