Ridgefield RTC Calls For Inclusive Board Of Ed Candidate Forum

**News Release Submitted by The Ridgefield Republican Town Committee**

Oct. 4, 2023

The Ridgefield Republican Town Committee is disappointed that the League of Women Voters Board of Education Candidate forum scheduled for October 4 has been canceled due to the moderator's illness, rather than being postponed. We believe there should have been an attempt to reschedule the event, considering the upcoming election.

We were also saddened to learn that for the second time in 3 weeks, a sitting BOE member and active candidate was threatened with physical harm. This time allegedly by the sitting President of the League of Women Voters, who has since resigned in disgrace (just before the debate was cancelled). Divya Dorairajan, a sitting Democrat, requested inclusion in the forum but was denied because she is a write-in candidate, contradicting the League's own invitation to all candidates on their website. This exclusion, particularly of a woman, is concerning, and we support Ms. Dorairajan's request to be heard.

Mike Raduazzo, Chair of the RRTC, urges the League to reconsider their future forum conduct, emphasizing the need for civil, open, and unbiased discussions. He calls on the LWV to set aside partisan tactics and uphold its principles, ensuring no candidate is silenced or threatened. The RRTC is willing to engage in dialogue to improve the process.

Additionally, we call for civility in the election process in Ridgefield. Recent threats against two sitting BOE members from different political parties are unacceptable. We must be able to listen to each other, even when we disagree, as we are all neighbors.