Davis Schneiderman Renews Call For Debate: Letter

Written and submitted by Davis Schneiderman, candidate for Highland Park City Council

Last week, I invited my Highland Park City Council opponents Laura Saret and Adam Stolberg to engage in a public debate. I made this invitation for several reasons.

First, I am often asked what distinguishes me from my two opponents. Second, the two scheduled candidate forums—the Ravinia Neighbors Association (RNA) on March 2, and the League of Women Voters (LWV) on March 19—are not debates and are not structured to include any back-and-forth among the three candidates.

Saret and Stolberg initially responded to my call in a local news article, but unfortunately, would not commit to debate. To ease their stated concerns, I asked my opponents to meet so we might collaboratively determine the schedule, venue, and format. I also reaffirmed that I have no preconceived ideas for how a debate might proceed. I deliberately did not offer specifics, so neither opponent would then feel that a proposed structure was somehow not fair.

I was, therefore, further disappointed when my opponents still rejected my offer to meet. I countered once more via email, with this:

"From my perspective, you could both choose the moderator and write the questions ahead of time if that made it work...I say this because I believe public officials need to be willing to talk to each other on the issues, in public. This isn't a 'gotcha,' but a serious call for real dialogue."

And this offer is serious.

Voters deserve to listen to the candidates engage with each other in meaningful back and forth. My offer stands and now includes the suggestion that my opponents can select all the details, with or without my involvement.

I hope that those willing to run for City Council recognize that they have nothing to lose by sharing their positions and engaging in discussion about the issues.

To do otherwise stands counter to the role of a member of City Council, and I hope my opponents will reconsider.

Davis Schneiderman