Editorial: What’s behind all these names? You might want to find out

Talk about it

If Peggy Foster Harris decided to run for school board on a whim, did 1,151 district residents decide to vote for her on a whim?

Interesting question.

Foster Harris is fairly new to the area, changed her name last year — this would further reduce her name recognition — and she’s not closely associated with or interested in the local schools. Obviously she knows some people and they may have voted for her, but that still doesn’t explain her high vote count or finishing second in the primary election.

Did voters like the catchy sound of her three-word name? Did the locally historic “Foster” middle name bring legitimacy to her candidacy?

It’s hard to say what local voters were thinking. UW-River Falls student Dusty Pfundheller tried dropping out of the primary but still got 517 votes. Like Foster Harris, Eunice Beauchman didn’t respond to questions and information for a Journal candidates profile and still got 625 primary votes.

Now Foster Harris says she’s incapable and unqualified to serve on the school board. She’s no longer a candidate for the spring election but her name remains on the ballot. So, how many will still vote for her?

Interesting question.

The three remaining candidates - Stacy Johnson-Myers, Rellen Hardtke and Geoff Force - seem committed to sticking it out. They responded on time and in detail to questions that were published in the Journal’s Feb. 14 profile.

Look for their responses again in the Journal following a Monday night, March 24, candidates forum. You may want to attend that forum at the high school and hear them speak in person. You can even submit written questions. The forum will also be televised.

Only two of the three candidates will be elected to the school board. Remember that when you vote April 1. They replace two very astute school board members, Chris Wing and Bob Gustafson, who are stepping down.

While attending school, our children are expected to do homework to get passing grades. As residents of this school district, it’s our turn to do homework. That means learning something about the candidates before voting. We have until April 1.

,center>Online Poll

Packers: Not all gloom and doom

The Journal’s online poll question this week asked: Without Brett Favre in 2008, what will the Packers’ record be?

While there was a sizable number picking the worst record — obviously Minnesota Vikings fans — most thought the team would do OK this fall.

Here’s how the voting broke down for wins and losses: 4-12 (18.26%); 6-10 (10.43%); 8-8 (23.48%); 10-6 (35.65%); 12-4 (12.17%).

To vote and to read local news stories and announcements, go to www.riverfallsjournal.com.

Tags: opinion, editorial, ri er, falls, school, board