Mayoral candidate Rogers on the fence
By BILL RETTEW JR.
Staff Writer
Not even mayoral candidate John Paul Rogers knows whether he will show for any of the three upcoming voter forums or “debates.”Ed Bowlin, a spokesman for Rogers sent an e-mail to the Lake Wales News Thursday, that suggested Rogers would skip the “debates.” Later that day, another Rogers supporter, Wes Rogers (no relation) visited the newspaper office to say John Paul Rogers would attend.
John Paul Rogers said Thursday that he would no longer speak with reporters from the Lake Wales News, but later that day commented on the remaining forums.
“If the hair on my head knew what I was going to do, I’d cut it off,” said the 70-year old downtown barber. “I don’t know what I’m liable to do.”
Rogers is running for mayor against fellow commissioner Mike Carter.
Carter hopes Rogers will attend the three upcoming forums.
“It’s unfortunate for the voters because they will not be able to directly hear his views on the issues,” said Carter. “I hope that he will reconsider.”
During the most recent forum, Rogers’ role as former Grand Dragon of the hate-group, United Klans of America, was questioned by an audience member.
Lake Ashton resident Barbara Salvin asked the four candidates whether the former Klan head was a good choice for mayor. Mayor Jack Van Sickle replied that everyone had something in their past that they were not proud of.
Rogers then refused to renounce his past Klan association when asked to by Carter and the two candidates for mayor argued following the forum.
The next debate is schedule for Thursday, March 24, by the Citizens for Good Government.
Former Mayor Cliff Tonjes moderated the March 10 forum sponsored by the same organization. During that forum, no public comment was allowed.
Tonjes said earlier this week that the public will not be able to directly ask the candidates questions at the March 24 debate. Tonjes said he wanted to prevent the upcoming forum from becoming negative like the Sunday event did.
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