Calling governor ‘no show’ for debate is misleading

To the editor:

On June 11, the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman published a front-page article referencing Governor Parnell as a “no show” for a gubernatorial candidate debate hosted by a group of Valley-area chambers of commerce. The statement implies that the governor was invited and simply decided not to show up. The editor of the Frontiersman knows that as I sent the paper a copy of my e-mail to the organizers explaining why the governor would not be able to attend.

The Wasilla area chambers contacted me on May 25, asking that I arrange for the governor to participate in their June 10 debate. Unfortunately, the governor’s schedule the night of the debate (June 10) was full well before I received the chambers’ request.

In my response, I explained our willingness to find a date in August that would work for the Wasilla-area chambers and the other candidates. I was told the chamber was committed to the candidate forums they had scheduled, much like the governor’s commitment to his own schedule. Governor Parnell would gladly attend a forum and give the voters of Wasilla an opportunity to hear his positions and compare and contrast him to other candidates if given enough advanced notice to fit his extremely busy schedule.

Sean Parnell is a man of his word and works hard every day for our state’s jobs and families.

Michelle Toohey

campaign manager for the Parnell for Governor Campaign