Committee majority was present

To the editor:

I received a letter from Mr. William Folsom that listed a cc to you. His complaint dealt with his belief that a majority of MEA’s Nominating Committee was not present when he was interviewed. He claims that only three members were present. The committee minutes will show otherwise.

I believe Mr. Folsom failed to count Mrs. Hurley as a member of the nominating committee. The committee members present: Ms. L. Gorsch, Mr. H. Guinotte, Ms. Debra Lighthart, Ms. P. Purcell, Mrs. K. Hurley. Members absent: Mr. J. Ricks, Ms. T. Bauman.

About Mr. Downing’s letter, research of nominating committee meetings in past years will show that there is always a liaison between the board and any committee. Research will also show that the interviewee has never been accompanied by anyone. Committees are not elected, thus the Open Meetings Act is moot. The questions are developed by an advisory committee of MEA members and presented to the board before they are passed on to the nominating committee.

As an aside, my first interview included nominating committee members and an MEA attorney as the liaison. I was not approved!

Lois Lester

Eagle River

MEA board president