I'm disappointed that Zone 4 Trustee Ann Seddon and Zone 5 candidate Bjorn Handeen have declined invitations to the Coeur d'Alene Education Partnership forum tonight (according to CEP Facebook page). Both attended the Mica Grange forum, organized by a Republican stalwart, and both have attended Republican events to troll for votes in friendly waters. It seems to me -- and I'm reading between the lines here -- that these two candidates are comfortable only in friendly partisan forums where hard questions aren't asked. However, they're seeking an office to represent all constituents, not just those who toe the Tea Party (United Conservatives of North Idaho) or Tea Party Lite (Reagan Republicans) line. Also, they want one of the most important jobs in our community -- educating our children. They owe it to the public to tell us where they stand on a variety of issues. Are they for or against Common Core? Are they for or against school uniforms? Are they for or against the Luna Laws? We saw what happened more than two years ago when State Superintendent Tom Luna sprung his education "reform" on the state after not mentioning his radical ideas in the previous fall campaign. Also, we saw the School Board, with three appointees, jettison the International Baccalaureate and PYP programs over parent objections. Candidates who decline invitations to important forums, like the televised CEP/Coeur Group debate, are playing games with their constituents, putting their fears and their handlers' advice ahead of the community's right to know. No one would hire a job applicant who refused to show up for his/her interview. You shouldn't vote for trustee candidates who refuse to show up for candidate forums either/DFO.