Lower Merion Unified Slate Nasty Newsletter 3

Lyn KUGEL * Jerry NOVICK * Fran HOOVER * Gary FRIEDLANDER

Campaign Update From The Unified Slate Bipartisan Candidates for School Board serving Lower Merion and Narberth May 13, 2009

Newsletter #3

Welcome to the Communications Network!

Vote for Competent, Rational Leadership on May 19!

Thank you for helping us spread the word about our highly qualified candidates on The Unified Slate:

Dear friends, Lower Merion schools are very close to our hearts. Tuesday's election is critical because, although it’s a primary, it will likely be the deciding election in terms of the school board candidates.

 Lyn KUGEL (D)

We are deeply concerned that misinformation and political messages are obscuring the voters’ focus on what’s best for our schools and our kids. We hope that sensible people aren’t buying the ignorant (and often anonymous) attacks being hurled by the opposing slate and their supporters. Our candidates take the responsibility of leading the District seriously, and we know you do too – seriously enough that you will vote to put competent, knowledgeable, and rational people in place who can focus on education and continued improvement in our schools, not on reversing progress or reopening old debates.

 Jerry NOVICK (R)  Fran HOOVER (D)  Gary FRIEDLANDER (R) _______________________ Contact Us www.lmsdunifiedvote.org [email protected]

Let education, not politics, be your guide

We know that with the right tools, voters can and will make the right choices. We need your help to get the message out to others. Let’s start by clarifying some myths: Myth #1 Democrats vote for Democrats. This political argument is the centerpiece of the BAC-PAC campaign. Party membership alone is not a qualification for this job. Party loyalty is not a voting mandate. Democrats vote in support of public education, something Novick (R), and Friedlander (R) and Kugel (D) have done consistently on the Board and Hoover (D) has done for a decade in her South Ardmore community.

THE PRIMARY IS TUESDAY, MAY 19th

Myth # 2 Democratic endorsements are confusing and should be ignored. Frankly, this one’s pretty easy to clear up. The Democrats have not endorsed either slate. Out of 5 Democratic hopefuls that sought the endorsement, they chose to endorse only one: incumbent Lyn Kugel. Fran Hoover was only a couple of votes shy and many committee people will be working hard on her behalf on election day. Don’t be confused or fooled by sample “Democratic ballots” BAC-PAC is passing out. Gilbert, Haskell and Lee were not selected by the majority of Democratic committee people in the party endorsements (even though they could choose up to 4). Endorsements for Kugel, Novick, Friedlander and Hoover come from those who serve the community and are vested in the success of the Township and the District:  The Majority of your School Board  The Majority of your Democratic commissioners  Former President and Vice President of your School Board

Some important election facts: There are 4 open seats (out of 9) on the Lower Merion School Board this election cycle. All seats are at large. All candidates for School Director are permitted to and have cross-filed on both the Democratic and Republican ballots. They will appear in a random order, not by party or by slate. Make sure you know the names of your chosen candidates before you enter the voting booth. Take this newsletter with you if needed! A bipartisan board representing a full range of views is essential for increased community support for our schools.

 Certain Republican commissioners (yes, it’s okay to be bi-partisan) Our support is also from you, parents and residents, who value quality public education. Myth #3 Don’t look behind the curtain. They say it’s about Melissa, Ivan and Peter, not their supporters. Unfortunately it’s hard not to look beyond candidates when their support group has become so hostile to our candidates and school officials. Tune into the SAC blog, (www.saveardmorecoalition.org/node/3089) for a sample of the anonymous voices that support BAC-PAC. We are proud of our supporters, a group of people who are committed to our District and its success. Myth #4 Democrats should make sure as many Democrats as possible stay in the race to fight the Republicans in the Fall. That strategy makes no sense in a race that includes two Republicans with a strong and proven record of public school support and pro-education decisions. This race is slate against slate, NOT Democrats against Republicans. All of the choices will be on both ballots on May 19th—make your choice about which slate will best serve the schools, not partisan politics. The School Board race has been on since February. There have been three non-partisan voter forums, open houses, editorials and e-campaigning by the two slates to provide opportunities for people to learn about the issues, to ask questions and weigh their choices.

Let education, not politics, be your guide. VOTE in support of our outstanding School District. Vote for KUGEL, NOVICK, HOOVER and FRIEDLANDER Please report any voter intimidation to the Montgomery County Board of Elections: 610-278-3275

Make an informed choice at the polls Here is some information to help you make an informed choice at the polls on May 19th: This election cycle, there are two slates of candidates running: Kugel, Friedlander, Novick and Hoover will give you:  A proven track record of public school support and voting on proeducation decisions  Support of our Superintendent and staff  Cooperation with Lower Merion Township  Fiscal responsibility  A broad sense of responsibility to the entire LMSD community Gilbert, Haskell and Lee will give you: o No track record…only promises o Policy ideas costing millions in new taxes o Limited exposure to District programming and issues o Limited geographic representation

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS ON ELECTION DAY Give us an hour or give us a day, we’ll put you to work on May 19th

THE PROBLEM: There will be more voter confusion than usual. There is no Democratic slate and no Republican slate in this election. People won’t `be able to rely solely on the local party’s sample ballots at the polls. The D sample ballot will recommend 1, the R sample ballot 2, the voter will be asked to choose 4. A ballot that lists candidates in random order.

Paid for by Unified for Excellent Schools David Kedson, Treasurer

THE ANSWER: We will provide a sample ballot polls for the Unified Slate. It will highlight our candidates and clear up the question of ballot order. It will only work, if we have enough volunteers to stand at the polls, especially during peak hours, to distribute the Unified Slate sample ballot. Please email us at [email protected] and volunteer to work a one or two hour shift at the polls before or after work or during the day. Or, make GOTV (Get Out the Vote) calls from your home, office or cell phone.