Daniel R. Wilson

As president of the Northwest Montana Bar Association, I write in response to Valarie Eve's letter expressing her disappointment.

Eve takes the position that the public has been misinformed by the bar association about the debate. Specifically, she complains that an announcement provided by the bar association and printed in the Whitefish Pilot wrongfully implies that she would attend a judge's debate sponsored by the bar association.

Let's focus on the real issue here. Eve is running for a public office. The bar association authorized me, as president, to host a public forum where the candidates for the Whitefish City Judge position could address the voters and answer questions concerning their qualifications and their knowledge of the law. Encouraging public debate by candidates for public office is nothing sinister or new in this country. Plain and simple, public debate is the foundation of democracy.

I respect Eve's wishes. Whether she decides to show up and debate her opponent rather than conducting a personal campaign, as she puts it, is entirely her choice. All along, I have urged her to submit a written statement about her candidacy to be read at the debate if she chooses not to attend in person. On Monday of this week, I was informed that Eve would submit a written statement.

Finally, the announcement printed in the Pilot did not misinform the public by implying that Eve would attend. If we had posted an announcement that she would not be attending the debate, and then she changed her mind, she would criticize the bar association for that decision.

The invitation to Eve to participate in the debate was held open until the beginning of the debate. The choice was hers, and the opportunity to appear in public was to be held open until the last moment. Now she has decided to go public with her decision not to engage in public debate. Again, it is her choice.

Daniel R. Wilson

Kalispell