In response to the letter “Why does candidate hide his prior service?” (Friday’s edition), the writer mentions one piece of campaign literature that she has seen. I would suggest that the writer look for my next piece of campaign literature and ad that is coming. In 1989 I was first elected to the Monroe Board of Education. In 1993 I was elected to the merged Union County Board of Education representing the old District 3, which was mostly the Monroe school attendance zone. Most people, who know me, know I worked diligently for the Monroe schools during my tenure on the Union County Board of Education. Being the only Monroe district representative during the time of an unpopular merger had its challenges.

Let me site a few examples of my service. Because of the low socio economic status of many students in the Monroe schools, extra funding had been provided for lower classroom sizes. When the superintendent discussed stopping that funding, I fought it and we kept the funding. When the superintendent wanted to adjust the classroom size for Advanced Placement courses, which would have caused fewer AP classes for Monroe High students, I stopped that. I told the superintendent I believed in equal educational opportunity for all students. I tried to bring the highly recognized International Baccalaureate program to Monroe High School, believing it would attract more students from other attendance districts. I wanted a magnet school to be located in the Monroe area that would serve all students. It was not done during my tenure, but we now have Central Academy that is a magnet school that serves all Union County students. Many Monroe students attend that school. I was active in supporting and voted in favor of the Union Academy application to start a charter school. It is a good school, and many Monroe students go there. These are just a few of the things I did to support the Monroe schools. With a record like that, why would I hide from it?

As for the news media, I believe they have covered the campaign in a fair manner, and I have not shied away from any questions or questionnaires that have been asked or sent to the candidates.

Sometimes unfortunate things happen, and I was accused in 1999 of violating the school board code of ethics. There was an investigation, and a final conclusion that I had violated the code of ethics. There could have been a hearing and I could have (and probably should have) fought on at that hearing, because I did believe I had not violated the code of ethics. After agonizing all night one night, I decided to resign. I believed I had lost any effectiveness of representing the people of my district. I believed it was in my best interest, my family’s best interest, the best interest of the district, and the best interest of the school system for me to resign.

I also knew that if I ever ran for another elective office that someone would probably bring the incident up and try to hurt me, my family and my campaign and that is in progress. Who knows, there may be more letters coming to the same effect. However, I have faith in the voters and citizens of Monroe, and I truly believe that a majority of the people know that I am an ethical and honest person. Thank you.

BOB CURRY

Monroe