SIMI VALLEY : 2 Candidates Refuse to Appear at Forum

Simi Valley school board candidates Sharon Hushka and Carla Kurachi have refused to participate in an election forum sponsored by Citizens for Truth in Education, a conservative watchdog group they claim is biased.

“Their intention is to advocate their views and not educate the public,” Hushka said Thursday of the group. “They don’t lend themselves to be a neutral body that could conduct a public gathering.”

Kurachi, board president and the only incumbent in the race, could not be reached for comment.

But the group’s chairwoman, Coleen Ary, said Kurachi sent a letter indicating that she would not participate.

“This is all in their own minds,” Ary said. “If they are going to be elected by a broad constituency, they have to recognize a broad constituency.”

Candidates Glenn Woodbury, Janice DiFatta, Norman Walker and Jacquie Richardson are expected to take part in the forum, Ary said. The three-hour discussion will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday in the City Council chambers.

The forum will also be televised on Comcast on Oct. 25.

“I am surprised that they pulled out,” DiFatta said. “Just because you participate in their forum doesn’t mean you want their endorsement.”

Citizens for Truth in Education was created in December to fight the teaching of birth control in Simi Valley schools. The group has since opposed the CLAS test.

Although the organization has only about 25 active members, Ary said its monthly newsletter reaches about 840 homes.

Thursday’s event will be the group’s first candidate forum. The moderator will not be affiliated with the organization.