The Plano Star Courier weighs in on our stand against one party public forums
Editorial in Friday's Plano Star Courier

02/17/2006
Misjudgment

Forum should have included all candidates

When he won his first office at the age of 18 in 1990 and became the world's youngest elected judge, Plano Justice of the Peace John E. Payton set a wonderful example for youth. He showed the kind of political determination, effort and commitment that all of us of any age can admire. Payton brought to the political scene a refreshing, surprising and even inspiring example of leadership and dedication, and he has generally continued in that direction since.

Though not especially innovative in national terms, his teen court, in which youth judge each other, appears to have been a success. This year, teen court branched out a bit by deciding to hold a Collin County candidates' forum that Payton said would "expose youth to the political process" by hearing candidates "comment on how their offices impact the youth."

This was a wonderful idea, but it fell apart in the execution -- and some uninvited candidates were, rightfully, quick to point that out.

Payton said that only those candidates in contested races were invited to participate in the Feb. 4 event at Plano Municipal Center. Not only was this restriction itself sort of silly, but Payton's own organizational procedures were inconsistent. A county commissioner who has no declared opponent in the March 7 Republican primary, for example, was invited. Payton himself has no primary opposition. So, should he have left himself off of the guest list? Democrats, opposed or not, appear to have been omitted from the event altogether.

In short, this was an instance -- not uncommon in politics -- of a good idea gone bad.

The inconsistency in applying the rules, coupled with restriction to one party's participants, gave this event not so much the appearance of a forum as of a gathering of the party faithful. And a judge, of all people, should be able to understand the unfairness of that. If Payton wants to participate in Republican Party activities, this it is his prerogative. But the office of a justice of the peace is not a get-out-the-vote platform. It must remain strictly bipartisan in its administration, and any activities conducted under its aegis -- which is where teen court falls -- must adhere to that very same standard.

Anything less sets an unacceptable example for youth.