Peter Garang Deng, a former “Lost Boy” from South Sudan, was poised to become the first refugee to seek elected office in Vermont. But the city clerk last week barred Deng from running for a seat on the Burlington school board because he failed to submit the required number of valid signatures on his candidate petition form.
“It’s very unfair,” Deng said after being notified of his disqualification. “They should be more welcoming of candidates.”
The 27-year-old employment counselor for the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program added that his disappointment is such that he’s unlikely to run for office in Vermont in the future. And that’s a potential loss for those who would like to see more racially diverse representation in the nation’s second-whitest state. (Only Maine is more monochromatic).
Burlington’s 16-member school board may be especially in need of a broader racial mix. There are no people of color on the board sets policy for a school district whose students are 30 percent nonwhite.
Got something to say?
Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!
Well, if he did not have time enough to gather the amount of signatures required where we he find time to serve on the school board?
Should read, where would he find time to serve on the school board?
Exactly what part does Mr. Deng think is unfair? Requirements were defined and documented. Mr. Deng failed to meet the requirements, but was given two full days to correct the problem with his application. He chose not to do so.
Welcome to America. Follow the runes and work hard and you’ll go far. Complain and cry foul on the rules and you lose all respect.