Snowden Job

Once a man who ascended to local office on the vision of a classless society, now, increasingly just a man without class, Carl Snowden used his opportunity as moderator at Tuesday night's NAACP/RESPECT candidate forum to ambush Ward 6 Independent candidate Julie Stankivic.

Probing the candidate's personal life, he stated, "(Del. Leopold) said you sent him a letter describing yourself as a reincarnated Egyptian princess," and asked her to respond. Predictably, and wisely, Stankivic offered no comment. The attempt by Snowden to tar Stankivic hints at concerns that this year's rematch with Alderwoman Cynthia Carter may be running considerably closer than the 2001 race.

For some time, Snowden, who serves as an aide to the County Executive, has gotten a free pass on his bad behavior, though, Tuesday night a candidate from Ward 1, Doug Burkhardt wasn't afraid to tell him, "I just wanted to say, that's a very inappropriate question." I couldn't agree more, and I hope that the NAACP and RESPECT will seriously consider barring Mr. Snowden from moderating future events of this sort.

And, Carl, regarding tumultous personal lives, always remember what they say about people who live in glass houses.