The Alamance News sent all seven school board candidates the same letter – seeking their responses to an issues questionnaire and seeking their biographical information – last Monday, October 12. The newspaper asked that their responses be submitted by noon on October 19 in order to be included in this week’s (October 22) edition.
Samira Khan was the first candidate to submit her responses, on Wednesday, October 14. However, when the newspaper downloaded her documents the following day, it became apparent that her responses were incomplete.
For the biographical material, she did not respond to anything after her education, omitting any listing of her family (spouse or children), occupation, religion, or organizations.
For her questionnaire, she responded to the first 10 questions, but none after that.
As a result publisher Tom Boney, Jr. sent a follow-up email on Thursday, October 15, asking if perhaps she had inadvertently sent a document that was an earlier or incomplete draft without her final, “saved” responses.
On Friday, October 16, she responded, saying, “I will review this document today and submit tomorrow. Sorry if I missed anything.”
However, the newspaper never received anything further from her.
Thus, most of her responses after question 10 are listed as “No response.” The exception is that while she did not list her party affiliation, she is registered as a Democrat and is being endorsed by the Alamance County Democratic Party.
The newspaper had advised candidates that in the event they did not respond, the newspaper would provide information, when known, on any missing issues.
