E-mails Asking Educators About Their Sexual Orientation

A Missouri judge barred a Fremont Township man who now is running for the state House from sending e-mails asking educators about their sexual orientation.
The Missouri attorney general's office sought the court order in late 2004 against Jeffrey S. Kowalski, 23, president of StarProse Corp. Authorities claimed he sent nearly 300 messages to school officials.
It was not clear what connection Kowalski has with Missouri. He registered his business in Abilene, Texas.
Kowalski has declared himself a Republican candidate for the state House 98th District seat.
He said he sent the e-mails, along with similar ones to California and Texas educators, so he could let parents know who was teaching their children.
"It's a big misunderstanding," he told The Saginaw News. "I don't believe I violated the law in any way."
Kowalski said Missouri's Open Records Law doesn't specify the request is not allowed.
"Right now we have a big problem with teachers lying and hiding information when they apply for the job," he said.
Kowalski, who describes himself as both a conservative and progressive Republican, said an appreciative parent sent him an e-mail thanking him for his action. "It was important for parents," he said.
Missouri authorities claimed Kowalski sent the e-mails to educators "under the guise of an Open Records Request ... threatening the publication or posting information unless the e-mail is responded to by the recipient."
Camden County (Mo.) Circuit Judge Bruce E. Colyer, citing the Merchandising Practices Act, ordered Kowalski in October 2004 to refrain from posting online any information about an educator's orientation or publishing false information about that person, records indicate. The injunction also pertained to StarProse Corp.
Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon's office sought the order because a school principal in the county reported receiving an e-mail, said John Fougere, a spokesman for Nixon.
"We haven't heard from (Kowalski) since," Fougere said.
Kowalski said he's running on a campaign platform that advocates posting online the minutes of the meetings of public bodies, allowing abortions in the case of rape and incest, and permitting gay or lesbian couples to adopt children.
John Moolenaar, a Midland Republican who holds the district seat, has said he plans to seek another term. He would face Kowalski in the Tuesday, Aug. 8, primary election. The News could not immediately reach Moolenaar for comment Monday.
Scott Wells, a Brady Township resident and mattress store manager, remains the only Democrat to have declared himself a candidate. The filing deadline for partisan candidates is Tuesday, May 16.
from The Saginaw News