A Montgomery County Commission candidate’s response during a forum has caused the area chapter of the League of Women Voters to reconsider its policies.

The league is thinking about reverting to its former policy that required candidates to sign an agreement promising a civil discussion, according to Susan Hesselgesser, executive director of the League of Women Voters of the Greater Dayton Area.

“We consider that an unfortunate change, but these are different political times,” she said.

The league also is considering revising the questions for the candidates, according to Hesselgesser.

The league’s reconsideration began after it recorded interviews with candidates for the Montgomery County commission on Thursday at the Miami Valley Communications Council offices. Debbie Lieberman, the incumbent Democrat, and Ashley Webb, her Republican opponent and a Kettering city councilman, were interviewed during a 10- to 12 minute segment.

The interview included Webb’s reference to a $132,565 federal tax lien against Lieberman and her husband, Dennis Lieberman.

Hesselgesser said Webb’s response did not adhere to the league’s policy instructing candidates to focus on issues and avoid personal attacks.

After the interviews, the league questioned whether it should air the forum. The organization wanted to make sure the interviews were fair and the answers beneficial to voters, Hesselgesser said.

By Sunday morning, the league indicated in a news release the recorded forum would be broadcast. The interviews are expected to air beginning today on MVCC, according to Hesselgesser.

“We put it out there for the community to see for themselves,” Hesselgesser said.

Webb said the league made the right decision and there should have been no delay in airing the forum. He said voters will agree that his opponent’s tax issues are relevant.

Webb said the recorded discussion was civil.

“I don’t understand how you can end up with censorship under the guise of civility,” Webb said “If the league starts trying to determine what’s pertinent we’ve got a pretty big issue. I don’t think that the league’s job. I believe that’s the voter’s job.”

Lieberman said she was amenable to whatever the league decided. She believes that the public is tired of political attacks and she would be first to sign a civility agreement.

“In this day and era of heightened incivility, I would think all candidates would abide by that,” she said. “It would be better for all involved.”