For some time, I have felt growing dismay at the continuous hostility directed toward several of the school board members by a small, vocal group who regularly submit personal attacks against them in this newspaper. Now it appears the aim has evolved to overturning the fair election of those same board members. While there is nothing wrong with disagreeing with board members and there is nothing wrong with vigorous debate, everyone who sits on the board was given a mandate by the majority of the electorate, from which they draw their authority to run the meetings. Those seeking to nullify their election have no such mandate from the voters.

Regarding Dr. Lawson, who is frequently targeted, I am pleased to say I have known him for decades through his participation in musical events in Alpena and, for a time, I sat on the board for the Alpena Symphony Orchestra with him. I always found his conduct and input there to be respectful, reasonable and thoughtful, and his enthusiasm for teaching was evident. Everyone in attendance approached those meetings with civility and kindness. It was a politically neutral space where we worked toward a common goal. No rules were needed to curb disruptive behavior, and no one used the newspaper as a platform to single out and publicly attack others. Of course, no board is without its disagreements, but when they came up, they were dealt with in an orderly and mature manner.

I would encourage those who may have disagreements with the school board to deal with differences respectfully and recognize the validity of the representative role the board has earned from the voters. In doing so, you present yourselves as good role models to students, whose welfare is the common goal.

Suelyn Bartz

Alpena