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Ironically October is National Bullying Prevention Month. The smear campaign literature sent out a couple of weeks ago by the Alpena Republican Party bullying Evan Carlson, Sarah Fritz, Claire Kipfmiller, and Kayla Ratz was deeply troubling and disgusting.
School Board elections are nonpartisan and political parties should not be involved.
These candidates are our family, friends and neighbors, and they deserve to be evaluated on their qualifications, experience, ideas, character, and commitment to our students--not attacked through partisan political tactics.
Just as troubling is the "silence" from the school board candidates Robert Bruning, Lindsey Klein, AJ McArthur, and Vincent Thomas, who were supported by that literature. To my knowledge as of this date, they have not publicly denounced those attacks.
Candidates seeking to serve on our school board have an opportunity--and, I believe, a responsibility--to make it clear that personal attacks, bullying, and political smears are not how they believe our community should conduct itself.
There is nothing wrong with political debate. Candidates should absolutely be able to discuss differences in qualifications, experience, priorities, and ideas. But there is a clear difference between legitimate political debate and an effort to tear down and bully fellow members of our community.
Our school board candidates should be role models for the students and families they hope to serve. When candidates or their political supporters resort to personal attacks and character assassination, what message does that send to our children?
We should expect better from anyone seeking to influence our schools and serve on our school board.
Our students are watching. Our community is watching.
Please vote for Evan Carlson, Sarah Fritz, Claire Kipfmiller, and Kayla Ratz for school board. Our students and our public schools need your vote!
Barbara Beamish
Alpena