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Show i SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS Opinion Letters feelings or character of the many people that we have talked to Continued from Page 4 (and we have talked to hundreds of people for hundreds of hours talgia can go that far. over last few months). We Its unfortunate that anyone have the heard over and over a comat all had to fall but to blame the mitment to kindness, tolerance person who fell is ridiculous. and rational behavior. That was my point and I stand Speaking to people on both by it. Those people who thought sides of this issue; we think evotherwise have perhaps become must be equally cautious with Kanabs eryone of emotionally piqued charges beauty that their very familiar- and accusations. The longer anyity is dangerous. I hardly think one argues their point of view, someone should have to endanthe more their views ger their child simply because become and the less able they are a newcomer. so familiarized one-side- they All of us were newcomers once. Its called being an American. Lisa Gamboa More on Fredonia School Board Letter to the Editor: We want to apologize to the school board members, past and present, who feel attacked or offended by the recall. These individuals are intelligent and capable. They have done many good things for our schools and community. We. believe that the issue in Fredonia is an old wound. This time around, after repeated bruising, the wound is festering as a school board issue. We had not lived in Fredonia very long before we became aware of an undercurrent of frustration and resentment in the community. Many townspeople feel they have been controlled and thwarted on many issues for many years. They seem to feel that a few are ruling the many. (When we say the many, if the recall petitions are representative, we are speaking of 78 of our community). It seems to us that the current school board issue simply repre- sents this majority reaching the limits of their tolerance for being ignored and controlled. The following incidents demonstrate a few recent examples ofhow a few have employed false accusations and strong arm tactics to maintain control: Severe and false accusations were reported to the County Superintendent against a member elect of the school board, who disagreed with the boards December decision not to renew Binghams contract. Accusations were made at the county level, chargingparents and the Concerned Citizens Committee (CCC) with child abuse for allowing children to speak in a meeting and circulate a petition. A religion teacher was accused of forcing a student to sign a petition. The community has been accused of being so vindictive that a few families claim to live in fear of harm from this radical group. We stand against the injustice and malice of these charges. We believe the accusations to be false. They do not represent the 5 WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 22, 1995 d are to be objective. It is our belief that this has been a problem for certain board members for many years in dealing with Mr. Bingham. At this time these members gain a distinct advantage by not disclosing their reasons for the nonrenewal of Mr. Binghams contract. This creates suspicion and insinuation about his record. Because of nondisclosure rights, certain individuals have been able to promote the idea that there is incriminating evidence against Mr. Bingham. The tone of a board members editorial two weeks ago implied that she was bound by an oath to take this action against Mr. Bingham because he had violated a statute or policy of Arizona public schools. The board members themselves could be dismissed for such infractions Except for Wayne Anderson, no one on the past or present school board has even reviewed Mr. Binghams file. In order to lay to rest the insinuations that have arisen from nondisclosure of cause for nonrenewal, we will site a neutral and credible source ( whose identity I will protect by the same right of nondisclosure enjoyed by the board). This person (not Wayne, though Wayne is in agreement) assures us that there is nothingin Mr. Binghams file to justify his removal. Serious improprieties would clearly be in a persons file. With escalating crime, horror, students. The teachers with things under control and people whom we have spoken person- to do my work. She doesnt want and violence being our daily diet ally, feel that Mr. Bingham is it left to her in my will! She was in the media, we need now the best administrator they have not impressed, but I was. Then more than ever the personal ever worked for. They feel em- to Vicki for takingover and keep- means to stop crime. Many powered and motivated to cre- ing it all together, thanks to women and more mature indiate a learning environment that Wendy R. for holding Vicki to- viduals, due to their smaller statis innovative and positive. They gether, and for keeping the cealso feel Mr. Bingham is ex- ramic class and the kiln fired tremely effective, yet kind, in up! Also thanks to Alice, Angie, discipline issues. Christy, Allen, Connie, Sherrie, a is of Wendy F., Vanessa and a speEveryone package strengths and weaknesses. cial thanks to Dani. What a team There are not enough ways to However, given a choice, we would rather have an adminis- thank Alice for cleaning up after trator like Mr. Bingham, than a Wade, Jared and Jim. Hers may yes man that gets along well have been the larger task! Youre with his superiors. When the gonna make Wade a super wife! community approached the Alice, I love you!. And thanks for board to voice this opinion, there the sign on the house that brought tears! Of courseyou knew it would. were no listening ears. We believe that the school To Jim, Tony, Wade, Jared, board is genuinely interested in Amy, Alice and Kristy, thanks our schools and in our children. for all the tiring trips you made We encourage all to exercise care to visit me, the road got long, but and discretion. We believe that you always came to cheer me up. we can stand firmly on an issue I was so homesick! Thanks for all and still be kind and respectful the calls, we probably own U.S. to everyone involved. West! But mostly it was your What do we want? We want a prayers that pulled me through. To my precious granddaughboard that engenders an atmosphere of trust, respect, and open- ter, Kylie, the picture they left ness to all. We want teachers me was the light at the end of and administrators to know they the tunnel that gave me reason have our support and apprecia- to survive. Just the thought of tion. In our opinion, success will your hugs and kisses, giggles be measured by the fiiture boards and the thought of more grandability to leave egos and personal children in my future picked me agendas at home and to serve the up in my lowest time. You and public in a truly open forum; re- my loving family and friends are serving judgment and decision so much more precious to me until all voices are heard and now. Life is wonderful and how then making a decision that is grateful I am for it. To my wonderful husband Jim, representative. The real test of our cause will thank you for 28 years of always be if we can avoid the weak- being my rock! Thanks for the nesses that we see so clearly in blessings that inspired the docothers but are so blind to in tors to know what to do for me. ourselves. Mostly, I thank God. It was in ! . Jerry and Chris McMillan his hands and I am grateful that Grateful to be alive Dear Editor: I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my wonderful friends that sent flowers, cards, calls, love and especially k for their prayers during my In our investigation, the real stay in the Dixie Medical seed of a few board members Center, and upon returning discontent is that Bingham does home, thanks for all the wondernot submit well to authority. ful food, cookies, and cakes that This problem has caused diffi- came from your heart! Your love culties for recent administrators will always be in my heart. I have lived in Kanab for almost and for certain School Board members who have tried to man- 28 years and have always loved age the school rather than allow the fantastic people that share Mr. Bingham to make the de- this beautiful area. I have had tailed decisions he was hired to other occasions to feel your love make. It is the feeling of the and prayers, but this time it was majority of this community, in- needed so much more desperately cluding most teachers, that Mr. and you didnt let me down Bingham is doing and has done thanks just doesnt seem enough. a wonderful job with both teachFirst, a special thanks to Dr. in school. ers and students the Jackson for realizing I was out Many are thankful for Mr of his expertise and knew to get Binghams innovative and mul- me out of here. Then to all the tifaceted approach to meeting doctors and nurses at Dixie individual needs of children. Medical Center for the knowlMost feel that Bingham deals edge and love shown me. equitably and respectfully with Avery special thanks to Kristy students and parents. He is for holding Kanab Floral tothought to instill high morale gether when they rushed me off and confidence in teachers and to emergency surgery. She got two-wee- he healed me and allowed me to be home quicker to recover in the place I love most, my home with my family around me. Thanks to Southern Utah Home Health Care for the tender care Im receiving at home now. Im indeed grateful to these types of businesses for being here, allowing patients to be treated at home where one heals quicker with their loved ones near. If I missed anyone Im sorry, but I remember you in my heart! My mind is not clear after nine surgeries(Now I have more than the Im blonde excuse!) Thanks again to ALL my friends. I love you all. Sandy Wilkey On hand gun control Dear Editor: Hand gun control Inc. and others who wish to take our God given rights, are pushing for Brady II and similar hairbrained schemes. The truth is that the 20,000 gun laws on the books now do nothing to stop criminals. These laws keep you, g the citizen, from to able realistically probeing tect your family. law-abidin- ure, or impaired movement, need an equalizer to resist a usually larger, or more agile attacker. These are the ones most at risk from crime and most needful of a firearm, not the normal image of the youthful, male hunter. There are currently two bills before the Utah legislature which will enhance the likelihood of surviving an encounter with crime. H.B. 70 and H.B. 157 emg citizen for power the family protection. In other states where bills such as these were passed, the violent crime rate law-aidin- has dropped as much as 30. Shouldnt we have the ability to protect ourselves and our families? Call your senator toand day (Utah Senate ask him to support these bills. Will Christensen 538-103- 5) On the Kaibab closing Dear Editor: Now that all the logs have been cut that ever will be, I feel a need to voice my opinion on the Fredonia mill closure. My grandfather, my dad, my husband and many relatives have lived and worked in the shadows of the Kaibab. I am not entirely confident that radical environmentalists are to blame for the mill closure. I am absolutely convinced that greed at the base of the company was the real reason for the whole mess. Instead of constant, steady, intelligent management, it was lets get aH we can while the getting is good. Extra crews and workers were hired and in a relentless attitude of greed, explosive attention was drawn into quiet communities by every tree and freak in the country. Dont get me wrong I strongly oppose radical environmentalism, but lets get real and put the blame where it really belongs at the cold, greedy heart of a few bad men. P.S. Leave those poor damn environmentalists alone they have enough to account for! non-compa- owl-protecti- ny ng LuElla Johnson Thanks The Kanab High School Fu- ture Business Leaders of America would like to express their thanks to those local businesses that supported FBLA Free Enterprise Week. Throughout the week KHS students were given discount coupons as an incentive to support the local businesses. We felt it was very successful and benefitted all those involved. Thanks again for your generous donations. KHS FBLA |