Dear Editor:
Re: Voice trustees feel shut out of school district process, The Record, June 19.
"What is significant is not the philosophy one professes to have, but the philosophy one is putting into practice." - Henry David Thoreau
It is well documented that (school board) chair Michael Ewen has avoided answering public questions or making any public comments on certain issues, claiming "trustees are not permitted to speak openly about personnel, property, or legal matters." Those, he feels, are issues for closed meetings. In fact, the whole concept of what exactly belongs "in closed" has been repeatedly stressed to the public for many years now.! It is therefore shocking to read that vice-chair Jonina Campbell broke from policy and ignored that fundamental standard when setting the June 18 meeting agendas. To place open motions on a closed agenda and deliberately prevent an open motion from being released and circulated for public review is highly irregular, to say the least. Some might even say "shameful" (or might some argue "inappropriate?"). It certainly countermands the principles of democracy.
Moreover, it seems like such an amazing "coincidence" (not!) that all of the affected motions were submitted by Voice New Westminster trustees. Aside from recalling the years of multiple deficits, and seeing this as the most recent illustration of how this labour-endorsed majority governs, voters will soon see fit to cast their ballots for real change on our local school board, hopefully come next election. Sadly, this sort of self-righteous partisan behaviour at the trustee table can only result in perpetuating the dysfunctional state of SD 40.
To address chair Ewen, who denies this episode was some "nefarious political plot," and who so eloquently characterized the valid objections of trustees Casey Cook, MaryAnn Mortensen, and Lisa Graham as being "crap," please know the thinking electorate has grown tired of his dramatic outbursts and his decrying any sort of criticism. We all wish he would refrain from insulting our collective intelligence.
Terry Hilmar, New Westminster
