tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859894191147478362.post8486612663496280192..comments2023-09-01T03:29:34.801-04:00Comments on New Paltz Gadfly: Kerrses!TPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03264842579175313715noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859894191147478362.post-9762187961653507792010-08-25T20:18:53.360-04:002010-08-25T20:18:53.360-04:00A while ago I read the New Paltz Times story on th...A while ago I read the New Paltz Times story on the school board meeting.<br /><br />If the reporting is accurate, I've never heard so many stupid things said in one place at one time. With the possible exception of Congress.Martin McPhillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02702640115003772857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859894191147478362.post-81981169078803376372010-08-20T17:03:17.112-04:002010-08-20T17:03:17.112-04:00Terrance, my email is burke7195@aol.com.
In re...Terrance, my email is burke7195@aol.com. <br /><br /><br />In reading your post I am trying to understand the statement “One of Don's most outspoken critics told me about his own pot use in the parking lot, and the room was packed with people who feel that removing Don from this position will help them keep their unreported cash rents in their pockets rather than paying their share for our kids' education.” The room was packed with these people? Now if I believed that, that would be me being naïve.<br /><br />Terrance, I do my best not to be drawn into the practice of diversion as a few of the posters here due when issues do not go their way. Lets stay on the topic. As many people stated at the meeting, Don was not found guilty of any drug possession and charges- correct. He plea bargained- period. I wanted him to have his day in court, he chose not to. I asked for his resignation and he has chosen to stay on as the President. <br /><br />What really surprised me from that meeting was even if every other board member had a change of heart, there would be nothing any one of them could do to remove any sitting School Board President (except if there was a felony charge if I understand it correctly).<br /><br />As it always happens in this town, we will move onto the next great debate. There will be lines drawn and sides taken. This is a unique town with many different points of view, and at times that is what I love about this town. And other times, it makes me scratch my head. Wednesday night was one of those occasions when I was left scratching my head.Ed Burkenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859894191147478362.post-382193203734384162010-08-19T18:32:47.505-04:002010-08-19T18:32:47.505-04:00State law has decriminalized marijuana possession ...State law has decriminalized marijuana possession for 25 grams or under. (see: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=4554) It's no more a crime than not coming to a complete stop at the stop sign on Plattekill and Mohonk. People are treating Kerr as if he had been carrying several pounds of the stuff with intent to sell. He wasn't, and there's no proof that his driving was impaired by chemical use, so there's no proof that he had even been using marijuana recently. I'm pretty certain there's no proof that the marijuana had ever been in or near a school. As such, Don Kerr is not a criminal, and should not be treated as one.Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01918083111541898773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859894191147478362.post-23035073846763416022010-08-19T14:52:12.560-04:002010-08-19T14:52:12.560-04:00Marijuana does not belong in schools and neither d...Marijuana does not belong in schools and neither does zero tolerance policies, especially since Kerr got some sort of UPM.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10515848512510087508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859894191147478362.post-23218498640614997692010-08-19T14:11:36.685-04:002010-08-19T14:11:36.685-04:00Luckily for me.... I had the fun of standing way i...Luckily for me.... I had the fun of standing way in the back in the hallway - so not only did I NOT get to hear half of what the people at the mic were saying, I got to hear all of what the people in the back were saying. <br /><br />For me... first and foremost is the fact that he was not convicted of anything in a court of law. Yes, I'm MORE than sure, the police did NOT lie about the contents of Don Kerr's car and I wouldn't even imply that. Everyone was so bent on "but it's illegal" - well it's nice that you can pick and choose when YOU want to stick to the letter of the law but only as far as the police, right? That's where the law stops? You can't have it both ways. THE LAW allows allows a court proceeding and this is the way it ended - like it or not. <br /><br />Secondly - I don't know Don Kerr personally - we have chatted informally and I'll admit - I very rarely agree with him politically as far as the school board is concerned. The ridiculous accusation that he is a role model to children is a joke. No offense to Don but I doubt he's living the teenage dream - pot smoker or not. How many people stood up and said "you're a nice guy, I've never heard a bad word about you, but that's not good enough." "You do a lot of good in the community and thank you, but that just matter." If my child grew up to be a volunteer in his community, a person able to speak up for what he believes in (by running for and holding a publicly elected office), and raising an awesome son... I would LOVE that! <br /><br />My favorite part of the evening was the outright laughable, taken right from Reefer Madness itself - "pot leads to harder drugs" "it's laced with more dangerous drugs" propaganda. People literally laughed out loud. Not to mention the "I know what kids do drugs because my kids tell me." Now, how naive can you be? Do you think your kid is handing out DARE fliers to his peers? Birds of a feather.... And don't think I don't what your kids are doing... or you for that matter. I saw more than a few hypocrites.<br /><br />There are so many ways to use this as a positive experience. Either by making a more active student government - a peer court type thing for students facing a suspension. Or an opportunity to show true diversity - as opposed to the sugar coated - let's pretend we're all the same even though we're all different - diversity they teach now.<br /><br />Maybe we could put things in perspective -- isn't the middle school of the verge of collapse or something? Let's revamp the whole board - that will expedite the important things. --sorry, that was necessarily sarcastic. <br /><br />Some people said... "I have yet to meet one person who thinks Don Kerr should be school board president." well... Put me down as first. <br /><br />I could end this with a whole marijuana is not evil dissertation - but actually - it's irrelevant as there was no marijuana conviction.MaryAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15959543978228671765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859894191147478362.post-78289827730377175842010-08-19T13:53:24.329-04:002010-08-19T13:53:24.329-04:00I should make it clear that I have nothing but res...I should make it clear that I have nothing but respect for the NP Times writer who handles this beat. He is an absolute professional.TPWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264842579175313715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859894191147478362.post-31712350869027384812010-08-19T13:50:19.136-04:002010-08-19T13:50:19.136-04:00Good job. Better than the New Paltz Times would or...Good job. Better than the New Paltz Times would or could do.John Blighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06543592173944572738noreply@blogger.com