GRAND RAPIDS, MI – City Commissioner Jim White says school board president Wendy Falb "runs the risk of polarizing her own board, the parents and the community" by actively campaigning for the opponent of her former board colleague, Senita Lenear, in the city race.
On July 12, Falb and two other board members, Tony Baker and Jon O'Connor, formally endorsed Mike Truffelmire, in a release sent out by the campaign. He and Annette Ries are both Lenear's opponents for White's open Third Ward seat, which has a primary on Tuesday, Aug. 6.
But White, who has endorsed Lenear, said Falb went too far with a robocall that prompted his criticism.
"I was very disappointed that she and her supporters have decided to politicize education," said White, who said he received the robocall last week and her actions are ill-advised. "The school district must work closely with and gain support from city, county, state, and federal sources.
"It is unwise to do harm to those relationships by embroiling the school district in the political arena where it has never been before."
Wendy Falb
O'Connor said robocalls are fairly common practice and it was nothing negative directed at Lenear. The recorded message on the call contains positive comments about why Tuffelmire is the right choice.
The call states:
Hello, this is Dr. Wendy Ferhage Falb, Grand Rapids school board member. I am calling today to inform you that I along with my fellow school board members, Jon O'Connor and Dr. Tony Baker, officially endorse Michael Tufflemire for Third Ward City Commissioner. City leaders are in a unique position to improve the lives of our children. Michael Tuffelmire is a father committed to building a city where our children can grow and succeed. Join my colleagues and me and vote for Michael Tuffelmire on Tuesday, Aug. 6.
An emotional Falb said she respects White, but believes he is the one politicizing the race with this public criticism of her leadership. She said she never mentions Lenear in the robocall, focusing on Tufflemire.
"I am an elected official who is endorsing a young man who I feel has demonstrated the kind of leadership I believe is essential to be in public office," said Falb, who said she was impressed with Tufflemire's successful campaign to decriminalize marijuana in the city. If Senita was still on the board, I would have stayed out of it."
While school board members, Maureen Slade, the board vice president, and the Rev. Nathaniel Moody have endorsed Lenear, White said he objects to the public way Falb, Baker and O'Connor have gone about it. Slade, along with other endorsers of Lenear, is quoted in mailers.
"I think every school board member should stay out of city races," said White, a former district assistant superintendent.
Falb said she has attempted to speak to White to bridge the apparent rift.
"It is painful to be accused of not caring about the public education of children, when you've really given your all to work for the quality of education for all children in the city," she said.
In 2014, the seats of Falb, Baker, O'Connor, Slade, and John Matias, appointed Monday to fill the vacancy created by Lenear's resignation, are up. White said he hopes those seats can be filled by people who will not politicize education.
nnew3670ed 21 Jul, 2013
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Source: http://www.educationnews.com/2013/07/20/city-commissioner-accuses-grand-rapids-school-board-president-of-politicizing-education/
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