I'm writing this in a rush. I apologize for the formatting.
The N&O published an article today about Susan Evans apologizing to Supt. Tata. Here's the whole story.
I wrote to Mr Hill on Wednesday, March 28th with the following:
Chair Hill,
I listened to the public comment portion of last night's Board meeting. I am just amazed how disrespectful and attacking some remarks were -- and that you allowed them to continue. I realize you may have gotten numb to the hateful approach of the many GSIW members who speak at every meeting but I can assure you that others haven't -- and never will. I encourage you to gain better control of your meetings.
Allison Backhouse
I listened to the public comment portion of last night's Board meeting. I am just amazed how disrespectful and attacking some remarks were -- and that you allowed them to continue. I realize you may have gotten numb to the hateful approach of the many GSIW members who speak at every meeting but I can assure you that others haven't -- and never will. I encourage you to gain better control of your meetings.
Allison Backhouse
---------------------------------------------
He wrote this back:
Dear Mrs. Backhouse,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. While observing the
Board prior to 2007, and then serving on the Board since then, citizen
comment has largely been uncensored - even during the oversight of our
immediate past Chair, Chairman Margiotta. While comments last evening
were strong, to say the least, they were not slanderous or libelous.
What might be appear to be disrespectful and attacking to one segment of
the population, might be considered on target and driving a point home
by another segment.
Respectfully,
Kevin
I followed up with this email. The original email referenced in the N&O article from Susan Evans about Supt Tata is at the bottom of the thread.
What the N&O article didn't point out is that Susan Evans made this comment to the leaders of GSIW. Not only is she still involved with this group, she's actively encouraging them.
Mr.
Hill,
While I can't say that I am surprised by the email below, I must say that I am disgusted. Ms. Evans has lied to us once again -- and she has used an obscenity to describe Supt. Tata to members of the public.
Ms. Evans just assured the public and the superintendent that she has disaffiliated herself from GSIW yet this email clearly shows that she has not. I believe every recipient on this denigrating email is a leader in GSIW. I now have a better understanding of the lack of civility at Tuesday night's Board meeting as this hateful group is obviously being egged on by their role model, Susan Evans.
When Supt. Tata questioned Evans' and Kushner's allegiance to GSIW, he and the citizens of Wake County were well assured by both that they were no longer leaders of this group. Apparently, their indignant reaction to the superintendent's claim and their "just trust us" assertion was all pretense. Clearly, Mr. Tata's concerns remain valid as I now see the type of behind-the-scenes behavior that undoubtedly contributed to his original concerns.
This demeaning email is just another example of the personal attacks on the superintendent from GSIW in the media and during Board meetings. We now know that at least one Board member is actively encouraging this type of behavior. How many other examples are there that we don't know about -- whether in email, phone calls or personal conversations?
As a citizen of District 8, I would like to know what you, as Chair, are going to do about these types of attacks? Your response to my email yesterday was flippant and dismissive. I demand that a public apology be issued by Ms. Evans to Supt. Tata for this personal attack. Also, I formally request that Ms. Evans be investigated for ethical breaches due to her lying about no longer being a member of GSIW and for using profanity to insult our superintendent.
I would also like Ms. Majestic's legal opinion on this matter.
Thank you,
Allison Backhouse
From:
Susan Evans [mailto:evanssc@mindspring.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2012 2:22 PM
To: 'Lois Nixon'; 'Pam Bowden'; 'Lynn Edmonds'; 'Diana Bader'; 'Christine Kushner'; 'Amy Womble'; 'Karey Harwood'
Subject: RE: The ocean
Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2012 2:22 PM
To: 'Lois Nixon'; 'Pam Bowden'; 'Lynn Edmonds'; 'Diana Bader'; 'Christine Kushner'; 'Amy Womble'; 'Karey Harwood'
Subject: RE: The ocean
I
think TT may be a dolphin J
From:
Lois Nixon [mailto:doukab@nc.rr.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2012 12:07 PM
To: Pam Bowden; Lynn Edmonds; Diana Bader; Christine Kushner; Amy Womble; Karey Harwood; Susan Evans
Subject: Fw: The ocean
Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2012 12:07 PM
To: Pam Bowden; Lynn Edmonds; Diana Bader; Christine Kushner; Amy Womble; Karey Harwood; Susan Evans
Subject: Fw: The ocean
Think
we need to bring these to the next BOE meeting. Some are a
bit naughty! But, everyone will wonder what on earth we are
smiling about! :)
Lois
Children
Writing About
the Ocean...
1)
- This is a
picture of an
octopus. It
has eight
testicles.
(Kelly, age 6)
(Kelly, age 6)
2)
- Oysters'
balls are
called pearls.
(Jerry,
age 6)
3)
- If you are
surrounded by
ocean, you are
an island. If
you don't have
ocean all
round you, you
are
incontinent.
(Mike,
age 7)
4)
- Sharks are
ugly and mean,
and have big
teeth, just
like Emily
Richardson . She's not my friend any more.
Richardson . She's not my friend any more.
(Kylie,
age 6)
5)
- A dolphin
breaths
through an
asshole on the
top of its
head.
(Billy,
age 8)
6)
- When ships
had sails,
they used to
use the trade
winds to cross
the ocean.
Sometimes when
the wind
didn't blow
the sailors
would whistle
to make the
wind come. My
brother said
they would
have been
better off
eating beans.
(William,
age 7)
7)
- Mermaids
live in the
ocean. I like
mermaids. They
are beautiful
and I like
their shiny
tails, but how
on earth do
mermaids get
pregnant?
Like, really?
(Helen,
age 6)
8)
- I'm not
going to write
about the
ocean. My baby
brother is
always
crying, my
Dad keeps
yelling at my
Mom, and my
big sister has
just got
pregnant, so I
can't think
what to write. --
:( Sad, but
probably true!
LN)
(Amy,
age 6)
9)
- Some fish
are dangerous.
Jellyfish can
sting.
Electric eels
can give you a
shock. They
have to live
in caves under
the sea where
I think they
have to plug
themselves in
to chargers.
(Christopher,
age 7)
10)
- When you go
swimming in
the ocean, it
is very cold,
and it makes
my willy
small.
(Kevin,
age 6)
11)
- The ocean is
made up of
water and
fish. Why the
fish don't
drown I don't
know.
(Bobby,
age 6)
12)
- My dad was a
sailor on the
ocean. He
knows all
about the
ocean. What he
doesn't know
is why he quit
being a sailor
and married my
mom. (James,
age 7)
If
you didn't
smile at one
of these, you
need to find a
better sense
of humor.