Letters: Unbiased person needed in judge’s seat; Police in schools
Editor’s note: The CDT welcomes letters endorsing candidates in the primary election and will accept letters that are received by Thursday. Letters are subject to editing, must be based on facts and should avoid attacks on other candidates.
Unbiased person needed in judge’s seat
I am writing in support of Julia Rater for Judge of the Centre County Court of Common Pleas. After viewing the Centre County League of Women’s Voters Candidates Night Forum on C-Net, I have some concerns about Gopal. Now, more than ever, I believe an unbiased and fair person needs to be in judicial positions. His answer to the first question regarding how he would evaluate cases was troubling to me. The question was “how can voters be assured in what has become a political race won’t reflect in the candidates’ decisions.” He talked about his values being a part of the process. He did not answer the question, but rather brought up a Supreme Court case of almost 200 years ago. He also was very vocal about being pro choice. (I am myself pro choice). However, it made me pause that he actually said it as a reason to vote for him. Gopal also complained about Julia, suggesting that she was aligned with Republican values he dislikes. She attend a function to seek Republican voter support as a cross filed individual. The fact that Gopal wouldn’t go to such an event (when he too is cross filed) is evidence he can’t see past his own biases. He seems to see a Republican as the enemy, who are just that: Republicans. It makes me question his ability to be fair with folks whose beliefs don’t align with his.
Police in schools
I recently read with great pleasure the school board candidate statements about school police officers in the CDT. Almost everyone wants more police in the schools, and I think that’s great. You can never have too many police.
More good news: Last month Iowa Republicans passed a bill allowing 14-year-olds to work up to six hours a day, including in bars and restaurants, where liquor is served. Meanwhile Texas Republicans are planning to mandate that elementary school children be trained in treating battlefield trauma, like bullet wounds, so that they’re better able to respond to school shooters.
The problem is that none of this goes far enough. We Pennsylvanians have a chance to get ahead of the rest of the country: take all our children out of school entirely and train them as EMS workers and nurses. That’ll take care of our hospital labor shortage, and Port Matilda can even get its ambulance service back.
What will happen to the schools, you ask? I say we fill the schools entirely with police officers. Classroom after classroom of police officers, ready to police things, making sure that all the policing that needs policed is policed, just policing, policing, policing, until we’re all finally safe. I can’t think of a problem for which more police isn’t the solution! Police now, police tomorrow, police forever!
Keep Zydney on school board
Laurel Zydney wants to continue to serve on the SCASD board because she cares about education, our community, our children, and about making the best possible decisions.
If I didn’t know Laurel, and my knowledge was based only on what I see in school board meetings, I would not be able to tell whether she is Democrat or Republican. I’ve seen her vote with liberals; I’ve seen her vote with conservatives; and I’ve seen her stand alone. She takes the time to research, think about, and question every important issue that comes before the board. I have reached out to her several times over the years with concerns and questions, and she has always been willing to listen and find answers for me. But even more times, she has reached out to me, just to get my thoughts and find out what kids and parents think about issues. I think it’s all part of her process to do everything she can to make sure she is always voting with as much information as possible.
I encourage you to also take the time to question and research before you vote for school board candidates on May 16. Vote for individuals who are not just going to approve anything the SCASD administration puts before them, or anything their party platform supports. Vote for Laurel Zydney, who will continue to ask the hard questions and spend the time to gather information needed to make the best decisions for our children and our community.