Lowering the Political Temperature
Temperatures are rising in Palos Verdes, and I’m NOT talking about the heat wave we experienced this week. The political temperature here on the hill has risen dramatically over the last week or two. People are passionate about elections, especially when it comes to local elections and schools. I can appreciate that. But when multiple incidents happen in close succession, it’s time to take step back and ask if this is really what’s best for our community. Here’s a quick look at what happened:
On September 4th, I received word from multiple people telling me about an email that had been sent out by a local political group. In the email, it said that another candidate and I “stand against many of the principles that we hold dear.” I never heard from the other two candidates, for whom the email was advocating, to disavow this harsh language.
At the school board candidate forum/debate on September 12th, one of the candidates used the closing statement to accuse me of “[using] a community’s pain for [my] own political gain.” This hurtful (and baseless) attack received no comment from the moderator.
Immediately after the forum/debate, the husband of a sitting school board member approached me and asked (in a forceful manner) for me to release my disciplinary records from my time as a cadet in the US Air Force Academy. When I told the him that I didn’t have a disciplinary record because I never got in trouble there, he then asked me (in an equally forceful manner) to release my academic transcript. I’m not sure what his motivation is or if he has made similar requests to the other candidates.
The same evening as the forum/debate, a teacher at back-to-school night at a PVPUSD school used classroom materials to promote and endorse two candidates running for school board to the parents in attendance. This violates both district policy and California Education Code.
It’s already hot enough as it is, especially in some of our schools that don’t have working air conditioning. So I’m calling on everyone to lower the temperature: candidates, current board members, district administration, staff, teachers, parents, and students. Everyone. Let’s lead by example and show the kids of Palos Verdes how politics in the US should be conducted: with respect and focus on the issues, rather than personal attacks, rule-breaking, and thinly veiled threats or accusations.
I look forward to the next opportunity to speak to members of our community alongside the other candidates at the next forum/debate, next Thursday September 19th, at 6pm in the Peninsula Center Library.
