By Debbie Hamme
[Editor’s Note: Remarks by Ms. Hamme, the president of ACE, the Assn. of Classified Employees, last Sunday at the Unity Rally for School Board member Karlo Silbiger, a candidate for re-election on Nov. 5.]
First, I would like to thank Karlo for hosting this event because it is much more than your typical candidate Meet and Greet. This is an effort to heal our community.
In the last couple of years, we have seen a trend in our community that is both saddening and unexpected. Rather than joining together to find solutions to the challenges that may face us, we choose sides and attack each other’s differing perspectives instead of trying to understand them and build consensus.
We all care about the students in this District. There is not one member of the Culver City community or the CCUSD family who doesn’t. To characterize any of our School Board members or candidates as more caring than others about what is happening in our District with regard to a bond, Common Core or any other issue, is ludicrous.
Regardless of what you have read in the local papers or online blogs, everyone did their homework.
Everyone is entitled to his or her own perspective after finishing it. Even if you don’t agree with that perspective, you should respect it.
It is incumbent upon our School Board members to not only be consensus builders within the community but to model respectful behavior when interacting with the community and each other.
Karlo understands this. He understands the importance of treating everyone with respect, not just those with whom he agrees, but especially with those he doesn’t agree with. That is the sign of a true leader.
Karlo honors the tradition of public service by representing all of his constituents knowledgeably, thoughtfully and respectfully.
That is why we need him on the School Board for another four years.
Ms. Hamme may be contacted at antiquer01@aol.com
