I remember a situation similar to the present Gourley-Mielke dispute a few years ago involving a public exchange between School Board member, Stew Bubar and Teacher Union President David Mielke.
Mr Bubar, showing his continued frustration with the way that year's bargaining negotiations were going, lost his cool and called Mr. Mielke “a liar.”
But at the very next meeting he sincerely apologized for his outburst, and Mr. Mielke graciously accepted it. Everybody moved on.
Don’t Hold Your Breath
Can we expect the normally acerbic and self-righteous Steve Gourley to follow Mr. Bubar’s genuine example and publicly apologize to Mr. Mielke? I do not think so. Not in my lifetime.
A Personal Campaign
Mr. Gourley's attacks are not out of some momentary frustration, but are a planned assault on the character of David Mielke. Mr. Gourley seems bent on only taking personal revenge.
Unlike Mr Bubar’s temporary loss of composure, Mr. Gourley's latest attempts at character assassination go well beyond any previous breach of Board decorum.
Way Beyond
His latest flaunting of public civility seems calculated and premeditated. His last potshot at Mr. Mielke’s character was so personally vehement and vicious that I cannot help but think that there is more going on here than meets the eye.
Too Hot to Handle?
I read awhile back that Mr. Gourley was on the short-list for an appointment in the new Brown administration. If you remember, Mr. Gourley was head of the DMV in the Gray administration. Did he lose out on a cushy state appointment because the Teachers Union brought an unfair bargaining claim against him? Did the timing of the union litigation make him too hot for even Gov. Brown to consider?
Martyr in the Making
Mr. Gourley's personal vendetta against Mr. Mielke may have had the opposite effect from what he intended. His continued escalation has
made Mr. Mielke into a sympathetic victim in the eyes of the public and a heroic figure among the union membership.
Too Late for an Apology
No apology, no matter how contrite, can undo Mr. Gourley’s continued assault on Mr. Mielke’s character and reputation. Even if Mr. Gourley were to promise to control himself in the future, it cannot erase the embarrassment and disgrace he has brought on the School District and this community.
Stand up for What Is Right
This School Board needs to lead and stand up for what is right. They need to say this kind of rogue behavior by a Board member will not ever be tolerated. Whether it is in public or in closed session, this Board cannot let Mr. Gourley’s actions go undisciplined.
Mr. Gourley needs to be reprimanded for his past conduct. Board censure fits the bill.
Mr. Laase may be contacted at gmlaase@aol.com
