When the Southfield school board recall fell on its face, we said it was because the union failed to collect the necessary signatures to put the question on the ballot. We didn't think they suddenly had a change of heart and wanted to do what was best for the community.
In the article on the recall and our billboard, the union president said, "For those who would question the number of signatures, 'let 'em count 'em.'"
We wrote him a letter accepting his offer.
Ted Peters, Ed.D., President
Southfield Education Association
26111 Evergreen Road, Ste. 221
Southfield, Michigan 48076
September 8, 2008
Dear President Peters,
An Observer Eccentric article from September 7, 2008, centering on a billboard Education Action Group has posted in Oakland County in response to your organization's attempted recall effort, contained the following quote: "For those who question the number of signatures `let 'em count 'em,' Peters said."
We would like to take you up on your offer.
We would be interested in counting the signatures collected to determine if the SEA did, in fact, obtain the sufficient amount to force a recall election. We will be happy to reimburse the Southfield Education Association for any photocopying and mailing costs. Simply let us know the amount and we will issue a check to your organization for the inconvenience.
If it is proven that the SEA did, in fact, collect the sufficient amount of signatures to place the recall question on the ballot, we will gladly notify the community and local media of that fact. We will also publicly congratulate you for reconsidering the impact a recall would have on the school community, despite the community support for your efforts (as measured by the amount of signatures).
To our knowledge, no signatures were filed with the Oakland County clerk's office. Therefore, the only way to count the signatures would be to obtain them through your organization.
We hope you will provide the signatures for our review. They can be mailed to the address below. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kyle Olson
Vice President
Do we expect him to follow through on his publicized offer? We'll see. We hope he has enough integrity to back up his word by producing the evidence he claims to have.
School employee unions will continue to run rough shod over school boards until someone exposes them and holds them accountable, and that's precisely what we're trying to do.
