Guilty?!

Coming from a religious background, guilt tends to follow me around. Guilt for mistakes and shortcomings. Guilt for failures and sins. I recently started thinking about things that I am guilty for. The first thing is that I’m guilty of caring too much. For instance, never in my life did I really care who was on the school board. I do now. And you know what? They’re guilty of getting me involved! They are the ones who have allowed children to be treated with inequality. They are the ones who implemented a drug testing program, that no one wanted, and told us it was free. They are the ones who have told me that “We pay the Administrator good money, so we trust he’s doing the job”. Some of you readers voted to keep the board member that said that to my face on the board, so you are guilty as well.

A friend just informed me that my keeping the Recall Dama sign up is aggravating some people. Again, I’m guilty, because aggravating a few people versus what that individual has done to my family is minimal. It’s there to remind people that over 650 local folks wanted him removed from office.

Lastly, I’m guilty of standing up for what I believe in. I guess in that aspect I will always be guilty, because I will continue to stand up for beliefs as long as I live. I will stand up for my family. I will stand up for what is right, and I will stand up for the truth. There is a certain faction in town that don’t want you to know the truth. You can always come to this blog and find The Truth According to Dave. I’ll admit that I’m guilty of the above confessions, but I wonder what others are guilty of? Stay tuned.

For more reading enjoyment please check out: http://www.crivitzschooldistrict.com.

No Shows

Readers, change must come to the Crivitz School Board. Let me give you an example that has nothing to do with how someone has voted, or buried their head in the sand, or doesn’t bone up on policy before voting on it. There were two forums scheduled for March 30th and April 4th for the 6 people on the April 5th ballot for school board. One candidate, Wendy Gribben, made herself available for both forums. Two other candidates made themselves available for the March 30th forum. No other candidates made themselves available for April 4th. One day before hoping to get elected, you can’t find the time to discuss the issues, and there are many!

The question that runs through my mind is: why wouldn’t you make the time to be available to publicly talk about the issues?? Why should the good people of Crivitz vote for candidates who don’t want to talk about the issues, who don’t have a platform in which to run on, and won’t explain what they’ve been doing for the last 3 years as members of the board? Folks, please vote with your conscience, and by the way, please go out and vote, but when you do, please ask yourselves the above questions. Even the trolls should give this a hard look. Many don’t want change, and that is their right, but many others realize it needs to happen for the future of our school and our kids. I’ve heard you loud and clear, now let the candidates hear you with your vote. If these folks can’t explain why you should vote for them, will they listen to you once they are back in office? Stay tuned.

Just One Phone Call

 

Readers, just as I mentioned in a prior post, the media announced how the girls’ case had been thrown out by the old, out-of-touch judge. Now I am letting everyone who reads know that this lousy decision is being appealed. Put the corks back in the champagne, because as has been previously stated, Truth will prevail. When you have sworn statements from eyewitnesses that have been ignored, when the other side has no physical proof, when you cite no laws in your decision, something stinks. Truth Will prevail, but it may take just a little longer for it to come out.

One phone call from one parent to another could have prevented all of this! Again, ONE phone call. This could have been made right long ago. I watched girls cry at a lawyer meeting last week, and it made me break down and cry. It made me think of how hateful people can be, especially when this is done to young kids. One call, and it is handled. Answer the phone, and this would have been done long ago. Stop hiding from the truth, and the town is not fractured. Stop acting like you are the “good guys”, who have been wounded while you laugh in our face. You wanted a fight, and are now complaining that you have one. Truth Will Prevail! Stay tuned.

Please see: http://www.crivitzschooldistrict.com for more views.

Crivitz Penitentiary

Good morning readers. Mrs. Wendy Gribben is running for the Crivitz School Board on a platform of equality and fair treatment for all our kids. There is a real breath of fresh air. Her letter to the Peshtigo Times was carved up by the paper and edited to death. She asked me yesterday to share with everyone that I know. What better way than on a blog with over 6,200 views in 2 months. Our little fishbowl, also known as Crivitz, has been run by the same people for far too long. I find it interesting that Drama gets recalled, and then gets voted in as board president again. I find it interesting that this same individual is found to be illegally coaching our youth, and gets voted back to coach. I find it interesting that the administrator, not-a-Man(s), decides to take bottled water out of the classroom. I’ve heard from over 50 kids how much they are upset about this. I find it interesting that the school decides to “randomly” drug test our kids, while hundreds if not thousands, voiced their displeasure. They are so brazen that they sent a message by “randomly” testing my daughter first. I find it interesting that they told us it was free. The school paid almost $9,000 to their lawyer to get his opinion on it! Also, if you do not believe any of this, please message me, or better yet, do an open records request yourself. That should finally open your eyes and free your mind.  Please make a change and vote for Wendy.

Here is here unedited letter to the PT. Stay tuned.

Dear Peshtigo Times,

I am Wendy Gribben and I am on the ballot for the Crivitz School Board. Despite also mounting a run for the House seat in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District, I intend to remain on the school board ballot because change is surely needed.

For a number of years I’ve seen double standards as well as conflicts of interest on the parts of school administrators and various members of the school board.  This has been especially prominent the last couple years with the controversy surrounding treatment of three girls whose interests were secondary to the Crivitz School District during the handling of the initial incident.

No matter what side of this issue you fall on, you must recognize even the most vile criminals are afforded legal representation during police interrogations when concerning potentially criminal matters. Not in Crivitz and certainly not in our schools.

Even if the school were acting in the capacity of a parent, as recognized in a 1996 U.S. Supreme Court decision, they should have recognized they were in conflict of interest in this matter having to cover their own best interests. The parents of the girls SHOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED to represent the girl’s interests as they were still minors. Children do not give up their civil rights any more than any other age group would be expected to. Their parents should have been allowed to either act as interim legal counsel or put a stop to the interrogation until counsel could be procured.

I’ve been asked “what if it had been your daughter?” We have a daughter who was molested when she was 9 years old. The perpetrator was allowed to have legal representation as afforded by the U.S. Constitution. Why would we expect less for our children? Although it was yet another case the county DA declined to prosecute (to keep her from being torn apart by a defense attorney), the point remains, if you’re going to criminalize our school children, you must still afford them some semblance of civil rights.

Also, the school’s interests are to protect the school and school district, not the kids. As we have unfortunately seen, they cannot simultaneously do both. That is conflict of interest.

The incident in question was described as locker room horseplay . Was it bullying? Was it hazing? How long had it been going on? How did it get out of hand? Why wasn’t there an adult in the locker room? So many questions, no answers. What are district policies regarding locker room supervision? Are there any? We appear to have a systems breakdown where three girls are paying the price.

I see discrepancies in penalties. My son was injured during a hazing incident his freshman year during football practice. The other boy was suspended one game. What did the girls get?

The bottom line is current members of the board do not have the interests of all students at heart.  All students must be treated fairly and justly. That is why my name remains on the ballot

Wendy Gribben
Middle Inlet

Stolen Post

I read this blog post this morning and was granted permission to cut and paste to this blog. I feel the writer has a unique perspective, and obviously passionate about this situation. Readers: many, many folks have reached out to me to explain  that we’re not alone in this, and they support us. Many have expressed their fear to do so publicly. While this is a tad frustrating, I most certainly am sympathetic to that, and respect their wishes. I challenge the readers to show their support at the polls next month. I challenge you to take back “your” school. Nobody will be over your shoulder when you’re in that booth. Let’s change all 3 incumbents, but please put a special emphasis on Mr. Cory Sotka. Here’s the post:

Crivitz School District

This is a site to keep parents informed about what is going on in the Crivitz School District located in Crivitz, WI. Your comments are welcome but they may not be published without verification.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Lawsuit results not a surprise so far?

Dave posted on his blog “The Truth According To Dave” that the girls have lost their lawsuit when the judge ruled in favor of the Defendants.  So a small town old guard judge decided this case based on a BS defense.  Nothing new here so far.  The judge is afraid finding for the girls’ will open the doors to other lawsuits.  No kidding.  His decision won’t change anything.  My guess it will be overturned upon appeal if the family’s will continue to pour money into the lawyer representing them.  If it were me I would contact the American Civil Liberties Union as well as appeal the ruling from a local Judge that decided to not let a jury decide this lawsuit.  The Judge chose to decide their fate and when he is up for election the voters can decide his fate, hopefully a better candidate will run against him.  Maybe anyone would be better?

When the Crivitz school administration and board decided to punish three girls with no evidence they drew the line in the sand.  You, your kids and grandchildren have no human rights at school or at school functions in Crivitz.  Money and old guard influence can bully decisions everywhere!  Parents and grandparents now have no rights in Crivitz unless you are connected or wealthy.  Don’t look to a local court for help either.

In school if called to the office I would tell your kids to say nothing period.  They should insist on calling their parents and say nothing.  No matter what!  Even if they did nothing, did something, know anything or know nothing.  Keep your mouth shut even if the police are called.

This school district needs to be changed starting with the next election in April.

Get out any vote for change in April.  You don’t have to vote for offices that you may not know who to vote for.  It is perfectly acceptable to not vote for some offices even if only one person is running.  It is not acceptable to not vote in any election.  This great country was founded on government of the people, for the people and by the people.  People we elect!

We need to take back government and it starts in our town and county.

Get out and vote the three school board members out of office.

VOTE the following people out of office in Crivitz: 

Tim McFadden
Travis Mueller 
Cory Sodka

Check out the  The Truth According to Dave.

https://davekopp.wordpress.com

No Jury, Just One Man’s Opinion

As will be reported shortly in the media, the Crivitz School lawsuit was ruled unfavorably to the plaintiffs yesterday. It appears that the judge decided to take the easy way out, and hope for no appeal. Of course this will not happen, and appeal is imminent. It also appears that he is way out of touch, and is excellent at either rewriting state law or just avoiding it. The decision of 11 pages omits many material facts, and seems to rely on very little legal authority. This is unfortunate, but as of now was the opinion. As I’ve said in the past, no one would ever really win this anyhow, because it is so bitter and divisive.

One of the points that the judge in the case argues is that Crivitz School has broad authority to punish children anyway they see fit. That is scary to me. He does not seem to mind that the girls were questioned for hours by administration and police without parents being notified. SO, if you have a child, or grand child that attends this school, please be aware that they are subject to any punishment that Crivitz School decides to mete out, regardless your opinion. Now would be the time to send them a message that you will not tolerate this, and vote for a change in April. Stay tuned.

ps. Please see http://www.crivitzschooldistrict.com for other thoughts and perspectives for an additional point of view.

The High Cost of Jealousy and Envy

The High Cost of Jealousy and Envy

Bullies! Really????

After reading some social media posts, and the false accusations from the defense, I began thinking that it appears that the defendants are trying to act like plaintiffs. They are trying to make out like they are the ones that have been hurt. I remember sitting at a huge school board meeting that had to be held in the auditeria, because of the number of people involved. I remember vividly, and will forever, a mean and nasty voice , somewhat quietly saying, “Bullies, bullies, bullies, bullies”, over and over again to the point of being nauseating! That was a defendant in the lawsuit, and it was heard by many. The interesting thing was that was the very FIRST time I had ever heard even a sniff of that accusation. It was also the first time anyone had heard of it. It was the start of the defendants trying to turn the tables. It is also wrong to vilify those kids for something they didn’t do. The defendants have zero, and I mean zero, proof that any bullying ever happened. Are we to just believe them for the hell of it??

As this case has slowly progressed, the defendants have tried everything to get out of this. They realize a loss would mean permanent damage to them. They have created a circus in an effort to win at all costs. Can you imagine what the Marinette School District would do with a convicted cyber bullyer? They’ve already hired a lawyer to advise what to do with this situation, so the defendants are wreaking havoc all over the place. If someone were bullying your kid for 11 supposed years, would you allow that to go on so long? Why wait to bring it up until after you’re being sued? Wouldn’t you contact the other parents involved, or the school system prior to a lawsuit? How long are you willing to allow your own child to be bullied? For me–not a single day! Also, if your kid bullied mine, you would hear from me, and I promise, it would not be pleasant. So if something stinks here, you probably have guessed what it is! Stay Tuned.

The Media

The media has been extremely interested in details concerning 3 young girls who were persecuted by the school and some associates. This seems to trouble the principals involved, and their cronies. If YOU are troubled by my blog posts-CHANGE what you’re doing. The lies have gone on long enough. One defendant claimed that the girls kicked her crutches out from under her and kicked them down the hall. That is an outright lie proven by video. Another lie is that her dad has pictures and video of girls misbehaving. Really????? Even if you believe these people, ask for the pics or video. If you  don’t, then don’t get involved or have an opinion. You have been backing the wrong side!!

If you think that talking to the media or writing a blog is wrong, then your family has not been tormented by others. Feel free to not read the blog or the paper, or listen to the radio or television. That is your choice. You can choose to remain ignorant if you want. For me, I’ve just begun to try and get the TRUTH out. This is not a political campaign, or an over protective father. This is someone who cares about his family, about justice, about equality, and his hometown! Yes, I’m ranting! Yes, this is no fun for anyone. Yes, it’s personal, but they’ve made it personal by calling out my daughter and my family on Facebook! They’ve made it personal by smugly laughing in my face, staring at the kids everywhere they go, running up legal bills when they’re clearly in the wrong, lying to the public, and being belligerent about all of it! If you think I’m going away, you’re wrong! I’m just getting started. Stay tuned.

Mr. Popularity

I have a friend who has asked me why I don’t seem to care what other people think, and this is because people will think what they want regardless. Even when confronted with facts, people choose to maintain their opinion. It just doesn’t matter what you do or say, people will believe what they want. It isn’t that I don’t care, it’s the fact that you cannot please everyone, and you shouldn’t change your belief system, or who you really are to please others. I believe in standing up for my beliefs, my family, friends, etc., even if it disturbs some folks. I am not out to win any popularity contests, never have, never will. I don’t care how many friends I have on Facebook, actually, I’ve purged many over the years. I don’t care that people don’t put massive amounts of “likes” on my posts. My priority is to be authentic, and take a stand for what I believe in.

This blog has already 4,680 views by 1,244 visitors, and is not about being popular, or coercing people to change their views or beliefs. It is about dispensing what I believe is important information. I am not a party in the girls’ lawsuit, therefore I am able to speak freely, reminder- the Constitution of the United States provides for it. The situation at hand reminds me of the Hatfields and McCoys. Yes, I’m bitter, yes change at the school is desperately needed, and yes there will be a winner and loser. I’m just not going to lose sleep wondering if people dislike me because I stand up for my family, and whether or not I’m Mr. Popularity. Stay Tuned