Letter from Berkeley City Councilmember Linda Maio.

Letters from the October 22, 2004 issue of the Berkeley Daily Planet.
Sean Dugar, Randy Shaw

Editor,

My endorsement of John Selawsky for re-election to the Berkeley School Board is based on my direct experience working with him. Four years ago I endorsed John for election, and I do not regret it. John has proven himself to be an excellent school board director.

I know that John's highest priority in the district is academic excellence for all children, but his vision and energies do not end there. John authored the nation's first ban on irradiated foods in school lunch programs and has worked with Children's Hospital and Alice Waters' Chez Panisse Foundation to address the epidemic of child obesity and diabetes in school-aged youth.

As School Board President John has been invaluable in assisting me and others in building a solar energy curriculum in the Berkeley Schools. He has also been in discussions with CAFA, Community Action to Fight Asthma, and the EPA, to develop a better, more effective District response to the growing incidences of childhood asthma.

John is dedicated to working with the community. When the School District announced it was moving the Adult School to the Franklin School site, it was John who worked patiently with my constituents, for months, to address their concerns. John is always well informed, listens carefully, and has been an excellent partner working with the city, county and state agencies. He can be relied on to make sure promises are delivered. I hope you will join me in supporting John Selawsky for a second term, so he can continue his work for our children and our community.

Linda Maio, Berkeley City Council member

	John initiated open community meetings regularly inviting citizens to join him in discussion and brainstorming sessions about BUSD and youth related topics.

DUGAR FOR SELAWSKY

Editors, Daily Planet:

I told myself that I was going to stay a neutral party during this year’s school board race as only one candidate truly amazes me. But after reading your article “Incumbents Face Stiff Challenge In School Board Race” by J. Douglas Allen-Taylor (Oct. 15-18) I know I just can’t do that. The school board is single handedly the most important elected position that our citizens elect. It is a position that directly effects the youth of our community for at least the next 50 years.

The thought of Karen Hemphill on the school board terrifies me. I have sat down with her several times to try and convince myself that she is what is needed on the board. But I cannot and will not vote for someone just because they are black. Karen has values and thoughts that change like the wind.

While we are faced with the lesser of several evils I had to voice my opinion and let the world know that I am endorsing and voting for Kalima Rose and John Selawsky.

With Berkeley High School headed towards small schools we need a board member who is truly involved and dedicated to small schools and seeing them further develop into a tool that can be utilized by all races and classes of students. Kalima Rose is that person.

While I have not agreed with a lot of what John Selawsky has done on the board, we know where he stands. We know what positions we must place pressure on him to support. We know that he is someone who is visible in the schools and in the community. He brings to the board the views and values of the Green Party, which in “progressive Berkeley,” are needed to bring a sense of ideas from all sides.

Finally I will not be voting for Karen Hemphill because, if we are going to be asked to elect someone to the school board because we need a person of color on the board let’s make sure that they represent our black staff. Let’s make sure that they have met with the black teachers who feel they are not represented by the BFT.

If we are going ahead with small schools we need someone on the board who is not wishy-washy on small schools.

Finally I am not voting for Karen Hemphill because our community cannot afford to have someone we cannot trust on board.

Sean Dugar

Former Chair, City of Berkeley Youth Commission

Las Vegas, NV

	John Selawsky, a long-time Berkeley resident and activist, takes time out to walk the Peace Labyrinth at Willard Middle School.

PUBLIC ENDORSEMENT

Editors, Daily Planet:

I was surprised and disappointed to read of Kalima Rose’s unfair and inaccurate criticism of School Board member John Selawsky (Daily Planet, Oct. 15-18.)

When Kalima called me to see if I would be an endorser of her campaign in the ballot handbook, I told her that I thought Selawsky had done an outstanding job. She told me that she agreed with my assessment and that Selawsky was supportive of her running. I publicly endorsed Kalima because I thought she would be an excellent replacement for incumbent Joaquin Rivera, giving Selawsky another strong ally on the Board.

Kalima’s attempt to blame John Selawsky for budget problems that preceded his tenure and whose responsibility lies at the state and federal levels is simply wrong. To the contrary, John has done everything in his power to keep our school system afloat in the face of drastic funding cuts to the district.

I saw John Selawsky’s commitment to kids firsthand when our children were both at Oxford School, and I have closely followed his work at the School Board. His dedication to the children of Berkeley is unsurpassed, and we should feel grateful that John has been willing to put in so many hours in what in these budget times has truly become a thankless job.

In the School Board race, voters can select two candidates. John Selawsky should be every voter’s first choice.

Randy Shaw