To KEA members: What about the Golden Rule?

I’m appalled to learn that homes/businesses of our Kent School Board members and superintendent were the targets of recent picketing teachers. The KEA gave out addresses/home phone numbers, so the “mob mentality” folks could inundate these people with hateful phone calls and 24-hour picketing. I wonder how those who picketed/called, would feel if the roles were reversed? I wonder if those who caused or encouraged these disturbances took the time/effort to sit down and talk about the issues? Some were invited to TALK and voice their issues in a reasonable, adult-to-adult manner – and did so!

The union leadership encouraged its members to picket The Golden Steer – and to boycott this family-friendly restaurant during the strike. How will the owner feed the needy, support the community, retain his workers, and feed his family if his business fails? 

 I’m PROUD to call the Berrios family my friends. In the 10 years I’ve known them, I’ve seen them “walk the walk” and “talk the talk.” Do those of you who were quick to be ugly/cruel know that they: (1) close their restaurant early on Thanksgiving to feed (for free) the homeless, and have done so for 10 years (they’ve fed at least 3,000 homeless people, losing thousands of dollars in revenue); (2) serve as volunteers on various boards in the community; (3) donate regularly to KSD and community fundraising activities; (4) volunteer as adult mentors to students in the KSD, and have done so for many years; (5) hire many students at their business and mentor those young students to be successful in future employment/educational endeavors (are these students from YOUR classrooms or homes?); (6) been recognized at local, county, and state levels for their contributions to the community; (7) Jim volunteers many hours as a track/wrestling coach at Kent-Meridian High School (has he coached your students or children?); (8) individually belong to two different service organizations, as dedicated, contributing members making a positive difference in the lives of others; and (9) participate every year in holiday “Adopt-A-Family” activities, making the holidays a little brighter for many families in need in our community? Are these the actions of a family/individual who doesn’t care about the community?  NO.

Mr. Berrios was elected to the school board. His peers elected him as their leader. Jim is a volunteer. He doesn’t get paid for the hours devoted to ensuring that students in Kent receive a quality education, attending meetings, speaking to the public, etc. Don’t forget that this same board, under Jim’s leadership, worked through MAJOR budget issues, asked for public comments from parents regarding their child’s education, and helped save more than 100 district jobs by cutting administrative costs by several million dollars?

 Did you know that when one of you (you know who you are) delivered the “Wanted Poster” to The Golden Steer for Jim Berrios that you handed it to his daughter – a college student who is studying to be a teacher?

How about putting yourselves in Jim’s shoes (or those of other school board members), and think how you would feel if you were a VOLUNTEER being subjected to those ugly actions/words.

Shame on those who were behind these actions. Jim deserves an apology.

Michele Campbell

Kent