Dear Dad,
A picture of you, taken during WWII, is a strong reminder that they don’t make men like they used to.
As a soldier, you fought for. . .
freedoms that we enjoy today: freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and the freedom to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Sometimes these freedoms are abused by some who think they have carte blanche to do whatever they want.
Rather than have the courage to reason matters, they cover up their insecurities with different types of intimidation and cheap bullying tactics.
Here’s the latest: at the January 2021, webcast school board Zoom meeting, I noticed my school commissioner was nodding off while the board was discussing the $300 million dollar budget. I calmly said something about it.
Immediately, the chairman, Noel Burke, decided to protect the sleepy commissioner and cut off my remark and erase the tape — in spite of an email sent to all “to preserve the remarks and not destroy the evidence.” A few days later, he sent me a letter basically saying I would no longer be seen or heard at Public Question Period time — something I have been doing for 22 years.
I could only participate by submitting my questions in writing and another commissioner would read them and then the chairman would answer. There is no opportunity for a right of reply or to ask a second question — as is standard practice. How humiliating.
What is really troubling about this, besides breaking the spirit of the law (article 168), the rest of the elected commissioners say nothing… and, yet, they have that right by law to do so — Education Act ( article 175).
Worse, the tired commissioner does not stand up and say something – anything to avoid suspicion falling on any other commissioner. Exactly the same thing happened with the former chair which had nothing to do with me, but that’s another story.
Moreover, this conduct is a very poor example of school board democracy for the only student commissioners in Quebec. (I think)
Anyway, dad, I’m copying this to the Quebec government and the press.
Perhaps they can do something with this undemocratic and seemingly unethical elected school board. After all, it’s been six months. No one knows when this ban will end.
Give Mom a kiss for me. I miss you terribly.
Bye for now.
Chris Eustace, Pierrefonds, Que.
