Whitaker: Rockwell should do the right thing and resign
Letter to the editor
I was not only appalled but greatly saddened to learn that the head of Alachua County’s School Board, which oversees the county’s educational programs, was full of hate toward anyone who thought differently from her. Such a stance impacts nearly half of U.S. citizens whose beliefs differ from hers.
Stating that people are unworthy of living because of their political beliefs is the opposite of the inclusiveness Sarah Rockwell ran on. Based on this behavior, I believe that she is unfit to lead and should either resign or be removed from office.
The message conveyed to students in Alachua County is troubling: that it is acceptable to hate those with different beliefs. This example set by leadership is cause for serious concern about the values imparted to children.
Her true beliefs have been exposed, and no retraction releases her from the hatred she has revealed in her heart.
Please do the right thing and resign or be removed from your position, thereby stripping you of the ability to influence the children of Alachua County.
Sincerely,
Betsy Whitaker, Gainesville
The opinions expressed by letter or opinion writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AlachuaChronicle.com. Assertions of facts in letters are similarly the responsibility of the author. Letters may be submitted to info@alachuachronicle.com and are published at the discretion of the editor.
She should be on the next stagecoach out of town. But they might not let her on with that mask.
The Masked Bandit will continue to play the victim because it hurts. On the positive side her teaching credentials will not be renewed in Florida. Actions have consequences.
…or because the stagecoach only has a 2-ton weight limit
Instead of taking responsibility for what she did, she chooses to play the victim and further polarizes our community. She is in a position where it is up to her to show real leadership and try to bring both sides together, but it seems she would rather make the divisions even deeper. No wonder SBAC is such a mess and our schools are getting worse instead of better.
What other local school board members have refused to resign? Anyone remember their affiliations?
Says a lot of one’s character.
Fred, she took responsibility for her comment and pledged to work to earn people’s trust. If you don’t like her, vote for somebody else next time, but you don’t really seem like you wish to “bring both sides together”.
Rockwell is not capable of doing the right thing since she seemingly is always on the wrong side of things.
I agree. I despise lefty politics but not the people and would never wish harm on them.
Any sane person should have been able to take one look at her and say “Nope!” as far as ever voting for her. We have a problem of mass insanity among what passes for women here, unfortunately. There definitely is a Good vs. Evil component to it, too. Evil is untruthful by nature.
Something should be done about Casey Willits too. He helped with the loses of Control at the school board meeting and passed the mic so a citizen could say crazy things and be even loader then she already was.
The fiasco of that meeting—followed by a half-hearted, “sorry you felt that way” phone apology—is exactly why my frustration with this board continues to grow. It reflects a serious lack of leadership, accountability, and integrity from the majority of its members—with the clear exception of Board Member Plavac, who rightfully called for Blackwell’s removal as chair.
And if I hear Vu misrepresent the views of Newberry parents about Joel Searby one more time, I’ll be quick to remind him: before he had any association with the charter, Searby was a volunteer and coach vetted and approved by ACPS administration. So if you’re looking to assign blame for exposing hundreds of students to him, start with ACPS. We all know what they say about throwing stones while living in glass houses.
Actions have consequences. And no matter how many crowds you rally to deflect from accountability, those of us who work during the meetings and still show up won’t forget. We will ensure the Governor and the Department of Education take the necessary steps to restore real balance and integrity to this board—so that every parent’s voice is respected, no matter their political views or who sits in these seats.
Rockwell is self-conflicted: wants bedroom diversity, but not public sector and education diversity. How does she sleep?
We need single member districts immediately!
Republicans have no representation in this county.
What we witnessed was an angry leftist mob attacking a working father that is concerned with the political animosity of this board.
So now the credentials are you have to look like Tina Certain or think like Sarah Rockwell or you will be attacked, 1 amendment rights thrown out the window and falsely labeled a white supremacist.
Jeremy should sue they asses off for violating his civil rights.
Sarah Rockwell just look at what you have done to this community. Resign so that we can peacefully start this school year with out all this nonsense.
You did this to yourself. Now accept the accountability, do whats right for this community and resign.
My child doesn’t deserve this from schoolboard leaders.
He just wants an education.
He loved Hulk Hogan.
Rockwell thinks that fake apology will suffice the local parents and students. Make her rethink her rude, filthy mouth. She needs her mouth washed out with soap.
And give up all that prestige & recognition and percs! Never you hateful sinners!
This position is mine, ALL MINE I tell you! You’ll have to blast her out of that seat.
Good luck.
Commie 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ are wicked witches, nothing new.
Gonna cast spells on you so your appendages shrink, oh wait, yours are already itty bitty
At least one Board Member should have said “No Comment”.
In this County they seem to like to vote for the lefts woke ideals. Wishy washy politics with no merit or backbone, following what other Citys and Countys massive debts with higher taxes and failed infrastructure practices. Choking the rate payers to get their own way.
You stated “ Such a stance impacts nearly half of U.S. citizens whose beliefs differ from hers.”. That is actually not an accurate statement. She referred to MAGA. MAGA is a philosophy belonging to a portion of Trump supporters in this country. Considering that only about a third of eligible voters voted for the man (take total number of eligible voters and subtract the ones that voted for someone else or didn’t vote at all), “nearly half” is an overstatement.
Furthermore, I agree that it’s better for our country and the world to have one less person in the world who subscribes to the MAGA philosophy. Whether someone who is MAGA comes to their senses and changes their mind, becoming compassionate for their fellow man, or they cease to exist, either way, that’s one less hateful person on the planet. It’s been my observation that MAGA are always expressing anger, rudeness, hatefulness and disrespect.
MAGA, Nazi, Terrorist, etc. I think we can all agree we don’t need them in our society.
Please give us your definition of “Fascism”. I don’t think you have any idea what it means at all.
Devotion to the state and it’s leader, unbound by law. See Trump.
So when Tina Certain said she would not support removing Rockwell as chair under any circumstances, that was fascism?
The man that actually invented it believed differently.
“Mussolini defined fascism as a political doctrine that emphasizes the absolute power of the state, rejecting individualism and democracy in favor of a collective national identity. He believed that the state should guide and control society, prioritizing the needs of the nation over individual rights and interests.”
Sounds more like the Democrats than Trump.
Just sayin’ no…What did the angry black woman express through the microphone?
What are you expressing through this medium?
Seems this country could do with a lot less of both.
Have you always been wierd???
Ragnar, for me?
Betsy Whitaker should resign.
incite an insurrection against the government, not a problem, make fun of dead racist 80’s wrestler… resign! The hypocritical pearl clutching is unbecoming for so called patriots.
RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES
Did you also call for the removal/resignation of Bridgett Ziegler from the Sarasota County School Board? She’s still sitting there, steeped in homophobic hypocrisy.
DeS didn’t remove her.
I orgot that one Tired!
The pretense to virgin ears in these MAGA comments is over the top. They are shocked! Shocked that an off the cuff and glib opinion, retracted quickly, completely apolgized for, with promises to make amends and prove it by actions, by a person known to be generous in service to others came to defile their otherwise loving and pure thoughts.
The horror!! The horrorrrrr!!!
Ms. Rockwell made a stupid comment and apologized. The grievance party is ignoring Jeremy’s actions, language and behavior that led to chaos. I’d like to remind everyone that another gentleman spoke supporting Rockwell’s resignation without incident nor drama.
The blatant spinning and not publishing Jeremy’s aggressive language is working to further weaken our public schools a goal of the Heritage Foundation and the Republican Party. Stop the crazy, inform yourself and don’t fall for scam.
Too late for most commenters on this board Guest. They’re totally marinated in each others’ bile and like it.