A Letter to the Editor from Rhino Times Reader Dori Goebel

Please allow me, Dori Goebel, to make some points in response to Mr. Jon Firebaugh’s letter to the editor on October 24th.

First: Bill Goebel was asked by BJ Barnes to allow his name to be raised as an alternative to Chris Meadows as chair of the Guilford County Republican Party. Firebaugh and others stood with Bill and myself to declare their support for Bill. They even met at my home to plan the strategy to call all the party committee members and assist in what Bill would say as he talked about why he agreed to BJ’s request to put his name out. All of you knew that Chris is a preening, frat boy, trust fund baby that felt entitled to the President spot. Now, I am beyond thankful that God closed that door – we would not want to be in the position to have to support the disgusting, disgraceful Republican Nominee for Governor – Chris has no problem standing with that man.

Second: Bill volunteered to David Gleeson (then chair of the GCRP) to be the third name in the Jon Hardister suggested Three Name Option to resolve the stalemate between the GCBOE and Logan. Logan was nominated to be appointed by the leadership of the GCRP at a meeting to select said appointee on November 28, 2022 – that is when about 60 registered Republicans “elected” Logan. That meeting, for which no minutes have ever been provided, was in no way, shape, or form an election. Jon Hardister, Phil Berger, Chief Justice Newby, and others all supported Bill as the best most qualified option of the three names presented by the GCRP. No one on the School Board knew Bill so they did their due-diligence and researched him – they chose him. There were no secret meetings! Proof of that lies in the fact that there is a court case, brought by Republican BOE members Crissy Pratt and Linda Welborne, along with Michael Logan languishing in the court system. Why is it languishing? Several reasons: those three can’t afford to pay the attorney, they can’t drop the case because then they can’t whine about secret meetings anymore, but mostly because they can’t continue to trial because the case will be dismissed for lack of proof and evidence. Here is the case number: Superior Court Division 23-CVS-5241. There are also depositions to support the statement of no proof or evidence.

Third: You shamefully attacked Bill as a fellow Eagle Scout. Please allow me to enlighten you on his full Scouting Resume:

Eagle Scout, Wood Badge, Order of the Arrow Vigil Honor, Silver Beaver recipient, Silver Antelope recipient, nominated (’24) Silver Buffalo, Served on the board of The Old North State Council for 13 years and as President of the Council for 3 years, served as Area President for 3 years, served as Territory Vice-President for 2 years, raised over $55,000,000.00 for Friends of Scouting across the southeast, asked by the National Scouting CEO to serve on the Culture Change Committee, raised $1,000,000.00 to endow and develop the Polaris Method to teach culture development and lead business strategies which he then lead and taught across the country until COVID hit, member of The Second Century Society, recipient of the James E West Fellow award.

Allow me to remind you and the readers of the Scout Oath and Law:

“On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”

“A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”

I think you, Mr. Firebaugh, need to read those again and consider your shameful attack. Nowhere do they say must be a devout political party member and tow a radical party line.

Last: The Guilford County School System has an Anti-Bullying Policy. Here I have presented the definition of bullying as well as the policy of the BOE concerning bullying by any student or employee of the school system.

 Definition of Bullying

Bullying is when people repeatedly and intentionally use words or actions against someone or a group of people to cause distress and risk to their wellbeing. These actions are usually done by people who have more influence or power over someone else, or who want to make someone else feel less powerful or helpless.

Corrective Action

The administration will take corrective action to end the bullying and prevent it from happening again. Corrective action may include disciplinary action against the aggressor, up to and including expulsion of a student or termination of an employee

Bullying Prevention

The Guilford County Board of Education (the “Board”) acknowledges the dignity and worth of all students and employees and strives to create a safe, positive and caring learning and working environment that facilitates student achievement. It is the policy of the Board to maintain an environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying in all of its educational programs and employment activities.

Any employee who has witnessed or who has reliable information that a person has been subjected to bullying, harassment, or discrimination, has a duty to report.

Students, parents, volunteers, visitors, and others are strongly encouraged to report any actual or suspected incidents of discrimination, harassment, or bullying of others. Reports may be made anonymously.

DEFINITIONS:

Discrimination: any act or failure to act, whether intentional or unintentional, that unreasonably and unfavorably differentiates treatment of others based solely on their membership in a socially distinct group or category or on a personal characteristic.

Harassment or bullying behavior is conduct intended to intimidate, discredit, injure, or disturb another person or group of persons.

 GCS Board Policy

In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must include:

Be intentional: The behavior must occur on purpose.

An imbalance of power: People who bully use their power to control or harm others. Power imbalances could be physical size, gender, verbal skills, age, physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity.

Repetition: The behavior happens more than once.

Why, you may be wondering do I list these? Because the Republican candidate, Logan is a bully. He has repeatedly attacked Bill’s character and his wife has implied that Bill will not go to heaven whenever he dies. While Bill was working to obtain the 2132 (he got 3500) signatures needed to get his name on this ballot, Logan or Meadows would routinely review the list and then proceed to call and harass Republican names they found. Logan has been rude and disrespectful and bullied our friends that are out at the polls working for Bill. Logan and his sycophantic minions have run down, moved, and stolen Bill’s campaign signs. Logan has called and harassed our endorsers for exercising their right to support, endorse and vote for who they choose.  Logan is a bully! Do you really want a bully as an example?

 

The students, parents, teachers, support workers, all residents of District 3 deserve better in representation.

Bullying and petty party politics do not belong in any school environment!

Please vote and elect Bill Goebel to D3 seat of the Guilford County School Board.

Dori Goebel

Community Connector

Living Kidney Donor