The Independent-News, Volume 115, Number 46, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 12 April 1990 — Page 4

| EDITORIALS |

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN The passing of Roy J. DeSimone last week took from our midst another person who truly was “A little piece of Walkerton”. Stories could be told to fill this page about Roy, both humorous and serious, but the final judgement has to be that not only was Roy a good family man and businessman, he was a big part of Walkerton. Very tew people have served in the various capacities that have shown the results that Roy served in. He was very instrumental in industrial expansion and the filling of the Industrial Park at the west edge of town was done while he was working hard for the group. He served in other capacities as well, always doing what was asked of him in his own way. Yes, Walkerton is and will remain a better place thanks to the time and effort such as Roy DeSimone gave while here.

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“Correction” 1 would like to correct a statement that I made in my letter last week about license renew al. Teachers do have to have their licenses renewed every five years and 1 apologize for my misinformation about it. Dena Griffin “Misunderstood” In response to the letter in last weeks paper stating the "Kicker Can Campaign” collected approximatelv V cents per person. I would like my 27 cents returned to me. 1 thought it was the “CAN Kicker Campaign!" Pro School Board WHEN WILL IT END Now more comments on the “Kickbush affair" in this weeks Independent News. When will it end? The sticky ball keeps rolling, picks up more mud and filth . . when will it slip? Who will clean it up 9 Some of you have helped push it. some of you have tried to stop it. but it keeps on rolling! Who threw this ball? Whs was it thrown? All of this to avenge the removal of a dedicated teacher, a veteran of thirty four years in the teaching profession, one who believed in the difference between right and wrong ... his only goal, to teach and to help mold character. Questions we all want answered .... what did he (Mr. Kickbush) do to warrant such action? W'hat did ’he student (students) involved do to trigger such action? Was he or were they reprimanded for their actions? Why is the "sentence" so severe? We have laws in this great country of ours, and for every lass enacted, there is a punishment for breaking each of these laws. Exceptions, plea bargaining, and other loop holes should certainly not be condoned. I'm sure our school svstem has a set of rules as well. What are the requirements (or rules) for attending this school system? Does the student (or students) invoiced have a healthy familv life? Arc their parents exemplars in your opinion? Arc you or their parents accountable for their behavior 9 I m not the only one looking for the answers to the above. But before you give us answers, please read the article on page seven of the April Bih issue of “Today’s Catholic" .... and these articles in the April issue on Reader's Digest . . .“What you can do to fight SAL Scandal." Senator John Glenn (a member of the Keating five) accepted $200,000.00 for Glenn (A MEMBER OF THE Keating five) accepted $200,000 for his own political action committee and did not return it (some of the others did) How does that grab you? Maybe a name change for the school board is in order. Louis Moreau

“When Do We Become ‘Dispensable’?” I attended the public hearing for Mr. Kickbush, realizing the charges might have merit. Though, how or why after 34 years with an excellent record, he had become the person these charges alleged him to be, was beyond comprehension. However, if they were proven to be true. I was prepared to support the Board in a decision to terminate. 1 left the hearing, convinced that the charges were weak, and had been successfully rebutted and made weaker by the testimony of Mr. Kickbush and his witnesses. How could the principal, the only plaintiff witness, have been everywhere to hear and see all that she testified to? If she wasn’t, then it was hearsay. If the plaintiff had witnesses, where were they? No parents appeared to testify against him! The only parent witness testified in his behalf! I believed that the Board, after hearing the facts, would not fly in the face of public opinion, as evidenced by an over 900 signature petition and the number of supporters at the hearing. If prior to the hearing, Mr. Kickbush was offered the option of retiring, with severance pay and pension, was the offer made because of concern for him. or because the case was weak and that termination, based on the case would result in a community uprising? And. why should he take the “easy way out”? That would have seemed an admission of guilt! As long as he knew he wasn’t guilty, he had no reason to fear a public hearing. I’m sure he believed he would receive a fair trail and be vindicated. To most everyone at the March 6 Board Meeting, the vote to terminate was a shock. In my opinion, the findings of fact was biased and contained items not presented at the hearing. Anyone who states that the decision was not predetermined could not possible have been at the March 6 meeting. In fact. I feel the liklihood is that a determination was reached prior to the hearing, and that the hearing was held only as a legal obligation. I would have accepted disciplinarv action being taked for the "first incident." but termination is unfair and a punishment far exceeding the offense. I am not "for" corporal punishmem. nor am I against a change in disciplinary policy. But do these changes need to be made at the expense of a teacher's reputation and financial ruin? Have we perhaps lost our perspective? Has the hashing and rehashing of the pros and cons of corporal punishment made us overhxik a larger issue? We all should be disturbed by the fad that a good man. a loyal and dedicated teacher and respected member of this community was dispensed with so easily and quickly . Arc we at a point in our youth oriented, callous society: (I) Where long-term employers will not be allowed a

based on years of exemplary service? (2) Where Loyalty, dedication and tenure have become detriments instead of assets 9 (3) Where the reduction of payroll and employee benefit expenses is more important than the reputation and welfare of those w ho become "dispensable"? I will continue to support Mr. Kickbush because I believe he was unjustly terminated. He has not asked me. and I don’t believe he has asked anyone to support or feel som for him. The outpouring of voluntary support is a testimony to Mr Kickbush's qualities and something of which he should be proud. Our children attended the I’l.l Corp, and benefited from know ing Mr. Kickbush. Now we have grandchildren about to enter school. We sincerely hope he will be there for them. I agree with those who feel the children are the ultimate victims in this controversy. Os course they are being short-changed! However, this is no more the fault of Mr. Kickbush and his supporters than it is the fault of those on the other side of this issue. The outcome should have been considered before the Board decided on termination, in spite of strong sentiment against it. Let’s reinstate Mr. Kickbush and get on with the business of educating kids. Joyce Mend “Hats Off” Hats off to Dena Griffin and to the grandparents that weren't afraid to speak out and voice their opinions in this Kickbush matter. 1 don't see why people act like they arc so behind him. I used to sit in the crowds at various sports and hear many, many people comment on his control over the kids and how he was trying to run them like military, no Icngthly pep assemblies like other schools, no enthusiam in the student body, sit through games and converse with each other, not even into the games. Cant do this and can't do that (no confetti with bucket like other schools) various dissent jesturcs not allowed. Remember athletes how on Monday morning the third degree about weekend parties, even if their were none - trying to get one to rat on the other. The hostility that was used seems to me the man has a uncontrolablc temper. Teachers arc to be trained and special in this field to control themselves and handle these situations. What happens to the students if they don't follow rules, third time, their out too! He has nx> many years experience not to know better. With all his degrees and experience. let him teach elsewhere, or retire w ith his severance pay . It is still his and receivable. Plenty of people have been fired. These cans and bake sales are ridiculous. Sickness, disasters arc the reasons for this. I see cans for the Pointon family, this is what small communities arc all about. Lets do plenty for them, raffles, suppers, the works and everyone give freely for them. This is a disaster situation. The school board finally did their job. I hope they continue to improve on their duties and be aw are of more negligent goings on. Hats Off!! A Taxpayer IN RESPONSE I am a recent graduate of John Glenn High School. I am happy to sav that 1 knew Mr. Kickbush through all four years. He was not only a teacher and a coach, but a friend as well. I can’t say enough about the "Big Heart" of this little guv. He was always there when I needed him. Mr. Kickbush. I thank you! It's now my turn to stand by you. I’ll start out by commenting on the recent letters in the Independ-ent-News. Actually, to be honest,

to my opinion. I intend to express that opinion just like everyone else. It's absolutely great to sec. and hear the support for Mr. Kickbush. Yes. 9(X) people signed a petition. Those signatures were for Mr. Kickbush and what he stands for. Who said that 900 people had to give money. Maybe these people arc doing the little things to help. Besides, money isn't an issue here. Sure, it helps Money always helps. The main concern is getting his job back. That's whv we've got people having bake sales. That's support! Whether it made a lot of monev or not. It's the thought that counts. In response to another letter which said something about teachers having some training in handling kids. In this day and time, teachers are expected to be perfect. I give them a lot of credit for putting up with all the crap that is dished out to them each day. Especially when a lot of it comes from the students. You’ve always got those certain ones who create problems. These teachers have no idea what their limits arc. They were told to use their best judgement . What kind of answer is that? Not a very good one. Then, of course, we've got the "Finding of Facts". I could not believe what I was hearing. After 33 years of dedication, not one good thing was said about this man. In one hour, six people took aw ax 33 years of his life. One lousy hour and his whole life was changed. Over the past 33 years. Mr. Kickbush has earned his wav to the top and there in mv heart, he will siav. Mr. Kickbush, this next paragraph is especially for you! Friends are friends forever. If the Lord's the Lord of them. A friend will not sav never cause the welcome will not end. Though it’s hard to let you go. in the Father’s hands we know that a life time is not to long to live as Friend's. Mr Kickbush, you’ve got a lot of friends who love and respect you. Thev show this, not just bv how much money they give, but bv the little things thev do to show vou thev care. Please, as believers in Mr. Kickbush, show vour support. Do this for him? As a supporter and close friend of Mr. Kickbush. I more than happv to sign mv name! Keep fighting big guv! Michelle Mlckodaj DISCIPLINE IN OUR SCHOOLS I am a citizen of Walkerton for about bO years and I never read or heard of anything so ridiculous as the way the schixil board, superintendent and Mrs. Lightfoot and a few of the other people against Richard Kickbush. Ido believe he is a very outstanding teacher. We need more teachers like him, as he believes in discipline in the schixd and so do 1. or we are going to have more trouble in the sch<x4 from our children. I was brought up to respect our elders and parents and God and if the Children can't do that our morals have gone down the drain. I brought mv children up that wav to respect and obey. One of mv children got a licking in school from the teacher and he also got one at home. Never had no more trouble and obedience is a rule and respecting people is another. I thought we sent our children to learn and get an education, not to play and put the teacher in a condition to fear for their lives. Don't worry about the teacher hurting your children, worry about some of the other children doing that. 1 know in another school a little boy in the third grade has been pulling out chairs from the other children, one of the other was a little girl and she got a skull fracture and it went clear through her head. She has been under two specialists. Dr. Niles and neurololgist. as they said she may be marked for life. The next two days

child but thank God that child was not hurt very bad. Don't tell me that child did not need discipline. So far the bill is $25,000 for the little girl. Our schcxd board had better wake up and reinstate Mr. Kickbush if they want someone in the school what knows what they arc doing and how to raise children. You never see his children acting that way. 1 don’t believe in the children running the teacher. Mavbc some of you do. but I don’t. Thank you for hearing me out. A Concerned Citizen of Walkerton “Playing Games” I'm writing this letter to vent mv anger and let the people of Walkerton know what's going on uptown. My husband has been an officer on the police department longer than most of the others, including the chief. Recently thev have been playing games. Games that affect my home and family life. It all started when my husband joined the Air Guard Reserves. He is required to serve one weekend a month and two weeks out of a year. Certain town employees tried to sav he wasn't entitled to his salary for that time awav. Federal law stated otherwise. His reserve time, as far as the department is concerned, only adds up to one day a month. The other day falls on a regularly scheduled dav off. When those people were proven wrong on that point is when the game started. Two other men with less time in the department were promoted above him. Figure it out. You all know how big the department is. Who d(»cs that leave at the bottom? He has four years in the Air Force behind him. six years with the department (along with letters of accomodation) and he is a junior at LU.S.B. Now all of sudden he gets this treatment. There are other things thcv’ve pulled t<xi tedious to mention here. Some of these people I thought were friends. I believe serving vour countrv was to be applauded . . . not something to be punished for. What arc these people’s next move going to be in "Walkerton—a nice place to live?" Chcrvl Bussie Shirley Temple, as a child star, wore exactly 56 curls in her hair. The curls were set by her mother who thus made sure of their exact number. MAKING LIFE MOR^FUN^y Family Vacations: What To Look For Whether you’re looking for a place to spend a family vacation, or are traveling with children on business, or both, finding the perfect destination isn't hard if you know what to look for Among the first things you should check out is if there is supervised play for thechildren and firstclass golf, tennis and beach activities for adults. Some resorts offer special pack ages for families & business travel ers with children At Northeast Florida’s Sheraton Palm Coast Resort, for example, summer fun family packages provide: • Passes to the Kid’s Activity Camp, where qualified personnel supervise activities for children on the resort’s private recreation is land •Tennis Munchkins Clinics and junior golf Saturday clinics during the summer are popular w ith vaca tioning youngsters, as well • Parents, meanwhile, can enjoy golf, tennis, boating and the beach, with the kids or alone. Information on the “Family Getaway" package at Palm Coast is available by calling 1-904-445-3000