School Committee Chair WAY Oversteps Boundaries!

Last year, I ran for School Committee. I lost the election. I have made it PERFECTLY clear on more than 1 occasion that I am NOT running for School Committee or ANY other public office this year. I am just another working parent, navigating through the school system.

Yesterday I engaged in a debate about our schools on a Patch article. Here is the link to the article so you may read the comments ( shttp://stoughton.patch.com/groups/schools/p/stoughton-teachers-rally-for-new-contract ).  I do NOT hide behind an anonymous label. I know what I write and I mean what I write. Sometimes to people who disagree with what I write get offended. That's ok, not everyone is going to agree with me, I'm comfortable with that. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and there is this remarkable idea of free speech in this country that allows me to express my opinion. Apparently one of the anonymous posters on the Patch got so offended he contacted the Schools. Apparently he is someone who donates money to the schools and participates on the Patch blogs often. He decided he is tired of the bickering back and forth, is sick of the issues and the people who complain all of the time and sick of the fighting, he disagrees with the Union's tactics, and the dialog under that article was the last straw. I received this message from the Chair of the School Committee this morning in my personal facebook messages; (i HAVE REMOVED ANY IDENTIFYING INFORMATION ABOUT THE PERSON IN QUESTION)

Today

10:56amExpandShow ImagesJoyce Husseini 

Deb, Your postings on Patch in the last 48 hours have just cost the children of Stoughton nearly {INSERT AMOUNT OF DONATION HERE} in direct support for programming, enrichments and scholarships. You need to grow up and understand that your public words and actions have consequences. It didn’t matter that you were unaware of who {XXX} is, because he had expressed his disgust in your postings even before they were directed at him. {person's name} is the {LABEL OF LEVEL OF SERVICE} to the Stoughton Public Schools. He provided {INSERT MONATARY VALUE} scholarships for {RECIPIENTS OF SCOLARSHIPS}. He provides {INSERT DONATION TYPE AND AMOUNT HERE}. And these are just a few of examples of his generosity. And it is because of your words that the children have lost this support. {PERSON'S NAME} has just informed us that due to the bile and vitriol he has decided to “take a year off”. He may not be the easiest man to get along with but he is nothing but open and honest with us. He is also a Stoughton resident with a large stake in the economic health of this community and works tirelessly with other groups in town. He has grown weary of the contingent that is always publicly knocking down the good work being done by others. In his words “there are plenty of other school systems that will graciously receive funding without insults” and “choices have consequences, and they have made their choice”. Dr. Rizzi and I and the other School Committee members that you target may have to take your shit, but he does not.  {NAME OF PERSON}'s cell number is xxx-xxx-xxxx. I suggest drop whatever you are doing and get on the phone to him immediately and apologize profusely. Make sure you keep your mouth shut when he is talking and engage in active listening. A big part of being a public figure is measuring your words – or knowing when not to speak. Your sunshine and lollipops label for me may have been in fun, but I can assure you that I am neither at this moment. After you deal with {PERSON'S NAME} a public apology wouldn’t be a bad idea either. Your actions are influencing a larger crowd and you are now responsible for their actions too. You are being played by many people and you would do well to step back and take a good look at who you associate with and the havoc you have created. I expect that after you have talked to {PERSON'S NAME} that you will update me. Welcome to the big leagues. Joyce

In full disclosure, my less than eloquent and less than pleased response was this;

Debbie Smith

So would you like me to post the contents of this message that you sent to me demanding that I restrict my free speech now? Or should I post this later? HOW DARE YOU. HOW DARE YOU BLAME ANYONE BUT YOURSELVES for people in this town being upset about the school system going downhill. And then have tne NERVE to blame {PERSON'S NAME}'s withdrawl of support on ME! I am a private citizen of this town,  a single mom going to school,  working full time,  raising 2 boys and trying to climb up the food chain in order to pay my bills.  YOU DON'T KNOW ME AND I OWE YOU NOTHING. I ran for office last year and have stated MANY times that I am not running again this year.  Nobody is "playing" me. I can read and form my own opinions thank you very much.  I'll talk to {PERSON'S NAME},  but the conversation will not be what you are demanding.  It shouldn't be a surprise to you that I DON'T think you're doing a stellar job, if I DID I wouldn't have run against you!  Now get THE HELL off of my Facebook page, get the HELL off of your high horse,  and take a GOOD LONG LOOK outside your own little friend circles.  Because the other night you referred to your constituents as "public posturing" once again devaluing the concerns of the parents in this town.  Then YOU tell me who is responsible for the MANY MANY MANY complaints about this administration that show up in the patch.

Again in full disclosure, I contacted the gentleman who stated he was withdrawing his financial support. He stated that my comments were not the only reason he was backing out. But that he was still backing out.

The Chair woman continued to message me throughout the day while I was at work. This harassment and attempted intimidation of a private citizen of this town for expressing an opinion on a public website is BEYOND unacceptable!