Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Southwest Mo. Teacher Says He's Embarrassed To See His Name on Mailer Supporting Prop A

UPDATED: PROP A PROPONENTS SHOW CAMPBELL'S SIGNATURE ON THEIR FORM
"Mr. Campbell may not have understood the information we sent him or forget that he signed up as a supporter of Prop A, but his lack of understanding or forgetfulness don't qualify as news," said Prop A spokesperson Scott Charton.


A southwest Missouri school teacher's name is incorrectly featured on a mailer promoting Proposition A, according to the group fighting to oppose the ballot initiative.

Doug Campbell, a teacher at Carl Junction High School, said his name appears on a promotional piece for the "Yes On A" coalition. In a press release from the "No on A" campaign, Campbell is quoted saying he was embarrassed to see his name supporting an initiative associated with gambling.

"I understand first hand the dangers of gambling, as I've seen people who have suffered the terrible consequences of gambling addiction. I don't support removing the $500 loss limit or anything else that will benefit casinos," said Campbell in a statement.

UPDATED 8:21 P.M. But proponents of Proposition A provided the letter with Campbell's signature to the KY3 Political Notebook. The YesforSchoolsFirst.com survey clearly shows Campbell's signature, with a Carl Junction address.

"The form is clear and so was his voluntary expression of support," said Proposition A spokesperson Scott Charton. "Our opponents are simply trying to bully a few teachers into claiming they didn't understand what they were supporting. It's a desperate last-minute ploy to try to divert voter attention from the fact that Prop A is supported by hundreds of teachers throughout the state," he added.
For more on the details of what Proposition A is, click HERE.

In the press release, Campbell goes on to add that he believes other school teachers may have been mislead about supporting Proposition A.

"I received a survey asking if I thought more funding for education was needed. The survey had the appearance of an official letter from a state educational organization with several educators and their schools listed, so I filled it out. The only question concerning casinos asked how important it was to prohibit the legislature from using revenue from casinos for these funds," Campbell said.

But Charton said that while Campbell might have misunderstood the information, "his lack of understanding doesn't qualify as news." "The fact is, hundreds of teachers throughout the state have endorsed a YES vote on Prop A, because it will provide over $100 million in vitally needed new revenues to schools statewide -- without increasing any taxes on Missouri residents," Charton told The Notebook.

Evelio Silvera, executive director of Casino Watch said, "There is no telling how many other educators around the state have been used by the casino industry. Mr. Campbell's bravery to step forward has exposed this unethical practice and I hope more teachers will come forward to tell their story."


8 comments:

Truth Prevails said...

Missourians know dirty politics when they see it. How convenient that Mr. Campbell -- probably a plant from Casino Watch -- decided to recant six days before the election! Casino Watch has zero credibility. They even got caught taking money from Illinois casino owners to defeat Prop A.
Prop A will help rural Missouri schools. Vote Yes on Prop A on Tuesday.

MountainMan said...

This is some sneakiness by Casino Watch. They probably browbeat that poor teacher through his church or by pressuring his family. I am actually supporting Proposition A because it will raise money for my school district without raising my property taxes. My district will get hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. I cannot for the life of me understand why Casino Watch is so hateful to public education and to holding down tax increases. Shame on them!

Truth Prevails said...

Here is a a fact: Casino Watch spokesman is anti-public education! Evelio Silvera is an instructor for The Pillar Foundation, which was founded to support home schooling! His office is even in their Chesterfield office complex! No wonder he's working so hard to take money away from Missouri's public school kids!

MountainMan said...

Well, that clarifies that. Now I see the anti public education agenda behind Casino Watch.

Truth Prevails said...

The Pillar Foundation has suddenly begun overhauling its Web site ... Fortunately the link below proves my point. Note also that Joseph Day of Casino Watch is from Joplin.
Unlikely that it is a COINCIDENCE that Mr. Campbell is from that area.

http://74.125.95.104/search?q=cache:AjK0DX7V8CAJ:www.thepillar.org/staff.htm+pillar+foundation+staff+instructors&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

ToBeFair said...

It sounds like the issue is not whether or not the teacher signed the survey, the question is whether or not the survey was misleading and unfair. The Yes side simply needs to release the survey not the signature. If it asks teachers if they support Prop A then there is no problem. But if the survey never asked that question then the practice is still unethical and the problem is still very real.

I think people should make their own decisions and I dont always support watchdog groups like Casino Watch, but its unfair and untrue to say they took money from the Illinois casino. The money went to a completely different group called Voters for Good Government and they are not associated with Casino Watch. Rick Alm said in his blog, "Hardin said his group was not involved “in any way” with the anti-gambling Casino Watch Committee, also opposed to Proposition A."

Burr Deming said...

An amzing story. Thanks.

The arguments for Proposition A have often been less than completely honest.

cjteacher said...

I know dirty politics first hand as a result of this situation. The survey sent out had to do with financial support for education and nothing about prop A. As for those who are speaking for me without talking to me, I was the one who called Casino Watch and told them what happened. I almost laughed when Mr. Charton said I was bullied into making my statements. I have little respect for Mr. Charton at this point because I called him and emailed him two weeks ago. He has yet to call or email me back. There are other teachers deceived by the "Schools First" survey including a retired teacher who was very upset to find her name on the brochure that came out Oct. 20.