First off I have to say I was really disappointed and shocked when it was announced that Teresa Perkins GCC schoolboard member was arrested last summer. I supported her candidacy and voted for her in the 2011 mayoral race, thinking she could be a refreshing change from the usual candidates and politics in town. Obviously I was wrong about her.I was also disappointed in the way she and the other school board members handled the situation after her arrest. I think it's fair to say that the huge majority of people including those who voted for her felt she should have stepped down from her position on the school board out of respect for the community, the teachers and students of Greater Clark Co schools. Furthermore some member preferably the president of the board or the superintendent of the schools should have publicly asked for her resignation. Nonwithstanding her credentials and background in education, just as important is honesty , integrity and trust, and with her actions Ms. Perkins betrayed those qualities and the people who elected her.
Equally disturbing in my mind was laying blame to depression as the cause of her actions. Certainly depression is a debilitating disease that effects millions of people but depression doesn't make you break laws and commit crimes it does not effect your decision making process. You are still responsible and should be held accountable for your actions.
We wish Ms. Perkins well and hope personally she can put this event behind her and move on, but by her refusing to resign she is giving the appearance of entitlement, arrogance and not accepting the full consequences of her actions. The public that elected her would have much more respect for her if she would just quietly step aside and let someone else fill out her term...someone who has the trust and confidence of the people of Clark Co....something Ms. Perkins does not have....
Good post HT certainly the sentiments of most of GCCS parents and voters.
ReplyDeleteHer lame excuse of depression is a cop out and an insult to all that have suffered from the disease. The depression more than likely came after she got caught and she was exposed for what she is, nothing more than a common thief. No sympathy from me.
ReplyDeleteHell she should be elated after she ditched ole Johnny to the curb.
ReplyDeletePeople like her have no sense of what is right or wrong. Any decent person would have resigned immediately to avoid the embarrassment of showing one's face in public. Just like her ex-husband John she is too arrogant to sense the seriousness of her actions and the outrage of the public for her excuses.The shame is the public didn't see this side of her before she was elected
ReplyDeleteShoplifting and thievery are not habits you pick up over night or acquired through depression. These are personality traits, you have to wonder how long these actions went on before she was caught.
ReplyDeletewell said HT.
ReplyDeleteToxic John was a perfect match for Toxic Teresa. No wonder she's depressed.
Rumors last spring were that she was going to run for treasurer on the democratic ticket. I'm guessing getting caught was the reason she didn't. Wouldn't it have been been hilarious though to have a thief as treasurer of the county?
Also typical politics as usual for Clark Co.
ReplyDeleteNo worries T, you are loved dearly. ......
ReplyDeleteMs. Perkins is obviously struggling with some formidable demons. I hope she wins.
ReplyDeleteDepression can manifest in many different ways, and I am no expert as to whether or not this truly could have been because of the disease. I also am not going to judge whether or not she truly is suffering from depression. I don't know the in's and out's of how the school board works, but I am not sure if her resigning would make much of a difference, except to appease those who obviously did not want her to win in the first place. GCCS will still go on and good and bad decisions will still be made. I really don't believe any one truly does it for the money, and I don't believe TP needed the jewelry or the money. So there is definitely a problem there with her mental health. I guess I am more concerned about that, because of the field I am in and wonder if she is receiving any type of counseling? Myself, I would have resigned and pursued some serious counseling. What I will not do is call her names, call her actions disgusting, or presume she is a "common thief". I am praying she gets help for whatever she is dealing with, along with others who have so much anger in their heart. Merry Christmas everyone!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the thoughtful post Lisa well said. I harbor no ill will toward Ms. Perkins as I said before I wish her well. My only contention is she should step aside out of respect for the voters and school system and concentrate on getting the help she claims to need. Her staying aboard only creates resentment among a lot of people and deflects attention from the purpose and work of the school board...
ReplyDeleteWell said to you HT on your reply to Lisa !
ReplyDeleteI voted for Mrs. Perkins , I absolutely think she should stay. Teresa Perkins is the reason my child attends a Clark County School
ReplyDeleteLife is about the choices we make, whether right or wrong, good or bad . When trying to justify actions, it's really an attempt to rationalize, excuse and substantiate reasoning for the choice. Ultimately, whether truly depressed or not, is irrelevant and serves as a crutch. A choice was made that had consequences. As a center of influence within the community, IMO not stepping down exhibits entitlement. I admit I cast judgment because I'm honest with myself and you as the reader; as i also contend that it's human nature. Sadly, some do not possess integrity and will do what they can to try to kid themselves at the expense of others.
ReplyDeleteAdding to my last post...If depression substantiated theft, I'm curious how much leniency students should be given for cheating, since it's likely due to "anxiety for their grades." When someone in a position of authority demonstrates their inability to follow the law, how can their integrity and judgment not be brought question?
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess anonymous you are just more righteous than the rest of us. I fail daily and when one breaks the law, there are consequences with going to court and having to serve time or pay a fine. I leave the punishments up to those in authority. As far as staying on the school board, and having their integrity and judgment not be brought into question..well, that would probably go for many who are sitting on boards, and running cities. Just like in the 2 very public cases going on now, the Grand Jury has spoken, and so has the law. If we don't like the process, we need to change it by voting differently in the next election, or perhaps run ourselves. There but by the grace of God go I.
ReplyDeleteI'm by far from righteous, however, do take great pride in having high standards of ethics and morals and no criminial record. I'm pretty law abiding but far from boring. In terms of leaving it to/for the courts to decide, to an extent I agree but also believe they can get it wrong as this is an imperfect world. I can appreciate your perspective but am curious.. by chance do you recall writing a letter to the NT years ago regarding gun control? I found one particularly referencing thugs and thumping gun activists on their head and how a gun was reasoning thugs would listen to. If this is the case, that's not leaving it up to the courts to decide and further substantiates my argument that people judge based on a person's actions/choices. If one doesn't judge, then I wonder why the term thug was used? Especially considering a person who steals is a thief and in some instances considered a thug. Furthermore, the relevance is that through her own admission she stole which makes her a thief and perpetually brings her integrity into question. I have no use for thieves and definitely do not feel she should be excused simply because she got caught and was forced to own up to what she did. I will continue to base my opinio ns on people's actions and choices because if I said otherwise, then I'd be a liar. Ironically, I've been judged based on my comments.
ReplyDeleteWell anonymous, you have an advantage over me, since you obviously know who I am, but I can only assume who you are. lol As far as any letter written to the News and Tribune, I don't recall that, so it must have been long ago. In my life now, I don't look back, just forward. If I did refer to "guns and thugs" I would probably have to see the actual article to have a fair chance at explaining my references. I am trying to understand what your point is regarding guns and Teresa Perkins. I don't recall she used a gun in her crime and also don't recall her having any other charges against her? Please correct me if I am wrong. I commend you on your high ethics and morals and the fact you do not have a criminal record. The majority of the people in the world probably cannot say that, given speeding tickets, etc. I cannot imagine there are too many people, if they were honest, could say they have never broken the law. I am not sure Ms. Perkins is being "excused". I was under the impression she was given a punishment and fine. I think your problem is simply the fact that she is not stepping down from her position on the Board. Just curious, did you vote for her in that position, or did you vote for her opponent? I suppose some could look at her insistence on staying on the Board could be arrogance or stubbornness. I look at it as she wants to try and prove herself, that she intends on doing all she can to fulfill her duty. Again, if I were her I would have resigned, if anything to get some counseling and prevent further scrutiny of my character, but that is up to her. Posting over and over again how she should be ashamed, how all faith in this current Board is gone, or how this is somehow hurting the children is really going no where, wouldn't you agree? I pray that one day that everyone who sits on the Board at GCCS can be satisfactory to everyone, but I won't hold my breath. That is what is wonderful about America, we can always do our part to ensure that we have done all we can to vote those into office that we can have confidence in. Sometimes though, even cities end up with Mayors that have questionable backgrounds.
ReplyDeleteIt was not my intention to associate Teresa with a gun and I did not realize that would be am assumption. I was simply pointing out that I was chastised for being "righteous" ,and judgemental when in fact the author of that very article with the same name as you, was in fact actually casting judgement by calling someone a thug; which is hypocritical. As for voting for her, no never would have been the case. As for posting about shame etc, those posts were to simply try to point out that people in general, seem to try to justify their actions with excuses instead of just calling it like it is as well as not expecting to be judged. I've read so many posts of people defending someone with excuses when in fact that's all it was/is. I agree that we can only try to vote for those we have the utmost confidence in and am fully aware of the imperfect world we live. As for who I am, just someone tired of the excuses (which I'm in no way saying you are not, just generalizing) and the arrogance of those who believe they're above the law and have been entrusted by the faith of citizens. Furthermore, the expectation by those who believe they're above the law for these citizens to tolerate their aristocracy is very frustrating. I appreciate your perspective, but I will not be revisiting our discussion again.
ReplyDeleteAgain Anonymous, I do not recall the article, but if I indeed called someone a thug, maybe our definition of that word is different. To me a thug is someone who takes something that is not theirs by force, or by using violence. Such as when Michael Brown pushed the storeowner into the potato chip rack and used his body in a form of intimidation. I see Ms. Perkins as someone who did not need the jewelry or the money so I must presume that she has some type of illness, such as Kleptomania. I certainly don't believe I am a hypocrite, for there is a difference. Your statement "...no never would have been the case" kind of shows me that you already had a dislike for her, correct me if I am wrong. Just ask yourself, what is my real motive for wanting this woman to step down? Thank you for the discussion. Have a wonderful Christmas. :)
ReplyDeleteBlaming depression for criminal behavior is a terrible disservice to millions of people who suffer from the disease. It only serves to further stigmatize those living with a mental illness. It would appear that greed was the motivating factor.
ReplyDelete