In a fundraising letter from Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity, Dr. Jeffrey Leslie, Superintendent of the Petoskey schools was quoted (pictured): "Many students are being raised in substandard, crowded, unsafe environments."
And Habitat is going to help those kids? How? Are they going to notify Child Protective Services? If Dr. Leslie is privy to this troubling information, what is he doing about it? Helping fundraise? This shouldn't be!
He also asserts that his school system is losing "great educators" to more "affordable districts," (which only partially explains why the quality of education in Petoskey is so wanting). Of course, he offers no evidence of this trend. In fact, if the value of local teachers' homes is "skyrocketing," as he claims, isn't that good for the current homeowners? Why would they leave?
And this: Habitat Executive Director Sarah Ulrich, author of the letter, claims " ... home is an unattainable hope for many households." Why? Hard work, self-discipline, simple living, and sound advice from seasoned sources, can make 'home' attainable to any young family, given time. In America, in Emmet, there needs to be no exception to attaining that 'hope.'
Why wouldn't Dr. Leslie champion that point of view?
We're not saying, 'don't donate to Habitat,' they do some good, for sure. But if you do give, maybe call them out on this questionable fund-raising pitch.
As a recently retired Michigan teacher, I applaud Dr. Leslie’s efforts. The reality is that even in a very affluent community teachers have students struggling with food and housing insecurity. Dr. Leslie is working with an honorable and respected national organization to make a difference in the lives of his students. It’s downright mean and ornery to imply otherwise. You need to check yourself.
Here’s the “FAIL:”
Now, after clambering about 2nd Amendment restrictions, you have something against free speech? Also:
If you call out two (2) local Emmet County residents for doing something you think they shouldn’t be doing, the least you could do is tell their side of this “news” story?
Re “And Habitat is going to help those kids? How?” (Ask Habitat?)
This isn’t the first time a public figure or elected public officials, have endorsed a local, non-profit NGO’s fund-raising endeavors. I can recall — for example — a county commissioner’s on-air plugs for Interlochen Public Radio.
REALITY CHECK: RE “ … substandard, crowded, unsafe environments." = Poverty. I suggest the author (pro-homeschooling Izzy Lyman? Who is no fan of…
FAIL!
85+ Views here and NO comments? From ERG‘s “Founders?”
From former chief Habitat contractor and (former?) supporter Craig Lively?
The author (name, please?) slams both Habitat and a local school superintendent … and crickets? — Dixon Dudderar