frontlines >> letters How to Send Letters We prefer letters relating to JN articles. We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Letters of 225 words or less are considered first. Longer ones will be subject to trimming. Letter writers are limited in frequency of publication. Letters must be original and contain the name, address and title of the writer and a day phone number. Non-electronic copies must be hand signed. Send letters to the JN: 29200 Northwestern Highway, Suite 110, Southfield, MI 48034; fax (248) 304-8885; e-mail, letters@the jewishnews.com . We prefer email. 'Hard-Working, Principled' Board Member For FPS Howard Wallach is one of the hardest working, principled men I have ever known. He volunteers in his community as much as he works professionally. While chairing the Anti-Defamation League several years ago his commit- tee volunteered countless hours to Farmington Public Schools reviewing an International Affairs class curriculum to make sure the curriculum was appro- priate, and presented sound teachings for the students of Farmington Public Schools. The class continues to be one of the most popular. Howard takes the time to learn and research facts. He bases his decisions on sound knowledge and has earned the reputation as a mentor and leader with every group he becomes associated with. He has sat on negotiation teams, which is unprecedented for a board member, and has been an integral part of settling contracts so the district could move on with the business of educating children. His knowledge of budget, finance, policies and procedures is only a small part of his experience that FPS needs to continue to move in the direction of the award-winning district that is the rea- son many move into Farmington Public Schools. Rhonda Cherrin West Bloomfield 'Hands-On Educational Experience Unmatched' I have known Professor Ginsberg for decades, and I am impressed by his integrity and professionalism. His hands-on educational experience is unmatched by any incumbents or, for that manner, those running for a seat on the Farmington School Board. He has tutored neighbors' children in physics and math at no charge. Professor Ginsberg often has expressed his con- cerns about the burden teachers bear because their inputs are often ignored in setting school policies. Having been intimately involved in the education of his autistic granddaughter, he fully understands the frustrations of parents of special-needs children when dealing with the bureaucracy. He would make the education of the student with intellectual and/or developmental dis- abilities a priority. Even while co-founder and owner of a high-tech company in Ann Arbor, he continued to be involved in education, being invited on two occasions to lecture in South Africa. Dr. Ginsberg is not an ideologue. He listens to both sides. Then he uses his scientific background to thoroughly analyze the various inputs and data before arriving at a final conclusion and decision. Dr. Ginsberg has been an outspoken activist for educational excellence, as well as American and Jewish values. He deserves your vote on Nov. 8. Lorelee Handelman Farmington Hills 'Constructive And Active' FPS Board Candidates I am writing to enthusiastically endorse the candidacies of Karen Bolsen and Howard Wallach for re- election to the Farmington Schools' Board of Education. As the former Superintendent of Schools, I had the pleasure and privilege of working with both of these outstanding public ser- vants. Both have also distinguished them- selves as constructive and active mem- bers of the community. Karen's longtime service as chair of the Multi-Cultural, Multi-Racial Community Council did much to help Farmington and Farmington Hills become healthy, diverse communities. Howard is a natural bridge-builder who has established effective communi- cations throughout the community. These experiences and connections will continue to enhance their effective- ness as school board members. our school district under their watch. As a parent who worked tirelessly to support FPS teachers and coaches in pursuit of excellence for all children — regardless of race, religion or ethnicity, I am outraged by the repugnant epi- thets hurled by Buck-Christian. It is an affront she slandered Jews and gentiles who voiced concerns about curriculum restructuring. It is an outrage she libeled parents who defended Jewish students. When the FPS failed to send students to the Holocaust Center, my husband and I paid for the busing. When his- tory courses failed to properly address Holocaust education, I worked with a teacher to bring in Holocaust survivors, films and materials to educate the stu- dents. When a course included biased anti-Israel materials, we worked to remove non-scholastic, hateful propa- ganda. When a swastika defaced school property, I prevailed upon the district to issue a forceful condemnation. When the district wanted to adopt texts inac- curately portraying Judaism, we alerted a leading local rabbi who interceded to stop it. Such is not racism; that's its moral response. One has to wonder what really is at play when FPS board members and their proxies try to distract from their failures by smearing parents and taxpayers advo- cating for the best interests of all students. Linda Stulberg Bob Maxfield Farmington Hills Huntington Woods Former FPS Board Member's Letter A 'Slur Of Citizens' How unseemly for former Farmington School Board member Pamela Buck- Christian to support the past president of the ADL by engaging in baseless defamation herself ("Wallach Has Shown Great Integrity At FPS," Sept. 29, page 61). Buck-Christian's JN letter endorsing Howard Wallach for the Farmington Public Schools is a despicable slur of citizens with legitimate objections to the backroom sale of Eagle Elementary. Buck-Christian doesn't even live in Michigan nor was she at the FPS meet- ing when an unprecedented number of residents packed the boardroom to voice their concerns. Her charge of racism is absurdly offen- sive, as brought to light by black candi- date Angie Smith who, along with Prof. Irving Ginsberg, is challenging Wallach, and who have both publicly criticized the underhanded Eagle transaction. It's a sad indictment that school board members would use the race card to deflect atten- tion away from their violation of the public trust and the dramatic decline of A 'Kind And Hard-Working' Leader To Guide FPS I write this letter to refute the nega- tive statements that are being written regarding Howard Wallach and Karen Bolsen and ask you to vote for Howard, Karen and David Samson on Nov. 8. I have known Howard both person- ally and professionally for over 30 years. He is a thoughtful, kind and hard-work- ing man whose character is beyond reproach. It is frankly inconceivable to think that this unselfish man would do anything that was not completely above board ... ever. Howard has served in leadership positions with the Jewish Community Council, the Anti-Defamation League, Israel Cancer Association of Michigan and on the boards of the American Jewish Committee, Jewish Federation and the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights. His many leadership positions are a testament to his skills, integrity and fine judgment. Regarding the sale of Eagle Elementary, Howard as board leader and president, acted properly. The decision by the Oakland County Circuit Court to Letters on page 6 Ask Financial Crisis Attorney Ken Gross about... Your Financial oblems How do you eliminate Credit Card Debt? With a well thought out plan designed to cover tax con- sequences and which will eliminate all the debt. Watch out for the radio, tv and direct mail ads making the big, wild claims- they overcharge and under perform. We call the process Debt Resolution. We do it as lawyers- we notify the creditors and negotiate settle- ments as low as 10%, but typi- cally in the range of 20% - 40% of the debt. Instead of mak- ing your monthly payments, we use this cash to fund the settlements. Careful planning is required, however, because there can be tax consequences and sometimes less expensive and quicker solutions. BOTTOM LINE - it can be great in the right situation, but sometimes there are better options THAV GROSS has been solving its client's business, tax and financial problems for 30 years. Call today for a free consultation. Be sure to visit our new Websites! 0 THAV GROSS 888.235.4357 (HELP) or 248.645.1700 For information, visit us online at thavgross.com • fctalkcenter.com 30150 Telegraph, Suite 444 Bingham Farms, MI 48025 Were a premier debt relief agency helping people file for Bankruptcy Protection. October 27 ,• 2011 5