‘Conflict of interest’

I just re-read the article and I can not help but wonder what Mr. Crump is planning on addressing in one minute. His letter only mentioned that Mr. Sims did not recuse himself from this matter. He also requested a copy of the disciplinary file on Mr. Howard including the investigation by Mr. Sims. It does seem like a good place to serve notice of a law suit, and that could be done in one minute. As for as the investigation, did Mr. Howard or any of the students disagree on the facts of what happened? I don’t know, but may be I was right when all of this started. I suggested that an unbiased source do the investigation and punishment established from there. I’m guessing that Mr. Crump’s firm has taken this case on percentage and I would almost bet no money is required unless the case is won. If that is the case then you can bet they are not concerned about a school budget even if insurance would pay for such civil action. Again, who is going to win? African American, Hispanic, Asian and White all go to Jackson County Schools and will be affected by this law suit. Mr. Sims is no longer in office and it may be a good idea for the new superintendent to have another investigation, unbiased source, then review the disciplinary action. If dismissal is appropiate then do so, if not then make the right disciplinary action and once and for all bury this issue. Take the lawyers out of it if all that is desired is justice. If a chance to fatten someone’s pocket is the desire then leave the lawyers in it and hit the county for the deep pockets. A fat pocket may help some people dismiss the issue, but others in the county will have to live with the results. Oh well, this is moot, the lawyers are on the way anyway.

I don’t get it, How does making the School Board (County,State) pay because of a law suit teach anyone a lesson? It seems that the students will be the looser since the money has got to come froms somewhere. Is this just another chance for everyone to get on a soap box and run on and on and on and on. The lawyers will be the only winner here. The law suit will probably be settled out of court and IF Howard is fired the damage is done and can’t be taken back but can be compounded by depriving the students. Tell me just who is supposed to win here and how? Is all this discussion and hype for the children or some adults ego because they are afraid to say point made and let it go? Let me say here that I’m not agreeing with what Mr. Howard may have done. Racism is wrong. Equality is good, just remember equality means all are treated equal regardless of race, sex or religion.

This is ridiculous, that most white citizens of Marianna are still trying to protect Greg Howard. I don’t care if he was a teacher for 50 yrs. he still deserves to be fired. He erased all of his good works if he had any to be honest. Their is a point of no return and Greg past it a hundred miles ago.Once again this is the last months of 2008, do you people realize that, and some of you think its no big deal for a teacher of all people to call a black man the n-word in the classroom. This was an historical election whether Barack won or loss because we had women and a Black man running for President and the best a teacher could do for his students was make racial slurs about the Black candidate. I agree with liberty that i would have been sued for punching him in the mouth. Now let me address the racist people blogging on here.(Parent) Black man score one over the white man(please).You would be rich if you were to receive money every-time your children were belittle by a black person. First off where do you live? That would explain a lot. If this is true i would guess the ghetto.Because i can say if you are around anywhere else you aren’t being truthful with us.(cleanupmarianna)you have the making of a true racist. Their going to spend the money on gold teeth, loud shoes, car stereo, and paint jobs among others. You are a true racist and it isn’t surprising. I respect rednecks way more because they are true to who they are, not someone who pretends to be fair but says and does everything a racist would. McCain did win here correct.Which in itself explains a lot, Barack took Tallahassee, Tampa, Orlando, Miami, and West Palm. FSU,USF,UCF,UM. In other words he won the educated areas, except UF go figure. Now lets address the money issue, they probably wouldn’t have even sued if the correct action had been taking, but no once again Jackson county applied the good ol’boy rule. How many of you thought that it was wrong for the family to sue O.J. after he was found not guilty by a court of law. But they still went after money and got it. How many of you cheered when he was found guilty this last time. Ask yourself why? Racism is so alive and well in Jackson county that it shows in everyday life everywhere you go. How many of you speak when you past by a black man, be it in a store, parking lot, park,football game or what have you. No you walk right on by, and we are the city of southern hospitality, yea right. How many white father’s coach there kids city league teams and make their kids the QB, or the pitcher or whatever position they desire. Even though there’s a more talented kid on the team. To see this all you have to do is go to the ball fields and take a look. How many blacks have played Quarterback at the high school since 1984? That’s 24 yrs. Before that we had great teams led by Ronald Fagan, Eric Stevenson, and then Jerome Wilson. But now the teams suffer because of racial favoritism. In high school if you don’t have a true player with a great arm, you put your most athletic player back there. Has that been done in 24yrs., no. Marianna will never be competitive until it plays fair. When my children are of high school age they will live with their grandparents in Tallahassee and play there.You see I’m a sports guy and if you still see racism there you know its everywhere else. This town would rather have favoritism and racism than to have really competitive sports programs that would bring more notoriety, scouts and scholarships to the area. Whens the last time a Marianna QB received a scholarship? The RB’s have Battles(usf),Sylvester(famu), WR’s Thomas(furman)and many more. Last but not least I’m not afraid to say my name airborne is just my handle. If you read enough of my blogs you will see my name and my address is in the phone book. I have never been afraid to speak my opinion and never will. So as for people wanting to know someones name, why are you going to threaten that person. If so let me know cause i will definitively email you my info and we can go from there.

Let me be fair as well.
I’m NOT going to post my name and I really don’t think it to be a good idea for many others.
There is a thing called retribution.  And, in Jackson County, it’s used too much!

Greg Howard made a HUGE mistake when he did what he did.  He used no judgement, not poor judgement, but no judgement.  He deserved what he got as punishment, maybe more.  BUT….
To say that this man deserves to be fired after 20 years of service is rediculous.  I am sure he has been a positive influence 99% of his career; Don’t let one “oh crap” undo a hundred “great jobs”.
The next time anyone that reads this makes a remark at work that is in poor taste, ask yourself,“should I be fired.“  I bet you’ll say no. 
Be careful what you ask for here.  Because should you fire Mr. Howard, get ready, you are going to have to fire every single person that uses any language that is considered offensive, no matter their color or creed.  I doubt seriously we all really want to be held to the EXACT same standard.
For those of you naming names, “X” amount of years after the fact, knock it off, and have some class.  If you didn’t want to call names then, don’t do it now when it honestly doesn’t matter.  You can’t substantiate it, and your taking a cheap shot, especially when you don’t sign your name to it.