"Speak Out" is an expression of opinion from the Editorial Board of WBTV, and is presented by General Manager, Nick Simonette.
Think democracy doesn't work? People uniting together can make a difference.
You can live in a small town with big problems and get results.
Take Burke County. Neighbors didn't like the way their school board was handling their business.
They complained to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools... better known as SACS.
SACS agreed with the people. It told the school board to get its act together by the end of the year.
We say this is a good example of what speaking out can do...We say atta boy. If you don't speak out - don't expect things to change.
And...speaking of speaking out.
The Burke County school board finally gave their motives for releasing superintendent David Burleson.
They cited several very general reasons...lack of leadership, mistrust and bad financial decisions.
Why couldn't the board be more specific...so that everyone knows what they are talking about?
The school board claims they didn't speak up months ago because they wanted to take the high road.
But we believe by them NOT coming clean earlier...
They took the community down the road of confusion and disappointment.
So now we'll all wait for the school board to change its ways.
And we'll try to take the positive out of this -- that no matter how big or small your community or problem is --continue to be bold and speak out.
You can make a difference.
Because WBTV is "On Your Side," we encourage everyone to "Speak Out" - tell us what YOU think. SpeakOut@wbtv.com.
