Cobb school board member Dr. John Crooks (subject of a recall campaign) has stated that "We, me and my legal team, respectfully believe that the judge's remaining order may create a dangerous precedent by allowing school board members and other elected officials to be subjected to recall proceedings simply for making motions in open, public meetings in which the board's lawyer was present and he did not raise any objections to the motion."
This trail of lies began when Dr. Crooks was contacted by neighbors in regard to the proposed cell tower. The School Board Policy states: "The Principal shall be required to conduct a community survey or community forum to determine community support. If the community is not supportive, the request shall be placed on hold."
I presented Crooks with the signatures of 99 percent of all adjoining property voicing opposition. The principal at East Valley School was also notified about the opposition. At the June School Board meeting, Crooks said he had the matter removed from the agenda and would be in touch with me concerning a meeting. At the July 4 parade, Crooks assured me that he was going to have a meeting with the community. Crooks admitted that he lied to me about the proposed community meeting. He still doesn't understand the meaning of telling the truth. The principal at East Valley School could have followed procedures and if the community had supported the tower, it would be a dead issue. She chose to help weave the web of deceit and it has reached this point.
It is the view of some citizens that it is costly for the board of education to defend Crooks. These are funds needed for better purposes. They think we should just let him serve out his term.
When do we say that we expect our elected officials to abide by their stated policies? Why can't we expect them to do what they say they will do?
Dr. Crooks is the only one that can accept the responsibility for this terrible web of deceit. He is the one that should resign. The principal at East Valley should also be held responsible for her part in this.
The law and school board policies are very clear in regard to placing items on the agenda. Maybe they should be clearer on the consequences if you ignore them.
The tower will be a monument to the lies and deceit that built it.
Carolyn P. Warner
Marietta
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Remember 38 out of 39 adjacent landowners, who were contacted by the CCSD, said NO to the cell tower? Remember the 300 residents who rallied and said "NO"!? Remember Dr. Crooks admitted to calling the concerned citizens of Eastvalley a "circus" in response to the July 23rd vote. Remember the Adminstrative Rule? Remember two judges told Dr. Crooks he was a "bad boy" and we are now looking for the Supreme Court to give a ruling as well. When will Dr. Crooks realize the damage he's done and stop skirting responsibility? Instead, he keeps playing a game of CYA... when will it end?
Now we need to focus on removing Dr. Crooks from office and rally behind new leadership for Post #6. Dr. Crooks doesn't have the decency to resign so we have no choice but to Recall him. Blame him for wasting taxpayer's money on his legal defense... the Recall Campaign is funding it's legal fees by the good people of Post # 6 and Cobb County; not from the taxpayers and at the expense of our children.
Dr. Crooks is learning the hard way too... don't take your community for granted; deception will not be tolerated any longer. Dr. Crooks never had the decency to tell us why? We most certainly deserve to know why. Dr. Crooks should have the insight to ask for our foregiveness, be humble and resign before he loses any and all opportunity to salvage himself.
FYI - the cell tower is on "Raider property" because it was denied at Dodgen MS, which was their 1st choice.