It is illegal for political candidates to “campaign” or have campaign materials on school property. Commissioner candidate Eddie Holbrook learned that the hard way in his failed campaign bid for re-election in the 2018 Elections. Holbrook had set up a campaign sign “assembly area” near the “Eddie Holbrook Gate” at the Shelby High School Boy’s Baseball Field. I received an anonymous tip, went by with my camera to confirm, made a complaint with the Board of Elections and within 24 hours all of Holbrook’s campaign materials were gone. Despite spending $68,000 on his campaign, Eddie Holbrook was NOT re-elected.
Now, at the September 14, 2020 School Board meeting-during Public Participation-Board Member Danny Blanton announced that he had received a complaint that School Board Candidates for re-election Shearra Miller, Richard Hooker and Roger Harris had been “campaigning” on school property and that they should stop such behavior, “It is not fair to the other School Board candidates,” Blanton added to the fact that it was illegal and against the rules.
To this warning, School Board Chairman Shearra Miller (Just like Eddie Holbrook was the Commissioner Chairman, but unlike Holbrook who removed the illegal materials and went on his way to defeat) Shearra Miller foolishly went on to break another rule. That rule, a foolish rule, but still a school board rule that Miller herself help make, is the School Bord will not comment during public participation. Mut Miller shot back at Danny Blanton for telling on her by saying that they (Miller, Hooker and Harris) were School Bord members and they were just attending a “Teacher of the Year Ceremony.”
But, after breaking two rules already, what does Miller’s comment tell us. What does having a “Teacher of the Year Ceremony” when Cleveland County Schools have been shut-down for most of the past year due to the COVID 19 Pandemic? I don’t know about YOU, but having a “Teacher of the Year Ceremony” when most of the school year was shut-down appears to be a publicity-stunt paid for by Cleveland County Taxpayers to endorse Shearra Miller, Richard Hooker and Roger Harris for the School Board. Even more so because the Shelby Star was called out to do some Front-Page advertising. All in the name of reporting the news.
Danny Blanton and his “sources” are to be commended for making such obvious unethical and illegal acts by Political Candidates Shearra Miller, Richard Hooker and Roger Harris known to the public and to the voters. Smart voters will take this 2020 Election Year as a prime opportunity to remove Miller, Hooker and Harris from office. Let them join Eddie Holbrook in the junkyards of political officials who were removed FOR CAUSE from their elected offices. Removed for their corruption and bad judgements. Removed for their cover-ups of crimes, waste and nepotism. Removed for so many violations of the public trust. Removed for thinking they are above the rule of law, that the rest of us are subject to.
Folks, this is how to restore the Cleveland County School Board to a position of trust instead of a position of distrust. This is how to mark your 2020 ballot for the Cleveland County School Board:
