The School Board meeting last night was again held before a packed house. There were rumors the Garnier's invited Carmen Miranda-Griffith, past president of CSEA in Escondido Union School District to speak on their behalf. The Garnier's appeared at Escondido's School Board meeting the week before, creating quite a stir, challenging the Board on everything from Brown Act violation accusations, threats of a law suit, to racism. The Escondido Grapevine carried an article about the meeting "Escondido Union School District gets Curiouser and Curiouser" .
Miranda-Griffith was called to speak by Mr. Patapow and it was clear she did not have a true grasp of what it was she was trying to say (Her words can be heard at 1:37). The three points she was trying to make centered around the District's relationship with Dan Shinoff, a pay raise for Dr. Collins and the Restraining Order handed down by the courts for Christopher Garnier. It appeared she had been sold a bill of goods by the Garnier's and truly did not understand what she was talking about.
Darlene Willis spoke before the Board, bringing to light harassment she has received for her speaking before the Board at the December meeting. Dr. Willis talked about threats received from someone in the audience (Kim Garnier) and her need to seek a restraining order. Dr. Willis also thanked the Board and District for what they were doing for February's Black History Month as well as the recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Day.
Then came Shane Harris. I should say, The Reverend Shane Harris. (To listen to his words, start at 1:49) . I transcribed what Harris had to say.
"I am here today, I come in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I come as San Diego President of the National Action Network. I head up the chapter and work in conjunction with the Reverend Al Sharpton. I will say this, I don't know you and by no means am I going to judge you as a Board. But, I'm here to speak on behalf of the untold heroes of Poway. I'm here to speak on behalf of those who are under-served and under represented in North County and I'm here to really deal with the fact that this law firm that you have had, the Shinoff Law Firm, Dan Shinoff, dealing with this law firm and dealings you have had, I've heard for some time about North County in general dealing with this law firm and legal council that it provides and I'm very concerned about people in this position where they are just speaking from a passionate place of challenges that are happening in their community and in their schools but feeling like if they speak up or say something too much that they will be restrained from that point on from really being able to speak from the passionate place of challenges that are happening in their community. I'll this, there's a young man names Chris Garnier that we are joining an alliance with and we are going to fight for Chris. We are going to ensure justice for Chris and with me, being the co-publisher of a news paper here in San Diego, The San Diego Monitor News Paper and my relationship with the media. I want to tell a good story about Poway School District. I want to tell a story where we are able to meet and have a conversation Ms. President to ensure that justice and clarity and communication are happening between particularly the black and Hispanic communities of Poway. So I would like for his, this restraining order and this constant issue of restraining orders against people for speaking. That they have their opportunity to voice their opinions clearly and I want to ensure that you know we are watching. I have made a call to the Reverend Al Sharpton. I want to make the right decision here and I want you to make the right decision here, we can make this the easy way or the hard way, but I want to ensure that we get this done for the people. The people must have a voice and so since Chris is restrained"
(Microphone shut off, 3 minute time limit up)
At this point, Harris resumed his seat in the audience and made an attempt to continue his presentation, which was denied by the Board President. A brief exchange took place with Miranda-Griffith getting into the debate. Shortly after this, Harris and Miranda-Griffith left the Board Room. In the lobby, Kim Garnier thanks Harris and Miranda-Griffith for their presentations. As Harris and Miranda-Griffiths head for the exit, Dr. Willis and Marsha Dodson offered another side to the story. The discussion moved outside and continued for about twenty minutes. I stood by and listened to the exchanges and came away from this experience shaking my head in disbelief. It was abundantly clear, Harris and Miranda-Griffiths are under the impression the Garnier's are victims. Miranda-Griffiths mantra was centered on Dan Shinoff. Everything she said was tied to Dan Shinoff. Harris believed the Garnier's were facing restraining orders from the Board and driven by Dan Shinoff. Harris was clearly blinded by his ambition and the lies given him by the Garnier's about their plight. Dr. Willis and Ms. Dodson and others were polite and informative. Harris was obviously uncomfortable with what Willis and Dodson were saying. But, he held strong in his commitment to the Garnier's
A brief look at Harris' background shows a young man who grew up too fast and struggled in his youth. His father died when he was very young, his mother unfit to care for him due to drug use, he bounced through the foster care system and spent some time on the streets. He bounced around the juvenile justice system and as a teenager went to church for the first time. The church became a focal point for him and his life took a different turn. Harris formed "The Shane Harris Ministries Inc." Harris describes himself as a Visionary, Civil Rights Leader, TV Commentator, Ordained Minister/Preacher, Radio Show Host and Activist. Harris is the President of the National Action Network, San Diego Branch. (NAN - San Diego) NAN was founded by Al Sharpton.
This young man, well intention-ed as he is, has been fed a series of half truths, lies and exaggerations by the Garnier's. The brief education Harris received from Dr. Willis, Marsha Dodson and others should give him cause to step back, ask questions and rethink the fight he is threatening. I have doubts this young man is capable of doing this, but time will tell.
The Reverend Al Sharpton is being used as a tool (did I just say that?) to threaten the Board and District. Harris implies his position as "co-publisher" of a newspaper, president of NAN and "relationship with the media" as well as his connection to Al Sharpton, should scare the Board and District into meeting his demands or those of the Garnier's. Subtle, veiled, implied threats.... yet again.
If you did not attend the meeting, I strongly urge everyone to listen to the meeting or watch the video when it is available. Beatty and Sellers were in rare form. Listen to Sellers "Board Member Report" which was not a report as defined in Board Policy. Beatty also goes beyond the scope of a "Board Member Report". Then the vote on D-201, Sellers voting "no"; D-202, Managers Contract; Sellers and Beatty trying to "Table" the action and then both voting "no" when their attempt to table failed.
This afternoon, I was again spammed with a pathetic e-mail from Keith Wilson. (See Below)
-----Original Message-----
From: Kjwilson8806@aol.com [mailto:Kjwilson8806@aol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2016 1:26 PM
To: csellers@powayusd.com; kbeatty@powayusd.com; moconnorratcliff@powayusd.com; jcollins@powayusd.com;editor@pomeradonews.com
Cc: drwillis63@gmail.com; ashly.mcglone@voiceofsandiego.
Subject: College Bound Increased Funding Linked to Prostitution
Dear PUSD School Board Trustees,
I would appreciate an explanation as to how College Bound's funding increased from $20,000 to $75,000 without Board approval. Is there any District oversight on how College Bound spends our funds? Does the District check to see if funds are being used for personal use? I saw an invoice College Bound submitted for food that I believe was over $1800.00 that apparently surprised the District and Mel Robertson reluctantly approved the reimbursement.
I read several emails where Darlene Willis pressured John Collins to increase CB's funding. Can Collins increase the funding on his own without the board being involved??
This is my take on the December 2015 Board Meeting:
Darlene Willis prostituted herself by throwing Chris Garnier under the bus for increased PUSD funding and even with that, her praise of Collins was "he's not perfect". Steve McMillan is encouraging Darlene Willis to go after the Garniers which sort of makes him a Pimp and Collins is giving Darlene money so he is the John.
It all makes sense.
Keith Wilson
Wilson cannot help himself and again uses sexual innuendo in an attempt to make a point. What makes this e-mail so pathetic is the part of my involvement with Darlene Willis, going after the Garnier's. It was the Garnier's who went after Dr. Willis, with a vengeance, after Dr. Willis spoke at the December Board Meeting, in support of Dr. Collins and voicing disapproval of the way the Garnier's were handling their grievances with the Board and Dr. Collins. The actions of the Garnier's after her comments at the Board meeting, gave Dr. Willis cause to become fearful of herself and her family and on her own, sought a restraining order to protect herself and her family. I did not talk to Dr. Willis before her comments at the December meeting, nor did I have any discussion with her related to the harassment at the hands of the Garnier's. I can relate to Dr. Willis, because I have experienced the same harassment at the hands of the Garnier's and Wilson. I accept the fact I will receive unwanted spam e-mails as a result of this BLOG. I do not accept the repeated telephone calls, voice mails and e-mails to my office, nor text messages, voice mails and e-mails on Christmas Day, as being part of what is to be expected for my posts. The threats are veiled, subtle and implied and always present in every text, e-mail or voice mail. I though will continue to suffer the fools of Christopher and Kim Garnier, Keith Wilson and Tom Moore.
There is NOTHING about this that makes any sense.
I must say I laughed out loud when I listened to Shane Harris. "The reverend Al Sharpton"? Really? Is this guy for real? He seems awfully young to have such a swagger and bravado about himself. He looks like a baby wanna be, activist, who wants to make a name for himself. I noted he did not even know how to say Garnier's name when he spoke. I went back and listened a couple of times to make sure I was hearing him right. He is going to fight for Chris? He is going to get justice for Chris? So sad. This young man is being lead down a dark path from which there is no escape. Charge on Young Shane. Don't say you were not warned about the company you keep and defend.
ReplyDeleteThe reason the Garniers have to be persistent and continue to speak on behalf of the students is because no one else will. The district has a history of bullying teachers and parents that dare to "speak" up for the good of the students. The Garniers are the voice for all of those who have been silenced. You are easy to judge because you remain naive, a part of the system, a part of the problem. It's much easier to judge when you've never been harassed, discriminated against, and bullied by the Poway Unified School District. The administration and Union does NOT care about kids, I saw this firsthand, they care about their paycheck and financial security. They put themselves first, then teachers and staff, then students. When I found out how political things were, I left the game. I'm not a game player, I'm a team player and teacher, and PUSD doesn't care about learning or kids. The continue to ride the coat-tails of their "reputation", there is nothing innovative or creative going on in PUSD, all you have to do is visit other school districts and you will see right away how large the deficit is. The only thing PUSD is good at is cranking out test scores, people move into the area based on "reputation" they already care about their kids education, they are educated, and pick up the slack for the district's shortcomings, and let me tell you there are many. Again, I speak from first hand experience based on what I observed as a teacher and parent. The kids in Poway deserve so much better than what they have.....people are just too busy or ignorant to see. They don't care until it effects them personally, then it's too late to make a difference because the hounds are already being unleashed to shut you up or push you out.
ReplyDeleteThe Garnier's are NOT speaking up for students. The Garnier's are NOT the voice for ANYONE. The Garnier's are simply angry, disgruntled, vindictive individuals, who when they did not get their way and were called on when not following the rules, began a campaign of harassment. Ask ANYONE who has dared to contradict, challenge or refuse the Garnier's what happens. Harassment, threats and vitriol in the way of telephone calls, e-mails, text messages at all hours of the day and night. Christmas Day included. The Garnier's are simply a joke and have created a reputation through their words and actions that has resulted in a court issuing a PERMANENT restraining order and others to seek the same. The Garnier's constantly exercise their right to free speech and often forget this right also comes with responsibility and consequences.
DeleteMy message is clear, school board districts in Southern California are getting bad advice from shinoff the attorney and when the district gets sued Shinoff represents them and make even more money. Any board that tries to silence anyone is wrong, especially when people are advocating for students in the community. I don't know how I was not clear? I didn't even want to speak about the raise that poway board gave to their superintendent nor the bond that they passed and now the tax payers will be on the hook on paying for it. I went to the board meeting to address my concern of abuse of power by poway board. They really need to know when they break the brown act and they can't silence people under the public comments. The amount of security was concerning. I believe that they use it as a way to intimidate people from speaking their mind. We will keep a close eye on poway and Mr. Shinoff
ReplyDeleteCarmen your attempt to support the Garnier's did nothing to help their "cause". Whatever the Garnier's told you about being "silenced" is most likely not the whole truth and nothing but the truth. It was abundantly clear your either did not understand the circumstances surrounding the restraining order against Christopher Garnier or were miss-led to believe the school district or board of education or Dan Shinoff were responsible for the second restraining order being sought by a member of the public. This second order being sought was the result of threats and harassment by the Garnier's as a result of a member of the public speaking in support of the superintendent, school district and voicing disapproval of the actions of the Garnier's. Public Comment is governed by law and board policy. No-one was denied the ability to speak before the board. The rules were enforced. When a speakers three minutes are up, it is time to move from the podium and resume his/her seat or leave the room. It is not acceptable to continue comment from the seat in the audience. The security at the meetings are the result of subtle, veiled and implied threats by the Garnier's and Keith Wilson. "Civil Disobedience" is simply an active, professed refusal to obey certain laws or rules. There is nothing "civil" about being disruptive, threatening or harassing.
DeleteMr. McMillan,
ReplyDeleteGet your facts accurate sir. I thought you were a police officer. My guess is that you weren't able to pass the test or lacked the education to become a dectective. There is nothing wrong with your lack of aptitude sir. We need general police officers to maintain civility.
Let me educate you sir...
Ms. Darlene Willis told Rev. Harris and many others Wednesday night that Kim used the "N" word. Ms. Willis also used that lie in the paperwork she submitted to get a TRO against Kim and me. Judge Ipema made it clear to Ms. Willis that I would not be issued a TRO and told Kim to not have any negative communication with her until the February 9th hearing.
Did you know about this latest TRO? Obviously you didn't. Your continued inaccurate "reporting" makes that fact clear.
Mr. Wilson, challenged Ms. Willis to take a lie detector test and promised $5,000 to Ms. Martha Parham of Colllege Bound to use for College Bound, if Ms. Willis passes her polygraph.
I just contacted Ms. Willis to see if she had the intestinal fortitude to accept the challenge. Deep in her dishonesty, I haven't received a response from her yet, but I will keep you posted since you are ill-equipped to ascertain facts.
Ms. Willis threw my family under the bus at the December meeting when we did not know about the increased funding for College Bound. She should have disclosed that she was a paid supporter of Collins.
I truly thank you for your blog and making these issues public. The Garnier family enjoys "suffering the fool..." as you always say sir. The difference, you are the fool.
Very Respectfully,
Chris Garnier
I will try and use small words and speak slowly so Christopher Garnier comprehends the content of this reply. In his last comment he challenges my facts and lack of formal education. There are no “Inaccurate facts” in any of my posts, related to the issue of a Temporary or Permanent Restraining Order, as it relates to Christopher Garnier. I will start at the beginning with “accurate facts” to offer clarity for Christopher. “FACT”; a truth known by actual experience or observation, something known to be true.
DeleteFACT: A permanent Restraining Order restraining Christopher Garnier was issued by San Diego Superior Court Judge Tamila E. Ipema that is in effect until February 5, 2018. The order was given as result of Christopher Garnier’s words and actions toward the Principle of Painted Rock Elementary, Mary Jo Thomas. (This FACT is supported by court documents and experienced by Christopher Garnier himself. It is bewildering as to why he disputes this FACT)
FACT 2: Dr. Darlene Willis spoke at the December PUSD Board of Education meeting in support of Dr. John Collins and PUSD and voiced her opinion related to the words, actions and demeanor of Christopher and Kim Garnier. (This FACT is supported by video and personal observation by countless others and me)
FACT 3: Dr. Willis began to receive caustic and threatening e-mails and telephone calls from Christopher and Kim Garnier as well as Keith Wilson. (This FACT is supported by e-mails and telephone records)
FACT 4: Dr. Willis became fearful of hers and her families safety and contacted law enforcement. After this contact, Dr. Willis obtained the necessary paperwork and filed (on her own, without legal counsel) for a restraining order. Christopher Garnier avoided service of the Temporary Restraining Order and did not appear in court on January 19, 2016, for the hearing on the order. (This FACT is supported by Dr. Willis herself who spoke at the January Board meeting, expressing her fear)
FACT 5: Christopher Garnier was aware of the hearing. How do we know this? Christopher taunted Dr. Willis in an e-mail the day before the hearing stating he would see her in court Tuesday. (This FACT is supported by the e-mail)
FACT 6: I DID know about the latest attempt by Dr. Willis to obtain a Restraining Order. That was accurately reported in prior posts by me. The case began December 29, 2015, with a second hearing (where Christopher Garnier was a no show) January 19, 2016, and continued to February 9, 2016, at 8:30am, in Department 64. (This FACT is supported by review of San Diego Superior Court Case #37-2015-00043092-CU-HR-CTL)
Cont.
DeleteWhat is bewildering is what FACTS are inaccurate in my posts? I have had conversation with Dr. Willis. She is extremely concerned and fearful. But let us clear the air on my relationship with Dr. Willis. During my tenure on the Board of Education, our relationship was one of mutual respect for each other’s positions. To say we got along would not be accurate. We were not friends. We often sparred over beliefs. But, our exchanges were always civil and respectful and we worked through our personal beliefs and experiences to provide for kids and education. I retired from the Board of Education in 2006, with a high regard for the work Dr. Willis had accomplished. When Dr. Willis spoke at the December 2015, Board meeting, I had not had a single conversation with her in over nine years. After she spoke, I talked to her briefly and told her it was great to see she was still at it. I am friends with Ms. Martha Parham. I would not characterize my relationship with Dr. Willis as being friends. I maintain my high regard for her work and support of kids and education. I had no knowledge of the actions of the Garnier’s and Wilson after Dr. Willis spoke at the December board meeting. I was made aware of the attempts by Dr. Willis to obtain a Restraining Order by way of an e-mail from an anonymous person. I did not contact Dr. Willis at this time, I simply searched court filings and located the case. After the last School Board meeting (January 19, 2016) I did talk with Dr. Willis and she explained to me the nature of the harassment and threats she has received. I have NOT gone into specifics, yet, related to these perceived threats, since the court hearing is where these FACTS will be decided. I will post about this after the hearing.
I’m not the fool here Christopher.
I am grateful your name will be forever tied to one of the worst, most eggregious blunders in the history of our community, Steve McMillan. I would like for you to come see for yourself what happens on February 9th. The judge flat out denied the Restraining Order for Chris. That is a fact. There are more facts that are simply too complicated for you to understand so please keep your eyes and ears open and maybe you can play catch up. You're losing this battle. You're embarrassing yourself. Why are am you inserting yourself anyway? The district moved the principal at Painted Rock. The district will lose the wrongful termination case against Chris. The district will lose the Restraining Order case in Appellate Court against Chris. Please ask Shinoff and Collins if these statements are correct. The look on their faces will tell you.
ReplyDeleteThe district will continue to lose and so will you. You lack the ability to take a wide scope of information and put it together. Do you really not know that Chris is not a part of the Restraining Order in any capacity on the 9th? I will also have a Restraining Order denied on the 9th as well.
The more you write, the more obvious your shortcomings are. You admittedly lack knowledge and admittedly have no desire to ascertain more information. You have exposed yourself time and again as ignorant. I truly believe you are a racist and I feel for the minority people you dealt with while in law enforcement. I look forward to your pathetic defense of why you are not who I say you are. Regardless of how you try to spin things, we can all see your weaknesses.
And please stop staring at me when we are at board meetings. I can only imagine what you are thinking. You're a creepy old man who makes my skin crawl. I would be fearful of you it weren't for the security in the room. Take a seat and watch the meeting like everyone else does. Stop trying to eavesdrop on conversations that you are not a part of. Stop standing so closely to me and stop staring at me with that, for lack of a better term, gross look in your eyes.
You're completely insignificant to the real issues that the grown ups are discussing. You fail time and again to get the story straight and you are absurdly blind as to the trajectory of the change that is to come. This is, as they say, above your pay grade.
Kim Garnier, your father is no doubt very proud of the daughter he raised. She learned well from her father. It is obvious, the apple did not fall far from the tree in this family. Since you and your husband, Christopher Garnier believe I am not capable of grasping “simple facts” I will try my best, again, to address the Garnier’s warped view of the “facts” as they are known.
DeleteFACT: The Temporary Order against Christopher was not granted. The hearing was delayed on the order because Christopher avoided service of the notice of the hearing. The judge DID allow for the continuance and left Christopher as a person who is in fact a party in the February 9th hearing. (This FACT is located on page 4 of the CH-16 “Notice of New Hearing Date and Order on Reissuance” dated Jan 19, 2016, signed by Clerk of the Superior Court L. Pena-Sanchez, Superior Court Case #37-2015-00043092-CH-HR-CTL)
FACT: The judge “Partly GRANTED and partly DENIED until the court hearing” the initial Restraining Order. The judge ordered; “No Negative contact orders are issued until the next hearing date against Kim Garnier only and denied as to Mr. Garnier. The court is not clear why Respondent sent an e-mail to the Petitioner stating she is off her meds and has had enough etc. The language appears to be out of context but is a cause for concern. The case will be placed on the courts calendar and the court will hear from both sides and decide.” (This FACT taken from Page 3 of the CH-109 Notice of Court Hearing, Superior Court Case# 37-2015-00043092-CH-HR-CTL, dated December 29, 2015).
FACT: The restraining order against Christopher Garnier related to Mary Jo Thomas is STILL IN EFFECT. When and IF this restraining order is reversed or removed, does NOT change the fact, it was issued as a result of the words and actions of Christopher Garnier. My facts are accurate.
FACT: I have never addressed Christopher’s termination from the district. FACT: Lacking tenure, Christopher’s employment is “at will” and his threshold for success in a wrongful termination is high. Good luck with that.
I find it curious when you write, “you admittedly lack knowledge and admittedly have no desire to ascertain more information.” FACT: When writing about the follies of the Garnier and Wilson family, I gather my information from each of you. The Restraining order against Christopher is a FACT.
The hearing date on the 9th of February, DOES include Christopher’s name as a Respondent and when served will be required to answer to the allegations which is also FACT.
The last two paragraphs were no doubt written by your father or with daddy’s help. I will simply say, don’t flatter yourself. If as you say, I am so “insignificant to the real issues that the grown-ups are discussing”, why the concern with what is contained in this BLOG? If I continue to “fail time and again to get the story straight”, why do you continue to concern yourself with my writings? If I am so “absurdly blind as to the trajectory of the change that is to come”, why am I relevant to you, your father and husband?
FACT: The Garnier’s have created the issues that surround them. The constant vitriol, continued veiled, subtle and implied threats, are all a pattern of conduct exhibited by the Garnier’s and Keith Wilson. People are fearful to speak out against them and their antics, not wanting to experience what Dr. Willis, Mary Jo Thomas, others and I have had to endure.
I will continue to suffer the fools and write, informing with FACTS.
Each time I witness, watch video, or read the events of the PUSD Board Meetings I am more and more concerned and sad. It seems that when the Wilsons and Garniers are unable to make their accusations stick, they bring up another topic and try to make something out of that. What is more frightening is the leadership of the School Board. Beatty and Sellers are embarrassing and scary. They pretend they are mandated by the community to make changes, when in fact they were elected by a small number of people, during an election where only 30 % of the voters in San Diego turned out. Discourse is important, debates can lead to new understanding and change. Just track the progress made by the community regarding Dyslexia and the need for understanding and training. Threats, accusations, and fear only lead to misunderstanding, rumors, and mistrust. Sellers and Beatty invite negativity and need to take a course in leadership and change. It is my hope that the new President of the Board will remain strong and help rebuild the relationship between the community , the unions and the Board.
ReplyDeleteChris and Kim Garnier can stare and try and intimidate every single person in the room, but if someone looks their way, they are "creeped out." Give me a break. You two are narcissists and mentally ill. You are taking a small, personal issue and making it a public one. It is sad how they both feel they are somehow improving race relations in Poway, when in all truth, they are damaging their own reputations. No one cares if Chris is black or if Kim is white. They fear them because they are irrational, they bully anyone in their way and they harass people beyond any sort of reasonable means of communicating. When will the Poway Sheriff's Department stand up and stop this from happening? How many people are they going to harass in Poway, San Diego, and beyond before someone steps up?
ReplyDelete