For months I have witnessed
                                    members of the Westerville School's Board of

Education get bullied by the boisterous
                                    claims of a single wealthy

individual and the followers of his cult.  I am ashamed that so many
                                    of my

fellow
                                    citizens have recklessly fallen under the allure of this individual

and his theology of lies and misinformation. 
                                    So many people appear to trail

behind this man thoughtlessly with nary a question of his legitimacy or

qualifications.  I would
                                    like to try and open the minds of those who would

raise him up to be their king and cause them to evaluate the true motives

behind his anti-levy effort.

Terry Wike owns a house valued at nearly
                                    $300,000 in Westerville.  He states

that he is involved in this campaign in order to help the community.  Mr.

Wike also owns his own business.  Despite endless opportunities, and an

obvious need by the City, he keeps that business located in Gahanna.  He

chooses not to relocate his business to Westerville despite the fact that

Gahanna has a nearly 10% greater tax rate than Westerville.  Terry Wike pays

more money to the City of Gahanna and Gahanna schools than he would to the

corresponding Westerville City and Schools if he relocated his business

here.  Does that
                                    sound like a grand supporter of the community to you?

Secondly, a levy campaign consists of mostly the distribution of printed

materials, be it fliers, mailings, or signs.  The Westerville Action Group,

headed by Terry Wike, has spent over $22,000 over the prior two elections. 

Mr. Wike's main business?  Conveniently,
                                    a printing business.  Who is

profiting from these campaigns? 
                                    One man; Terry Wike.  Has anyone else

wondered if Mr. Wike is soliciting competitive bids for the printing

services when he can charge the group whatever he wants?  Every dollar you

contribute to the Westerville Action Group and their anti-schools effort

goes toward fattening the already bulging pockets of Terry
                                    Wike.  Every

campaign is an opportunity for him to rid his business of old supplies and

make a handsome profit from it.

I am most astounded by the parents in
                                    the district who have the audacity to

support his cause.  Do you think he cares about you?  As his efforts

continue to decimate the district by threatening all extracurricular

activities, creating uncertainty around our high school scheduling
                                    which

created
                                    unplanned, time-consuming and non-instructional work for teachers

and administrators, and putting needless stress on countless numbers of

children, his children continue along unaffected in their private
                                    school,

away from
                                    these depressingly chaotic and unpredictable events.  Some parents

support his effort because of grudges held when the district began
                                    bussing

what Terry
                                    would call lower class children into

their schools and neighborhoods.  These parents have a belief

that somehow this effort will force the district to economically and

ethnically cleanse their neighborhood schools.

So as you speak to your fellow community
                                    members over the next couple of

weeks, do not abstain from announcing your intentions for voting day. 
                                    Speak

loudly
                                    and clearly so that all may know where your heart lies.  If you so

choose, announce your intention to vote "NO" so that everyone
                                    may know that

you support
                                    the self-serving, divisive, and segregationist ways of Terry

Wike as he seeks to tear down all that the community of Westerville has

built up over its long history.  Choose to
                                    say "NO" and propagate the agenda

of Terry Wike that says that teaching is low-level work that should not be

paid equal to the worth of its responsibilities.  I call on you tonight to

stand up and announce your vote of "YES" to recognize that our teachers and

administrators have an important role in society in assisting us in raising

our children.  Announce
                                    "YES" so that all may know you as a person who

believes that ALL children, regardless of race or economic status, deserve

an equal opportunity educational experience.

I will vote "YES" on March 2.

Greg Mild