‘Unthinkable and unacceptable’
Published: August 21, 2009
I would like to voice my opinion on school board chairman Harry Wayne Parrish with regard to his friend and fellow former educator (in prison for sexual relations with a middle school student) and his view that everyone deserves a second chance.
When does the young girl that this man violated get her second chance to innocence? Never. It is gone forever thanks to an adult who was supposed to be an example to young people by showing self-control and concern for the well-being of his students.
If you check with any of the officers who handle sex abuse cases, you will learn that 99 percent of the suspects are repeat offenders. Do we want to take a chance that this man is in the 1 percent that would not be a repeat offender?
It is unthinkable and unacceptable for a former teacher and high school coach who is seeking a position on the school board to think this way.
Mr. Parrish has let the public and the youth of Dothan down. He is not the person we need associated with the children of Dothan. I am disappointed that so many people in Dothan support him by displaying his sign in their yards.
Vote for Gayla White. She would never hold up a person who committed such a deplorable act against a child.
Ellen Harris
Dothan
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Reader Reactions
What a sad, sad day in Dothan, AL!
Voters, you really showed your stupidity today.
It’s to disgusting to even talk about!
Gayla doesn’t need a resume for this job. Her 8 years of service speaks for its self. Resumes tend to contain a lot of fiction and self promoting…thus the former principal at DHS and Campbell from Honeysuckle.
HWP is out of practice as far as education is concerned. He needs to stick to making money of other people’s hard earned financial gains. Also, he has proven to be good at supporting sex offenders.
I don’t see any one from “Yes we can Dothan” supporting him. In fact they have written a letter supporting Mrs.
White. So has the group that has put art and music back in the schools. Things like that will seen to “sissy” for a trainer of “super jocks.“ His locker room mentality of X’s and O’s is not what our children need.
Again, you are using all those words to describe your friend that have lost their meaning as far as Harry is concerned.
Harry Wayne Parrish is by far the best choice for our school board. He has the experience, integrity and intelligence needed to get us back on track!
He also has a stellar track record when it comes to his work experience. Ask Gayla for her resume before you determine she’s the right one for the job.
bamafan256: All the words you used to describe your friend such as: stellar, mentor, leader, integrity, intelligence,tremendous asset, lost their meaning the day he wrote a letter supporting the release of a child molester.
People of Dothan, please don’t put HWP on the School Board.
Harry Wayne Parrish is a stellar member of our community. He has integrity, intelligence and works diligently at all tasks he’s confronted with. HWP will be a tremendous asset to our school board!
VOTE HWP on Tuesday!
The fact that some of the responders seem to support sex offenders is very scary! I’m glad you were not on the jury that convicted Mr. Campbell!
Have any of you ever heard of “jail house religion?“
All the percentages and statistics don’t change the out come…a child was violated!
I do not want my granddaughter around a sex offender, forgiven, rehabilitated, guilty or what ever he may be.
I don’t know the statistics on repeat sex offenders. I do know Harry Wayne Parrish and I know him well enough to know that the he would be in way over his head as chairperson of the board of education. While I have tremendous respect for his abilities as a football coach, we are not discussing the X’s and O’s of football, we are talking about the person that will chair the board responsible for making policy for our city schools and our kids deserve better than coach Parrish.
I do not want MY child to be the “ second chance”- if it were anything else but our children I would agree that an individual does deserve forgiveness and second chances - but damaging a child- any child - is unforgiveable- speak for yourself when you say he deserves a second chance- he is a preditor and has already struck once- I will not be giving him a chance to prove himself with my child as an experimental sacrifice.
Everyone has their own opinion and choices, as far as this person putting her choice on a pedestal is really funny! I met White one time and she was rude and self-centered and by no means did she act professional as she should have. She should have remembered that first impressions are everything!!
Exactly how many officers did you interview to come to the conclusion that 99% of all suspects are repeat offenders? Not only is that completely inaccurate, but putting such false information in print is highly irresponsible. I would recommend that everyone educated themselves on the facts before condemning others for life.
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