Hooper is hard to understand

I’m writing in regards to Kristen Yamaguchi’s letter last week defending her friend Danielle Hooper. I admire friendship and commend Ms. Yamaguchi for her loyalty; however, there is nothing admirable or courageous about Danielle Hooper’s continued attacks on my husband, Paul Schaden. First, she falsely claimed he was mentally deficient; when she found out she could be sued for slander she waited three months and resumed her attack by saying now he should be removed because he has trouble communicating. Apparently, he isn’t the only one. At the Jan. 18 school board meeting Ms. Hooper once again demanded Paul’s resignation and then went off on some tangent involving 911 that no one there could understand. Wow, imagine that: no one could understand her and she hasn’t even had a stroke!

I’m not sure what country Ms. Hooper is from, but this is the United States of America and here we have what is called an electoral system, i.e.: people run for office; if they are elected by the majority of the people they retain that office until the next election. Sometimes they are re-elected, sometimes not, but during the time they are in office they cannot be removed on one person’s whim. The other members of the governing board do not have the power to remove Paul, and he cannot remove them! This is a democracy, not a dictatorship, and Ms. Hooper is not the dictator.

Ms. Hooper, Paul was elected by a majority of the voters. You were not. I know you want him to resign, that’s apparent, but since you began your little tirade he has been told by over 100 others in this community to stick with it and not quit! People have called; written; and stopped us on the street, in the market, at social events and meetings — just about everywhere! I even got a hug and a thumbs-up the other day from someone I barely know. We are looking at this whole ordeal as a blessing in disguise. It is heartwarming to know how many people support Paul and we thank them with all our hearts. (Just as an aside, Ms. Hooper was homeschooling her children when she and Paul ran for the board. She did not remove them from the system because Paul was elected.)

Lastly, at a community event the other evening, someone who knows Ms. Hooper far better than I said, and I quote, “I used to believe Danielle was good-hearted but misguided; I now believe she is just mean-spirited.” I’m afraid I would have to agree.

Texanne Schaden