Citizen Letter to the GCEL

To: The members of the Governor's Commission on Early Learning

In care of Robin Zukoski, GCEL Executive Director

Date: July 8, 1999

Re: GCEL Minutes for June 15, 1999

From: Sharon Oldfield, concerned citizen, tax payer, parent

The GCEL Minutes of June 15, 1999 record of protesters is not accurate. I am writing to correct these inaccuracies. The original minutes are written in plain type. Italic type adds fact the protesters used to support their accusations. The facts are the reasons for their outrage and should be recorded as part of the minutes. The last line in the Minutes was brought to top and text is lined through for greater clarity. I request that the minutes for June read:

The people listed above voiced their opposition to the Children's Bill of Rights. There were several different themes. They believe the [Children's] Bill of Rights forces a socially acceptable value system on them as parents and feel that this cannot be defined. These standards would be defined by state/GCEL and therefore, would be They believe that the Children’s Bill of Rights an infringement upon their rights as parents, a violation of the Washington State Constitution. They believe that many programs already exist for children and this Commission should not be implementing new programs. They feel it is not the role of government to provide day care or tell parents how to raise their children. There are laws and agencies (DSHS was named as an example) in place to protect children. These laws and agencies need to be made to work as intended (a power provided to the Governor and the Judicial Branch in the Washington Constitution). They feel believe that, as taxpayers, this Commission is a waste of government tax payer money. Instead of improving the many programs and agencies already in existence, the Commission is using tax dollars to make policy with the intent of influencing new law. The public believes legislators have been appointed that can be out voted by unelected members, a violation of the Washington State Constitution

Also, please add to the Minutes that Marda Kirkwood and Arthur Hu also addressed the Commission in opposition to the Children's Bill of Rights and that Channel 4 was present and recorded the public comments.

I transcribed videos made at the June 15 meeting and I am attaching a partial transcription that demonstrates that the protestors presented facts to the Commission. I request that the minutes accurately reflect what the protesters communicated to the Commission.

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