Submitted by Don Anderson.
You might expect me to react like Harry Truman when a couple of misogynistic septuagenarian retired majors who’s careers peaked 40 years ago orchestrate a vicious disinformation campaign against my daughter Alyssa Anderson Pearson who is running for re-election to the Clover Park School Board. Unlike Truman, I won’t draw attention to them by name or threaten them physically. But to each of them I will quote Give ‘Em Hell Harry, “It seems to me you are a frustrated old man who wishes he could have been successful.” Alyssa’s positive message:
With less than two weeks until the primary I wanted to share my why I ran for election four years ago.
This election has been difficult and we are just at the start. I never expected that school board races would become so controversial across the country.
The amount of misinformation circling around about the Clover Park School Board is discouraging and quite honestly frustrating.
Please know my heart is in it for the right reasons. I mean it with every ounce of my being when I say I have no political agenda. I don’t think politics and religion belong in schools. Every parent has a right to raise their children how they want. It’s not our job as board members to shape them to be Democrats, Republicans, or religious (and the list goes on).
I’m there to try to give our students the best education possible. There is always room for improvement and I’m the first one to admit that. I will continue to do what I believe is best for our district and community as a whole.
The views expressed in this article are the writer’s own.
So Don! Please elucidate on just exactly what the “misinformation” is regarding Alyssa ANDERSON Pearson’s tenure on the Clover Park School Board. “……..misogynistic septuagenarian retired majors who’s (sic) careers peaked 40 years ago….”? What has that got to do with anything and just how do you know that? You’re Lakewood’s Mayor and I’d expect more than street level ad hominem attacks but that appears to be all you have.
By the way, my 21 active duty military career includes 5 years enlisted service from Private to Staff Sergeant, a commission through Officer’s Candidate School, Fort Benning, 26 months in Vietnam during some of the worst fighting, a Purple Heart and numerous Army and Joint service medals for superior performance, retiring as a Major in 1988. Are you similarly berating the distinguished service of fellow Council Member Brandstetter because he “only” retired as an enlisted Sergeant Major or perhaps you only respect general officers. I bled for this country and carry disabilities to this day from that service! How about your military career sailor?
And as far as peaking 40 years ago, I’d be happy to compare my salary and net worth to yours any day of the week. Indeed your political career seems to have peaked in 13 years ago when you were first elected to Lakewood’s City Council after losing other political race(s) previously and where you’ve been “homesteading” ever since. No ambition Don or just playing it safe?
And wasn’t it you who revealed your lack of convictions during a meeting with me in 2007 at the local Starbucks. You asked me whether I was going to run for reelection to Lakewood’ City Council. I said “No” and asked “Why should it matter to you if you have the courage of your convictions.” You said you wouldn’t run for the position if I ran. I guess you didn’t believe in your convictions enough except to run for a vacant seat where they wouldn’t be challenged. That says volumes about the courage of your convictions. So does this article.
And while we’re at, why are you twisting arms to get Republicans and Jeff Brown supporters to vote for your daughter? I thought this was a non-partisan race! Can’t she do that herself by listing her accomplishments while on the Board instead of expecting Daddy to do it for her? Even her campaign signs are deceptive “Alyssa ANDERSON Pearson”. They shout “My Daddy Don ANDERSON supports me”. It’s about time she learned to stand on her own two feet.
To quote President Truman again: “If you don’t like the heat get out of the kitchen”. Your biggest mistake Don was to come out of the shadows and pick up a pen. Now everyone knows who you are.
John,
Honestly, the more you write the more questions and concerns voters have about David Anderson’s connections to his donors (many from outside the Lakewood area).
David Anderson remains silent as his donors have regularly spread disinformation connecting him to their extremist political views. We can only assume he condones your ugly comments and void of facts attacks.
Your political hit piece letter to the Suburban Times in June on the integrity of Don Anderson and his daughter was beyond disgusting. David Anderson remained silent. That’s a serious character flaw in my book. Bullies only exist if the bystanders cheer them on or remain silent. That is when I realized that something smelled rotten in David Anderson’s campaign; and Jeff Brown’s campaign is now tainted. With zero proof given and using gossip, you tried to plant poison seeds about Alyssa Pearson. David Anderson and his donors made a non-partisan election totally political. It was very intentional on your part and then you cry when called out.
“Your biggest mistake was to pick up a pen” and to assume no one would hold you accountable as a $1,000 David Anderson donor.
“Disgusting” is not an argument for or against a position. It is merely an emotional reaction devoid of any factual basis as are most of your responses. It’s in the same league as being “offended”; nothing more than an attempt to cut off debate and deny others their 1st Amendment right to free speech. Bring the facts, specifics rather than baseless charges of “gossip”, “poison seeds”, “zero proof”, etc. for a debate on the issues or go home an feel disgusted.
John,
You were the one who made the slanderous claims against Don Anderson and his daughter without proof; not I. “Disgusting” seems to be an appropriate word to describe your choice to do that as a donor to David Anderson’s campaign. You decided to make things ugly and you did it with intent. You decided to focus on attacking Alyssa Pearson and her father in a rambling jumble of gossip and unverified facts. I don’t like that type of behavior inside or outside of politics. I find it “disgusting”. Live with it.
It is sad to read these disparaging remarks of Mayor Don Anderson, denigrating veterans who have put their lives on the line for the sake of fellow citizens, have earned well-deserved retirement and have continued to be engaged in productive lives. Is it disgraceful to be a septuagenarian? About that label “misogynistic”, meaning strongly prejudiced against women. I have reflected on the information about the Clover Park School District and Board of Directors which has been published in recent months. The facts and opinions expressed have been directed toward both male and female leadership, as well as groups, as I recall. About that accusation of disinformation. Please be specific, Mr. Mayor. You paint a broad accusatory brush in the title of your letter but proceed in the content of your letter only to disparage and denigrate human beings.
SW,
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I will assume you are the same SW donor to David Anderson’s campaign. I will also assume you have read John Arbeneey’s June letter where he made unsubstantiated accusations and ugly inferences about Alyssa Pearson having her job only because of her father’s connections. Really? Did you find that junior high school level gossip “sad and disparaging”? Did you condone that personal attack? Did you ask for actual facts? Did you speak up? Did David Anderson speak up? If I missed something, please feel free to clarify Arbeneey’s claims using facts and names.
My dad was a veteran and I know what he would do to a person who publically trashed one of his daughters be he a veteran or not; Don Anderson showed great restraint. I like fathers who stand up to bullies. Amen!
More importantly, Alyssa Anderson’s statement underscores why she deserves to be re-elected. We don’t need school board members taking orders from far right or left extremists.
For those who missed it, the article referenced by Cheri:
https://thesubtimes.com/2021/06/22/letter-all-in-the-family-lakewoods-version/?utm_source=The+Suburban+Times+email+edition&utm_campaign=8e39627a10-TST-EE&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4a8f53e3e2-8e39627a10-6277
FACT: Don Anderson is the Mayor of Lakewood and as such wields a lot of power in the community.
FACT: Anderson has bullied people to vote for his daughter or against opponents using the power of his office to intimidate them.
FACT: During a 28th District Republican Club luncheon (15 May 2021) several individuals in attendance did complain quite vocally about being bullied by Don Anderson to support his daughter’s candidacy.
FACT: Several people have specifically asked to remain anonymous for fear of being bullied by Don Anderson in his position as Mayor.
FACT: Allysa ANDERSON Pearson’s tenure on the Board has been marked by a precipitous decline in CPSD’s academic performance.
FACT: Allysa ANDERSON Pearson has consistently supported the CRT based “equity journey”.
FACT: Allysa ANDERSON Pearson has on numerous occasions during Board meetings refused to support suggestions that listening sessions be conducted with students, parents and teachers. Rather she has responded dismissively with “”I’m all about transparency. But everyone has my phone number.” (On tape)
FACT: Allysa ANDERSON Pearson’s statement in this article is prefaced by her Dad, Mayor Don Anderson, writing the inflamed introduction only confirming publicly what has long gone on privately. Just imagine what he must sound like in private when no one else is listening.
FACT: Bully: Someone who coerces others perceived as vulnerable. I’m neither the Mayor nor a CPSD Board member. I have no power of position to lean on (bully) others. I only have a pen by which to state my position and influence people. Don Anderson and daughter have the power of their offices to influence people. By definition they qualify as potential bullies. Only people who have that power can bully those who don’t.
Thank you, John. You have validated my concerns about your use of gossip and unnamed sources. I had forgotten about it coming from a Republican Club. Interesting. Naturally, all things said or overheard; must be the truth. Good grief!
FACT: Bullying can be in the form of personal defamation. It can be anonymous, malicious rumors, gossip, and untruthful accusations. Verbal bullying is the kind that can stand alone the easiest.
Mr. Mayor-
I find it odd that you did not want to get involved in School District business when I came and spoke to City Council about withholding a “show of support vote” during the Levy campaign, given the poor test scores within CP Schools for an over average cost per student.
BUT, now when your daughter’s seat is on the line you feel it appropriate to submit writings like this which degrade others?
In my comments to another Suburban Times submission “Letter: Dissappointing District Decision” I stated “Boardmembers Marty Schafer and Alyssa Anderson Pearson must go. The best term-limits are voter imposed.” Because as I also commented on that submission
“Have you seen any other District, in the South Sound, with so many negative submissions to the Suburban Times. To me that is another clear indicator that something is wrong within the leadership of Clover Park Schools.”
Mr. Mayor it is clear to me that should you choose to run for re-election that you like your daughter have over stayed your welcome in local Lakewood politics.
Daddy to the rescue!!!!
Nothing says leadership like needing your dad to speak for you when the heat gets turned up a d you have to answer for the things you have voted for!!!
Anyone who uses the word ‘misinformation’ instead of citing actual proven, researchable facts needs to retire from public office today!
Carefully, carefully evaluate the actual performance of current board members seeking re-election.
PS I don’t accept parent recommendations nor vote for board members whose ACTUAL performance has not been based on community and parental input.
What matters is what is actually happening in our schools not incumbant boardmember WORDS!
Agreed: “produce the corpse!” You’d think that Don Anderson, long time attorney for a prestigious law firm, would understand the concept of “corpus delicti”:
noun: corpus delicti
the facts and circumstances constituting a breach of a law.
concrete evidence of a crime, such as a corpse.
Although in this case it isn’t a crime that Don is charging me with but rather “transgressions” of a sort for which he has made accusation but failed to provide concrete evidence of those transgressions. If he attempted to do the same in a criminal trial the judge would throw him out of the court room. The reality is that Don can’t produce the “corpse” but made the charge anyway. You might expect that of Cheri but not Don. Not very professional either as a politician or attorney.
KM,
You asked, ” Have you seen any other District in the South Sound with so many negative submissions to the Suburban Times?”
Great question! I have been interested in the same thing.
Who are these writers of outrage letters? Do they actually live in our community (some do not)? Do they have strong connections to any political group? Do they frequently repeat the same claims as if it were a cut and paste off of FB or fake news sites? Are they members of extremist groups or share conspiracies? Do they use the same trigger words and claims to manipulate voters; “indoctrination”, “politicize “, “sex education” and “CRT” are usually bundled in a way to spread fear and distrust.
Why do the same names of these letter writers keep showing up(often changed to make it look like a different person)?
What I have discovered is that the pro David Anderson writers are very well politically organized in their attempt to take over the Clover Park School Board. The entire effort is to impose a radical far right agenda that they try to hide but simply can’t. The recent Republican school board forum questions were a real eye-opener. The quick piling on by pro David Anderson letter writers is no accident. They are simply the same people over and over again who created a smear campaign and then act like victims when they are called out.
I didn’t vote for Don Anderson, but I am proud he called out the disgusting accusations and tactics you and others condone.
It isn’t a “smear” when it’s true. Where are your “facts”?
I’m personally not voting for any of the incumbents, but a change, and here is just a bit of why.
*Clover Park District has dropped 23 places in rankings since 2018.
*Clover Park District’s 5 middle schools have dropped an average of 50 places since 2018.
*Clover Park District has dropped from 109th t 160th in test score ranking in the last four years.
This was all done under the current administration. As a parent, this should concern everyone. If we keep going with the same people, how many places will we fall over the next four years.
This has nothing to do with politics. How is this Democratic? How is this Republican? How is this Libertarian?
This has nothing to do with religion. I don’t care what mosque, synagogue, temple, or church you attend.
This has nothing to do with whom you are or aren’t related to. Again, who cares!
As a citizen of Lakewood, every single one of us pays plenty in taxes so that our children can all get the best education possible. Our children need to be prepared to go out into the world as adults. That’s clearly not happening! Our current school board, and district, are failing our children! THIS is what everyone should care about!