On Friday, Aug. 30, Pima County School Superintendent Linda Arzoumanian issued a statement in response to the anti-gay fliers against Sunnyside School District board member Daniel Hernandez and Congressman Raul Grijalva’s call for an investigation.
Yep, the attacks are bad, she says, but her office doesn’t have the authority to conduct an investigation:
Congressman Raúl Grijalva has called on my office to participate in a joint investigation along with the Pima County Attorney’s Office regarding the malicious statements attacking Daniel Hernández Jr. and his sexual orientation. The actions against Mr. Hernández and his alleged inability to discharge the office of Governing Board in the Sunnyside Unified School District based on his sexual orientation are completely unwarranted.
My office does not have the power to conduct an investigation into these types of actions against a school board member. However, I fully intend to lend any and all support to any investigation that may be conducted by the Pima County Attorney’s Office or other law enforcement agencies. The individuals who have committed these acts need to held accountable.
There is no basis for these kinds of attacks against any member of our community. They have no bearing towards the important decisions that our volunteer school board members make on a daily basis to support our students and our teachers.
This article appears in Aug 29 – Sep 4, 2013.
Before this matter goes any further, it would be advisable for those responsible for these attacks on Mr. Hernandez, to identify themselves, admit that what they did was wrong and hateful, and issue a public apology to Mr. Hernandez and the Gay Community.
Francis, I agree with you but the type of people who do this sort of thing lack the backbone to stand up and make themselves known.
Someone has a bone to pick concerning Mr. Hernandez. I have to wonder if there would have been any outrage or investigation if he was being targeted for being a heterosexual?
I doubt anyone will come forward and put themselves in the position of being lamb basted by those who claim tolerance.