Independence Minnesota

For Immediate Release:

 

INDEPENDENCE PARTY, CITING CONCERN OVER PAST STEWART BEHAVIOR, MAKES DATA PRACTICES REQUEST OF MINNEAPOLIS SCHOOL DISTRICT IN MATTER OF DIRECTOR STEWART AND BURROUGHS SCHOOL

 

Contact:

Peter Tharaldson, 5^th CD Chair 612-710-5324

 

 

The Independence Party will be submitting numerous public information requests to the Minneapolis Public Schools over the next several days. These requests will ask for data related to past performance concerns of the Burroughs school principal and any district memoranda regarding the school.

 

“In 2006 the Independence Party made a commitment that it will remain vigilant in questioning any activity or comment by Director Stewart which may hurt another person”, said District 5 Chair Peter Tharaldson (Minneapolis). “You see cynical politicians in many places who spoil the public’s view of government, however, as far as we are concerned we have never been so shocked as we were by the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde act of Chris Stewart in 2006.” 

 

Director Stewart created a website which viciously attacked 5^th District Independent Candidate Tammy Lee with hateful remarks which were racist, sexist and homophobic in nature. The Independent campaign discovered the trash site and hired a former federal forensics expert who identified Chris Stewart as the originator. “Upon Stewart’s admission of the website, the StarTribune, Independents, Democrats and Republicans joined together to call for Stewards resignation”, said Tharaldson. What was so shocking to us is that Chris Stewart had previously praised the reform-minded principles of the Independence Party when he considered his run just seven months prior…principles which included honesty and integrity.

 

“If there be a solid reason for the principal’s suspension, so be it. We made a commitment, however, that Mr. Stewart’s actions be questioned at every turn”, said Tharaldson. “Now we begin the questioning.”