Readers Respond -- Many weigh in on trustee’s DUI arrest

In response to school board member Jim Ferryman’s recent arrest for

drunk driving, I feel it is a sad reality when our school board members

find it necessary to drink and drive, especially on a school night. How

can Ferryman continue to serve on the Newport-Mesa Unified School Board

when his lack of prudent judgment allows him to drive on our neighborhood

streets -- the same streets that our children play on -- while under the

influence?

What parent or student is going to take him seriously when he

discusses the zero-tolerance policy at our schools? If a student coming

or leaving a school were arrested for drunk driving, that student would

be transferred to another school. Does this mean that Ferryman will now

be transferred to the Irvine School Board? Our elected school board

members should be role models to our students, not drunks behind the

wheel. I feel Ferryman should first step down from his position on the

school board, and then should get some help. This time, we were lucky; no

one was hurt. What if someone gets killed next time?

WAYNE TAPPE

Newport Beach

Anyone who has known Jim Ferryman for more than 15 minutes knows that

he is exactly the kind of person we need in local government -- positive,

energetic and committed. Unlike his colleague, trustee Wendy Leece, his

actions -- not his mouth -- do the talking (“Trustee: Ferryman should

resign if guilty,” Oct. 5).

It’s not surprising that Leece, who has publicly opposed anti-bullying

measures in schools and touted her brand of fundamentalist religion, is

the first to judge and condemn a fellow trustee instead of supporting

him.

The Wendy Leeces of this world are quick to tell us what not to do and

what is wrong in the world, but seldom have a kind word or positive

solution.

How would we benefit if everyone who made a mistake had to give up his

or her career?

What’s best for the community, the school district and the kids is for

Ferryman to keep up the good work and for Leece to think about a new line

of work in TV evangelism.

JOHN E. BURTON

Costa Mesa

I don’t know the Pilot reporter covering the Ferryman story but I

suppose she is a very nice person. I also like the Daily Pilot. I

appreciate having a local paper providing local news, particularly I like

the local sports. I’m sure everyone there is trying to do a good job.

Having said that, may I very respectfully suggest the paper’s coverage

of Jim Ferryman’s alleged DUI is rather slanted. As people with, I

assume, a journalistic background, I am surprised at the vigor the paper

is applying to Leece’s suggestion that Ferryman resign.

The bottom line is Ferryman is a good guy, a fine upstanding member of

our community and a tremendous asset to both the city of Costa Mesa and

the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.

Did he make a mistake? At this point, it certainly looks that way. But

should he be exposed to headlines calling for his resignation and should

his high-school aged son’s past behavior be dragged into the fray? I

don’t think it’s called for, I don’t think it’s fair, I don’t think it’s

right and I don’t think it’s ethical, evenhanded reporting.

I further don’t see the relevance of Jim’s position on zero tolerance

to this DUI. Oh, I see they both involve the use of alcohol, but honestly

one has little or nothing to do with the other. The implication being

made seems to be that Jim’s position on zero tolerance is slanted because

he likes a toddy once and a while. That many of the board members have

been known to imbibe on occasion seems to make no difference.

Further, that somehow because he may have had too many toddies this

time now, these two issues have become related. I can see what the paper

appears to be doing, but I cannot logically make the connection. I think

this is wrong. Zero tolerance is another, separate issue, which I would

be happy to discuss at another time.

Please don’t mistake this as an endorsement of drinking and driving,

for it is not. I, in no way, shape or form condone driving while

intoxicated. Drinking and driving is a criminal offense for which society

has attached penalties. Jim is not one to make any attempt to circumvent

the consequences of his action. If he is found guilty, he will serve the

punishment ordered by the court. But I doubt the court will say “Hey, you

can no longer serve your community,” which is what Wendy Leece seems to

be advocating. Don’t you think it is interesting that oftentimes DUI and

other offenders are ordered to fulfill public service as part of their

punishment? And further, courts usually recognize former/current public

service as a mitigating factor when considering appropriate penalties.

Certainly I am a friend of Jim’s. I have been for 30 years or more.

I’m proud of my friendship with Jim and so I acknowledge I have a bias,

but at least I am acknowledging my bias while the paper most certainly

has not.

May I suggest Pilot reporters look throughout our community and find

others who have devoted so much of their time to help others? I believe

you will be hard pressed to find a handful of people who have been more

dedicated or helpful over the past 30-plus years than Jim. I would be

happy to list his many efforts for you, but it would take an extremely

long time.

I commend the paper for the contribution it makes to our community,

but again I very respectfully suggest your treatment of Jim has not been

fair. There is no way this community is a better community without Jim

Ferryman’s involvement in it. I for one would hate to see him leave the

board, he brings so much to it. In fact ,it is my opinion that our

community, the school district and the kids are worse served by Leece’s

censorship and religious right ideals than by Jim Ferryman’s one

“alleged” mistake.

MIKE DUNN

Costa Mesa