Lincoln letters to the editor for Oct. 26-31

Response to 'Support for Marioni, Cox and Roskiewicz for WPUSD Board' Bryce Lauritzen's letter (Oct. 16 edition of the Lincoln News Messenger, page A4) mischaracterizes both the 2023 curriculum challenge and the motives behind it while omitting critical context. California's School Dashboard requires districts to disaggregate student data by socioeconomic status and race. Using the word "demographics" is neither racist nor improper. It is standard terminology used by the state itself. Suggesting otherwise is a distortion. The book challenge in March 2023 was not an act of micromanagement or partisan overreach. The material in question had not previously been taught at Twelve Bridges High School. More than 50 parents contacted the district expressing serious concerns that ninth-grade students were being assigned a book containing more than 90 instances of profanity, explicit sexual content and a clear social justice framing. I am the trustee who requested the emergency meeting and did so in direct response to those parents, the constituents whose children attend WPUSD schools. Pretending this curriculum decision had no ideological component is not credible. The letter also fails to disclose relevant context about its author. Mr. Lauritzen attended board meetings during this period, publicly shouted an accusation of racism at me and later sought an administrative position at a local high school. The timing and tone of this letter raise legitimate questions about whether it is motivated by genuine concern for students or by personal grievance. Finally, voters deserve transparency about the candidates being promoted. Public campaign finance records show that Ankhesenamun Marioni, Laura Cox and Megan Roskiewicz have received significant support from the Democrat Club of Lincoln. That is relevant information when evaluating claims that these candidates will keep politics out of the school board. Parents have every right to question curriculum that does not match the academic level or values they expect for their children. Trustees who listen to those parents and act within their authority are doing the job they were elected to do. That's not manufacturing conflict. Marjorie Proffitt Lincoln Needed: New school board members for Western Placer Unified School District I am writing to support three strong, intelligent candidates for the WPUSD. Laura Cox, Megan Roskiewicz, Ankhesenamum Marioni. These candidates are committed to work on the behalf of all students and the WPUSD staff. WPUSD is facing financial challenges caused largely by rapid growth, limited classroom space and maintenance of the older schools. Superintendent Kerry Callahan and her capable staff are facing these challenges. We need members who will join the two board members who are not up for re-election this year, Jason Price and Criste Freymond, to work as one to find solutions. Candidates Laura Cox, Megan Roskiewicz and A.Marioni are parents of children currently attending WPUSD schools. They are motivated to work as a whole to keep WPUSD fiscally sound. Over thirty percent of WPUSD students reported not feeling safe at school. Candidates Cox, Roskiewicz and Marioni have a vested interest in helping the district address the sources of fear and supporting staff in making each school, classroom and playground safe for all students. All students, regardless of ethnicity gender or special needs, need to be respected and challenged academically by dedicated and talented teachers. Each year students district wide have shown academic growth. Candidates Cox, Roskiewicz and Marioni are focused on continuing this growth. I am urging you to support Laura Cox, Megan Roskiewicz and Ankhesenamum Maroni for the open positions on the WPUSD Board. Give the hard working staff the support they need for all students to succeed and to excel. Harriett Kroot Lincoln Support for Eric Jones District 4 has been my home my entire life. I've grown up here, and I'm continuing my education at Sierra College studying physics and political science. This community taught me what it means to care about something bigger than yourself, so the moment I realized how disconnected leadership has become, I knew we needed something different. In recent years, I've watched politics drift further away from the people it's meant to serve, and Eric Jones is determined to change that. He is focused on rebuilding trust, restoring accountability and giving power back to the communities that built this district by putting people over party. CA-04 deserves a representative who will provide real solutions to improve housing, education and the future we're inheriting. We need a member of Congress who listens to residents over special interests, and values fiscal responsibility while investing in public safety and education. Our neighborhoods, farms and cities have always relied on mutual trust, and that trust needs to be restored through leadership that will listen, act and believe in the people who call this place home. As a young student, I'm watching prices rise, opportunities shrink and my own hope for a better future start to feel more like a fantasy than a possibility. Eric's commitment to anti-corruption and our financial protection going forward gives me hope that our generation will have a voice in shaping a fairer, more sustainable future. I'm supporting Eric because he represents the type of leadership I grew up believing would be there for my community, the kind that reminds us politics can still be about people, integrity and building a stronger district for everyone. Ella Van Perre Lincoln Shanti Landon's actions speak louder than her social media posts Supervisor Shanti Landonʼs curated social media presence projects a gentle, "Mayberry" image of her work in Lincoln and Placer County. However, an examination of her political track record reveals a persistent pattern of saying one thing to constituents while doing the opposite behind closed doors. Notably, recently released police surveillance footage directly disproves claims made in her op-ed regarding her former political opponent, Holly Andreatta. Consider her stance on the TGI project. During her re-election campaign, Landon repeatedly assured local voters that she held no jurisdiction over Lincoln regarding the initiative. Yet official county documentation indicates active behind-the-scenes involvement to move the project forward. Claiming a lack of authority in public while exercising significant influence in private severely undermines the genuine transparency constituents expect from county leadership. Furthermore, while Landon publicly expresses dismay over negative political discourse, election filings tell a very different story. Her campaign funded aggressive mailers targeting her opponents and employed political consultants who brought candidates' adult family members into the crosshairs. Bankrolling sharp, personal political attacks while simultaneously lamenting political hostility presents a clear double standard that voters should not ignore. Her active involvement in local city races also conflicts with her statements on municipal boundaries. County election filings show Landon utilizing both personal and campaign funds to influence the Lincoln City Council election and unseat an opponent. If Lincoln falls outside her scope of official jurisdiction when convenient, funding municipal campaign efforts in that same jurisdiction raises legitimate questions about basic consistency. Welcome to 2030! Rather than directing her full attention toward addressing existing county challenges, Landon has already filed her intent to seek re-election in 2030. Planning campaign strategy and building a political war chest for Placer County Supervisor District #2 takes precedence over prioritizing immediate constituent needs. Placer County residents deserve real transparency, political consistency, and focused leadership. When public rhetoric continuously contrasts with campaign actions and official records, voters have every right to demand accountability. Angelica Balders Lincoln