Trotter's defenders, detractors speak out at board meeting

Board member Ben Trotter's alleged comments about special needs students continue to remain the subject of discussion and controversy.

Trotter denies making any such statements.

During Tuesday's board meeting, several members of the public spoke in defense of Trotter.

Garvin Bolding said the comments Trotter's detractors claim he made don't match up with the man he's known.

“I've known Mr. Trotter for a long time,” Bolding said. “I was not there and I do not know what was said — but I do know that the man has a good heart.”

Melvin Watson said he has a child with cerebral palsy who attends the Pickens County Center for Disabilities and Special Needs.

“I want to thank Pickens County for the opportunity for him to go in that day program,” Watson said. “It certainly has been good.”

Watson said he has been observing the issue.

“I'm concerned about it,” he said. “If we're to have a winning team, all players must work together — not criticize and destruct one another on that team. I challenge you to do that.”

Watson said the media has blown the situation out of proportion.

“We must speak our own convictions and not let them magnify what we think or may say,” he said. “We need to have our words spoken and adhered to without any flowery magnification.”

Watson said he wanted to thank Trotter.

“I thank you for having a thick skin, because you've certainly been criticized,” Watson said. “I want to thank you for having a strong conviction, because you've stood up for what you believe to be right. You have a dogged determination that you will not step down or cave in to these critics who speak against you.”

Trotter's resolve is “lacking in our society,” Watson said.

“It's no secret that there are many bureaucrats who work for the school district who resent board members like Mr. Trotter, members who aren't afraid to call bureaucrats to task and have the courage to lay off bureaucrats and hire back teachers,” Clark said. “Mr. Trotter has worked hard and consistently voted to keep the school district on a sound financial footing, protecting teachers, while not raising taxes.

“I suspect similar tricks will be played against other members of the school board for using sound financial judgement,” he continued.

But others spoke against Trotter — and urged other board members to speak out.

Don Lundquist told board members a story about a child he knew with Down's Syndrome. That child was able to see that Lundquist had put himself in danger while working on his garage.

“I didn't see it — he did,” Lundquist said. “Every kid has worth. If you do not consider the children of this county … the highest priority, then you shouldn't be here. That means all the children in the county, not just a few.”

Praising the district's principals and teachers, Lundquist said that none of the principals and teachers he knew were “prevaricators.”

“They tell like it is and how they see it,” he said.

Brett Turner described traveling with family and Liberty High School special needs students to the State Special Olympics in Fort Jackson.

He said battalions at the base had not only volunteered their time but had taken a stand “in the defense of our special needs citizens of our state and nation against such disrespect that has been shown towards the children here in Pickens County by an elected official.”

“Two huge banners” caught their attention during the Olympics' opening ceremonies, Turner said.

“The banner on the left read, 'Stop the R word,'” he said. “The banner on the right read, 'Take a stand.'”

Turner said we all “can learn a great lesson” from the soldiers about taking a stand.

Turner thanked members of the district who had “taken a stand” on the issue, including and Trustee Jim Shelton.

“Thank you for defending and taking a stand for our children and upholding your responsibility as a school board member by being an advocate for our children,” Turner said. “You have done your job with courage and honor. I am thankful you realize it's not all about shuffling numbers.”

Turner called on other school board members to pick a side.

“The new R word is respect,” Turner said. “Please give our special needs children the respect they deserve by taking a stand and publicly denouncing the remarks made by Mr. Trotter toward the special needs children in Pickens County.”