By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Comments posted about COVID on his Facebook page two years ago – and threats posted in response this week – have led one Bowling Green Board of Education candidate to drop out of the race.
Rick Busselle, one of eight people who filed to appear on the Nov. 7 ballot for a school board seat, announced Thursday that he was withdrawing from the race.
He explained his reasoning on his campaign webpage.
“To continue would be unfair to those of you who encouraged and supported me. It also would be a distraction from the important work of getting our schools up to the standards our kids deserve,” Busselle wrote.
The online uproar began after a Facebook post from 2021 resurfaced. In his post, Busselle was critical of decisions by parents to not let their 16- or 17-year-old students be vaccinated against COVID based on their religious views.
“You and your god are risking your child’s short-term and long-term health,” he posted. “Your god is an ******* and you should look for a better one.”
On Thursday, Busselle acknowledged that he should not have vented on Facebook. But he added that apologizing for that won’t make a difference to his critics. He also explained that two people in his household have compromised immune systems, and that COVID posed great risks to his family. He stands behind his belief in science, vaccinations and masks as forms of preventing the spread of the virus.
But again, Busselle recognized that wasn’t enough to slow criticism of his 2021 post.
Now, he and his family are facing a different threat – this one in the form of Facebook posts.
“Ultimately, I am concerned for the safety of my family and myself. I cannot continue to be attacked with religious, homophobic, and, curiously, racist slurs from all corners of the English speaking world,” Busselle posted today.
“I never should have commented that way,” he said in a phone interview this evening. “But I just was getting bombarded by mean, nasty, frightening messages.”
Busselle expressed regret about the issue getting in the way of real school issues like the upcoming levy for a new high school.
“My intention was to help, and this certainly won’t help,” he said this evening. “I sincerely apologize to those I’ve disappointed. I’ll continue to support our elected officials and the public schools in any way I can.”
In the announcement for his candidacy, Bussell said his goals were to make BG City Schools a system that students and teachers feel proud to represent, and a district that draws and keeps families in the community.
Busselle started attending school board meetings in recent years. “I didn’t go to the meetings because I wanted to serve on the board. I went because I believe we should support the institutions that are at the heart of our democracy, regardless of how we feel about individuals or individual decisions. But after seeing how much our teachers and students are accomplishing and how little the community recognizes those accomplishments, I felt I should run.”
During the meetings, Busselle occasionally spoke on issues facing the board. In the past couple years, he criticized efforts to ban school library books by those outside the education system.
“I’m willing to say what I think, and I think librarians do a good job of curating their libraries.”
Busselle has also been vocal in his opposition of Ohio using taxpayer money to support private schools. “The state shouldn’t be siphoning off public school dollars.”
And he questioned the use of public education hours for religious teachings. What about for basketball practice, Busselle asked at one meeting. “What distinguishes Bible study from any other activity?” he said.
Busselle reminded those present at the board meeting about the separation of church and state.
“I object to any religious activity that interferes with the public school process,” he said.
So now, the candidates number seven to fill three seats on the school board. Those remaining are:
- Stephen Bateson, 7910 Wingston Road, Rudolph.
- Joseph M. Edens, 8 Indian Creek Drive, Rudolph.
- Howard A. Gonyer, 612 N. Wintergarden Road, Bowling Green.
- Steven C. Goyer, 360 Colony Lane, Bowling Green.
- Tracy Hovest, 988 Reeves Court, Bowling Green.
- Brian A. Paskvan, 331 N. Church St., Bowling Green.
- Peggy A. Thompson, 559 Sand Ridge Road, Bowling Green.
