Wednesday, May 27, 2020

 

“Irresponsible, disrespectful, and shameful”

 

A MERCER-STYLE KOOL-AID PARTY?

 

Under ordinary circumstances it becomes prudent to ignore minor irresponsible acts of others. But when those acts are so extreme that they endanger people’s lives, they cannot be overlooked.

The Right Way

Such an act occurred in Mercer on Sunday, May 24, when deposed Mercer School Administrator Erik Torkelson presided over a mock graduation ceremony for 12 of Mercer’s 14 graduates.  His help included his mother-in-law, Kelly Kohegyi, and long-time supporter, Deanna Pierpont, both former Mercer School Board presidents.

 

The ceremony was held in a large rented party tent erected at the Kohegyi gravel pit.  As near as could be determined from pictures of the event, about 50  people attended, and WITHOUT ANY SOCIAL DISTANCING AND WITHOUT FACE MASKS. In addition to the graduates and some parents, four teachers attended. 

The Wrong Way

Amid the covid-19 pandemic, which has already killed close to 100,000 Americans and stricken 1.7 million others, such a planned gathering is, indeed,  “irresponsible and shameful”.  And medical authorities warn that the pandemic could become worse.  

 

One Mercer School Facts commenter had it right with this comment:

Totally and utterly irresponsible, disrespectful, and shameful. Quite frankly there are not enough adjectives to describe the unabashed arrogance of those responsible for holding the event. No doubt the kids deserved to be recognized but surely it could have been done with a modicum of consideration for the rest of the community. What a shining example you are for the students you were supposedly “honoring.”

 

 

Out of ignorance of the danger imposed by such a gathering, another commenter tried to justify the event with this comment: 

Oh we were so looking forward to this-we wondered how long it would be before you all decided to comment on this. There are ZERO restrictions in Wisconsin. Not one family objected to being a part of this and welcomed the opportunity. They felt it was worth the risk for their kids. It was a private ceremony on private property. Get a grip.

The new Mercer School Board, now minus all Torkelson’ s minions, did everything to try to make the graduation a memorable and safe event.  Initially, the board considered a ceremony in the baseball/football field with social distancing and face masks required.  The Iron County Health Department advised against it.

 

The board then opted for a drive-by tribute to the graduates in front of the school with the graduates spaced 10 feet apart.  That went off well but was then followed by Torkelson’s mock ceremony at the Kohegyi gravel pit.

 

Kudos to the two graduates and their parents who did not attend Torkelson’s mock ceremony, apparently realizing the danger of such an absurd event.