The Journal Sentinel asked questions, I answered

By Zach W On March 30, 2009 · 5 Comments · In Election 2009, Local Politics

There’s no question there’s a lot at stake in the upcoming spring elections, both on a statewide level and more importantly on the local level. Here in South Milwaukee, voters will have to choose two individuals to serve for the next three years as members of the school board. To help voters make their choices, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel asked candidates to respond to several questions about their positions and goals. I was happy to answer the questions the Journal Sentinel asked, and if you’d like, you can read my answers to the questions the Journal Sentinel asked.

Curiously, two candidates for the South Milwaukee school board – Nick Szablewski and incumbent Dave Maass – chose not to answer the questions the Journal Sentinel asked, leaving South Milwaukee voters to guess what their answers might have been.

opinions powered by SendLove.to

5 Responses to The Journal Sentinel asked questions, I answered

Rich says:

March 30, 2009 at 5:08 pm

Do you ever run into perceptions that Social Workers are “soft” on crime/school discipline, on welfare, on the poor, and on fiscal restraint in general?

If so, when confronted with these biases, how do you respond?
0 likes

Reply
Zach W says:

March 30, 2009 at 5:17 pm

Rich, I do think there is a bias that exists among some individuals/groups who do believe social workers are “soft” on crime, school discipline, welfare, the poor, etc., but I don’t get a lot of that in my occupation, simply because I’m not a social worker in the strictest sense. My job is a blend of law enforcement/social work, but my first priority is to protect the community.

As to how I’ve responded to those perceptions, I just point out that it is possible to want to hold people accountable while also working to help them bring about lasting change in their lives. After all, if we gave up on every individual who’s on welfare or who has a criminal record as being unsalvageable, our society would be a lot worse off than it already is. I know it’s possible to strike a balance between being empathetic and being a pushover; the key is convincing others that it’s possible.
0 likes

Reply
Rich says:

March 30, 2009 at 5:29 pm

I have to admit when I saw your degree listed as social work, I had a mental image of the guitar playing hippee teacher from Beavis and Butthead that would habitually say, “Um kay.”

And yes, I admit that many of the social workers I know only seem to want solve every problem with more money to hold hands and sign kumbaya with and they seem to fear being judged by metrics/results.

But yes, we need true rehab and balance. And that rehab likely starts in about the third grade.

Good luck to you.
0 likes

Reply
Zach W says:

March 30, 2009 at 5:36 pm

Thanks Rich. As for your mental image of the guitar playing hippy teacher from Beavis and Butthead, let me just say I don’t play the guitar. In fact, I don’t play any musical instruments, though I did play a mean harmonica when I was a kid (thanks to my grandma).

Rich, I know what the common perception of social workers is, and I think it’s really an unfair perception. Sure, there are social workers who do fit the description that you provided, but for every “guitar playing hippy” who wants to just throw money at all of society’s problems, there are an equal number of folks who want to solve society’s problems in a manner that’s pragmatic and won’t necessarily break the bank.
0 likes

Reply
JCG says:

March 30, 2009 at 9:38 pm

Wish I lived in South Milwaukee so I could vote for you. I found your answers impressive. The promise to visit the PTO’s on a regular basis immediately reminded me of a certain U.S. Senator, but more importantly you’re absolutely right about that. Best of luck.
0 likes

Reply