Since early last week an ever growing number of Falls Church City citizens have learned about and expressed outrage over our city’s leaders who sought leniency for convicted child molester Mike Gardner; but not so with members of our school board. The FCCPS school board, led by chair Justin Castillo, vice chair John Lawrence and Superintendent Toni Jones, stood to honor one of the pedophile supporters at its meeting last week.
Mr. Nicholas Benton, owner and operator of the Falls Church News Press (FCNP) and a serial supporter of FCC child molesters, was honored by our school board during last week’s meeting with an award from the Virgina School Board Association that “recognizes fair and balanced reporting…”
Editor’s note: A news photo of Nick Benton from Nick Benton’s news site. In this case, the news is Nick Benton getting an award from someone about whom Nick Benton wrote news stories. The award is for writing great news stories about the presenter. If this is not a poster child for the dysfunction that reigns in the city’s power structure, we’re not sure there is one.
Many have found Mr. Castillo’s suggestion that Nick Benton’s FCNP “articles” reflect fair and balanced reporting stunning in and of itself, but coupled with Mr. Benton’s expressed support for Mr. Gardner and his prior support for another prominent FCC pedophile, is beyond the pale.
Coincidental with Mr. Castillo’s honoring of Nick Benton’s accomplishments is a recent series of one-sided attack-articles in the FCNP maligning school board candidates Dr. Becky Smerdon and Ms. Alison Kutchma who are running against Mr. Castillo in next week’s election.
Becky and Alison were quick to condemn our city’s ruling elite in their support for convicted child molesters; they are running to ensure fiscal transparency and educational opportunities for all FCC students; they stand alongside the brave girls who stopped Mr. Gardner from harming other children in our community.
With whom do you stand?
Sadly, Justin has become an embarrassment. This photo should haunt him forever, but I fear he is proud of it.
Yes, agree with @embarrassed for Falls Church. Not sure why anyone would associate with Nick Benton.
Sad that a smear is all you can say the day before an election. Any politically experience person who remind you to focus on a positive message and leave a positive message in voters’ mind. Unfortunately all you can spew is hatred.
Hi @dork. Thanks for your comment. What is smear about the article? I think the positive message is that there are people that won’t stand for the status quo. New candidates that will not rubber stamp budgets, demand transparency instead of creating more loop holes to hide information and make our schools better.
This is not hatred. This is concern and care for our city and our children. If you think this is hatred, please elaborate as to why.
Dork, are you such a “politically experience person”? Did you attend the Academy of Political Training where they “remind you to focus on a positive message and leave a positive message in voters’ mind? Is that what you are doing? leaving a positive message in our minds? or are all you are doing is spewing hatred?
Just need to vent, so I can move on. I hope no one minds. If they do, FCAdmin, please delete this post.
To the Citizens of the City of Falls Church who are registered, and physically capable, voters yet failed to vote on November 3:
Shame on you. Please do not complain about any decisions the City Council makes, whether it has to do with school funding, the height/size/location of any new developments, or your taxes. And, do not criticize decisions or actions taken by the School Board. You gave up that right when you failed to cast your vote. Perhaps you will find a way to take the 10 minutes or so out of your busy day the next time elections are held.