It has come to my attention that the link in the below letter no longer leads to
my original letter and related LTE's in Spectrum Magazine. 
See http://spectrummagazine.net/pdfs/2005_09_SpectrumArchive.pdf page 25.
See also the original news story to which I responded.

From: Don Horsley <DonHorsleySMCTY@yahoo.com>
Date: October 20, 2009 12:17:05 PM PDT
To: Name removed for privacy
Subject: Important Information for Redwood City School District

Dear Neighbors and Friends,  
 
 
As most of you know, the Redwood City School District is electing two trustees to their school board this November. One of the candidates is Jack Hickey.   
 
As the former County Sheriff, current member of the Sequoia Healthcare District Board (where I actually serve with Hickey), resident of the Redwood City School District and parent, I write to strongly urge that you do not elect Jack Hickey to this position.  
 
First, Hickey is a long time opponent of public education and has always fought measures supporting school children.  
 
Second, among the many extremist views that Hickey espouses, I am particularly concerned about his public support for a former Redwood City School teacher even after this teacher was convicted of molesting a 14 year old middle school student with whom she had a child.  While this case is over four years old, it still clearly demonstrates Hickey’s extreme attitudes and viewpoints which make it relevant today.  
 
Even after this teacher’s arrest and conviction, Hickey wrote a letter to a local Redwood City magazine denouncing her arrest – saying that he was “troubled” by it and calling her two year sentence “inhumane."     Please click here to read Hickey’s letter and two responses denouncing Hickey’s extreme and deplorable views.
 
Now, this defender of child molestation and gross professional misconduct is trying to get elected to make decisions effecting over 8,800 elementary school children in our community. I felt it imperative that the public know of Hickey’s views.  We need to let our friends, family members and neighbors know what Jack Hickey stands for and represents. Please forward this e-mail to people you know in our community, making them aware of Hickey and providing an example, in his own words, of what he is truly about.  
 
Indifference can lead to disastrous results. The image of Jack Hickey making decisions affecting the school children in our community is frightening.  Please help us spread the word.  
 
Thank you,  
 
Don Horsley
 
Former San Mateo County Sheriff Current member of the Sequoia Healthcare District Board 
 

 

Here is the text of the original article from the San Mateo Daily Journal which prompted my response:
(in my opinion, the judge's comment was inappropriate, insensitive and lacking in compassion)
Teacher to prison for teen tryst
September 02, 2005, 12:00 AM By Michelle Durand
The former Redwood City teacher who bore the child of a former middle-school student “betrayed the trust of a very honored profession” with her “despicable” actions, according to the judge who sentenced her to two years in state prison yesterday.

Rebecca Ann Boicelli, 34, of Menlo Park, dabbed at her eyes as Judge Stephen Hall handed down the median prison term available and ordered her to register as a sex offender for the rest of her life.

Under a plea agreement reached in May, Boicelli faced no more than three years in prison and could have received as lenient a sentence as probation. Hall denied the idea outright despite Boicelli’s lack of a criminal record and expressed remorse.

Last month, during the first half of Boicelli’s sentencing hearing, she apologized to the victim, court and God. Three supporters that day spoke of Boicelli’s good qualities and one even offered a job if she was not imprisoned.

However, each admitted they did not know about Boicelli’s lengthy relationship with the boy or who fathered her child. Yesterday, Hall referenced the omissions and Boicelli’s repeated denial to police as “significant” in illustrating her desire to continue the illicit relationship.

“I generally feel frankly, Ms. Boicelli, sorry for your family and friends,” Hall said.

Boicelli deceived others by claiming the boy as her cousin and encouraged him to do other illegal things such as driving her car underage and unlicensed, Hall said.

Boicelli admitted having sex with the now 18-year-old father once in August 2003. Prosecutor Elizabeth Raffaelli disputed the claim during the preliminary hearing and pointed out previous inappropriate conduct between the two. The boy and Boicelli allegedly began their relationship in 2001 when he was a 14-year-old student at a Redwood City alternative school. Boicelli would move on to two different schools but the encounters continued. Often, the boy visited Boicelli at school and interacted with her students. Laura Ginger, a parent of a former student, told the court she believed he was a student aide.

Boicelli gave birth to the baby June 8, 2004 and was arrested Jan. 20 after co-workers contacted police. Police had fielded tips for two years prior but never had concrete evidence until the child’s birth. DNA testing proves the boy is the father.

Boicelli has been in custody since her arrest and receives credit of 337 days toward her sentence.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.