OUTCOME OF TEACHERS' CASE IS TRAGIC AND TOO SEVERE

Regarding the Oct. 27 article, "Former Gull Lake teachers sentenced
for growing pot," I don't know any more of the facts than what I read
and I haven't heard any of the local gossip since my youngest child
graduated from Gull Lake High School in 2002, but I was deeply
saddened to hear about the legal troubles facing Brett and Keri Johnson.

Both of my children were students of Mr. Johnson's. My oldest child
had Mr. Johnson when he was a student teacher at Gull Lake, and my
youngest child had Mr. Johnson as an English teacher for several
classes. They both liked him very much. I thought he was an excellent
teacher, also.

I think the penalties the Johnsons face, including possibly losing
their home and their teaching licenses, already having lost their jobs
at Gull Lake, are far too severe for what they have done.

I don't use marijuana or alcohol, but I cannot condemn those ADULTS
who do use them in moderation.

The Johnsons were not harming anyone else by their actions. They are
not accused of selling marijuana, pushing it to their students,
teaching classes while impaired, giving it to their own children or
making their own children suffer the effects of secondhand marijuana
smoke. The punishment does not fit the crime in this case.

People who choose to drink alcohol and drive and injure and/or kill
others face less punishment. I think what has happened to the Johnsons
is tragic, and I think they deserve support at this difficult time.

Deb Walker

Kalamazoo