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Petition Asks A.G. to Remove Gilbert

School Board Member Ray Gilbert, during a special Brunswick County School Board Meeting last week.
School Board Member Ray Gilbert, during a special Brunswick County School Board Meeting last week.

By Peter Biello

Wilmington, NC – A parent of children in Brunswick County Schools is circulating a petition to remove Ray Gilbert from the School Board.

Tracey Danka says Ray Gilbert's behavior makes him unfit for the School Board. Gilbert was banned from all Brunswick County Schools after a schools employee accused him of threatening her.

While the school board has censured Gilbert, Danka says she hopes to give the Attorney General more reason to remove him from office.

"They do speak for us. We did elect them into office," Danka says, "but I believe that he should also know that we personally as taxpayers have an actual opinion on this. We're just not leaving it up to the people we have elected."

Danka says she's considering a run for Ray Gilbert's seat on the School Board. Gilbert's lawyer Edwin West is complaining about Danka's tactics, saying she created a hostile environment for Gilbert's children by seeking signatures at their elementary school.

"Citizens have a right to speak, they have a right to be heard and express their opinions. But what is not okay, is when targeting him, his children are hit."

West says Danka's intent to run for Gilbert's seat on the board "speaks for itself."

Danka says she will continue to collect more signatures and send the petition to Attorney General Roy Cooper on Friday.

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