Family woes never solved by violence

Family woes never solved by violence

The Sept. 28 headline caught my eye: “Former Wheaton candidate acquitted of domestic battery.” I read with disbelief that Wheaton business owner Derek Bromstead says he “got his family back on track” and that “we became a stronger, more tolerant family from this experience.”

How did he accomplish this? By striking his teenage daughter with a belt. I don’t know what she did to deserve this, but having a teenage daughter myself; I can well imagine there was provocation.

As a parent, however, I do not believe family problems are ever solved by the use of violence. And against a teenage daughter, by her father? I cannot believe that the daughter was straightened out by such tactics. If anything, I think it would incite more problems. Who filed the domestic battery charge? The daughter?

Hey, Mr. Bromstead, ever hear of family counseling? Would his daughter agree that the family is happy now? I highly doubt it. Let’s hear from her.

I will never vote for Derek Bromstead for any office. And I will never patronize his restaurant, the Genghis Grill, either. I don’t care if he was acquitted of any charges and was found to be acting within his authority as a parent. If he believes violence solves family problems, how would he behave if elected as a city council member? Or any office? Shame on you, Mr. Bromstead. Shame on you.

Patricia Racklyeft

Wheaton