Tuesday’s night’s LWV forum was disappointing in what I felt
was a poor attendance. I would like to believe that this was due to the 6:30
start for the BOE candidates and not because of a lack of interest.
The seven candidates for the BOE two running on slates and
an incumbent running as an individual all performed well. No one talked
him/herself out of consideration. All candidates focused on the lack of "transparency" and poor public public attendance at Board meetings. The fact that the teachers have not had a contract for the past two years was a concern of all.
As in other area towns this so called non partisan election has become a a battlefield between two groups one with outright political affiliations, The Jerry Green backed slate. The other slate backed by a supposed Republican, John Campbell, has controlled the BOE for many years.
As in other area towns this so called non partisan election has become a a battlefield between two groups one with outright political affiliations, The Jerry Green backed slate. The other slate backed by a supposed Republican, John Campbell, has controlled the BOE for many years.
I am not going to highlight any one as a “must vote”. Suffice
to say that my own impression is that like the proverbial Chinese menu my
choice most likely be one from column A, one from column B, and one from column
C.
The Council Candidate’s debate was sadly lacking in quantity,
but not in quality. As I anticipated
Gloria Taylor after participating in the AACP forum, snubbed her nose at the
WLV. That deprived us from hearing Republican Randy Bullock; good politics?
The two candidates for the 2nd &3rd
Ward at large seat; Both incumbent Rebecca Williams and William Michaelson are
both so far above many candidates that have appeared in previous elections that it is too bad they are in direct opposition. The Council will
suffer in that both cannot serve.
Again I will not recommend either one, but suggest that you
who can vote for them consider carefully what they bring to the Council and
vote accordingly. If only we were presented with similar choices in the 3rd
and 1st Wards.
Remember that in any General Election the intelligent voter
does not routinely vote the straight party ticket but will cross over the line
to vote for a better person.
Mr. Hurtt was very honest last night. He have been dumped by the Campbells because of his independent thinking. He have my VOTE
ReplyDeleteThe bloggers can become a campaign vehicle used by ceandidates and their backers. I will not publish all, but those that give a good reason for their advocacy will be posted
DeleteWhat a difference a couple of days make. I attended the NAACP forum and the LWV forum. At the NAACP forum Center said she never heard anybody talk about QSAC and it didn't count. At the League she counted it as a positive accomplishment of the district. Ortega at a board meeting bashed the board for it's handling of port of entry students, and at the League he sited it as good work on the BOE side. I guess they needed to learn from the better informed candidates. What's particularly interesting is that Center was a BOE employee up until June. So is it that Center is so angry that she failed to demonstrate competency as a teacher and was not renewed that she was blind to any accomplishments? Teachers need to be held accountable. We need the best teachers and finally the new evaluation system is enabling principals to rid themselves of bad teachers.
ReplyDeleteSo I guess that's why she says the evaluation system isn't fair. Although now it is more fair than it has ever been. Ratings must be based on evidence and assessed against indicators on a rubric.
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ReplyDeleteTo AnonymousOctober 29, 2014 at 8:52 AM, thank you very much for the support it is very much appreciated, please spread the word as Dorien Hurtt cannot afford billboards or infamous authors/speaker appearance, LINE 1 (under row A). For point of clarification, Dorien Hurtt was not dumped by the Campbell’s, he chose to separate himself due to their political views and his desire to do what is right and fair for the children, parents and staff of PPS. Dorien has shown much growth and integrity over the last 4 years and he absolutely deserve to be on the school board to continue his efforts in making Plainfield schools truly a school of choice. Someone pointed out last night that voting should not be based on name familiarity or friendship and I hope people will realize that you do not have to vote a slate because you know the sponsor of said slate. Old Doc, I truly do respect you and your opinion, but I have to disagree, not all BOE candidates proved worthy of a seat last night. One candidate last night said they are use to compromise because they work on projects that always consist of 10 or more people. Most of us work with others in some capacity or another that’s not an issue, we all get along because, for the most part, are paid too. However, when making decision that effect our children and their future one should never compromise for the sake of compromise. We need independent thinkers that bring more to the table than compromise. Voting yes on an issue when you feel strongly in favor of a no vote is not compromising, it’s surrendering your vote and that is a direct ethic violation and will only benefit a few and in most cases, never the children. Every since Maria stopped attending and blogging about the BOE, there has been zero transparency or accountability. Unless you attend meetings on a regular basis you really do not know what is going on and judging by the fact PPS is still considered a failing district and in jeopardy of a state take-over, we need to vote for candidates like Dorien Hurtt, whose only desire is to make positive change for the benefit of the students, parents and staff. We do not need any more BOE members that would only be there as placeholders for a yes vote to the sponsor of their slate. Even if Center had an ax to grind, which I don’t believe is her motivation, she proves to be an independent voice for the best interest of the children. Let’s vote for the children and not someone else’s politics, let’s not vote a slate but for the best individuals. DORIEN HURTT, STORNG LEADERSHIP AND INDEPENDENT DECISION MAKING BASED ON THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS, PARENTS AND STAFF. Let’s keep him on the board.
ReplyDeleteI suspect that this came from the candidate's mother.
ReplyDeleteSince I elected not to post anything favorable or bad about any of the seven there will be no more postings of election based comments. If there is vberifiable substance I will post.
I was embarrassed by the candidates, and what in the world was Horn talking about bringing the trades back, I thought for half the night he was saying , we need to bring the trays back. I thought they had no trays in the cafeteria.
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