There is a request for a new topic. Have you met any of the Board of Ed candidates? What do you think of them? Let's get a good conversation going on the candidates and why you want ( or don't want ) to vote for them.
I think we all know Jack C. the current chairman. I don't know about others but I think he is a fighter and I will vote for him again. I don't know Greg B. but from what I have heard he is sore for losing his spot last time and wants payback.
Mike L from east norwalk seems like a decent guy and nice family man. Matt P seems OK as well. I hope he beats Rosa since she is responsible for 8 years of BOE nonsense. Our schools are a mess because of her and her buds. Don't know Geoff but i don't trust Mike B at all!
I met Geoff K. and would vote him because he seems sensible-- not blustery but thoughtful. Seems like an ideal candidate. Needless to say, the fact that he's running against the rumor-mongering, superintendent-apologist, political-opportunist, rotten-red-apple-alligning Mike Barbis makes the choice even easier. But, let me tell you how I really feel . . . . .
2 years ago, I voted against all the incumbents for BoE. When Rosa and her team all lost, I thought she would have figured out she needs to be more a leader when she got back on. But from what I keep seeing at meetings, she hasn't changed. She voted agianst the budget without making any other sugegstions. She voted for the superintendent's new contract (huh?). All without telling us "why" she does what she does. I'm not crazy in love with Matt Surapine, but it looks like he'll get my vote in A. Mind you, if Rivas were on my ballot, she'd have my vote and a sign on my lawn because she's a fighter!
Pretty funny that a few months ago, I would have told you no way, no how, would I vote for Jack Chiaramonte. But if I have a choice between Burnett, his own personal agenda and his allegiance to Lisa Thompson versus a guy who yells a little too much, I'M VOTING FOR THE FLIPPIN' YELLER.
I live in District A-- have met Rosa Murray and want to be impressed. Think it's odd that she won't ever tell a soul why we should vote for her. Surapine on the other hand is at least putting himself out there. Right now I'm leaning to Matt Surapine.
I want to believe the Greg Burnett is the same Greg Burnett that voted with the facts and kept the politics out of his decision. However, I'm questioning his ties to other groups such as Red Apples, and how that would affect his choices and votes on BOE. I'm really done with Jack.
I'm impressed with Geoff Keiburtz. He's out there meeting the right people, gathering ideas and forming his own ideas and opinions. I like his professionalism as well.
I'm in E so I have the easiest choice-- a guy who's name should be covered in plastic wrap on the ballot ('cause he's so sleazy) or the thoughtful professional Geoff Kurbutz. A choice between a guy who is so much a politician he's running for two offices in the same election or a guy who's taking the time to understand the problems with schools in all the city. A choice between the Facebook FanClub Creating page for Susan Marks or someone who will objectively evaluate the performance of a rookie superintendent who's made lots of mistakes. Of course, if I need any more reasons to vote for Geoff K., all I'd have to do is look at who's supporting Barbis and see Lisa Thompson (who was against the Rowayton expansion project) and Nora "I'll Yell at Any City Official, But no BoE Member Better Disagree with My BFF Susie Marks" King. For those of us in E who don't live in Rowayton, it really is a very easy choice.
I was just running an errand in Rowayton and saw a few Mike Barbis signs--- NONE OF THEM HAD THE OFFICE HE WAS RUNNING FOR. Come on- if you can't commit to the Board of Education on a sign, how can you commit to the hard work that'll be required (after all, blindly supporting the superintendent and doing the bidding of the RedApples has got to involve some heavy lifting, right?).
The Surapine v. Murray contest should have been one of the most interesting this year. Are we voting for the former aloof Rosa, or the kinder, gentler BoE appointee who just voted to extend the superintendent's contract? My hunch is that many of us had high hopes for Rosa when she got back on and are feeling a little underwhelmed. I think of her as a nice person and do think it's a tribute that she seems to work well with Colarossi and Kassimis after their bruising campaign 2 years ago. I guess what it boils down to is I'm undecided in A.
Thought I was reading a joke about a Facebook page supporting Susan Marks. But lo and behold, there it was- with Nora King and Mike Barbis promising lots of insight as to why she wanted to take a leave. Pandering or political opportunism? You decide. But if I lived in District E, I wouldn't vote for either of them.
I live in District D. I think Jack is a terrible chairman- but never thought that his votes were wrong, he's just in over his head to try to run a meeting. Burnett I kind of liked when he was on the BoE before- my big worry is that he was a bit of a Corda supporter and I think that he's probably going to lean toward Susie Marks more than would be to my liking. Tough choice for us--- want to find out more about the RedApples connection (for Greg Burnett) and figure out if Jack will go back to being a strong supporter for us taxpayers.
Decided to check out the RedApples myself-- can't say I'm impressed. There's no sign of how many (or FEW) members there are. The constant bashing of the union presidents is tiresome-- I know they aren't perfect, I'm sure they can be problems sometimes, but come-on can they really be devils! Too overtop all the time to be taken seriously.
1.55Pm-what makes you "love" Ms. Rivas and how does she represent the your district or community? Have you seen her outburst on BOE videos and how she handles situations? She clearly barks "Community" but what community action(s)has she done? I will agree that she has passion about education - but passion is not only done in words it is also done in action. She disputes a lot of items at these board of ed meetings but I see nothing else behind the yelling. Maybe you can shed some light on how she stands out for you that will help me understand your point a bit better.
What the heck is wrong with this small town mentality? All B of E members SHOULD have at least 5 years in the classroom experience. Would you want a chef working on your car, or piloting your plane? It does not make sense that they make decisions and never been in a classromm. They NEVER, NEVER go to the schools. Aslo These housemasters making $140,000 to $160,000 a year? ARE YOU CRAZY? Tony Da making $180,000 this is crazy. Wake up Norwalk, you fools. You let this happen. Cut them by $80,000 and get more supplies and teachers. Again...you fools! Speak up!!Do something!!
Sure contracts are legally binding,(you must be republican) but that does not make them right in the eyes of those who have to work, work, work to pay taxes to support an out of control B of E budget.
Poor you. Guess you'll have to move to another city....Oh wait, taxes are high everywhere. I'm through answering someone who complains without logic and who name calls. Go find someone who will listen to you.
Not poor him, poor you! You don't get it. Taxes are high but CT is the 2nd highest taxed state in the country. Any company that is top heavy, as the Board of Ed is, is not, in a sense, operating logicaly. Name calling? I guess being call a republician is a bad. I hope not everyone just lays down. What a mess we would be in then!
I think we all know Jack C. the current chairman. I don't know about others but I think he is a fighter and I will vote for him again. I don't know Greg B. but from what I have heard he is sore for losing his spot last time and wants payback.
ReplyDeleteMike L from east norwalk seems like a decent guy and nice family man. Matt P seems OK as well. I hope he beats Rosa since she is responsible for 8 years of BOE nonsense. Our schools are a mess because of her and her buds. Don't know Geoff but i don't trust Mike B at all!
I met Geoff K. and would vote him because he seems sensible-- not blustery but thoughtful. Seems like an ideal candidate. Needless to say, the fact that he's running against the rumor-mongering, superintendent-apologist, political-opportunist, rotten-red-apple-alligning Mike Barbis makes the choice even easier.
ReplyDeleteBut, let me tell you how I really feel . . . . .
2 years ago, I voted against all the incumbents for BoE. When Rosa and her team all lost, I thought she would have figured out she needs to be more a leader when she got back on.
ReplyDeleteBut from what I keep seeing at meetings, she hasn't changed. She voted agianst the budget without making any other sugegstions. She voted for the superintendent's new contract (huh?). All without telling us "why" she does what she does.
I'm not crazy in love with Matt Surapine, but it looks like he'll get my vote in A. Mind you, if Rivas were on my ballot, she'd have my vote and a sign on my lawn because she's a fighter!
Pretty funny that a few months ago, I would have told you no way, no how, would I vote for Jack Chiaramonte.
ReplyDeleteBut if I have a choice between Burnett, his own personal agenda and his allegiance to Lisa Thompson versus a guy who yells a little too much, I'M VOTING FOR THE FLIPPIN' YELLER.
I love Ms. Rivas and am damn proud she represents my neighborhood on the BoE!
ReplyDeleteI live in District A-- have met Rosa Murray and want to be impressed. Think it's odd that she won't ever tell a soul why we should vote for her. Surapine on the other hand is at least putting himself out there. Right now I'm leaning to Matt Surapine.
ReplyDeleteI like Rosa Murray. I think she is great once you get to know her. Her biggest problem is that she seems shy.
ReplyDeleteI want to believe the Greg Burnett is the same Greg Burnett that voted with the facts and kept the politics out of his decision. However, I'm questioning his ties to other groups such as Red Apples, and how that would affect his choices and votes on BOE. I'm really done with Jack.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed with Geoff Keiburtz. He's out there meeting the right people, gathering ideas and forming his own ideas and opinions. I like his professionalism as well.
I'm in E so I have the easiest choice-- a guy who's name should be covered in plastic wrap on the ballot ('cause he's so sleazy) or the thoughtful professional Geoff Kurbutz.
ReplyDeleteA choice between a guy who is so much a politician he's running for two offices in the same election or a guy who's taking the time to understand the problems with schools in all the city.
A choice between the Facebook FanClub Creating page for Susan Marks or someone who will objectively evaluate the performance of a rookie superintendent who's made lots of mistakes.
Of course, if I need any more reasons to vote for Geoff K., all I'd have to do is look at who's supporting Barbis and see Lisa Thompson (who was against the Rowayton expansion project) and Nora "I'll Yell at Any City Official, But no BoE Member Better Disagree with My BFF Susie Marks" King.
For those of us in E who don't live in Rowayton, it really is a very easy choice.
Thanks Lisa DR. I was glad you confirmed my thoughts on Barbis. I'm voting for Geoff and telling all my friends at school to do so.
ReplyDeleteI was just running an errand in Rowayton and saw a few Mike Barbis signs--- NONE OF THEM HAD THE OFFICE HE WAS RUNNING FOR. Come on- if you can't commit to the Board of Education on a sign, how can you commit to the hard work that'll be required (after all, blindly supporting the superintendent and doing the bidding of the RedApples has got to involve some heavy lifting, right?).
ReplyDeleteThe Surapine v. Murray contest should have been one of the most interesting this year. Are we voting for the former aloof Rosa, or the kinder, gentler BoE appointee who just voted to extend the superintendent's contract?
ReplyDeleteMy hunch is that many of us had high hopes for Rosa when she got back on and are feeling a little underwhelmed. I think of her as a nice person and do think it's a tribute that she seems to work well with Colarossi and Kassimis after their bruising campaign 2 years ago.
I guess what it boils down to is I'm undecided in A.
Thought I was reading a joke about a Facebook page supporting Susan Marks.
ReplyDeleteBut lo and behold, there it was- with Nora King and Mike Barbis promising lots of insight as to why she wanted to take a leave.
Pandering or political opportunism? You decide. But if I lived in District E, I wouldn't vote for either of them.
I live in District D.
ReplyDeleteI think Jack is a terrible chairman- but never thought that his votes were wrong, he's just in over his head to try to run a meeting.
Burnett I kind of liked when he was on the BoE before- my big worry is that he was a bit of a Corda supporter and I think that he's probably going to lean toward Susie Marks more than would be to my liking.
Tough choice for us--- want to find out more about the RedApples connection (for Greg Burnett) and figure out if Jack will go back to being a strong supporter for us taxpayers.
Decided to check out the RedApples myself-- can't say I'm impressed.
ReplyDeleteThere's no sign of how many (or FEW) members there are. The constant bashing of the union presidents is tiresome-- I know they aren't perfect, I'm sure they can be problems sometimes, but come-on can they really be devils! Too overtop all the time to be taken seriously.
1.55Pm-what makes you "love" Ms. Rivas and how does she represent the your district or community? Have you seen her outburst on BOE videos and how she handles situations? She clearly barks "Community" but what community action(s)has she done? I will agree that she has passion about education - but passion is not only done in words it is also done in action. She disputes a lot of items at these board of ed meetings but I see nothing else behind the yelling. Maybe you can shed some light on how she stands out for you that will help me understand your point a bit better.
ReplyDeleteWhat the heck is wrong with this small town mentality? All B of E
ReplyDeletemembers SHOULD have at least 5 years in the classroom experience. Would you want a chef working on your car, or piloting your plane? It does not make sense that they make decisions and never been in a classromm. They NEVER, NEVER go to the schools. Aslo These housemasters making $140,000 to $160,000 a year? ARE YOU CRAZY? Tony Da making $180,000 this is crazy. Wake up Norwalk, you fools. You let this happen. Cut them by $80,000 and get more supplies and teachers. Again...you fools! Speak up!!Do something!!
Dear Person who likes to call others 'Fools,'
DeleteHave you ever heard of salary contracts that are legally binding?
Sure contracts are legally binding,(you must be republican) but that does not make them right in the eyes of those who have to work, work, work to pay taxes to support an out of control B of E budget.
DeletePoor you. Guess you'll have to move to another city....Oh wait, taxes are high everywhere. I'm through answering someone who complains without logic and who name calls. Go find someone who will listen to you.
DeleteNot poor him, poor you! You don't get it. Taxes are high but CT is the 2nd highest taxed state in the country. Any company that is top heavy, as the Board of Ed is, is not, in a sense, operating logicaly. Name calling? I guess being call a republician is a bad. I hope not everyone just lays down. What a mess we would be in then!
Delete