Politicians don't work, parents/not politicians don't work, so how do we become functional? My thought is to work with all the various factions without all the anger and 'I'll get you!" thinking. How about that old adage, 'You can catch more bees with honey.....' So what are your suggestions for solutions? Maybe by brainstorming ideas, we can come up with something workable. We need a Norwalk that isn't so angry if we are to attract decent teachers!
For my money, I don't think it's about who lives up to whatever their slogan was. I don't think it's about "gotcha". I do think we have a lack of leadership. You have a few people on the board of education who are afraid to disagree with their friends, or with people who are in the same political party.
This is about leadership- Marks had done. Angry Jack wasn't a leader. Now there is the out-of-towner chairman and his Apple underlings. The unlikely alliance can't get a majority, but the Apples can't count on Keyes or Angry Jack. Yep, it's a mess.
Another $20,000 over in legal fees! That's a total of $65,000 over budget. Board of Education, Haynie isn't listening to you! What's with her expenses for negotiations?
Costume spelling bee tomorrow! Only $10 per person for the worst idea yet to come out of Norwalk. Halloween in April. Let's get real! Better yet, replace NEF with a group who has some good ideas!
I think that the chronic over-runs for legals fees is a critical issue because it speaks to two deficiencies. First, how can one committee chairperson spend money without any approval or authorization by the entire Board of Education? Second, where is the fundamental accountability? One chronic letter writer and blogger speaks to "jealousy", another claims "political vendetta"-- yet, at it's core, the question should be why arent' those who profess the intrinsic value of financial transparency and accountability as concerned as I am? Only one Board of Education member has habitually called upon legal counsel to advise her committee and caused to bills to run over-budgets-- therefore, regardless of her party affiliation, she is the only member who must be called upon to address her spending of taxpayer dollars (as Chairperson of the Policy Committee, I decided to stop the past practice of having outside, paid counsel draft policy proposals and perform that work on my own). As I explained at last night's meeting, we asked the same set of questions at last month's meeting--- what was anticipated for future legal needs, what measures were undertaken to properly monitor the costs and what steps could be undertaken to save on legal fees (such as making better use of the Corporate Counsel). When we were asked for yet another transfer, none of those questions had yet to be answered. Consequently, the only prudent approach was to appropriate the funds so that Supt. Daddona would have access to counsel given several pressing legal matters but take the checkbook away from the Negotiations Committee Chairperson. Only by controlling these runaway costs can be work to find the money that is needed to go back into our classrooms.
If you see a female in a pointy black hat riding a broom, don't take any Apples from her! It will cost you dearly.....She's dangerous, angry and doesn't have any understanding of what Apples cost us. Lawyers be especially aware!
Being the subject of some unfounded personal attacks on another site, I would ask that we try to stay on the topic of accountability-- we all have a right to question whether our elected officials have a plan to serve us as their constituents, but I don't think we should be impugning their integrity or making derogatory references about them.
The Haynie League has started the character assassination games. The school "reformer" is now reforming history. It'll be a continuation of the same games we've seen Haynie and the Apples play for years.
I read the stuff on NancyonNorwalk and it's pretty vicious. I was wondering who would be the world's next great Satan. It was nice to see that Lisa Thompson was anointed by the late Ayatollah Kohmani to make that designation. Seems she's tagged Steve C. as the next devil (I hope it doesn't go to his head almost as much as I hope that he doesn't turn out to be the Devil with the Blue Dress on).
adj. 1. Having sense perception; conscious: "The living knew themselves just sentient puppets on God's stage" (T.E. Lawrence). 2. Experiencing sensation or feeling.
Good to know we are dealing with a conscious living being who owns a thesaurus.
What puzzles me is why supposedly intelligent males on the BoE support and protect Haynie. Lisa Thomson is another story altogether. I have no use for her and try to ignore her apparent lack of intelligence.
In the Haynie camp you have Barbis, Chiaramonte, Keyes and Lyons. With the exception of Keyes, the four of them hate the unions-- that's what unites them and that's why the overspending on lawyers isn't a problem for them.
In brighter news, there are plenty of superintendent candidates .... http://www.nancyonnorwalk.com/2013/04/norwalk-superintendent-candidates-came-rolling-in/
"Being the subject of some unfounded personal attacks on another site, I would ask that we try to stay on the topic of accountability-- we all have a right to question whether our elected officials have a plan to serve us as their constituents, but I don't think we should be impugning their integrity or making derogatory references about them."
Wow. First (and Last!) time I've been to this blog. That's all I'm seeing on this blog. Derogatory Comments! That's all I'm reading here!!!! This mud slinging is worthy of a mosh pit! Heard a lot of rumors and wanted to read for myself. What a load of CRAP! I really could not believe that a BOE member would set up a blog that allowed this kind of trashing those with opposing views but here it is in black and white! This is mostly hate rhetoric and it is offensive. All this talk of "camps" on the BOE is Pitiful...Norwalk politics sink to a new time low. (BTW...if this wasn't set up to bash people, you would have shut it down as soon as you saw the trend...not coming back so no need to respond. Pathetic:(
Politicians don't work, parents/not politicians don't work, so how do we become functional? My thought is to work with all the various factions without all the anger and 'I'll get you!" thinking. How about that old adage, 'You can catch more bees with honey.....' So what are your suggestions for solutions? Maybe by brainstorming ideas, we can come up with something workable. We need a Norwalk that isn't so angry if we are to attract decent teachers!
ReplyDeleteFor my money, I don't think it's about who lives up to whatever their slogan was. I don't think it's about "gotcha". I do think we have a lack of leadership.
ReplyDeleteYou have a few people on the board of education who are afraid to disagree with their friends, or with people who are in the same political party.
This is about leadership- Marks had done. Angry Jack wasn't a leader. Now there is the out-of-towner chairman and his Apple underlings. The unlikely alliance can't get a majority, but the Apples can't count on Keyes or Angry Jack. Yep, it's a mess.
ReplyDeleteLyons is controlled by the Apples, all four of them. He always protects Sue Haynie and doesn't think anyone realizes it.
ReplyDeleteWhy isn't the position of Superintendent posted? If it is, where so?
ReplyDeleteAnother $20,000 over in legal fees! That's a total of $65,000 over budget. Board of Education, Haynie isn't listening to you! What's with her expenses for negotiations?
ReplyDeleteNo surprise- she's protected by the Out-of-Towner.
DeleteCostume spelling bee tomorrow! Only $10 per person for the worst idea yet to come out of Norwalk. Halloween in April. Let's get real! Better yet, replace NEF with a group who has some good ideas!
ReplyDeleteI think that the chronic over-runs for legals fees is a critical issue because it speaks to two deficiencies. First, how can one committee chairperson spend money without any approval or authorization by the entire Board of Education? Second, where is the fundamental accountability? One chronic letter writer and blogger speaks to "jealousy", another claims "political vendetta"-- yet, at it's core, the question should be why arent' those who profess the intrinsic value of financial transparency and accountability as concerned as I am? Only one Board of Education member has habitually called upon legal counsel to advise her committee and caused to bills to run over-budgets-- therefore, regardless of her party affiliation, she is the only member who must be called upon to address her spending of taxpayer dollars (as Chairperson of the Policy Committee, I decided to stop the past practice of having outside, paid counsel draft policy proposals and perform that work on my own).
ReplyDeleteAs I explained at last night's meeting, we asked the same set of questions at last month's meeting--- what was anticipated for future legal needs, what measures were undertaken to properly monitor the costs and what steps could be undertaken to save on legal fees (such as making better use of the Corporate Counsel). When we were asked for yet another transfer, none of those questions had yet to be answered.
Consequently, the only prudent approach was to appropriate the funds so that Supt. Daddona would have access to counsel given several pressing legal matters but take the checkbook away from the Negotiations Committee Chairperson. Only by controlling these runaway costs can be work to find the money that is needed to go back into our classrooms.
Once again, Haynie is out of control. Totally out of control. Wake up, Norwalk!
ReplyDeleteIf you see a female in a pointy black hat riding a broom, don't take any Apples from her! It will cost you dearly.....She's dangerous, angry and doesn't have any understanding of what Apples cost us. Lawyers be especially aware!
ReplyDeleteBeing the subject of some unfounded personal attacks on another site, I would ask that we try to stay on the topic of accountability-- we all have a right to question whether our elected officials have a plan to serve us as their constituents, but I don't think we should be impugning their integrity or making derogatory references about them.
ReplyDeleteHaynie has attacked you for years. It's nice you want to take the high road, but most parents like me are frustrated by her.
DeleteI second that! I wish we could get rid of her.
DeleteThe Haynie League has started the character assassination games. The school "reformer" is now reforming history. It'll be a continuation of the same games we've seen Haynie and the Apples play for years.
ReplyDeleteI read the stuff on NancyonNorwalk and it's pretty vicious.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering who would be the world's next great Satan. It was nice to see that Lisa Thompson was anointed by the late Ayatollah Kohmani to make that designation. Seems she's tagged Steve C. as the next devil (I hope it doesn't go to his head almost as much as I hope that he doesn't turn out to be the Devil with the Blue Dress on).
Thanks for the chuckle. Sentient humans have to laugh at the hypocrisy of attack dogs complaining about somebody else's bark.
Delete
DeleteSENTIENT Definition:
adj.
1. Having sense perception; conscious: "The living knew themselves just sentient puppets on God's stage" (T.E. Lawrence).
2. Experiencing sensation or feeling.
Good to know we are dealing with a conscious living being who owns a thesaurus.
Even aware people have rights!
DeleteThesaurus owners are an entirely different lot . . .
What puzzles me is why supposedly intelligent males on the BoE support and protect Haynie. Lisa Thomson is another story altogether. I have no use for her and try to ignore her apparent lack of intelligence.
ReplyDeleteHey- 7:17 AM, you need to issue a correction. Jack Chiaramonte is another Haynie protector
DeleteIn the Haynie camp you have Barbis, Chiaramonte, Keyes and Lyons. With the exception of Keyes, the four of them hate the unions-- that's what unites them and that's why the overspending on lawyers isn't a problem for them.
DeleteThat would explain a lot. But I keep hoping that any of them has enough character to say "basta".
DeleteElio Longo has resigned, effective June 30.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nancyonnorwalk.com/2013/04/norwalk-boe-coo-longo-moving-on-has-resigned/
In brighter news, there are plenty of superintendent candidates ....
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nancyonnorwalk.com/2013/04/norwalk-superintendent-candidates-came-rolling-in/
A new superintendent and a new COO. That spells disaster!
ReplyDeleteGoal in both cases- pick the best candidate, not someone who is hated the least.
ReplyDelete"Being the subject of some unfounded personal attacks on another site, I would ask that we try to stay on the topic of accountability-- we all have a right to question whether our elected officials have a plan to serve us as their constituents, but I don't think we should be impugning their integrity or making derogatory references about them."
ReplyDeleteWow. First (and Last!) time I've been to this blog. That's all I'm seeing on this blog. Derogatory Comments! That's all I'm reading here!!!! This mud slinging is worthy of a mosh pit! Heard a lot of rumors and wanted to read for myself. What a load of CRAP! I really could not believe that a BOE member would set up a blog that allowed this kind of trashing those with opposing views but here it is in black and white! This is mostly hate rhetoric and it is offensive. All this talk of "camps" on the BOE is Pitiful...Norwalk politics sink to a new time low. (BTW...if this wasn't set up to bash people, you would have shut it down as soon as you saw the trend...not coming back so no need to respond. Pathetic:(