A local artist sent in the following commentary.
Friday, July 22, 2011
From The Pencil: No Incumbent Democrat To Continue On Board of Education
At yesterday's Democratic Town Committee nominating convention, 5 new candidates were nominated for the election in November, because none of the members whose terms are expiring wanted to continue serving.
A local artist sent in the following commentary.
A local artist sent in the following commentary.
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8 comments:
They for sure threw ethics overboard! Kudos!
You have to enlarge the image to get the gist of this- but it is really cleaver and dead on! Bravo!
This cartoon has really hit a nerve. To depict the BOE members not running for re-election as rats deserting a sinking ship has just gotten under my skin.
I have known two of these members for over 15 years. It was my privilege to work with Sally Boske and Jay Kaiser for several years when we were all involved (along with Sheila Daniels) in Middletown Schools Association. Sally and Jay were leaders in MSA when I first joined and their enthusiasm, knowledge and dedication immediately impressed me. During my time with MSA I learned that it is very easy to throw out criticism and allegations that contain no more than a grain of truth. It is much harder to actually put forth a workable solution to a problem. Like many people I worked hard at a noble cause and after a few years I found myself burned out and I backed off. Long after I was burned out, Sally and Jay continued to fight to improve public education in Middletown, and throughout the state. They both contributed endless hours to the children of Middletown, long after their own children were out of the public schools system. I haven't agreed with every action or decision that they have made, but I have never had a reason to doubt that every action they have taken has been only because they believe it is in the best interests of Middletown's children.
The Pencil is entitled to his/her opinions and insults. As you take these shots, however, keep in mind that there is a cost to these actions. There are very few bright, talented people who are willing to spend large amounts of time to improve our public school system, with no compensation, and no expectation of some personal or professional gain. If you have suggestions as to how things could be improved, or criticisms of actions taken, bring them forward. But this kind of petty insult of these individual's character is only going to make it less likely that the people we need to solve these problems are going to be willing to step forward.
I for one want to say I am sorry to see Jay and Sally leave the Board. I know that the quality of our schools in Middletown has been improved thanks to their efforts. Despite what the Pencil may think, Jay and Sally are two of the brightest, most dedicated and self-sacrificing people I have ever met in my life, not rats. I for one would like to say thank you for everything that they have done.
I agree with David Sauer's comment regarding Sally and Jay and also do not appreciate seeing my husband Bill Boyd depicted in this way. These folks serve without pay and give up many hours of their personal time to work on behalf of the community. Bill will have served for eight years by this fall and had always planned to serve for no more than two terms. It is unfortunate that natural turnover occurred at the same time for all the current democratic members, but it is also laudable that the departing members trust that the newly nominated candidates will also serve the community well.
We do not know why these BOE members choose not run. We do not know that it was not decided for them and the did not receive the nomination for not following along with the Democrat mantras. I am sure they were hard working, but maybe they did not want to be told what to say and do anymore by their party. It would not be the first time the party threw it's own out for not following suit. This cartoon is thought provoking because it makes people ask a lot of good questions and think before they vote.
The BOE members who are not running have to take some responsibility for the behavior of the BOE administration and Frechette's raise and spending. If they had run, they would not have had my vote.
I believe that the cartoon is touching a nerve. As one who is viewing the list of candidates running now for the BOE and the candidates that are not running; I agree that it does seem like they are jumping ship. I realize that those who serve the public as elected officials without compensation should be applauded; it takes time from their families, no compensation, and I do believe that they have the student's best interests at heart. However, I also feel that the current BOE has let down the City of Middletown taxpayers. I feel that the BOE as a whole should have done more to put forth a more transparent budget document; should have done more to help solve the issues between the BOE and City administrations; should have done more to show that they are encouraging the BOE to adher to the union contracts and treat their (all their employees) employees fairly, equitably and with dignity. (Yes, I'm a union member). So, the individual members may have a slew of reasons for not running again; the fact that all of the democratic members who could run again are not, give the APPEARANCE that they are jumping ship.
Why did the board members if both parties not speak up about Frechettes antics
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