Running, Not Running Away

COMMENTARY by Ed McKeon

Some have expressed surprised to see my name on the Democratic slate of candidates for the November election.  Maybe not as surprised as I was.

I'm running for a seat on the Board of Education.  All eligible Democratic seats are open.  And while I have some misgivings that all current incumbent members have decided not to run, the opportunity to make a large-scale change on the Board is exciting.

I'm running with four other Democratic candidates, Franca Acuri Biales, Ava Marie Hart, Gene Nocera, and Mitchell Wynn.  Only four of the five of us can be elected.  The Republicans will announce their slate on Monday.

I'm running because, after reporting for three years for the Middletown Eye on the city and the BOE, I have concerns about education, progress in education and spending in education.  I have expressed serious concerns about a Board and a school administration which does not communicate clearly, completely, honestly and with candor.  I'm not naive enough to think I can solve all those problems, but I do think that with the help of concerned colleagues, much can be changed.

My immediate goals are straightforward, but not without complexity.

I will work for better communication between the board, and the public.
I will work for an end to the courtroom battles between the board and the city.
I will work toward complete and accurate accounting reports from the administration.
I will work for continued improvements in instruction and learning.
I will work to find the best administrators and teachers for our schools (most immediately a new principal for Woodrow Wilson).
I will work to help make our schools safe and productive for all students.
I will work to ensure that BOE funds are directed primarily at better education.
I will work towards good relationships with all BOE employees.
I will work to encourage identifying and rewarding those instructors who show success in educating our children.
I will work to implement better use of technology in learning.
I will work to encourage the city to understand that good schools are economic development generators, and should be supported as such.
I will work to emphasize that all members of the school administration are employees of the BOE, and not vice versa.
I will work to meet school administrators, teachers, parents and students and try to understand their needs and goals.

I am running as a Democrat, because I am a lifelong Democrat, and I believe, in general, in the principles of the Democratic party.  I run as a Democrat, because a wise local politician gave me the sage advice that an independent cannot easily win.  I run as a Democrat because, even though I was encouraged to run as a Republican, I could not possible put an (R) next to my name considering what Republicans are doing on the national level.

After expressing an interest in running I was encouraged to run by the Democratic town chairman, Lisa Santangelo, and by mayoral candidate Dan Drew.  I was welcomed warmly to the race by Council member Jim Streeto with whom I've battled, and by Planning and Zoning members Quentin Phipps and Mike Johnson.   I've also been encouraged to run by Mayor Sebastian Giuliano and Republican Council members Deb Kleckowski and Phil Pessina.  I'm happy to say that I already have bipartisan support.

I was invited to run as a Democrat despite the fact that I am still collecting signatures on a petition to put a referendum question on the ballot that will let the public if Acting Chief Patrick McMahon should be appointed permanent chief.  This shows me that many in the local Democratic party are willing to entertain dissenting voices.

I run as a Democrat because I hope, if elected, to prove that party affiliation should be hung outside the door when civic leaders gather to address problems.  We are too small a town, with large problems needing to be solved, to abandon reason, progress and good ideas to party loyalty.

Finally, I'm leaving my leadership and founding role in the Middletown Eye because, frankly, I had reached the point of burnout after attending hundreds of meetings and events, and reporting on them as a volunteer citizen journalist.  I came to learn that a newsblog like this one is essential when the larger news organizations are in such crisis.  I also learned that it's possible to make a difference as a citizen journalist, but that real changes mean getting involved on the next level.

The Eye will continue to report city events as we recruit new and excited citizen journalists to continue the mission.  I will remain in an advisory capacity and continue to write commentary, but I won't, and can't report on meetings where my reports could be viewed as prejudicial.

I have no aspirations for higher office.  I don't, and won't, ever consider myself a politician.  I want to make our schools and our city better.  I really love living in Middletown, and hope I can have a role in making others feel the same way.

I encourage you to vote in November, and I ask you to vote for me.  I promise you won't be disappointed in how hard I'll work to achieve the goals I've put forward.