Thursday, April 7, 2011
No Boy Scout OR Girl Scout this time
Tonight was the Capital Projects Review Team Community Forum. There was no Boy Scout this time. There were TWO residents in attendance. One was recording the meeting. Two residents. That is it. On the other side of the table, there were two staff members, one school board director, and one resident member of the committee. Six people in total. The purpose of this meeting was to hear from the community. The twenty-four and a half minute meeting can be heard here. Capital Projects Review Team Community Forum
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10 comments:
Where were all the concerned, fearful citizens and parents....where were all the sign-carrying parents and children with derogatory signs, including the save-our-school's.... out of fear that this not-very-productive committee would recommend curtailment of capital spending for anything other than the high school ?
Guess they decided to stay home to watch American Idol.
This is the 2nd. district community forum in a row to be a complete bust. However, we can thank the man recording the fiasco's so there is evidence. Without it we might otherwise hear or read in an undated district message that the district invited (without mentioning it was only a 3-day advance notice)and heard from the entire community.
Please note that the district's meeting guideline that was imposed was to insist on a 1-way communication... from resident's to district, period....no dialog between the parties was to occur, like exchanging and discussing ideas and suggestions. How grand.
Bill Lewis
Just two days before this meeting, the Policy Committee meeting was held at 4:30 PM. The man recording the meeting had to take time off of work to attend it. He was the only resident present. When Josephine Posti was questioned about the start time, she replied that it was convenient for everyone. She was not at the meeting, so it must not have been convenient for everyone.
Elaine
Over at Bloglebo, Rob Gardner wrote an interesting letter suggesting that Mt. Lebanon has been hijacked. He writes:
"This is by no means a call to limit Free Speech. It is, instead, a call to Speak Up. A call for the community to reject the nay-saying negativity of a few residents with the same vehemence with which they have foisted it upon us. Go to a meeting. Write to a blog. Write a letter. Demand that our candidates offer positions on issues so that we know what they stand for, not just what they are against. Most importantly…VOTE
Well, here was the perfect venue for his "yay-saying positive" compatriots to contribute to the community and the hall is empty. No Harris poll suggestions, no emails as Mr. M asked for... really?
Rob does nail it with his final point though... demand that our candidates offer their positions on issues so that WE KNOW WHAT THEY STAND FOR, {and more important] NOT JUST WHAT [I'd add- and whom] THEY ARE AGAINST!
See you at polls.
- Giffen Good
Mr. Good, let's get together for coffee some time. I'd like to meet you and discus the issues facing our community.
Dave Franklin
Coffee, Mr. Franklin, for what end?
We have/had the Democrat and Republican committees, Concerned Citizens of MTL, the Voice of MTL, Motrel's Accountability Organization, Kluck/Stevenson Town Hall and BOSN.
There are a number of good, well-intentioned candidates running for offices and committees that could use our help to keep Mt. Lebanon-- um, Mt. Lebanon.
Perhaps you might find me in attendance at one sometime.
You wrote this comment in response to Rob's post: "my decision was based entirely on my desire to focus my time and attention (and my family’s time and attention) on those activities and causes that involve fewer malcontents and offer more positive outcomes."
Good point!
- Giffen Good
To what end? Well, I thought it would make sense to sit down and share ideas. You have expressed some strong opinions about Mt. Lebanon over the last few months and rather than go back and forth on a blog, I thought it would be better to meet in person. I hope conversations aren't reserved solely for public meetings, political parties or candidates' forums. That said, perhaps we can ask a candidate or two to join us. I'd be happy to invite a couple. So what do you say? We both might learn something.
Dave Franklin
Isn't sharing ideas and discussing opinions what the blogs are for?
What might we learn over coffee that we can't possibly learn here?
-Giffen Good
Mr. Franklin:
From Ms. Posti's blog:
"This morning I received the April 8, 2011 Pittsburgh Business Times School Ranking Edition. Mt. Lebanon remains in the third place position among districts in the seven-county region. In the State rankings, Mt. Lebanon moved up one spot to number 6 this year. The rankings are based on three years' of PSSA test scores in math, reading, writing, and science.
Some of the highlights:
High School
The High School moved from number 4 last year to 2 this year.
Middle Schools
Both Mellon Middle School and Jefferson Middle School moved up one spot on the ranking for 8th grade.
Jefferson Middle School moved up one spot in 7th grade.
Elementary Schools
5th grade
Howe moved up 20 spots in the ranking from last year, from 24th last year to 4th this year.
4th grade
Howe moved up 37 spots
Foster moved up 4 spots
Jefferson moved up 14 spots
3rd grade
Howe moved up 4 spots
Markham moved up 11 spots
Jefferson moved up 21 spots
Foster moved up 8 spots"
A pretty darn good performance and the district is to be commended on the results.
I'm curious in light of the ranking why the big reorganization, but I suppose we'll have to see how it plays out.
Mr. Franklin, our sitting officials and the current crop of candidates all make themselves available for contact. Do I really need to have coffee with you?
-- Giffen Good
Mr. Good, it would indeed be unfortunate if someone with your strong opinions about our community feels resigned to (or perhaps is only willing to) discuss them exclusively on blogs or with candidates. My offer stands should you change your mind.
PS: I'd love to meet someone with such a unique name.
Dave Franklin
Perhaps it is unfortunate Mr. Franklin that I don't feel the compelling need to meet with you.
Fortunately, Ms. Gillen [and Mr. Fraasch before her] is confident enough to have a free exchange of observations, ideas and opinions.
Unfortunately, we saw an example with James of how some in the community react when they hear something they don't like.
You've posted that you too have been a target of some bad behavior.
Don't like what I write, ignore it.
Think I'm a nut job, fine too.
Have a persuasive contradictory opinion, I'll read and ponder it, thoroughly enjoying the exchange.
I think the other Franklin would approve.
-- Giffen Good
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