I pulled together a nonpartisan committee, in efforts to sponsor our own forum. A meeting room was reserved; however, since the candidates have not shown any interest, the reservation will be canceled on Monday.
The committee felt that the current crop of cronies have nothing to gain by it. They are all on the same page and there is nobody with a substantially different educational outlook to challenge them. Why would they subject themselves to hard questions when they feel they don't have to?
Since this is only a primary election for school board directors, a lot could change in time for the General Election. This would give Independents a chance to step forward and challenge the status quo.
Many thanks go to the committee. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed.
There are a number of Remely signs out in front of houses that are on the market. No wonder there is little interest in a forum!
ReplyDeleteThe PTA, also known as, The League of Women Voters have already decided the loser. They don't want a CPA on the board.
ReplyDeleteElaine when you get time could you delete the comment at 4:10 and replace with this corrected version.
ReplyDeleteIt was hastily written and filled with auto correct errors. Apologies to all, I find it impossible to proof read on a 2" wide screen.
Here's why I'm disappointed that there will be no school board candidates forum.
The are 5 people running for 4 seats so...
If you really like the two SB incumbents - Birks and Remely - which is fine, then you're going to have to make a choice on which of the 3 new guys doesn't make the cut.
Without a forum does your vote come down to name recognition only? Based on their kid plays with your kid?
It can't possibly be made on the individual's campaign promises because the three are all on the same mailers as Mrs. Birks.
They all campaigning on the same issues apparently and maybe that is intentional. it really doesn't matter which wins with Mary, it's the agenda that counts.
Perhaps the informed voter will pick their four winners using the candidates' resumes.
If you want a strong drug and alcohol policy you vote for Reimer, want a numbers guy you go with Hill and so forth.
But, if you've decided a new broom sweeps clean and go with the three new guys, how do you pick between Birks and Remely?
They're both incumbents directors and pretty much voted the same way on every board vote. So why one instead of the other.
Prefer moms over dads? Are differences between the two?
Why Mary over Dan? Why Dan over Mary?
Are you voting for Mary because you expect Dan will go to Harrisburg because he's a republican and will back Corbett? What happens if he doesn't beat Miller or Brown, then you've lost your strong man on the school board!
Another situation is we re-elect Dan to the board with the 3 newbies, but he wins the House seat too, which he'll probably elect to take... then Mary's out.
There are so many scenarios and unfortunately the candidates aren't offering much info for voters to base their votes on.
This vote is for the kids and for the oversight of the number one reason people choose to live here. Shouldn't the election be decided over something more important than a yard sign?
Still not right, but hopefully readable now.
ReplyDeleteSorry.
This gets a little fuzzy for me, but I think there is a way for all of the school board directors to be on the November ballot. Since they all cross filed, Remely could win on the R ballot, for example, but lose on the D ballot.
ReplyDeleteNeil B., do I have that right?
Elaine
7:11 PM, i deleted your 4:10 comment.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Elaine: That is correct. With 5 candidates (and assuming no successful write-ins), there are only two possibilities:
ReplyDelete1. Four candidates could win both the Republican and Democratic nominations. The election in November would then be pretty much pro-forma (hard to see a write-in candidate beating a candidate who is both the Republican and Democratic nominee).
2. Three candidates could win both nominations, with the other two candidates each winning the Republican and Democratic nominations respectively. While it is not a mathematical certainty that the candidates with both nominations would win in November, they'd be heavy favorites. In all likelihood, the two remaining candidates (the ones with only one party nomination) would fight it out for the last slot.
Note to 7:11: you can't "elect" Mr. Remely and the three newbies to the board and also have him win the House race. The school board election this month is only a primary. As I've mentioned before, if Mr. Remely wins the House race and also wins one or both party nominations for the board, he would presumably (and as you also speculate) take office immediately for the House seat (since it is vacant). He would then also presumably resign from the School board and renounce his nomination(s) for a new four year term to the school board. The board itself would fill the vacancy for the remainder of his current term (as is standard procedure). The party committee(s) of the party(ies) whose board nomination(s) he won would choose a replacement for him in the general election for the four year school board seat.--Neil Berch
Thank you Elaine.
ReplyDeleteYes, believe you are right, we could go into November still with five candidates.
Elaine, I would certainly welcome the opportunity to participate in a PA House District 42 candidate forum if you can pull it off. Let me know if you need me to provide availability dates. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you Neal for clarifying the Remely possibility.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking that as I wrote my comment. Suppose Dan win the board primary and the House seat therefore the board 'loser' could be appointed to Remely's vacant seat and be appointed the party(ies) in November.
So maybe the candidate forum for school board is a waste of time. Could the whole SB primary be a waste?
If we had fifty candidates forums for school board, I wouldn't vote for Remely or Birks. Ever.
ReplyDeleteI am looking into having a PA House District 42 candidate forum. Possibly adding a county council candidate forum, as well. I think one for school board candidates would be a waste of time. It might be a different story in November.
Elaine
According to yesterday's Trib, Dan Remely is still president of H-Squared. http://triblive.com/politics/politicalheadlines/3873546-74/lebanon-state-education#axzz2SQHGgfc8
ReplyDeleteFunny thing, his office is empty at 250 Mt. Lebanon Blvd.
For County Council, Sue Means was endorsed by the PG. Her opponent, Krista Harris is married to Mark Harris, Raja's political strategist. Rich Fitzgerald called Mark Harris, "one of the sleaziest political operatives in town." Yikes!
6:52 PM, not sure why you would say that about Durwood Hill. He is very active with the Lincoln PTA, same PTA where Scott Goldman served. I hear that both Hill and Moorhead are approachable and capable. This came from someone who attended a community meeting sponsored by Hill. If Durwood and Scott were on the same PTA, you could be sure that Durwood wouldn't be rolling his eyes every time Scott would speak, like SOME board members are known to do.
Elaine
I think that you sponsoring a forum for the candidates would be incredible. It would bring all the wing-nuts together in one place. What a boon to this community, knowing who actually writes this tripe. Can you actually imagine anyone with a double digit IQ participating in anything you would sponsor?
ReplyDeleteThere it is again, the insults, the name calling, but I'll bet 8:18 actually believes they stand for all that is good in this community.
ReplyDeleteUs "wing-nuts" simply ewant to hear the candidates speak on theirr visions' for the future of our school district, supposedily the community's #1 asset/attraction and 8:18 mock us.
That's the way to bring together a community 8:18. That is truly a display of a great intellect. Don't inquire, don't display a curious mind. Just call people names that don't think like you.
9:35 PM, his name IS Timmy. We had a US president named Jimmy. Puleeze. Yes, the elected officials spend a lot of time AND money.
ReplyDeleteElaine
You participate in this Blog - 8:18. What does that say about you ?
ReplyDeleteWe're not going to have a forum for school board candidates. It is not worth our time.
ReplyDeleteHow ironic that the last time the wing-nuts all got together, people were demonstrating because they couldn't go. Best part was, they were invited, but they were "too cool" for us, so they were uninvited.
Looks like they were uninvited again.
Elaine
8:18, I assure you that the people who contribute to this blog are smart enough to think for themselves...which makes them unlike the sheep that follow the flock currently in power.
ReplyDeleteNo, his name in Dr. Steinhauer. What in God's name does he have to do with a President of the United States. If you were to address him to his face you would call him Jimmy? Puleeze, I think not.
ReplyDelete9:35 Elaine will gladly show you 4,000 signatures of people asking the board to scale back their grandiose building plans fir the high school.
ReplyDeleteEd Kubit Sid there were more people that want them to go ahead, yet he felt no need to show one shred of evidence to back up his claim. The current president said she had no intention of reconsidering tearing building C even though 12 people with more knowledge of construction than her, asked her to reconsider.
When officials turn a deaf ear to their constituents they usually end up being mocked.
Especially when they proclaim transpArency.
8:18 and 9:35.
ReplyDeleteWonder if either of you two marched in front of the town hall with "What the Kluck" signs.
Plus, while I don't think I've ever called the superintendent or directors "stupid, morons", I will say you don't have to be a rocket scientist to manage the district by continually raising taxes. Posing students in a new bathroom when there are countless other photo ops on the new floor is pretty dumb.
The bottom line is that it's too easy to raise taxes to justify massive building projects for the so-called betterment of the community.
ReplyDeleteIt's way past time for state legislators to enact a law requiring that all building projects must be approved by a referendum vote of constituents. Only then will we see some sanity in construction.
Mocking elected officials is not that unusual 8:18 and 9:25. I'll direct to this article in the Huffington post.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/lanny-davis/george-bush-the-president_b_3149314.html
Here is an excerpt:
"Tomorrow, April 25, on the Southern Methodist University campus in Dallas, Texas, four living presidents -- Jimmy Carter, No. 39; George H.W. Bush, No. 41; Bill Clinton, No. 42, and Barack Obama, No. 44 -- will honor one of their colleagues, George W. Bush, the 43rd president of the United States, at the dedication of his presidential library.
So I take this occasion to remind my fellow liberal Democrats, many of whom continue to attack Bush in harsh and personal terms, of three things about him that I don't think they understand or appreciate."
Furthermore, one of our past US presidents had a famous quote that is applicable here:
"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!" -- Harry Truman
If you could open your mind to a world outside your little bubble you'd understand Elaine's reference to Jimmy Carter.
ReplyDeleteElected officials, even those as lofty as the President of the US are not immune to name calling.
Do you know why the Democrats mascot is a donkey?
"The mascot or symbol of the DemocratParty, or more accurately the Democratic Party, in the US is the donkey. The symbol was not initially meant to be flattering. Though many credit politicalcartoonist Thomas Nast with its creation in the 1870s, actually, the Democratic Party had used the donkey before. During the 1828 presidential election, the opponents of Andrew Jackson had insultingly called him a jackass, and Jackson decided to take up the mantle of this insult and use it to his gain. Jackson used the symbol is his campaign materials, agreeing at least in part with his opponents that he was “stubborn.”
I suppose you're not old enough to remember "Tricky Dicky."
But what is really absurd about your "holier than thou" attitude, you ask: "If you were to address him to his face you would call him Jimmy? Puleeze, I think not."
I'll ask you, if there was a candidate forum would you address the Lebocitizens bloggers face to face as "wingnut?"
Neil, in your 8:40 post, you point out that Remely's party could pick a replacement for him, to run in the general election.
ReplyDeleteThat would put Remely's replacement at an advantage over an independent who cannot run in the primary, because Remely's replacement would not have to run in the primary to get on the general election ballot in the fall.
Also, with Remely running on both tickets, shouldn't the Democrats also be allowed to put up a replacement?
I think the general election slate should simply be the winners of the primary, less any candidates who drop out for whatever reason.
That is a good question 8:03.
ReplyDeleteIMO, candidates shouldn't be allowed to run for 2 or more positions. It cancels out the voters right to elect an office holder or as in the case of Matt Smith it leaves citizens without a voice. Since January Mt. Lebanon hasn't had a voice in the state house.
Plus, what is the candidate thinking? I'm so important that I must remain in power at one level of government or another, even though winning one seat makes them ineligible for the other. Therefby blocking citizens inherent right to vote in THEIR choice.
Running for two offices is like a man or woman setting their wedding date, but making reservations for that singles cruise for the same day.
ReplyDeleteIt's all about them!
Perhaps Elaine, we should embrace President Jackson's example and embrace the "wingnut" name. Wiki's definition:
ReplyDelete"Wingnut (hardware), a nut with a pair of wings to enable it to be turned without tools, used where frequent adjustments are needed or part removal can be made quickly at some later stage"
So maybe we are "wingnuts!" Attempting to hold two separate things together (school district and community) but able to make frequent adjustments as needed (say as spending more/less as needed in a prosperous or depressed economy) without tools (like glitzy PR, less than accessible info, or smear campaigns).
@Elaine Dan Remely was fired by H Square Properties.
ReplyDeleteHow about if you show the names of your "nonpartisan" committee. I am sure a lot of people would be interested in who you consider to be "nonpartisan".
ReplyDeleteHow about 8:18 and 9:25 show there names.
ReplyDeleteBet they are probably two of the people that in the past criticized anonymous bloggers.
If 11:53 is one or both commenters at 8:18 and 9:25 why don't you answer questions that you were asked first?
With my respects to EG, the better word is "pan-partisan committee"; there is no such thing as a nonpartisan person.
ReplyDeleteThe "committee" was quite informal, and I was on it. I can assure Blog readers that it consisted of people representing left-wing, center, conservative, and libertarian (a.k.a. "classical liberal" - me) philosophies.
Given that, in my opinion, the race for the 42nd District PA House seat is more important than the school board primary (with its slate of nearly identical candidates) I agreed with the sentiment that the public would be better served with a forum featuring the three House candidates. I know George Brown and Dan Miller as a result of engaging both of them in E-mail and telephone calls, and they are both gentlemen. Mr. Remely does not respond to the E-mail and studies that I send to the school board, so my only knowledge of him is through podcasts of school board meetings.
Any attempt to enlighten the polity, no matter who offers the forum, should be encouraged. Voter apathy in Mt. Lebanon is disgusting, and for that reason alone I would support a candidates' forum - no matter who was organizing it.
"On every unauthoritative exercise of power by the legislature must the people rise in rebellion or their silence be construed into a surrender of that power to them? If so, how many rebellions should we have had already?"...Thomas Jefferson
As usual Mr. Gideon, you call it like it is... voter apathy in Mt. Lebanon is indeed disgusting.
ReplyDeleteOne would think in a community of intelligent, supposedily concerned and involved citizens we'd have better turnouts at election time.
What I can't figure out is why the abysmal participation. Have residents become complacent, as in they don't know and don't care, are they lazy, too tired in their daily battle to keep their heads above water or have they learned that there truly isn't any difference in the Rs and Ds?
Perhaps they should try the independent, libertarian, they might find independence to be just the ticket.
11:53 OK you have two of the names associated with the "nonpartisan" forum committee.
ReplyDeleteNow a question for you! Now that you have them, what are you going to do with them?
Is that it, you were just curious? Was there a point? Or are you going to come up with some "wickedily clever" comment to demean these two individuals.
People like 11:53 seem to want to suppress the vote. How patriotic. must be a school board member.
ReplyDelete3:41, Is Richard Gideon two people? The point of the original question is to determine just who Elaine considers "nonpartisan". If Mr. Gideon's past comments are an indication of his political philosophy, he is certainly a libertarian, which I have no problem with. However, this blog seems to attract a fringe element that fortunately most people are unaware of. There is very little said that could be construed as thoughtful, or even helpful. If Elaine actually has some relatively normal people who are willing to put their name to this thing, I think a lot of people wonder who they are. I would think that this might add a bit of credibility to this blog. But, we will see.
ReplyDeleteWhen I post links to actual documents and podcasts, I am not sure how much more credibility can be provided. I get accused of not posting both sides, so I approve most comments. I never seem to get it right, do I, 4:23 PM. No matter who plans the forum, I am sure you won't approve.
ReplyDeleteJust stick with lebolife blogs, 4:23 PM. I think you will be much happier. lebomag.com/category/lebolife-blogs/
Elaine
4:23 PM WHY DON'T YOU LEAD THE WAY AND IDENTIFY YOURSELF ? MAYBE, JUST MAYBE OTHERS WILL FOLLOW.
ReplyDeleteA fringe element ? Like a School Board Member ? Doesn't most of Mount Lebanon read this Blog ? Your " fringe element " comment adds no credibility to this Blog !
ReplyDelete5:04 I was just thinking of that irony in 4:23's post myself, I guess they don't actually consider themself " a relatively normal person willing to put their name to this thing."
ReplyDeleteOh 4:23 you're trying to get in a little dig with your question as to whether Gideon is two people.
Of course he isn't. You asked Elaine at 11:53: "How about if you show the names of your "nonpartisan" committee." Well Mr. Gideon said he was a member and Elaine earlier offered that she helped start it. That's two people.
I simply asked that now that you had two would you be willing to tell us what knowing the names did for you.
To which you made your "normal" people remark (which you obviously don't consider yourself one of since you too post anonymously).
But hey 4:23, keep chiming in-- it makes for some hilariously great entertainment.
It is pretty funny, 5:32 PM. 4:23 PM had no problem with me posting the link to Birks' campaign website or the announcement to Durwood Hill's community meetings. Should I have not done that, 4:23? Did it attract all the angry math parents? Were there too many people asking tough questions? I heard that one of the meetings had quite a lively discussion.
ReplyDeleteNow if you could just find a way to keep that fringe element away from the polls. Sadly, your comment insulted a large segment of Lebo.
Elaine
Just curious, anonymous poster/critic at 423--when use the word "normal", are you willing to offer your definition? I happen to know a lot of the regular contributors to this blog and they certainly fit the textbook definition of the word but perhaps you have something more exact.
ReplyDeleteAnd to Elaine's point, many people in Lebo read this blog, even those who claim to see nothing but "vitriol".
3:41 By naming Elaine as one of the people associated with the "nonpartisan" forum you make my point. By hiding the names of the other "nonpartisan" members, Elaine also makes my point. It is telling that Elaine is afraid of giving us the names. Since she is the one who created this "nonpartisan" group, I think she owes the readers a list of names.
ReplyDelete7:33 AM, I owe you that? I see. Who was on the PTA that canceled the school board candidates forum? Which members of the League of Women voters are sponsoring the Miller, Remely, and Brown forum on May 15 in Bethel?
ReplyDeleteWhat are you afraid of? Aren't you more interested in learning about the candidates? Why don't you offer to help?
Elaine
Elaine, "owes" you nothing, 7:33! It appears you constantly defend board directors as unpaid volunteers, yet at the same constantly besmirching Elaine who is serving the public as an unpaid reporter of information.
ReplyDeleteWhether you believe her reporting as accurate or not is certainly up to you, if you don't like it don't read it.
And please don't hide behind inaccurate, malicious reporting is the problem with blogs. History is riff with examples of even main stream media offering up highly opinionated stories. Look up William Randolf Hearst and yellow rag journalism for instance.
What I want to know is, just whom do you think you are?
You're all over her to name names and you won't post yours. If you want to remain anonymous do so, but don't hide behind anon post while expecting everyone else to come forward. That's two-faced plain and simple.
7:33 "Anonymous" - Elaine doesn't owe you a thing.
ReplyDeleteHere you go, one of the organizers is Bill Zellers, as stated by a school board director and PTA leadership, "a Mt. Lebanon resident".
That's how the elected officials and "leaders" do things around here. What's good for the goose....so why don't you put up or shut up?
Elaine, the names of the people with both the PTA and the League of Women voters in Bethel Park are publicly available. You are the one who created this "nonpartisan" committee, not me. What are you afraid of?
ReplyDeleteHey 3:14, why don't you set the example and sign your name? Or better yet, follow my lead since I've signed mine.
ReplyDelete9:23 What are YOU afraid of - put your name on the blog posts.
ReplyDeleteLove it, just love it!
ReplyDelete9:23 is asking Elaine, probably the most upfront, in your face, available resident in all of MTL what she is afraid of -- from an anonymous post.
9:23 you really are a laugh a minute. Elaine laugh it off, the newspapers have their funny pages... you have 9:23.
James, I don't mind the anonymity considering the malicious actions taken on people that have stepped forward, as you well know.
ReplyDeleteI'd suggest 9:23 send Elaine a private email offering to be a member of the 'non-partisan' committee that is working on getting a House candidate forum here.
That way they'll find out who's on the committee and can stay anonymous at the same time.
I'll bet knowing Elaine she'd welcome an opposing voice, she is that fair in my opinion.
Since Elaine is afraid of showing anyone her list of "nonpartisan" members of her committee, I will take a guess. Some of the names are probably Veblen Good and his cousin Giffen Good as well as Samuel Adams; all bloggers of note on this blog. Elaine, prove me wrong. Oh, wait, don't look behind that curtain!
ReplyDeleteOh, you got me. Busted.
ReplyDeleteElaine
I may file a RTK with this blog! What's good for the goose....!
ReplyDeletePlease do.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Now there's some concrete information residents can take to the bank.
ReplyDelete10:20 takes a wild guess. Well here's an equal absurd guess--- 10:20 is a very, very top level school district administrator.
Thinking voters, ask yourself - what is 10:20's objective? To bring accurate accountable information to the voters or to divert attention away from the candidates.
Elaine and friends attempted to do nothing but make candidates available for public exposure. Nothing more than follow up on a suggestion a friend of Mr. Hill offered in a prior comment. He suggested if you met Mr. Hill, talked to him you'd like him on the board. Elaine's committee attempted to do nothing more than make that up close and personal time avaiable with all the candidates at one time.
What does 10:20 offer... wild guesses, diversion and malicious distractions... all behind a curtain. Now that is interesting.
OK, so I'll reveal that I was/am a member of the committee, and I'll reveal some more, some of which neither side may like very much. Elaine sent an email to a group of about 8 or so people, including me, asking for help setting up a forum in place of the cancelled school board forum. I recognized most of the names, because they are NOT anonymous commenters, but people (including Mr. Gideon) who regularly sign their comments on this blog. The list was not ideologically balanced (I appeared to be the only "collectivist", to borrow from Mr. Gideon's collectivist lexicon). My unity with the group is that I believe in open government and think candidate forums are good (not unlike the League of Women Voters, despite some of the comments here). Someone suggested expanding the forum to include commissioner, county council, and state House candidates.
ReplyDeleteI expressed two sets of concerns. One had to do with the logistics of having so many candidates at once (and whether useful information would come from such a forum. The other was that a forum sponsored by Lebo Citizens would not be perceived by candidates (especially school board candidates) and public as a neutral forum. I suggested that a co-sponsorship with someone on the other side might be necessary (and a good thing). I offered to help design a format and a method for picking questions that would be as neutral as possible (have work conflicts for both of the suggested nights for the forum, so wouldn't actually even attend). I also indicated that I wouldn't be much help recruiting candidates to attend, since I only know two who are unopposed for commissioner slots.
Was I being used as cover to make this "non-partisan"? I doubt it. I believe that Elaine and the others honestly wanted to have a candidates forum. Did they also want to score political points against the incumbent school board members for ducking debate? Maybe. Do I still think a public forum would be a good idea? Yes. When I was a candidate for the Seattle school board over 25 years ago (got 11% of the vote; I was too far left for Seattle), I attended candidate forums of one sort of another almost every night for several weeks. They were sponsored by groups of all political stripes (I appeared before the Associated Republican women of King County one afternoon and the 34th Legislative Democrats that same night, with gay groups, black women's groups, newspaper forums, and a ton of others on other nights). People stated their names and asked substantive questions. We gave substantive answers and sometimes agreed with one another. I started my campaign specifically because I thought the incumbent was bad (and she didn't think much of my "negative" campaign against her). By the end, we found some common ground from listening to one another at candidate forums. That beats both sides sniping at one another through anonymous comments. It may be that the Internet has killed political discourse (though I'm obviously still not totally convinced of that).--Neil Berch
Make that "Mr. Gideon's libertarian lexicon"!--Neil Berch
ReplyDeleteI sent the following email to Dan Miller and George Brown:
ReplyDeleteHi Dan and George,
Thank you for your interest in a Lebo Citizens candidate forum. Unfortunately, the committee cannot come up with a date that would be convenient for everyone. I recognize that this was a last minute plan, and I do apologize. You can read the chain of events that lead to this forum on the Lebo Citizens Blog.
I never heard from Dan Remely. Go figure.
Thanks again for being receptive to our efforts. Good luck to you both.
Elaine Gillen
Dan Miller called me back upon receipt of the email. I thanked him again. Never once, did either gentleman question the makeup of the committee. Thanks again, Dan Miller and George Brown.
Elaine
Neil and RIchard are stand up gentlemen and I would have enjoyed working with them on planning a candidates' forum.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I am completely unwilling to come forward as one who was asked to participate unless the vexatious anonymous posters who demand to know about this committee take their own recommendation and come out of the shadows.
My guess is those comments came from the Remely camp since the other two candidates agreed to participate.
ReplyDeleteVoters, take note.
Elaine
2:22: I love the word "vexatious". My point is that it applies equally to those who ask anonymously about the "secret committee" and those who post anonymously about Mr. Hill's experience as a CPA (and question his integrity) based on their partial searches of public records. Where possible (I recognize there are some exceptions, but I think people overestimate just how many there are), people should come out and face their neighbors and discuss issues. As alluded to previously, My opening foray in my school board campaign was a two-sided leaflet entitled, "Do you really want Ellen X on your School Board?" It was then backed by arguments. We argued about these issues publicly, and all were the better for it. There were also lines we probably didn't cross because we were face-to-face and put our names on our discourse. I still remember the first time I had to make the case against her at a newspaper endorsement interview, with her sitting next to me. We found common ground through face-to-face contact, and the fact that her son had been a student in my class (I didn't realize this until she told me; Ellen X had a common last name). That sort of thing is missing in the anonymous trench warfare.--Neil Berch
ReplyDeleteMr. Berch, I found both post at 1:21 and 2:43 thoughtful and extremely accurate. Unfortunately, I'm not convinced that signing is a good idea and I'll just say "been there, done that" and I'm not willing to do it again. Call me chicken if you like, but experience tells me discrection is the better part of valor here.
ReplyDeleteYou are onto something about anonymous trench warfare, it truly is a subject worth discussing in depth at some point, but doubt as a community we'll resolve it before the election.
Blacklisting, retaliation aren't new concepts, nor are laws prohibiting certain groups politicking for or against candidates, but despite rules it goes on. Tearing down candidate posters at the polls is illegal also, but it goes on here.
Neil, you are absolutely spot on 100%, you can find common ground in face-to-face contact, but both parties must be willing to participate in the contact.
Review the tape or ask Elaine what was the reception by the audience and the board when she presented the petition.
Ask a couple of individuals, professional in the subject at hand, what was the reception to their particiapation or studies.
They were bashed, insulted, demean, sometimes in the press and all they were doing was offering their opinions and asking for further study.
Remember "What the Kluck" town hall? Remember its reception?
Sure it had flawes, had limited seating but the people behind it were trying, even giving oponents seats to the event.
But the "What the Kluckers" weren't going to have any of it. No waiting to see the results, no let's plan another one together... it was Us vs Them!
So Neil, it would be wonderful to get out of the trenches, but who's going to lead the cease fire?
One other thought to my 3:18 comment.
ReplyDeleteWhen Elaine blogged that her "non-partison" committee was attempting to form another candidate forum, my reaction was great, hope it works. I wasn't concerned with who the committee members were, I was just glad I might be able to hear each candidate and maybe get a question.
There wasn't a concern who was behind it (though knowing Elaine I was pretty sure she'd allow all sides equal opportunity to ask questions, thought the same of the LWV, they too are pretty fair).
It would have been impressive if instead of reading: "I think that you sponsoring a forum for the candidates would be incredible. It would bring all the wing-nuts together in one place. What a boon to this community, knowing who actually writes this tripe. Can you actually imagine anyone with a double digit IQ participating in anything you would sponsor?"
We had 8:18 offering - "Elaine, we have differences, but in the interest of fair play can I join your committee?"
No jumped right into "wingnuts" and the IQ comment.
So we're still at, eh 2:22? Way to demonstrate your convictions. Are you currently in office or just running for one?
ReplyDeleteI applaud Mr. Berch for being open. And to up the ante, I was the one who suggested putting together a candidates' forum after the "non-partisan" PTA decided, apparently and erroneously on behalf of the entire community, to cancel the event. Guess they didn't want their candidates to actually be forced to defend their records. Well, mission accomplished. Great example to set. But given the makeup of the school board, I understand.
The group Elaine pieced together in very short order included a good mix of people, including one or two with whom I've both publicly and privately sparred regarding various issues. But our debates were civil and (take note, PTA), they were for the benefit of arriving at the best possible answer/solution/suggestion for the community. Oh, that lands me squarely in the category of "wingnut", doesn't it.
Unlike the anonymous commenters, I'm not afraid of anyone in this town. Why should anyone live that way? I mean, the worst thing they can do is either set me up (like I suspect they did with Goldman), or use some alleged nonprofit to circulate a nasty email attacking me personally that gets routed through, say, a Department of Defense computer in another state and ends up going only to a collection of indiviudals in the community whose names were derived from said nonprofit. But thankfully, that would never happen...Am I afraid of anyone here? No. Disappointed, maybe. Disgusted? Often. We have our usual handful of folks who try to hold Lebo up as some exclusive, elite community that bears no flaws. The reality, though, is quite the opposite. Elaine's blog has done a great service by exposing those scars as well as exposing a mindset so prevalent here and elsewhere. The "if you don't like it, then move somewhere else" crowd has such a detrimental effect on discourse that it ultimately taints the charcter of the community. Such irony that those who purport to speak for the town are actually destroying it.
I wanted a candidates' night to provide the public an opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from each person running for office. It's part of our democratic process, it's traditional and (here goes a difficult concept) it's the right thing for the candidates to do. Call me old-fashioned or naive but I really believe that in serving the people who elect them, government officials at any level have an obligation to make themselves available and accessible to their constituents.
Dan Miller and George Brown both demonstrated the backbone to participate. Isn't it odd the school board candidates are eerily silent on the concept of being open and transparent? Why would they take that stance?
Elaine, keep up the good work, ignore the anonymous comments and keep doing what you're doing. Nobody else will. It's unfortunate, though, there are so few people in the community who actually DO want civil conversation and an open system. I've said it before--given the attitude and the apathy here, we keep getting the government we deserve.
Thank you, Jim. I had sent out an email to some people asking if they would be willing to help Jim Cannon with the forum. Unfortunately, I was unable to help since I was hosting a house full of grieving young adults.
ReplyDeleteI would have not been able to attend the forum due to my son's graduation. So all those attacks made toward me were for naught.
3:39 PM, the best line was threatening to file a RTK.
We don't want to know what the candidates have to say. You know, the ones that have access to our wallets. We want to go after the volunteers who were willing to work so that voters could learn a little more about the candidates before voting.
We don't want to question the PTA's decision for canceling the school board candidates forum. Let's go after those spineless bloggers.
For the record, Dan Remely never got in touch with me. Dan Miller and George Brown did.
We know nothing about Moorhead, a little about Riemer, and too much about Birks. Durwood Hill sponsored community meetings. He answers emails. He is willing to talk. So he only answered a few questions. If we were grading on a curve, Hill aced the test. At least he is reaching out to the voters and we know he is approachable. I also know that four school board candidates agreed to participate in the League of Women Voters' forum.
So where does that leave us? At least we have the Bethel Park forum on the 15th. It is unfortunate that for this go around, there is no candidates forum for any other office.
Elaine
Just to be clear...the community forums were set by the entire slate of 4 candidates running together...not just Durwood.
ReplyDelete6:43 PM, since you seem to be in the know, would you mind emailing Bill Moorhead's personal email ( not work email) to me at EGIllen476@aol.com? A reader wants to get in touch with him. Riemer's email is listed on smartvoter, but not Moorhead's.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Elaine
The flyer attached to Elaine's post states otherwise.
ReplyDelete"You are invited to join in an informal community conversation about our school district with School Board candidate Durwood Hill at one of these upcoming dates:
May 2nd (Thursday) at 9:30 am at Panera in the Galleria (meeting room)
May 6th (Monday) at 1:30 pm at Panera in the Galleria (meeting room)
May 7th (Tuesday) at 7:00 pm at the Mt Lebanon Rec Center, Room A (Main Park)
Please come and join the conversation, your voice matters."
It says only Mr. Hill. That is not to be argumentative, 6:23. If his cohorts joined him that is great, but everyone was going by his linked flyer which makes no mention of running mates.