Response to Bridgeport News Editorial
This was sent in as a comment. I cut and pasted it here for deserved visibility. In a related matter, the Exponent-Telegram claims an informal survey of perhaps 50 people at Nutter Fort Elementary School and a couple of other schools indicate that parents do not want a new middle school at Hite Field. When will they do the public an equal favor and survey parents about the proposed school at Charles Pointe?
Here is the response to the editorial …lfr
I am going to take advantage of the last throes of http://www.harrisoncounty.wordpress.com to write a letter to Jeff Toquinto that I am well aware that his editors may deep six (even though I will try). Here goes:
“Dear Jeff,
Re: your March 27, 2008 Editorial in the Bridgeport News: “Dissent is Fine, but Please Have an Option”.
You extol the benevolence of Charles Pointe’s “donation” of land for the ballfields and the schools, but not once have I seen a deed, an option agreement, or any legal document that supports your claim that these lands are “donated”. I am concerned about a reversionary interest, like the one for the “Bridgeport Convention Center”. Ring a bell?
The largesse of Charles Pointe is legendary. However, how many other landowners may have been willing to “donate” a portion of their land to enhance their development potential, given the opportunity? Was such an “opportunity” ever bid out? Was this budget line-item of 1.2 million ever the subject of public input? Can’t we do this for a half a million? We’ll never know.
No developer in their right mind would have passed up this “opportunity” to build it and they will come. How convenient that Bridgeport’s Mayor has a huge investment in the development that is going to benefit from Bridgeport’s tax dollars.
Your words: “What makes the whole thing unbelievably attractive…it’s free.” Free? Are you kidding me? Do you pay Bridgeport taxes? This is NOT free. Do you really believe that the majority of Bridgeporters who pay their taxes and expect a level playing field (pardon the analogy) buy into this? Not the Bridgeporters that I grew up with and know.
These ballfields are a tad more than “…just a few minutes off the beaten path”. No one lives out there. There are no kids for a school out there. The fact that Genesis partners set aside lands to be used as public lands from the beginning is indicative of nothing but a savvy development philosophy. Those leading the City of Bridgeport have gone through sad and contrived machinations to make sure this one certain development is prosperous. How many other developers have this chance?
And the infrastructure! Guess who paid for that? Jeff, this is not “free”. It is thirty (30) years of public indebtedness.
So there was the dissent. Here are the options: 1.) let the public know what’s going on. Cut these Bridgeport secret executive sessions out of the way you do business. It is likely illegal, and definitely immoral; 2.) advertise these “opportunities” out for bid. Maybe someone else can provide a better deal. If Charles Pointe happens to be the best game in town, then it’s fair and square; 3.) Have the Mayor refrain from voting on, and participating in executive session in matters in which he has a financial interest; 4.) Inform the public before you embark on boondoggles that rape the public treasury; 5.) Talk to property owners on Lodgeville Road or in the immediate vicinity who might just want to cut you a better deal for your “free” ballfields and schools. Bottom line: How can you ascertain “options”, when you have closed that avenue down?
Bridgeport’s boon to Charles Pointe has already cost Bridgeport taxpayers millions. There is no such thing as a free lunch.”
Again, the mantra: I am not against Charles Pointe. I am pro-Development. I don’t blame Charles Pointe. I blame those individuals who are manipulating my beautiful hometown of Bridgeport. “
Filed under: Board of Education, Charles Pointe, Charles Pointe and Schools, City Council of Bridgeport, Education of Children, Local News Media, TIF
Bravo Lisa, as a Bridgeport resident and taxpayer, I agree with you. I will be paying for the “free” parts of Charles Pointe for years to come.
Lisa, its obvious you are not pro-development in Bridgeport. Any large development takes cooperation from the local and state governments. Also, I don’t see anyone else offering any property to the City of Bridgeport for ballfields. Your not happy even when the City officials try to provide something to the citizens of Bridgeport.
Do you realize also, that Worthington Drive will be connected to Charles Pointe. So Charles Pointe, is not “way out there”.
Also, there are not many developers out there taking the large-scale financial risk that Genesis Partners is currently.
Answer—-what risk? They are playing with my money, and your money and city taxes and state taxes and federal taxes.
The newspaper will not do a survey like that about Charles Pointe because there is no way to twist it around during the questioning to illicit the type of response that they want. I would assume that was the case with the WI questioning.
Two of the main reasons I heard from people that voted against that last bond was that they didn’t want a Charles Pointe, and wanted a new WI but not up at Byrd.
Lisa,
I get the impression that you are a troublemaker and will complain about everything from the county commission, the YMCA, the school bond, Charles Pointe, Clarksburg City Council including specific members of council, Bridgeport City Council, Jim Christie, White Oaks…etc….but fail to give credit when credit is due. You are doing yourself a disservice by attempting to fight every battle you see as an injustice. Why don’t you run for public office and then we can judge you based upon your actions? I think it is easy to sit back and critique everything that is done by our elected officials and find fault in their actions. Why don’t you put your money where your big mouth is and step up to the plate?
Dear Tired of Me:
While I understand your position, I am not going to stop asking questions. If that is offensive, so be it. I am not trying to win any popularity contest, or any other contest for that matter. Can’t you see a common thread running through everything I mouth off about? Sorry I rock your world, but I think that this is kind of the way a democracy is supposed to work.
PS: Sometimes I get tired of LFF as well, but at this point there is not much I can do about it.
Thank you Lisa Furbee for asking questions. Isn’t it interesting to watch the squirming that has gone on and the marching orders that have gone out to the Christie followers. Believe me, Lisa you are doing the right thing, and doing what others like me are afraid to do. Please continue to take them on. There are many of us supporting you. We all know that so much of what has gone on with Charles Pointe stinks. We just don’t know all the details or how to question the legal part of it.
To ‘ANSWER’: Charles Pointe may have plans to connect that development to Worthington Drive now, but it was not part of the original plan. They didn’t want to be connected to the rest of Bridgeport at all. That seems like a big part of their problem. They wanted Bridgeport’s tax money and fire and police, but wanted to be exclusively away from ‘old’ Bridgeport. But since things haven’t worked out like they thought, the plans have changed. No houses lining golf courses anymore. They need ‘old’ Bridgeport more and more, our money, our people and our existing neighborhoods to draw people out there. Maybe if they didn’t try to come in here with their noses in the air to the rest of us and try to take our schools, and pull this thing with Jim Christie as mayor, maybe things would have been different. Now too many people have a bad taste in their mouths toward Charles Pointe.
Hey, I’ll take the ball fields,don’t get me wrong. But don’t act like this is some big donation from the heart. We know the deal and charles point knows the deal. I just hope the day doesn’t come when Bridgeport parks & rec will kick Bridgeport teams off those fields, because now charles point has their own teams. They better remember us when charles point doesn’t need us po’ folk anymore. That’s our taxes all 1.2 million.
Lisa Furbee Ford,
Could you please explain what this “reversionary interest” with the Bridgeport Convention Center means and how would it relate to the property donated for the ball fields?
Thanks.
To LFF: What CP vision has dreamed was to replace the ‘beefalo’ with Jim Christie, to mold a posh Disney
entrance to an upscale community with million dollar
homes lining PGA sanctioned courses, a Garden Hilton, quaint shops, gourmet dining, an Indian school,
an athletic ‘wheel’, all garnished with a TIF.
What reality has dictated is a flawed mayor who is running scared, a couple of meager pylons
before an Exxon leading the way to a ho-hum community of base-housing, with green fees replaced
by a towering Association fee, a Garden Hilton at New Pointe that’s thriving, no shops, Buffalo Wings,
a school ‘in the air’, or under the air field, a whale of a burden for Bridgeport, and White Oaks taking off like
a rocket.
What we must remember is Thistledown, and
that ‘big white’ next to the Hampton–one of a kind.
What price success. Bring on the Beefalo!
She also tried to get the mission in Clarksburg closed..real nice
To Really: I don’t get your comment. Please advise.
From an earlier post
“Lisa,
I get the impression that you are a troublemaker and will complain about everything from the county commission, the YMCA, the school bond, Charles Pointe, Clarksburg City Council including specific members of council, Bridgeport City Council, Jim Christie, White Oaks…etc”
Include in there trying to get the mission in Clarksburg closed
Just to make sure that everybody sees this–Hey HCBOE Observer and Request–did I not tell you way back when that Susan Collins would be the next Superintendent because it was a done deal??? And to think you 2 said she wasn’t interested!! I am sure she is being named the WINNER right now at the board meeting that is taking place!!!! Remember you heard it here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Would’nt you expect the assistant superintendent to be named the interim?
If the President steps down it’s the Vice-President not a senator…and any number of examples. That is the whole reason to have a second in comand.
parent,
so what gives? let us hear it here first.
Yes…Lisa Furbee Ford tried to get the mission closed as well so the poster, Really, is correct…we need to add that to the long list of complaints/crusades that LFF has been out against…also, don’t forget Bports application for Home Rule…..must add that to the list as well……is there anything she hasn’t come out against?
I heard there was a little catfight at the Home Rule public meeting yesterday. Sounds to me like someone is getting used in this lawsuit. Can’t we all get along? If you have any questions just ask Lisa. She seems to know everything anyways.
I was at the meeting in Bridgeport. There was no catfight or anything else remotely close to it. you people like “drama” the home rule chairperson even went so far as to commend everyone for the decorum because I think he thought going in to it that it might be a little unruly because of the litigation. nothing of the sort.
Dear “Really”
You seem to insinuate that I am being ‘used’ by the Fords to further some agenda of theirs. I can assure you and everyone else that I contacted Mr. Ford to be my attorney in this matter. I am the one who initiated the legal action after I personally witnessed the City of Bridgeport violate the State Code relating to the Home Rule application process over and over again. I brought this to the attention of City Council in December that the City had violated the Code before they submitted their application. They bulldozed it through anyway without regard to their citizens or the State Law.
The only “someones” getting “used” in this lawsuit are the taxpayers in Bridgeport. The City’s leadership is using the taxpayers’ dollars to defend a lawsuit that the City leaders know they are on the wrong side of.
Diana,
It seems to me that you are the one wasting taxpayers’ dollars for your own personal agenda. It’s not like there are 50 people suing the city.. YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE…I know you’re going to say that everybody wanted to do it but they did not have the means or some other lame excuse. Congratulations on getting the 15 minutes you so craved.
Guess what Diana, that little mansion you live in on top of the hill, that was not apart of city limits in past, It had to be annexed like many other neighborhoods in Bridgeport. Bridgeport “proper” is doing just fine. It will be doing just fine 20 years from now. It will still have amazing schools, parks and citizens like it did before you and like it will after you.
Another question I have..In your proposed school plans, which include tearing down and rebuilding Johnson and Simpson on their current sites. Where are the children supposed to go to school during the construction?
Home Rule
Charles Pointe School
Everything on exit 124
Crestview Apartments
New Hospital
Good Luck on your lawsuit.
Makes sense to me and HCBO observer–The only reason we didn’t hear her name called was because Mike Queen put a stop to it at least for now. As for the comment about it only makes sense to allow the assistant to become the superintendent. Absolutely not!! You choose the BEST candidate not the “only choice” Whew–I am glad you aren’t in command. We would really be screwed!!!!!
To “Really”
I really didn’t set out to fire you up, but apparently I have. I just responded to the statement you made insinuating that I was being used and I just wanted to clarify that point. Obviously, from your response, I did not need to clarify that point at all. Since you ‘think’ you know me so well, you should have known that I have never needed someone to put words in my mouth. For better or worse, I take care of that and responsibility for that myself.
Bridgeport proper is doing better than just fine. My hope, like most of the people who live here, is that ALL parts of Bridgeport will continue prosper. We will have to take care to make sure that it happens—–it won’t just automatically happen. We have to make efforts to ensure those amazing schools and parks are here for the citizens so they will want to stay here.
I am not sure, but I think you were trying to list things that I have spoken out against. I’ll just make the corrections where necessary.
Home Rule - I am NOT against the concept of home rule and I have said that from the beginning. I am against Bridgeport’s application being considered because the City violated the state statute for the application process. I am against Bridgeport going forward with home rule on issues that they did not fully disclose, explain and allow for discussion with its citizens as the law required.
Charles Pointe School - 110% against this school being built at this time for a multitude of reasons as are the majority of Bridgeport area and Harrison County residents.
Everything on exit 124 - 110% False! I am not against everything on exit 124, you must be crazy! I have patronized several businesses out there and written to the Charles Pointe website for the developer to look into locating at Charles Pointe certain stores that are not available in our area or our state. Ask Mr. Corton, we have had the discussion. I have never said a negative thing about White Oaks. I did say that because our City Attorney is an investor in that development, I did not think he should be the attorney working on the home rule application since some of the issues in it had the potential to affect White Oaks—that’s really just common sense.
Crestview Apartments - 110% against those apartments being built there and so were the HUNDREDS of other residents that signed petitions and attended numerous Planning Commission meetings related to the issue.
New Hospital – have never said one word about the new hospital being built there or anywhere else. Sorry, just have not been that informed on the subject. I try to thoroughly research a subject before I commit to a position on the issue.
By the way, here is a short list (the full list would fill volumes!) of things that I and definitely others I know are FOR
Full disclosure of the public’s business
Avoidance of conflict of interest by public officials
Supporting private economic development without
dependence on public welfare
Cherishing neighborhood schools
Maintaining a sense of community and a positive
environment in which children may safely grow and
learn.
Finally, I would be very happy to share with you one POSSIBLE VERSION of how Simpson and Johnson could be greatly improved at the current sites. As I have emphasized this is just one possibility, perhaps you may have a better one, but additions and improvements very similar to what I am describing take place across our state and across the country regularly so it is definitely do-able.
After procuring the rest of the property in the Simpson block, a new building that would replace the tower and the modulars, but also add computer lab, library, music room, cafeteria, and gymnasium as well as additional classrooms could be built very close to the newest part of Simpson which would be the only part of the current Simpson that is retained. Obviously, during the summertime after the new part of the school is completed. Demo of the old tower and cafeteria would take place. That same summer the front wing of Johnson which is the part with structural problems would be demo-ed. That school year the 4th graders from Johnson would attend school at the enlarged Simpson for one year. The 5th graders of Johnson would attend school at the middle school for one year. The front wing would be built back 2 -story. The top floor would then house classrooms for the older students, additional classrooms, music room, computer lab, and a gymnasium would be added. The next year Simpson and Johnson students and pre-k in both schools will have room to accommodate our students with excellent buildings to serve Bridgeport Elementary Education into the future.
Way to go Diana - and I am with you 100%. If I had the resources I would have joined you on your law suit, as would a lot of residents. My fear is that our present administration will make Bridgeport impossible to live in with all the new taxes and fees they will institute. I have even entertained the thought of moving.
Sear Snow White: You are very insightful and appreciative of a yeoman’s effort on behalf of Diana
Marra, who has taken her personal time to monitor
the activities of Bridgeport City Council. She, like so many, has been raised and schooled in Bridgeport,
and has come to love it. She is protective of the place
she calls her hometown. She knows that if she sleeps,
or becomes complacent, great harm could befall the
city of Bridgeport. It is that simple.
Look at Clarksburg……..once a thriving town where
women actually ‘dressed up’ to go up town, once a great place to shop, once a hub for business, that is
now awakening to see the largest law firm in the state moving away, all the major stores gone, people fighting over parking meters, and its Council ignorant
of the city’s rigor mortis.
Snow White, that could happen to the ‘heart of Bridgeport.’ You have heard the expression “it takes a
village”, haven’t you? Well you must know there is power in the people to discern injustices, meet them
squarely, and act on them…whatever it takes.
Please consider the good fight rather than moving.
Moving would be cowardly. Find out how you can make
a difference.
In all fairness to LFF, the vagrant population in Clarksburg
is indeed becoming a problem. (I remember LFF wrote a
letter to the editor stating that she did not want to close
the Mission-I can’t remember what precipitated it-I think it
may have been a discussion that was held at Clbrg City
Council).
I agree with her if she’s speaking of the vagrant
problems. If one does not do business in the downtown
or live near/in downtown, I don’t think he or she can fully understand the difficulties
some of these folks have brought with them to town.
There have been at least 2 stabbings near the LIBRARY
in the past 8 or 9 months, people find vagrants passed
out on their front porches. You look out your window and
you can see prostitutes doing tricks behind buildings which
they supposedly thought were hiding them, or you see
some one (usually a man) creeping into the bushes around
your house either to urinate, deficate or have a nap in
the shade-or drinking on your back steps. Your car is
broken into.The historic Odd Fellows Cemetery has been vandalized -irreplaceable ornate monuments destroyed.
Store fronts have been vandalized. Employees of said stores/business have been intimidated. Buildings have been
broken into. Church grounds have be sacrileged. Parents
fear their children attending dance studios will be accosted.
Beer bottles are thrown into peoples’ yards. You feel unsafe walking down Main Street/Pike Street because groups of vagrants are clustered around or walking 5/6 abreast down
the sidewalk.
This isn’t about the Mission. The Mission is doing excellent
work! (And I have supported them and will continue to do
so.) But there is within this homeless population, a criminal
element that is becoming increasingly problematic in
Clarksburg and this needs to be addressed by the police or
the city council. We have enough problems.
Let the flaming begin!
Peace, Sophia
(ps. this probably belongs in the “About Clarksburg” forum,
but I saw the reference to the Mission here. Apologies if I
broke forum protocol.)
Sophia: You gave us a real look at the big C City today. We have just said what so many of us hve seen
behind our rose colored glasses, but really hated to say. We don’t openly discuss the fact that we press
our automatic door locks as we approach downtown.
That is just a temporary fix. We lament what is in our
town. We wonder where can we go from here? Our
city fathers are wrapped in volumns of email. We have
no foot patroleman downtown anymore. It is just so convenient at a time like this to misquote someone
with genuine interest in the city.
The city has probably never taken a hard look at the
location of the facility that attempts to meet the needs of the homeless, the substance abusers, and the
downcast.
Larger cities with a vision, and organizations like
St. Vincent DePaul have placed similar facilities on the outskirts of town and have provided work and restored
HOPE to the likes of these with huge success. It take
more than meals and a bunk to turn things around. We
are doing those needy folks a disservice in the present
form. We need a committee to address this before it
consumes us. Do not burden the city fathers with this.
They are Howe bashing.
I wanted to show downtown Clarksburg to my aunt who moved back to the area.
The sun was shining, a gorgeous day outside. She had some pictures to copy so we went to PDQ where we were treated so warmly and well by such nice folks there, then we went over to Embellishments and shopped and laughed and had a great time looking at all of the beautiful things that Cathy Goings (who has to be the most inspired buyer ever) selected for the shop, and they care that you find the most perfect gift, then we went up to the 5th Floor where my Aunt is going to have her class reunion and enjoyed all of the lovely views of downtown’s historic buildings.
You can see the new City Hall building. You can see the trees and houses on East Main Street. The 5th Floor is a terrific place, looks like it belongs in a big city. then we checked out Wicked Sisters dress shop and picked up some stuff from the tailor there, then walking back into the sunshine on the nice new side walks and listened to the music playing on the City’s music system. We ran into a bunch of people we knew, talked and laughed some more, reminised about great times in the old downtown and talked about good things to come, and the new businesses that have just opened up downtown, snuck peeks in the windows and shops, saying hi to people we knew (just about everybody) caught up on all the gossip then wound up at the Bluebird where it is fun to just walk in and talk with everyone in there and where everyone is all ways so cheerful and pleasant and nice and genuinely care about you and about how good their food is (and it IS!) and how you like it and who are just happy to be here. This is downtown Clarksburg to me. I am happy to work here. My aunt said that our tour was great and really fun.
okay HCBOE observer–so I am a week late. You did hear it first from me long long ago. Guess who the Superintendent is?? You guessed it–Miss Susan Collins. Done deal from the beginning! Games, Games, Games, Games>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Why is it that education is never looked upon favorably and that we simply “don’t trust” educators to do their work. Other professions don’t seem to have these problems.
Anyway, here are some comments about the state of education in Harrison County. I have lived and worked in Harrison Co. for 30 years and was a long time HCBOE employee. Never in those 30 years have I seen the disarray which I have witnessed over the past several months. Our most vocal school board member forgets why he was elected-to serve the people, not run his own agenda. He obviously cannot see that his way of doing things has so thoroughly turned off the other board members, that they wouldn’t vote with him even if he had the greatest idea to ever hit the “education stage”! He won’t back off and be a team player and our county is paying for it.
I am involved in education and currently aware of what’s going on in surrounding counties-in particular-Mon and Marion. They have surpassed us in morale, professional development opportunities, etc….. What a shame for our educators and most importantly our students. I would like to implore this board member to step back and look at his own personal agenda and then change his methods, before it is too late. Nothing good ever comes from airing your dirty laundry in public. The recent front page article quite clearly indicates that his badgering of Dr. Friebel has led to his resignation and also the lack of more than two applicants for that position.
I sincerely hope that Ms. Collins is up to the task of the impending battle, which to some of us, seems inevitable. From my past experiences as a classroom teacher-when educators are in the hall and lounge talking about the upheaval in their system, they are not in the classroom with your students.
One more thought for the road. Assistant superintendents, vice-presidents, etc. are in almost all instances, “in training” to go to the next step. I am glad Ms. Collins has accepted that interim position and I wish her well. She will have her hands full!
Now I am adding to the wrong forum… but I was wondering where Julia C. has been because I see at least 1 police officer walking downtown everyday. Matter of fact over the last 2 months I’ve seen an officer downtown walking throughout the day. It seems as though even when we have some of our city fathers Howe bashing, he still remembers to keep the downtown businesses and patrons safe.
Dear Readers,
I just wanted to let you know about unfair assessments in Harrison County by our current Assessor. It seems as if certain wealthy residents have not had their property assessments increased on certain parcels of property in over 10 years while almost all other people are receiving increases in their assessments regularly. In the past two years, over 25,000 letters have been sent out informing residents about increases in their assessments in excess of 10% which is terrible considering the cost of living increases we all have incurred including increases in gasoline($3.65 per gallon), milk and bread. I think we are all under assault as our wages are not keeping up with inflation especially senior citizens as this rise in inflation has been especially hard on them and at the same time our current assessor has continued to increase assessments at an alarming pace. I would like you to review the information contained at http://www.harrisoncounty.com as it contains information that most residents need to be aware of including suspicious assessments and accusations by your county commissioners regarding inconsistencies in assessments across the county. Even if you don’t like the candidate that published the website, you have to believe the research he has conducted is true as he is a local attorney and would be opening himself up to civil lawsuits had he published information that is incorrect. Again, the website http://www.harrisoncounty.com contains all the information residents need to be aware of concerning unfair property tax assessments in our county. Pass the information on to your friends and family including the website address http://www.harrisoncounty.com!
Thank you, good info.
Our taxes have gone up every year, the max 10%, for several years, and we haven’t done anything in the line of improvements, except mow the grass.
Dear Eye on the Prize,
What is it with those at the top in Harrison County and the State of West Virginia? Is the truth or how someone sees the truth such a threat to the cozy little den of “whatever” that you yourselves have to bash and belittle?
The reason your 30 years was so free of disarray is that the HCBOE meetings were still at a time when the general taxpaying public could not attend and there was NO ONE TO LET US KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON however, biased the opinion may have been.
All of the members of the HCBOE were elected to serve. For that matter, Dr. Friebel worked as a paid employee on the premise to SERVE. And he did serve, his own agenda. Sometimes when people get to a position of power, all they know is to wield that power without question. Being in power is the ultimate responsibility of service. If used for any other reason, it is selfish.
What defines a “team player” in our county? If it weren’t for those that did not play along with the team, there would be no freedom, no rights, no laws, no accountability.
You mention your awareness of Monongalia and Marion Counties school systems. Your comments do to some degree sound as a plight for our students and does indeed pull the heart strings. The truth of the matter, no decision under the former rule really thought of the students, but yet thought of the morale that was being created within the empire. “Oh, what a tangled web we weave….” Did you think to mention the reduction in force layoffs facing the teachers in Marion County? How do you think that builds morale and opportunity?
You also mention the front page article and how it has soiled the HCBOE. Well education has had its hey dey on the front page as of late. Politics runs rampant in our school systems. If you are connected, you too can have a MBA. I am quite confident that Dr. Friebel did not leave his post because of a newspaper article or some emails that were forwarded to him. I would be certain that one facet would be because of the Charles Pointe and Hite Field fiascos. Also, the fact that moneys were not being spent on schools currently in existence as promised on bond issues which has left the public saying NO WAY to future bond levys. The Harrison County taxpayers held him directly responsible for the conditions of the schools. Thus, he was embarrassed and left feeling rejected and dejected, and quite rightly so.
The fact that there was no more than two applicants could stem from that those in the area which would qualify for the position thought it would be a waste to even dress for an interview. Ms. Collins had this sewn up like Betsy Ross’s new flag. Believe me, we in this county are not as ignorant to the ways and wiles as those who went before us.
As far as the teachers in the lounge and in the hall talking. I have experience in the school system too, as a student. I remember many times the teachers were not in the classrooms and not always for a greater good. Don’t get me wrong, I am not teacher bashing. I do believe that if it weren’t for teachers, none of us would know anything. But, please don’t idolize or immortalize the teacher. They are after all only human.
I think your comments on this blog will have the exact impact that you say the one sided board member has. Possibly you might want to reassess for which team you are rooting- the citizens and students of Harrison County or those that sit at the top on the HCBOE.
Clarksburg Citizen-
You are obviously a “Clarksburg Citizen” whose head has been stuck in the mud. Whatever the reasons for the recent public tongue lashing, etc. the only result that surfaces is mistrust by the public. I’m not sure how anyone who has been such a long-time member of an education system such as myself would have anything in mind except the students of Harrison County. Isn’t that what school systems should have at their heart? Let me make it clear—since you didn’t get it the first time,—constant disarry and obvious dissent by any board member who doesn’t get his/her way is nothing short of immature. Please rest assured that as long as our BOE is functioning, or should I say, not functioning, as intended, no bond or levy will ever pass in this county. This sets our system back literally years. No new buildings, no improvements, no free textbooks, computer supplies, etc. Let’s see how parents adjust to that. It’s bound to happen if we stay on this destructive path.
Eye on the prize,
The public mistrust is not due to “recent public tongue lashing”. It has always been present,but the supporters outweighed the mistrust by apathy. Apathy that has sprung from years of one person trying to make things right, trying to get a message out and all the while suffering ridicule because they shed a less than favorable light on those who make the rules. As long as the BOE is functioning, it should function at maximum benefit to the taxpayers, the students and the schools. By that I mean build and and repair the schools that are used as criteria in the bond proposal instead of after the bond has been passed, allocate money elsewhere. I know I will vote against any bond that continues to spend money unwisely and that is my right as a voter. You are most correct about the immaturity of the board members who do not get their way. One is on his way out. Hopefully this election will replace others that were in the prior “fold”. And, we will have more elections to come. No one person is responsible for the current backlash. Because if one person rocked the boat that everyone was happily rowing, they would have been run out of town on a rail. The unrest has finally reached a peak and has found a voice in this blog. Let me reiterate, I am not teacher bashing. I am bashing a system that has for far too long managed to get money and not put it to its best use.