Wicomico County - Elected Board of Education May Be Doomed In Annapolis!
At a recent hearing in the Senate committee handling the bill to allow some members to be elected, there was significant opposition both by certain key members of the committee and also by witnesses who testified, including Jim Ireton and Mary Ashanti. They attempted to derail the bill by pointing out that the County Council has only one member who is black and just one Demoocat, namely Councilman Davis in each instance. Mr. Davis has actually endorsed the legislation.
Ireton argued that the same persons who want to have an elected school board also brought about the County's tax revenue cap and are a small elite who run things in Wicomico County. He contends that the cap has crippled the school system.
The committee is controlled by Democrats, one of who was shocked that so little money for the school system came from county tax revenue.
County Councilman Marc Kilmer argued in support of the change and bill, along with Senator Addie Eckardt.
In our opinion, this could be the beginning of the end of the pending bill.
I am in favor of both the revenue cap and an elected school board. I do not consider myself part of a small elite who are running things. I am an average tax payer who is tied of being abused.
What was ironic in the testimony was the manner in which many of the opponents said this should not go forward because people need the opportunity to express their opinion regarding an elected school board. This legislation, as I understand it, is to authorize a local referendum on the matter - not to enact it. Is there a better way for the public to express their opinion than by referendum? Amazing the rhetoric our leaders will resort to.
The revenue cap is there to prevent government from behaving badly. We need to keep the cap period. As seen with pollitt -government can not be trusted and this is needed
So, the city of salsibury, who has mayor, this guy, Ireton and the NAACP president don't want the people of wicomico county to vote on whether they want an elected school board or not? Is that correct? What is wrong with the people in this county? This is insane. And the people in Annapolis are going to stop this? Let the voters decide Annapolis, come ON.
Can't we get a petition together to take this to referendum? Ireton needs to stop with all of his drama. It is not the tax cap that is crippling the school board, it is Dr. Freddy and his band of wasteful idiots.
Comrades Ireton and Ashanti know better than you who should be making the educational decisions and administrating your kids.
This system has worked so well for Wicomico County public schools.
All these magical new school buildings and football fields are going to so dramatically improve the level of education that the district may actually pass Somerset county in the state rankings.
Then 40 years from now another group of geniuses will come along and say the reason the kids can't learn is because the buildings are too old.
If the voters would show more sense, they might be trusted more with important decisions. Wicomico voters continue to show they don't have a clue how to govern themselves.
It's a Revenue Cap, not a tax cap, for the 1000th time. IDIOTS! No wonder you can't understand how it works (or doesn't) when you don't even know what it actually is.
As noted previously both types of school boards have advantages and disadvantages. I've lived under both formats. Both types are bound by the same state and federal mandates.
The current format has some shortcomings but there is some vetting and we rarely end up with a complete dud. Terms are staggered so there is always some onging experience there.
I'm concerned that the wacky, second tier type of candidates rejected for council positions will be drawn to run.
Frankly, we have a dearth of intelligent, experienced people willing to serve due to time required. In my opinion, that's why so many of the city elected positions, for example, are currently filled by woeful choices.
Anonymous said... One reason norm lost is new opposed the county on this issue, is Mathias next?
March 19, 2015 at 2:13 PM
And Ireton has his seat on Norms old seat, but his dear friend Carl Anderton has it and Ireton is going to take it from him because Democrats know better right Ireton.
Intelligent, experience people don't run not because of time, but because it's a thankless job and those who hold it are constantly being attacked by the clueless.
I was in favor of the revenue cap and still am. And I do not believe for one minute that I am 'a small minority that is controlling Wicomico County.' If my memory serves me correctly - it was over 70% of our registered voters that voted-in the revenue cap.
So the statement that Ireton made - about being a small minority that is controlling Wicomico County is a MOCKERY OF OUR CITIZENS - BLACK & WHITE!!!!
ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD
Anyone that is opposed to an elected school board would be better served to forfeit his/her citizenship and move to North Korea. Because that is what you currently have here in Wicomico County - an Authoritarian form of Government dominated by the lawless Teachers Union. As for Jim Mathias - his tenure will be short lived. Just look how he barely squeezed it out this past election. He will surely be defeated decisively next go round.
7:59, the "next go round" won't come around until we have had to live with these last choices we made. Don't bet the farm on it just yet. Voter's remorse is powerful.
Here is what the DEMOCRATS are saying: IF YOU ARE A INDEPENDENT VOTER YOU DON'T COUNT!
About 20% of the voters in Wicomico County are independent and cannot go through their party's central committee to be on the Board of Education. Democrats don't care. Kudos to the Republicans for attempting to even the playing field for independents.
As an independent voter I'll remember this during the next election.
12:04 You are so right. If we have an elected school board Laura Mitchell will be throwing her weight in there too. I don't want stupid people, who happen to be politicians, running our schools.
Let the people decide. Joe, if you can put up some kind of straw vote tool on your site where you can only vote once, you should do it. It would show the likes of Ireton how ridiculous he is. Thanks.
The revenue cap is necessary. A referendum vote concerning an elected school board is also important. Anytime you consider an element of the voting public as being idiots, then this absolutely demonstrates the need for a referendum vote, no matter the issue. We the voters don't forget and its our tax money being wasted by our elected leaders and we don't forget that either.
I am in favor of both the revenue cap and an elected school board. I do not consider myself part of a small elite who are running things. I am an average tax payer who is tied of being abused.
ReplyDeleteWhat was ironic in the testimony was the manner in which many of the opponents said this should not go forward because people need the opportunity to express their opinion regarding an elected school board. This legislation, as I understand it, is to authorize a local referendum on the matter - not to enact it. Is there a better way for the public to express their opinion than by referendum? Amazing the rhetoric our leaders will resort to.
The revenue cap is there to prevent government from behaving badly. We need to keep the cap period. As seen with pollitt -government can not be trusted and this is needed
ReplyDeleteSo, the city of salsibury, who has mayor, this guy, Ireton and the NAACP president don't want the people of wicomico county to vote on whether they want an elected school board or not? Is that correct? What is wrong with the people in this county? This is insane. And the people in Annapolis are going to stop this? Let the voters decide Annapolis, come ON.
ReplyDeleteThe people who testified against this aren't leaders
ReplyDeleteThe bill is in the house today.
ReplyDeleteCan't we get a petition together to take this to referendum? Ireton needs to stop with all of his drama. It is not the tax cap that is crippling the school board, it is Dr. Freddy and his band of wasteful idiots.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marc and Addie.
ReplyDeleteComrades Ireton and Ashanti know better than you who should be making the educational decisions and administrating your kids.
ReplyDeleteThis system has worked so well for Wicomico County public schools.
All these magical new school buildings and football fields are going to so dramatically improve the level of education that the district may actually pass Somerset county in the state rankings.
Then 40 years from now another group of geniuses will come along and say the reason the kids can't learn is because the buildings are too old.
One reason norm lost is new opposed the county on this issue, is Mathias next?
ReplyDeleteThis is clearly the most important pot of the day. So, why is it buried, now on "page 2"?
ReplyDeletePlease move to the top for the rest of the day
6:27 IS ON THE MARK. This post is buried down here.
ReplyDeletePlease p.ut this at the top tomorrow
If the voters would show more sense, they might be trusted more with important decisions. Wicomico voters continue to show they don't have a clue how to govern themselves.
ReplyDeleteIt's a Revenue Cap, not a tax cap, for the 1000th time. IDIOTS! No wonder you can't understand how it works (or doesn't) when you don't even know what it actually is.
ReplyDeleteWhere was "Liberal Jim" Mathais?
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteAs noted previously both types of school boards have advantages and disadvantages. I've lived under both formats. Both types are bound by the same state and federal mandates.
The current format has some shortcomings but there is some vetting and we rarely end up with a complete dud. Terms are staggered so there is always some onging experience there.
I'm concerned that the wacky, second tier type of candidates rejected for council positions will be drawn to run.
Frankly, we have a dearth of intelligent, experienced people willing to serve due to time required. In my opinion, that's why so many of the city elected positions, for example, are currently filled by woeful choices.
There is no magic wand or formula.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteOne reason norm lost is new opposed the county on this issue, is Mathias next?
March 19, 2015 at 2:13 PM
And Ireton has his seat on Norms old seat, but his dear friend Carl Anderton has it and Ireton is going to take it from him because Democrats know better right Ireton.
Intelligent, experience people don't run not because of time, but because it's a thankless job and those who hold it are constantly being attacked by the clueless.
ReplyDeleteREVENUE CAP
ReplyDeleteI was in favor of the revenue cap and still am. And I do not believe for one minute that I am 'a small minority that is controlling Wicomico County.' If my memory serves me correctly - it was over 70% of our registered voters that voted-in the revenue cap.
So the statement that Ireton made - about being a small minority that is controlling Wicomico County is a MOCKERY OF OUR CITIZENS - BLACK & WHITE!!!!
ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD
Anyone that is opposed to an elected school board would be better served to forfeit his/her citizenship and move to North Korea. Because that is what you currently have here in Wicomico County - an Authoritarian form of Government dominated by the lawless Teachers Union. As for Jim Mathias - his tenure will be short lived. Just look how he barely squeezed it out this past election. He will surely be defeated decisively next go round.
7:59, the "next go round" won't come around until we have had to live with these last choices we made. Don't bet the farm on it just yet. Voter's remorse is powerful.
ReplyDeleteHere is what the DEMOCRATS are saying: IF YOU ARE A INDEPENDENT VOTER YOU DON'T COUNT!
ReplyDeleteAbout 20% of the voters in Wicomico County are independent and cannot go through their party's central committee to be on the Board of Education. Democrats don't care. Kudos to the Republicans for attempting to even the playing field for independents.
As an independent voter I'll remember this during the next election.
12:04 You are so right. If we have an elected school board Laura Mitchell will be throwing her weight in there too.
ReplyDeleteI don't want stupid people, who happen to be politicians, running our schools.
Let the people decide. Joe, if you can put up some kind of straw vote tool on your site where you can only vote once, you should do it. It would show the likes of Ireton how ridiculous he is. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThat's good news. Anyone with money
ReplyDeletecould win a seat on the school board and with the good ole boy system voting.
no to an elected school board.
The revenue cap is necessary. A referendum vote concerning an elected school board is also important. Anytime you consider an element of the voting public as being idiots, then this absolutely demonstrates the need for a referendum vote, no matter the issue. We the voters don't forget and its our tax money being wasted by our elected leaders and we don't forget that either.
ReplyDelete