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Sweetwater Athletics Hall of Fame scrutinized
bvagency - Ah yes the new committee - well, at least we have Kevin O'Neill on that committee. I trust him - he will bring expertise to the conversation and look out for the best interests of property owners paying the taxes that run the District engine. Grossman, well I guess if the meetings are on Mondays he can do some Monday Night quarterbacking on Sundays games. No doubt he will have his marching orders from Brand scribbled down in his notebook as a reference, and with the invention of text messaging he can be in constant communication - "Hey, Ed - O'Neill is recommending -------, what should I say?". Grossman belongs on that committee like I belong on that committee, even though my knowledge of real estate most likely supersedes his.— November 8, 2013 8:38 a.m.
Sweetwater Athletics Hall of Fame scrutinized
bvagency - No, Grossman is not a person I could endorse for any political position. I am a woman and per Grossman he is of the mind to recommend having a dog as a companion vs. a wife - you see according to Grossman a dog is preferable as you 'can take the dog to the pound when you tire of it and don't have to split your assets'. While not an absolute quote, pretty darn close. Minorities, his opinions on that subject, quite troubling as well. Friend of Brands - not according to him, yet for same strange reason it was alleged that Brand told a BOC candidate he would like to find Grossman a position in the District. What they hey, join the Brand 'consultant' club - just a bunch of good old boys, sitting around doing what they do - spend our money (there are a couple of Brands consultants who actually are GOOD at what they do)— November 8, 2013 7 a.m.
Sweetwater Athletics Hall of Fame scrutinized
I would encourage ALL to do their homework on candidates. Next year is our time - it is up to us to bring about the much needed change in 2014. While Brand is at the top of the list that MUST GO, there are others as well. One thing, we have long memories and we remember each and every time a disservice was done or we were fibbed to. We must all decide on the candidates we will support - but not just support - we must demand and insure that each and every one of them thoroughly understand what we expect as Board Members who SERVE with integrity, not USE - at the end of the day we are entrusting to them our most valuable gift - THE FUTURE LEADERS OF THIS GREAT NATION— November 6, 2013 8:17 p.m.
Sweetwater Athletics Hall of Fame scrutinized
jibaro - my Grandmother Annie, use to tell me "never discuss politics or religion". However, with all due respect I believe she would want me to voice my opinion - recognizing we all know what they say about opinions, ha ha Candidates: Karen Janney - I have known Ms. Janney since her principle days. I was experiencing an issue with one of the children I raised - a simple call she stepped in. She left my community school and went to the District office. She made a difference, she gained the respect of many there. She was sent packing by 'the gandara'. Ms. Janney knows education - she is highly educated on issues of Public Education - balancing a financial ledger, in the classroom, in the Counselors office, in Administration, and I would be willing to bet even behind the steering wheel of a bus. She knows the importance of extra curricular activities. She sees each students as an individual and will do WHATEVER it takes to help students succeed. She is a tough negotiator. She is fair, she is approachable. She has integrity and SHE CAN NOT BE BOUGHT. She represents all demographics fairly and is dearly loved. George Cameron - I do not know Mr. Cameron. I have met him but once, at a Board meeting. I have however done my research. He has experience as he led the National School District, and to this day is remembered fondly by all. He knows what it takes to run a District - he understands the various funds, he understands student/teacher ratios. He is NOT a bully and believes in working together to find solutions. He leads by example. He has integrity and CAN NOT BE BOUGHT! Kevin O'Neill - I have come to know Mr. O'Neill during his service as a Bond Oversight Committee member. He is a staunch believer in Vocational Training and ROP. When it comes to spending the communities tax dollars he is vigilant. He expects those who spend our money to do so as if it were coming out of their wallets. He is intelligent and has his own mind. He and I have not always agreed, but is a person that I respect. He is a self made man and wants the best for the next generation. HE CAN NOT BE BOUGHT!!!! Jaime Mercado - While I have been told he will not run, I wanted to add this name to the list. It is a matter or record (read the Grand Jury transcripts) that this man is a man who CAN NOT BE BOUGHT!!!! When he was on the Board and I began to get involved he was the ONLY BOARD MEMBER WHO WOULD SPEAK TO ME. If one were to research him on Board Docs it is easy to see why he and Brand were as different as night and day. This man cared/cares!!!!! I intend on supporting Janney, Cameron and O'Neill— November 6, 2013 8:16 p.m.
Sweetwater Athletics Hall of Fame scrutinized
7 FIRE ALARM WATCHES!!!!!! At a BOC meeting today Tom Calhoun referenced Fire WatcheS - when asked how many Fire Watches SUHSD currently had his reply "7"!!!!!!!!!!!! Folks, until Channel 10 aired their first story we, the community did not know we had a serious problem. Tom Calhoun accused Channel 10 of 'yellow journalism' and told the BOC last month that the schools fire alarms were in working order and no students were in harms way (I have paraphrased here). The District went so far as to put up a narrative on its site putting the communities worries aside. A couple weeks later the second Channel 10 story aired - National City's Fire Marshall had mandated a fire watch. But I thought all of the fire alarms were in working order? Now, we hear there are 7 Fire Watches. Allow me to cut to the chase - IF everything is in working order then WHY do we have 7 Fire Watches??????? These are your children, your grandchildren we are talking about. It is obvious the District can not be trusted to tell us the truth. While some will say, 'lets move forward, we believe Tom Calhoun' - I am not one of the 'some'. When I am told that the alarms are working and then learn that 7 schools have FIRE WATCHES - well, let me ask you what would you call that? The Fire Marshall obviously does not agree with SUHSD's assessment that the fire alarms are working, so why should we? Allow me to interject that I do not want the standard District double talk about compliance vs. working. I know the difference.— November 6, 2013 7:33 p.m.
Sweetwater Athletics Hall of Fame scrutinized
bbq - your posts are always interesting, leaving the reader with much to think about. On the issue of us being left out here flailing in the wind - there is no denying that fact. I have personally called and written emails to so called leaders. I will share that I had reached out to David Alvarez, my City Council person when Brand attempted to change the time of the Board meeting to much earlier in the day. Imagine my surprise when, in the mail, I received a copy of a letter Mr. Alvarez had sent to Mr. Brand. The only other public figure of any status would be Ms. Donna Frye who valiantly stood before the Board and tutored them on a Brown Act issue, respectfully submitted of course - oh what a moment that was! I add my voice to your plea, but alas I doubt if we will see much. The trials and the ballot box are our only options as I see it. I am gearing up, taking my vitamins, preparing to do what the candidateS of my choice need me to do - three seat, three choices - I know who mine will be at this point - just hope that nothing changes and they still step forward to run. The last election had the vote split - we need to prepare this time and ALL join forces. The current situation, we the voters, allowed. I will state publicly that I fell asleep at the wheel, believed candidates I had voted for, like Jim Cartmill and Arlie Ricasa, for so many years were honorable and would represent our students best interests while protecting my purse. Little did I realize they were using their seats for personal gain. Live and learn right. For the record I did NOT blacken in the dot of John McCann, I had researched him and found him to be a little, no ALOT full of himself and far to melodramatic - boy did I call that one right! Tom Calhoun and Ed brand are going around town and Las Vegas telling man that the District is going to push a new Bind issue, Am I in the twilight zone? NO THEY ARE!!!!!! Broken political system, you betcha!— November 6, 2013 8:08 a.m.
Sweetwater Athletics Hall of Fame scrutinized
bbq - regarding McCann, I still remember those who believed he would 'clean up' and bring fiscal responsibility back to SUHSD - he FAILED on both issues. Let us remember it was he who brought Brand back, with Cartmill and Ricasa's help no doubt. It is my opinion that McCann failed when he was a City Councilman, so why on earth would they want him back in ANY position of authority in C.V. Remember, it was McCann who made the promise NOT to take contractors campaign contributions. I will save you the time of looking, HE DID. Regarding Grossman, again, my opinion, but he defined himself in the book he authored. His words say it all - a multi national community that is inhabited by, amongst other things women, would NOT be served well by a man with Mr. Grossman's documented beliefs. There is an old saying 'open mouth, insert foot' - in his case - he inserted his whole leg. Any party even considering him as a candidate had better read his book. Regarding Ms. Cox, I will have to do my research. I have heard good things about her. I have found the Mrs. to be quite impressive and the Mr. Is to be heralded for his efforts on amongst other things, the Otay River Valley trails. In an effort to be transparent, my home does overlook these trails and I have seen the benefit it has brought all surrounding communities - families, daily walking and biking - building memories that will last a lifetime.— November 5, 2013 6:22 p.m.
Sweetwater Athletics Hall of Fame scrutinized
Ms. Luzzaro - thank you, there was a concern raised by employees, teachers and Administrators.— November 5, 2013 9:33 a.m.
Labor-backed poll shows Alvarez catching Fletcher
I too am a resident in San Diego - and reside in the SWEETWATER school district. When Ed Brand attempted to change the board meeting time to the afternoon I called several elected officials. Mr. Alvarez sent a letter to Ed Brand expressing that he had received my letter and that I was concerned that the public would be locked out of public input. I do not expect my elected officials to agree with me, but I do expect them to represent me in a fair and balanced manner. I expect them to serve with integrity. I am not saying that Mr. Fletcher would not, I am simply saying Mr. Alvarez DID, the community appreciated it and I respected it. He has served his District well.— November 4, 2013 9:25 p.m.
Sweetwater Athletics Hall of Fame scrutinized
La Lucha: Mr. Siu is an inspiration to both old and young. I have shared his story and the difference he made with more students than I can even count, and will continue to do so. Thank You for reminding us!!!!— November 4, 2013 9:07 p.m.