It’s Official: Townley vs. Kelly!
[NOTE: This thread of the blog is full. You can continue to review the comments made to date. However, to add your comments or start discussion on a new topic or issue, please go to: "New Thread: School Board Elections" (August 2).]
Yes, it is official. We just checked the County Supervisor of Elections website. Parnell Townley has filed to run against incumbent Kurt Kelly for School Board, District #3.
We believe this will be one of the hottest races in the County this election cycle. For the past two months, the PH Blog had many mentions of the possibility of this match up. Just read the comments on the School Board Elections thread below and you can get up-to-date on how and why the Townley/Kelly race has evolved.
Mr. Townley is a well-respected local businessman, former County Commissioner, and can offer much government/community service experience as a member of our School Board. We look forward to his entry into competition for this important position on our School Board.
What do you think about Mr. Townley entering the School Board race?
posted by Blog Master @ 7:00 PM
184 Comments:
Blogmaster,
You have asked the question "what do you think of Mr. Townley entering the race?"
Sit back and watch!!! This is a great day for the community and ultimately a better day for the students of Marion County Public Schools!!!!!!
Go Parnell!!!!
I agree Parnell will bring much more to the table then Kurt Kelly has. Which begs the question, What has been Kurt Kelly's contributions to the School Board?
Other then fighting with all of the Board members except for "Judy the Thanker" What has he done????
Hot race? Give me a break! Commissioner Townley will win this one hands down. There is no, I repeat no comparison between he and Kurt Kelly on integrity, service to our County, trust and good old common sense. Mr. Townley will get much support.
Thank you Mr. Townley. I know it is a tremendous undertaking to subject yourself to this campaign. I appreciate your sacrifice.
/s/ Charles
(who forgot his password)
I ran into Kelly today and I just wanted to cringe. Hearing him speak, I don't know how anybody ever took this guy seriously. He's just such a typical slimy politician. Today is a great day for Marion County. Thank you Mr. Townley for saving us from four more years of Kurtie Boy.
Great news for the people of Marion County. Parnell has served his community well for many years. He genuinely cares about the people of this community and his presence on the school board will enhance our children’s futures. Parnell is a man who lives his faith 24-7; he doesn’t just put it on when it is politically beneficial.
A man against a boy; actually an honorable man against a bad boy. The only "face-saving" way out for Kurt now would be to drop out of the race and support Parnell. OK, he could also apologize to Sue.
Now we have a political race in Marion County this year. The only other suprise will be if Chuck Yandel runs as an independent in the county commissioner race against Randy Harris and Barbara Fitos. As far as an update on radio guests, still havent heard from David Alverez. Townley and Kelly know I have an open door policy and anyone can come in anytime and get on the air and answer questions from the listeners. So far Weisner, Alverez, Fitos and Romanski have not contacted me to come on. Walker, Crawford, Mosley, Harris have contacted me about being on the show. Harris and Mosley sit in for me on occassion along with McClain, and State Attorney Pete Brigham. We are looking to get the lunch bunch going again, trying to find a big enough place, will let you know. If anyone has contact with any politician please let them know that anyone can come in anytime, anyday and I will let them on. Why they will chose not to come in is beyond me, but it will happen. My prediction, not my endorsement, Townley 54% Kelly 46%. Townley has too many real political connections.
Our education system needs this kind of political race. It will help put some emphasis on the needs and problems of the schools...many created by those like K.K.
I think old Bobby D has the predicted outcome just about right.
Mr. Townley would be a positive addition to the Board. I have already set up my own personal phone bank to support him. Tell a friend is a good way to let people know about him.
I don’t know much about either of these gentlemen, but I will sure find out more.
THIS IS GOING TO BE A BARN BURNER OF AN ELECTION!
This time Kelly can not play the race card as he did last time against Frank Washington. And wait until his true story of business experience comes out. He was simply a guy sold yellow page advertising and could get small business people to pay far more than they could afford as a yellow page advertising salesman -- as frequently happens with that industry. He didn't make it in the cell phone business as an "exceutive", didn't last in the direct mail business, and the latest, a background checking firm is less than a success.
Good points you make. I remember the Washington campaign. I also hear staff was "giddy" when the word was out that Parnell had filed. Kelly has tried to bamboozle them too often and they can't wait to say "thanks" to Kelly.
I look forward to Parnell clearing the air on the library issue.
In listening to the Bobby D show this morning I was amazed at the inconsistencies of some of the callers. They were perplexed why Parnell would run against Kurt who in their mind has carried the conservative mantle. Yes, Kurt has some issues they argued but one incident or vote was not enough to vote against him. One caller I believe said "99% good votes" was enough for her. Yet in the same breath she bashed Parnell Townley for one vote he made in his 12 years as a commissioner.
STUDY THE VOTE ON THE "EAT ME" BOOK. IT WAS NOT ABOUT THE BOOK IT WAS ABOUT MAINTAINING THE LIBRARY BOARD AND THEIR ADVISORY POSITION TO THE COUNTY COMMISSION!!!!
Anyone and I mean anyone who will not take the time to understand that has their conswervative head buried in the sand. They argue that government is taking their rights away on a daily basis yet that is exactly what Randy Harris and the boys did with the library board. Almighty Randy should have say so on what we can and cant read. Parnell voted to keep the board intact having a true conservative belief that people can and will govern themselves not just a few.
If Kurt Kelly goes around this county and says that Parnell voted for the book HE IS A LIAR!!!!!!THAT'S RIGHT ALL YOU BOBBY D LISTENERS, KURT KELLY A BIG FAT LIAR TRYING TO MANIPULATE YOUR MINDS TO VOTE FOR HIM!!!!! PEOPLE LIKE HIM DO NOT BELONG IN OFFICE.
He has wanted and will do nothing to stop at trying to have a board that will think act and talk just like him.
I beseech you brethren, as Paul said to the Corinthians, do the homework. You want a conservative thinker on the schoolboard. You all know you have one in Mosley, consistently conservative. How about another one? His name isn't Kurt Kelly, its Parnell Townley. He has 12 years of a voting record at the county. Do the homework and see.
Kurt will be LYING about Parnell's record by the weekend. Mark my word!! I would be afraid to be Kurt kelly and attend First baptist church and spread lies about Parnell. No doubt he will. Speak carefully Kurt, Gods listening!!!
To the caller or anyone who think
If Kelly wants to play the "book game", how about all the trash he has permitted to be in our school libraries? I know it's there and so does he. So walk carefully, Mr. Kelly on bashing Mr. Townley about a vote he never made.
I'd rather be in Parnell's shoes defending his vote for maintaining a library board and freedom than in kurtie boy's shoes defending his effort to censure a cop for arresting people trespassing on a school campus with tools that could be used for vandalism. Matter of fact, I might even run a third party ad discussing his efforts to protect rich kids and claiming that they were "just having good clean fun."
Anon said….”I look forward to Parnell clearing the air on the library issue. In listening to the Bobby D show this morning I was amazed at the inconsistencies of some of the callers.”
I really like Bobby D and respect what he tries to do in our community, especially here in Belleview. However, one of the big problems with his radio program is that the callers are way below Bobby in their knowledge of the issues they call in about. I have never understood how he can sit there and let them “celebrate ignorance” on so many issues. He frequently has 90% more knowledge and information on the issue being discussed than they do and should set them straight when they go off on a tangent, like the Townley “vote issue” Anon mentioned. This is the one reason I don’t very often listen to the program.
Bobby, if you read this, please correct known misconceptions rather than just letting some of your listeners commit intellectual suicide.
Yes.
hello anonymous:
thanks for the compliment, though i think it is unwarranted. we have extrememly educated listeners sometimes people just dont agree. the caller that everyone is talking about today is extrememly knowledgeable on the issues. she is just a fan of kurt kellys and has a right to her opinion. as far as the person who posted "do your homework", why doesnt he give us the facts about parnell. if you truly wants to show parnells voting record just give it to us so we can inform the public. everyone knows that no one does their homework. help out those who need to know the truth. as far as the library book issue, i spoke to parnell about it and he will be coming in to discuss this on the radio. as far as the show, you can say whatever you want about my personal opinion and though my guest hosts are people who are more in line with my personal agenda, i have never NOT let any politician on the air to state their views and have never screened calls to make an interviews easy. pass the word, all are welcome, dems, reps, indep. and whoever. for all those on the left, i get more hate calls from republicans then dems. i am loyal to my christian beliefs first not my party, that doesnt sit well with the big wigs. i will say that any politician who doesnt utilize all the media venues to get their word out is going to lose. it blows me away that all those who dont agree with me stay away from my show. the goal of a politician is to convince those who might not agree to agree and vote for them. going to republican or democrat meetings, oak run this or del web that, where all the people there agree is a waste of time. you need to go in the trenches at a venue where you know people might not agree with you but convince them that you are better. what better venue for the left then my show. but i doubt we will hear the left on my show this election. and they will lose because of the fear of having to talk to people that dont agree. do we really want these people as our elected officials. hopefully this year it will be different. pass the word all are welcome.
Bobby,
You sound politically homeless!
Townley has a great background for the School Board! No one on the School Board has his depth of experience in growth management problems and boy do we ever need that.
200 Blogger,
Don’t worry, I believe a CCE is already in process to work on communicating some of the issues our local media sources have “ignored”---such as the school vandalism issue and several others.
I hope Bobby D will let us know when Parnell Townley is on his show. That is one show I will listen to.
I’m not really interested in the library books controversy or even how Mr. Townley voted on the Library Board elimination. What I'm interested in is what he thinks about the condition of our county education system and how he can bring some new thinking to the school board.
If they get hung up on library discussion, I’ll turn the radio off!
hey linda:
i will try to let everyone know if any canidate comes on. as far as the topics, its a caller driven show and i start and let the callers determine the issues. the library book has to be addressed by me since i was against his decision and was extremely vocal on the issue. after he answers my question about the book as far as im concerned its over.
If you don't want Alvarez because he is a retired millionaire, then you don't want Townley- he is the same.
As for Judy Maglio, being a retired teacher is not credit enough. Plus, she never had an original idea of her own.
We need people who care about the children and can think on their own like MOsley.
Judy Maglio isn't running! I don't know where this keeps coming from.
But I wish she was. There is no one I trust more in the entire school system.
OF THE TWO MILLIONAIRES, I PREFER TOWNLEY OVER "I'M FOR THE RICH KIDS" ALVAREZ.
Alveraz is a RINO who fooled a bunch of his L3COMM\Microdyne investers and then filed Bankrupcy!
Now he's looking for a Govt. pension!Whether or not he's a millionare isn't the issue, whether
or not he's a shiester is the issue!
RINOs & CINOs....we have more than our fair share here in Marion County.
Stan,
I think you are wrong about a CCE being formed. Technically, I believe it is an ECO. At least from what I know about it, that's what is being established. It's the same as the one you and some others formed a couple of years ago.
I'm lost! I have absolutely no idea what a CCE or ECO is. I guess I'm politically ignorant as well as homeless.
CCE - Committee of Continuous Existence.
ECO - Electioneering Communication Organizations.
Basically, they're PACs (Political Action Committees) which can make independent expenditures in support of or against a candidate or issue. A few years back the legislature, in its infinite wisdom, passed contribution limits for candidates - no more than $500 per individual per election cycle. On top of that, lobbyists can't even buy an elected official a cup of coffee.
Which all looks great on paper, but to get around it they made sure all these "independent" organizations could make unlimited expenditures and accepted unlimited contributions. So, you can't buy your State Representative a Coca Cola, but you can give his campaign $500 - or make a $100,000 contribution to his CCE.
All in the name of fairness and open government.
Thanks for the description. You beat me to it. Anyway, better than I would have done. Yes, it is an ECO. My mistake in calling it a CCE—had a senior moment.
All of this is very interesting. what exactly are the issues this ECO or CCE will be uncovering?
I recently saw Kurt Kelly at a function and he is a bit more humble then normal, could it be he has read this blog or is it just the mere mention of a fine upstanding Christian man (who has nothing against Catholics) has entered his race?????
There's a candidate forum Monday night 7PM at the Silver Springs Shores Community Center (590 Silver Rd). All the candidates should be there. Meet Kurt Kelly in person and see how he squirms on the same stage with Mr. Townley.
Well said.
i'm home with the flu. hope somebody will let me know what happened at the silver springs shores candidate forum.
Just got home from the Shores here's my take on the event..Kurt Kelly never misses a chance to sing, he sang Happy Birthday to shores Host Ed Kelly which worked out well for Kurt since he has no real School Board issues to speak about! Parnell did surprisingly well considering he's only been in the race 5 days. Mr. T was well liked by the Shores crowd! He even got a metion from State Rep. wannabe Walker. David Alverez once again read his Chip Morris prepared speech while Mosley once again spoke from her herat with great passion. Do you think Dave can get his speech memorized by Sept. 5th? Interesting though Dave speaks about how Board Memebers need to be "ABOVE REPROACH" but yet makes no mention of all of his Bankruptcy's.....hope to hear anyone elses version of this that may have also been in attendence tonight!
seems to be that Kelly is definately running scared now that Parnell is in the race. Apparently Alvarez's speech is nothing but a condescending version of all of Mosley's catch-phrases. Dave claims that Mosley has no legislative agenda but then Baxley's boy Tim Harding spoke about how Marion County received 12% more money from the state this year than ever before. My synopsis of the evening, Alvarez should drop out of the race immediately and Kelly should resign tomorrow.
Kelly should have thought twice before hand-picking Alvarez. He dug his own grave. Parnell is on the up-swing and Kelly will be having donuts with Alvarez. Parnell and Mosley will do what is best for Marion County. Mosley has proven herself and Parnell has always been a huge advocate for the people of Marion County. Alvarez should stay at Cornerstone, the private school where his children went and wife teaches. As for Kelly, well mommie will find him a job. Didn't like what I saw tonight. What a joke!!
I thought Kelly and Alvarez represented themselves very well. I didn't sense that Kelly is too concerned about Townley and Alvarez is a very business-like presenter and thinker---just what we need on the School Board.
Hey edisrevir,
"i was there too said" seems to think the earth is flat!!!
Did anyone read the letter to the editor complaining about Mosley putting her signs up too early? Someone in Alvarez' camp wrote that letter and even complained to the Supervisor of Elections about it. Dave is even stating that Sue needs to be "Above Reproach" I happend to see some of Dave's signs put up at Muni One this past weekend. Since when does the rules only apply to one, oh, I forgot Dave was just having some good clean fun this past weekend and shouldn't be held accountable for the "mistake."
This guy is a snake.....
Did he call the Mayor to get the OPD to come and arrest her? I am sure it was just a mistake that his signs were put up. By the ay, the city attorney has ruled that ordinance can not be enforced. George Albright proved that when he erected signs early.
I was there too says "I didn't sense that Kelly is too concerned about Townley and Alvarez is a very business-like presenter and thinker---just what we need on the School Board." So you think Kurtie Boy isn't concerned? Didn't yuu see him accosting Sue last night demanding thew "hatchet" be buried? Why has he been running around crying on everyone's shoulder? You are dreaming fellow. Ask Kurtie Boy if he is not worried. He will talk your ear off complaining about how he is being put upon for something he claims he didn't do. Too bad he is not Catholic--he could go to confessional this weekend to confess his lie, and confess how he did recruit Alvarez. I wish I could confess I recruited Townley, but he ran on his own. I'll help him win with my vote.
This election will be either a political “career maker” or a “career breaker” for Mr. Kelly. If he can defeat a tough opponent like Parnell Townley, then he may have a good chance to become another one of those career politicians—God help us! However, if he goes down to defeat, his career as a politician will come to an end and he will have to start earning a living like the rest of us poor souls. I join with Bobby D in his prediction, and predict a “career breaker” result.
Christopher Thurow has just signed on to take on Ron Crawford.
Thorow was another hand pick friend of Kurts!!
I just saw a large Alverez sign on Lake weir Ave. Not positive but isn't that the City? And isn't today only July 11th? So, basically Alverez complains, Mosley takes down the sign in her Grandmothers yard and then Alverez starts putting up his signs all over the City beofre the law allows, Hmmm, he's a Hell of a guy!
Thurow is about as far from being a friend to Kurt as a human could possibly be! They are total opposites. How did you come up with this?
Wasn't Thurow a candidate for County Commissioner a couple of years ago? He is a bit left leaning, I think. Agree, doubt he runs in the same circles as Kelly.
I know Christopher personally....he is a centrist with a libertarian fiscal streak a mile wide. He knows government and he knows business well.
Oh and yes he ran for county commissioner in 2004 or 2005 I don't remember the exact year.
Kurt may or may not have said that catholics are going to hell. Dont know if anyone can confirm or deny.
He absolutely called and tried to get OPD to turn their heads to the good white kids who vandalized Vanguard. Strong leadership skills there Kurt.
To "I was there too..", as Gary Coleman used to say on the show Different Strokes, "whatchu talkin bout Willis???". Kurt not scared of Parnell?? That is part hilarious and part unbelievable that you would make such a statement. Kurt and you both know he is staring the end of his political career in the face. Sweet justice for Parnell!! Kurt doesnt belong in politics.
I notice that Alvarez actually raised his own money. He reported $19k and only $3k of it was his own. I'm amazed.
I wish Dee Brown would post everyone's fundraising reports online. What's up with that? Anyone know why some candidates are and others aren't posted?
The local Doctors seem to love Alvarez, especially the Democrat ones. Check out his fundraising report.
I was told by someone in the School system who knows Kurt, that he has been speaking with Thurow because Joyce Romanski was not a suitable candidate who could beat Crawford. Up until Kurt had an opponent his focus has been on Destroying Crawford and Teaching Mosley a lesson for not voting with him against Steve Herring. Geez, don't you people follow politics you should all know better! Trust me, liberal or not Kurt will do anything he can to oust Crawford and Mosley, must I remind you about Kurts hand picked Liberal 2 years ago, Karen Francis-Winston!
I heard Thurow is actually a registered Libertarian. I know it's a non-partisan race, but can a 3rd party candidate actually win anything?
Crawford-Romanski-Thurow.
This one won't be decided in September. Runoff in November. Thurow is a great campaigner. Crawford better put on his running shoes!
I no longer live in Ocala but a (lower case) libertarian is just what Marion County school board needs. Yes I was a supporter of Thurow when he ran for county commissioner. BTW, nice blog!
Kelly is the one who convinced Karen Winston to enter the school board elections a few years ago. That is unbelievable!
We need some political excitement other than Randy Harris. The Townley/Kelly matchup will do the trick.
Thurrow is a pretty smart guy, but he can't raise money and did a lousy job of campaigning when he ran for county commission against Stone. Check the record. He didn't even get a blip on the radar screen. Crawford will win without a runoff, inspit of the fact lots of people just can not stand his attitude. Little man's complex.
Oh yes, Zanetti and Kelly were influential in getting him to run. Seems Kurt's other candidate agaist Crawford wasn't stirring up interest. Maybe Judy will give him his signs she borrowed two years ago back so he can recycle them.
Thurow did have a hard time the first go around. He was caught in the middle of the far left vs far right atmosphere that was rampant at the time. He came in second for fund raising against a field of four, including others who ran before and a woman. That was his first campaign, he learns quickly. Again, I know Christopher has nothing to do with Kurt Kelly, nothing!
Understanding this is a school board topic what Republican will run against Randy in the primary? Clark may wait two more years.
Understanding this is a school board topic what Republican will run against Randy in the primary? Clark may wait two years to run.
No R will run against Randy. Who would be crazy enough to?
Alvarez is probably tapped out on his doctor money. Let's get serious---Alvarez is NOT a team player. Ask anyone who was on the Cornerstone board with him. It's his way or the highway. If Kelly thinks he has gotten someone to align with him he is crazy!! Mosley is way above him with her independent thinking. She is for the teachers and children. Alvarez has his own agenda. I would say get a job Alvarez but he made his money the old fashion way--selling that stock before bankruptcy.
So anonymous says Kelly had nothing to do with Thorow running? Not what Kurtie Boy has been telling people. Is it the truth or another of his blustering tales. Thorow needs to nip this in the bud and divest himself of what Kurtie boy has put upon him. He needs to say once and for all that he has nothing to do with Kurtie Boy, hasn't talked to him, and wants nothing to do with him.
Kelly told friends he and Thorow had been talking, but he didn't admit he was influential in his running, so who knows?
So why is it that Kurt has no problem talking to others about running for School Board as long as it is not the race against him. He has encouraged everyone to run against Sue and Ron, while getting Mom, Hank Whittier, and others to basically threaten Parnell not to run.
Just another example of Kurt being "above reproach"
This whole thing sickens me.
Two things: 1) someone else has been using the login name cthurow here, this is NOT me. 2) I am not denying Kurt Kelly is telling people he convinced me to run, because I can't. What I can tell you is this is a complete fantasy of Mr. Kellys. I have not spoken to this man since 2004 and I was arguing with him about his refusal to institute any impact fees! This man is not someone I would associate with under any circumstances! If anyone has questions please email me at cthurow@yahoo.com. I am asking for everyones support! Thanks!!
There you have it folks...direct from the horses mouth!
Thank you Mr. Thurow. Next we need to hear from Mr. Kelly. Fat chance!! Whoops that was not too PC of me.
I just emailed Mr. Thurow and invited him on the show. I have also invited Alverez and have not heard back from him. I am not inviting any of the incumbants, they know I have an open door policy. I have also invited Mr. Townley. Everyone on this blog has permission to invite any canidate they like on my show. Let them know of the open door policy and tell them to come in.
Bobby D,
Have you ever thought about having two candidates on for a debate?
Anonymous said...
Thank you Mr. Thurow. Next we need to hear from Mr. Kelly. Fat chance!! Whoops that was not too PC of me.
I wonder which part was not PC: was it the "Fat" or the "chance"?
Must have been the chance, since there is no doubt about the "fat" part. (That wasn't very Christian, even if it was true.)
Interesting to hear from Thurow. Didn't know he had engaged Kelly about impact fees two years ago. That was about the time Ferguson was trying to get Kelly and Crawford to join Mosley and impose the fees that builders had basicly agreed to support when Mosley ran four years ago. Kelly refused to even consider impact fees when. Now you can bet he will claim credit for imposing them. What a farce for leadership! Just remember, the Villages of Marion at $5,000 impact fee a house would have built two elementary schools to house the kids of the young people who serve the seniors.
Also interesting that Thurow claims he has not even talked to Kelly, when Kurt has told poeple he and Chris "have been talking". Looks like another example of him exagerating, or is it just plain lying?
Tell me Mr. Thurow why do you wnat to be on the School Board? What would prompt you to throw your hat in the ring one week before the deadline?
Anonymous asked:
"Tell me Mr. Thurow why do you wnat to be on the School Board? What would prompt you to throw your hat in the ring one week before the deadline?"
Christopher replies:
The school system in Marion County is a 400 million dollar a year enterprise. It should be given the same consideration on a fiscal basis as any other commercial enterprise of a like size. Disciplined financial planning is my policy emphasis.
I have attempted to influence the fiscal actions of the board for the last eight years. The same half measures continue to be adopted. I have carefully planned my entrance into this race and my timing was a part of that plan.
Chris writes...
I have attempted to influence the fiscal actions of the board for the last eight years.
I ask...
Please explain in what manner have you tried to influence the board?Please elaborate
Come on....Thurow has been preaching about impact fees for years. The school board and the county commission just didn't want to hear it!! Every bulider in town poured money into Charlie Stones campaign whenever Thurow spoke. I was in a meeting in (then) Commissioner Hennigs office and watching as Hennig reemed Thurow for his ideas on "user fees". Hey Ron when you ask a question try using your name, we all know what your ideas are!
Christopher,
If you keep publishing your blog comments in blue, using your password, we'll know for sure it's you. I imagine it is, but just wanted to let you know.
My vote is already pretty clear. I'm going with Mosley, Crawford, Townley. They'll do the best job for my kids.
I remember Thurow and his family walking up and down 200 during the Commission race a few years ago--attracted many people. Do that and raise some substantial money and he's got a good chance in my book.
The School Board now has impact fees so, what else does Thurow have in his bag of tricks? I've never heard of Alvarez until this blog and he apparently is a Swindler,
Townley, Mosley & Crawford work for me as well!
It's not Ron and I'm still waiting for Mr. Thurow to elaborate.....
Maybe Mr. thurow was just way ahead of the times on impact fees and our politicians at that time didn't want anyone rocking the boat with the developers. The group that foots the bill for much of their campaign expenses.
Time for me to enter this fray:
I can see Steve Henning blasting someone who talked about most anything he disagreed with; he certainly had me for lunch on numerous occasions, but all is fair in love, war and politics, so we patched it up before he left for the wild west. Masons try not to hold grudges, especially against a Brother Mason, so we patched it up.
My problem is, during the lonely battles I have been involved in pushing for impact fees and fiscal responsibility over the last ten years, I never remember seeing or hearing from Chris Thurow -- ever. I have never heard any elected official discuss his ideas or that he had even contacted them. I listened during his county commission campaign, and he and I had at least one substantative discussion, but impact fees never came up in our discuission or in any of his speaches as I recall. And I find noone, repeat noone who recalls his joining the fray at the school board on impact fees or any other matter. He may have contacted Kurt, I don't know.
If I remember the election correctly, and I wasn't involved in that GOP Dist 5 campaign, it was not even close, and Charlie Stone had his money largely inhand or committeed long before Chris joined the race.
Just to keep the record straight. If in doubt, check the supervisor's records of 2004, and ask around. Hope he stays involved, and will work to get full impact fees imposed regardless of outcome of the election.
--pwf
In case you missed it. Here is an article article from The Leader on 200 (this week’s edition). It is the section of the article about the School Board candidates. I was there and it represents the discussions very well.
“Candidates campaign at SR 200 Coalition”
Regardless of whether she's re-elected to the School Board, Sue Mosley may very well claim an all-important title on Sept. 5 - grandma.
That's because the September primary - aptly falling just after Labor Day - is the day Mosley's oldest daughter is due to deliver the family's first grandchild.
Mosley, stumping for office Monday at the Southwest State Road 200 Coalition, invited comparisons to "Grandma Mosley" when she told members, "I hope you'll remember me on Sept. 5 when I'm in labor and delivery . . ."
She'd also like them to remember her in the voting booth.
Mosley, one of several candidates to launch opening-campaign salvos at the coalition's invitation, is vying for a second four-year term on the board representing District 4. Her opponent in the nonpartisan race, David Alvarez, is expected to address the coalition at its August meeting.
"I've kept my promises," said Mosley, current board chair, local businesswoman and mother of three. "I've always been the honest politician."
Mosley said she ran for office in 2002 because as a parent and frequent school volunteer, she was frustrated with what she saw going on in the classroom - or not going on.
"Among my biggest pet peeves was the lack of discipline," she said, adding that one of her own children was a discipline problem. "I don't care whether it's my child or your child - no child has the right to disrupt the classroom."
Mosley said she took on what she termed the district's "lackadaisical" approach to discipline and dress code, for the first time making sexual activity on campus an expellable offense and banning such informal attire as pajamas and bedroom slippers from all schools.
She also blasted the district's tendency to overbuild new schools with "bells and whistles" that weren't necessary.
"Oak cabinets, granite tile on the floor. Why do we need all this? We don't need atriums, we don't need Kitchen Aid appliances," she said. "It doesn't add to the quality of education."
District 5 incumbent Ron Crawford said that when he was first elected, he'd made only one campaign promise: to "provide a safe and quality education for all children at a cost taxpayers could afford."
Since taking office, Crawford said he has been "fighting to ensure all school designs are safe," whether for new schools or retrofitting old ones. Also, as someone raised by parents who lived through the Depression, Crawford said his job is to "make sure that each one of your dollars got spent as if it were two."
Though Crawford said that he "gets up every morning thankful" for the chance to serve on the School Board, challenger Joyce Romanski elicited the most enthusiasm for her impassioned plea for voters to "restore the dream" by electing her.
Romanski, who retired in May after 25 years as a teacher at North Marion Middle School, said that she's "seeing too many of our children lose their dreams. I've been there, I've held their hands when they lost their dreams."
She said she's "very qualified to work hard . . . on the School Board," not only because of her classroom experience but because of a prior 18-year career in the banking industry in New York City that earned her a spot in "Who's Who in Finance and Industry."
Thurow in 2004 was an "emerging" political voice. That election cycle offered little attention for newbies. Thurow made the comment at every public apperarence and every time he was on a radio show..."we need to maximize all available revenue streams" Folks, that includes impact fees. Chris has a great ability to work on the financial big picture and help to get the school board on a sound track. No one was listening to Thurow because they already had their candidates to support. Maybe they'll listen this time around.
Joyce Romanski, a former teacher and someone with good financial skills. A great combination!
Well, Jfuller, I do not presume to say I listened to "every" radio ad two years ago (there were very few) or every speech (you hear one from a candidate, you usually have heard it all) but as one who makes their living handling campaign ads for candidates, the word "reveneue stream" is what I would expect to hear from an incumbent "spinning" the record.
If Thorow intended to mean "impact fee," he should have said "impact fee," and I would have invited him to the commission meetings where lonely voices like John Lund and I were pushing to expand the fees, and I would invite him now to attend a school board meeting (has he attended one yet?) where only the influence of the county commission (yes, Charlie Stone and others) forced the school board majority to join Sue Mosley and impose an impact fee, which that same majority had refused to do just weekes earlier. (If you want me to name that majority, ask and I will) and he could speak up on this blog and let us know his positions. In fact for two years around that election in 2004 and into 2005, every radio show Lund started with the this statement "The words of the day are Impact Fee." If found someone who would make a stand for impact fees stronger than Stone, John would have touted them almost daily. By the eway, as I recall, John was dubious about Charlie even is Stone is a Republican.
Your inference is Stone "sold out" to builders when they contributed to his campaign. Not true. He made his position clear when he lost in 2000 and he told builders again in 2004 there had to be additional impact fees and let's say "other revenue enhancements" in language you must like.
You say "Thurow in 2004 was an "emerging" political voice" is an over statement. His voice wasn't heard because he didn't raise the money and there was no voice to hear.
Good ideas? Yes. I like the guy. But let's not give him credit for demanding impact fees over the past two years, or for standing up on any issue. That coupled with the claims that "Kurt had been talking with Chris" causes people like to to be suspicious. Hope he has never had a conversation with him.
And, since I haven't got a dog in that hunt (that district) have at it and see what happens. It takes more than standing on SR 200 and waiving a sign. If it was that easy, I might do it. Nah, not a chance!
--pwf
Me thinks PWF may be giving too much credit to the school board for its stand on impact fees. Why, because what they did is politically correct, but financially inadequate. Just the opinion of someone who has also spent a lifetime in Ocala.
I agree and apparently Christopher Thurow didn't check in with him so pwf assumes Thurow never came out in favor impact fees. A lot of us know he did, he didn't have the funds to compete. Then pwf goes on to give credit to Charlie Stone? What a crock.
You got it!!!!
No one, repeat no one, needs to check in with me now or ever. I spend way too much time on stuff that doesn't make me money, and have tried to cut way back in the past two years.
But I have been involved locally for nearly 50 years, and I was involved nearly full time for the past ten years, and I know how lonely it has been, and I can not recall a time Chris was involved except at election time. Is that bad? Of course not, at least he had the courage to run (something I have not done), and we need more people running anytime.
Give Stone credit? No, but he did campaign on the issue, he did tell durign the campaign builders it was coming, and then had the integrity to vote for the fees after he was elected by somewhat of a mandate over GOP opponents and even over Sizemore in November.
Sounds like you are still bitter over Charlie winning two years ago.
No one at the school system I have been able to talk with this week can remember his involvement. Perhaps he has been, and if so, I am happy. This all started to clear the air over Kelly's claiming he and Chris "have been talking" and then over the claim Chris was active in impact fees and the schools currently.
No, I don't give the school board too much credit; I don't give them any credit -- they were forced to the table by the county commission, and went along with the flow, but then Kurt wouldn't go for what was required to start to catch up.
Believe me, I would have welcomed anyone including fiscal conservative, anonymous and Jfuller to have joined the battle. We might be a couple of years ahead. The school system opted out of the comprehensive plan 12-15 years ago, and then opted out of the home builders special committee to find alternative funding sources.
And you are right -- impact fees are not enough. But imagine where we would be had impact feres been imposed when arch conservative John Lund started harping and carping about them four or five years ago. We must have built perhaps 20,000 new houses in that five year period, and at $5,000 a house for schools, that is $100,000,000. At the true cost of the impact, $8,000 a house, that's $160,000,000. Even at what they did do, five years late, it is about $70,000,000. It has been irresponsible on their part aznd on our part as citizens not to have demanded school impact fees, road impact fees, fire impact fees, park impact fees, courthouse and jail impact fees. Growth should pay for the impact it creates. The alternative if you pay for the builders problems.
The real impact of growth should be on the growth, not politically correct, but true.
No, the school system doesn't get any credit from me for their new impact fees, but there was only one lonely voice involved in schools for the past four years, pushing for fiscal integrity, for adequate, not fancy schools AND impact fees, and that voice was Mosley.
--pwf
I look forward to learning more about Mr. Thurow's ideas about how to improve student academic performance, teacher salaries and the FCAT. Impact fees is an important issue but it is not the only thing we must solve.
I agree with Femdem and I 'v e asked now three times on this blog for Mr. Thurow to elaborate on his platform for School board.
Again, the School Board finally has impact fees on the table they are waiting for the County Commission to sign off on them, so let's move on to the other issues!
Agreed.
--pwf
pwf's recollection of local political history gets fuzzier and fuzzier every year.
What is Joyce's positons? Does anybody know? She hasn't posted anything on here yet. Neither has Ron.
anonymous says "pwf's recollection of local political history gets fuzzier and fuzzier every year."
Happens to call of us. But it is still good enough for government work!
--pwf
"But it is still good enough for government work!"
--pwf
Well no it isn't, and that is the general attitude with politics in Marion. "Good 'nuff buddy".
I don't think PWF's memory is at all fuzzy! If anything he has once again hit it on the nose!
Those of you skeptics should really watch who's toes you are stepping on! Ask anyone Black or White who has lived in this town for 20 years or more and they will tell you Mr. Ferguson is one of the wisest political men in town! He's like Yoda in Star Wars a "wise old Jedi Master!
He sits back until someone comes to him. You would be very surprised as to those who seek him out for his wisdom and guidance as well as vast knowledge of the issues past and present!
Based on my experience, you won't likely hear anything substantial from Mr. Thurow on the "real" issues of our local education system.
real issues such as what? Why Thurow? Any takers Crawford or Romanowski? Sounds to me like this Thurow guy may be the one to beat
I look forward to hearing Thurow at one of the candidate forums. I have to admit that neither Crawford or Romanski light my fire.
I just recieved an email from Mr. Thurow and he said he would come on the show. I sent him back an email and will try to get a specific time. Mr. Walker has also contacted me and I will work out a time for him after the primary. I still havent heard from Mr. Alverez Ms. Romanski and Mr. Townley said that he would be in soon after July 17th. I will try to let you guys know what days they are on.
Yes FOCUS!
If I'm correct Thurow has been a department head in county government for a while. Me thinks he probably knows how to handle the politics of a board.
I imagine Mr. Thurow can handle the politics of the Board just fine. I imagine he can even handle the bully Kelly, if he stays on the Board.
Hey Gang! Here'e the link to my website. If you visit it and have any comments, suggestions or changes let me know. My email address is cthurow@thurow.us
www.thurow.us
It is with deep regret that I must tell you bloggers that my dear friend, Parnell Townley, has decided that he will not be a candidate for School Board this year.
It was a personal decision, one that does not involve politics but getting his life organized and meeting the obligations he has already agreed to fulfill within the community and with his family.
Many, many of you have called him and offered to help in his proposed campaign. There were a handful who called to tout their friend, the man who would have been an opponent, and there were three or four of Parnell's friends who called and counseled against running. (those who called can figure out if you are one of his friends or not.)
I say "with deep regret" because I love the guy like a brother. There are few people in my career in Marion County who can hold a candle to him for ethical behavior, and for his love of Marion County.
His service as a county commissioner, and in the many, many other ways he repays Marion County is because of his love for this county and its people; not for poliitcal power, not for popularity, now because of the influence the offices provide, but because of the Love he has for our friends and neighbors in Marion County.
The contest would have been interesting. It would have matched someone who covets power and influence against one who would have only wanted to serve. It would have contrasted the life of a true Christian brother against someone who uses religion (as most everything else) as a vehicle to political power. Other than his personal testimony and professed love for God and his belief that the Lord plays a role in his life, I have never heard Parnell ever say anything detrimental to another's religious beliefs. He certainly would have never alleged that Catholics are not Christians, or that people with a large family as protestants are okay "because they are a Christian."
Parnell would never go out and find someone to run against a fellow board member as has been done with the David Alvarez campaign against Sue Mosley and the effort to get an opponent to run against Ron Crawford. On a personal note, I have found that Mr. Kelly's statement that "Chris and I have been talking" is a lie, because Mr. Thurow told me with his own mouth the last time he even saw Kurt Kelly was at the GOP Lincoln Day dinner in 2004 and I believe him.
Parnell is a quiet man. He will be unhappy at my writing this, because he is a modest man. He really does not like large crowds, does not enjoy speeches, but loves to work with people one on one to solve their problems. He is not a pompous pontificator.
He is my friend and since he is happy with his decision, I am happy -- happy for him, but disappointed because he would have won the seat had he decided to run, and we would have a team working to solve problems, instead of a show off and a bully.
Will someone else step forwards to run in this race? I do not know.
Thanks for stirring our hope for a while, my friend. I trust you will continue to serve the many organizations you work with for many, many more years. I love you like a brother, Parnell!
--pwf
That is bad news for our school system!
On the evening of July 18 I was contacted by a Rep of a "push poll" for candidates Kelly & Alvarez. "Push Poll" contains loaded questions to give the answer the pollster wants. The questions I was asked were loaded with favorable statements about Kelly & Alvarez (true or untrue) and unfavorable statements Sue Mosely. Anyone reading this should be aware that any announcement of a favorable phone poll for Kelly & Alvarez is a complete phony because it is based upon loaded questions that were composed to deceive the persons answering the poll.
Not surprised since it was tactics like this that he used to beat frank washington four years ago. and since alvarez is his "boy" in this race, look for him to use the same disceptive tactics he used when guiding his company. ask people who owned stock and see what they thought when it dropped 80% or more. the amazing thing is that a decent pastor like Ed Johnson would stand with him and endorse him from the podium. he should have invited him to come to the alter and ask forgiveness of his sins.
Since only certain school administrators attended the meeting where the facts of one of the questions asked in the push poll was discussed, it should be easy for Mr. Yancey to determine who is leaking information from his administration to Kelly's mother, who is advising Alvarez. Yancey should fire the leader immediately and I dont care how many years she has been in the system.
I was looking forward to Mr. Townley versus Mr. Kelly. Too bad how this turned out.
Well, now on to Alvarez versus Mosley. I'm going to get behind Sue Mosley.
Well blogger friends it's a new ball game now. Watch the Alvarez/Kelly combo really start doing a hatchet job on Mosley/Crawford.
Liz said,
"I was looking forward to Mr. Townley versus Mr. Kelly. Too bad how this turned out."
Am I missing something here? Is Parnell not running?
He's not running, according to a blogger who seems to know Parnell very well.
Understand Bill Glass has been making phone calls around the district to find a place to call hnome and qualify against Kelly. Now that would be a race. Glass can afford to pay for his own mailers, and has the ghonads to call a space a space, or a bunch of BS BS. Bill once ran against Cynthia Chesnut for state rep, and the Gainesville Sun about had a heart attack. Wonder how Brad Rogers would feel about a Glass- Kelly campaign.
He will have the support of most of the Exec Committee that remains other than Cavanaugh and her buds.
I might even come back to help Glass if he runs.
What would glas want to get into a pig pen with kelly? you mess with a skunk and you end up smelling like a skunk.
You know what? I would vote for Bill Glass over Kelly any day of the week. I have never liked Glass that much but I like Kelly even less. I can just see the two in a debate--Glass will eat him alive!!
first of all, why does Alvarez have Ed Johnson's support from the pulpit when Alvarez states that he attends the Methodist church? Kelly behind this? Come on. That's obvious. And as far as the phone poll: well Mr. Alvarez AND Mr. Kelly, people don't like dirty politics. If Mosley just stands behind her principles and her reputation for putting the children and teachers first, that's all we need to hear. Dirty politics such as this are from someone running scared. Just state your facts kelly and alvarez and let the voters decide. Mosley won't sink to your low level. Disappointed too that Parnell isn't running however, it was a clear conscious decision. does alvarez and kelly HAVE a conscience? Oh and if you need a defination guys, conscience means "the faculty of recognizing the distinction between right and wrong in regard to one's own conduct". Remember that when you are in church next time. Wish someone would step up to the plate before tomorrow to run against Kelly.
What I can not imagine is that this guy Kelly is going to go unopposed. What a sad day for the children and taxpayers of Marion County. He can not honestly point to anything he has accomplished. He tried to start a fight between law enforcement and schools with the Chamber, then got into a spitting contest over the kids at vanguard and the cops. Come on somebody, stand up and enter this race. You will be amazed at the support that is waiting on you. I wish I could do it myself.
YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS ABOUT BILL GLASS RUNNING IN THE SCHOOL BOARD RACE!
Any thought that Parnell will enter the race against Randy at the last minute?
1. Who is Bill Glass?
2. Why would he be good on the School Board?
who be glass? a guy who took lemons nad made lemonaid when economy turned down and did real well. invests and runs real businesses. enjoys tweaking politicians and staff. is an irritant. can be an ass. lives in historic mc intosh. why not glass? he has an extremely sharp mind when he wants to examines tuff and cut to the chase. certainly would be fun to watch staff try to put something over on him and taxpayers. not obligated to anyone, does more to quietly help kids and the poor than the other loud mouth. you would replace some guy who talks and talks and doesn't mean a word of it with someone who damn sure means what he says.
Did Glass enter the fray?
It's a Sad day in Marion County and an even sadder day for the School Board! I feel sorry for Hering, Mosley and Crawford for what they are about to have to contend with. Kurt Kelly is officially unopposed as a candidate! What a shame, his ego and his mama must be extatic! We would have seen Kurt's true colors come out for sure! As for those who threatened anyone who dared run against Kurt you will see how he turns on you in no time! You will live to regret the day he persuaded you to fight for him! Look out Dennis, look out Randy the monster has been unchained no one is safe he will get what he wants, cliff you should watch your back as well, congress isn't even out of his reach!
Bummer.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Kurt Kelly is one of the most powerful politicians in Marion County. Randy Harris move over!
Oh well. Townley would have won. Political life must move ahead. The real barn burner is now going to be Alvarez and Mosley.
Well, let's see. When Warford was elected, kurt wanted mama to be dep super. Warford said hell no, so he tried for dir of instruction. that didn't work either. so he threatened to run for super. warford erred in urging JEB to appoint him to the sch bd thinking that would appease him, but it didn't. he then thought about opposing Yancey, but didn't have the gonads to do that. so now mama is openly working for Alvarez, along with zanetti the only board member who still trusts kelly, and she will wake up one day with a hatchet in her back -- just like mosley, crawford and herring. wonder what job they will want for mama now. u r right about other offices. he actually sees him as "ordained by god" to be a politician. oh, well. schools are so screwewd up he can't hurt them much more. bobby d and lund will have plenty to talk about the next four years. wally will have to buy him a new chair, cause kurt is adding pounds by the week.
If David Alvarez gets in he will owe the Kelly family big time!
Judi will be entering into a new election cycle and she will need Kurts help because she has alienated the others, Yancey will be forced to comply with Kurts wishes because Kurt will have three strong votes without Sue!
Yancey should have been smarter in this process he doesn't even realize that this was a masterful plan well orchestrated by the Mighty Kelly family to get even with him from years ago! Without the "outspoken" Mosley being the voice of reason on the board Kurt will have his mother in there in no time.Yancey might as well not even think about running for Re-election! Here comes Evelyn......
Who is Evelyn?
Kurt's mom.
Supt. Yancey has been had and don't yet know it!!
Don't worry "edisrevir", Jim Warford is coming back to save us from the Kelly clan!!
Wouldn't surprise me.
Don
(OTOW)
Think you are be wrong about Thurow. I looked him in the eye and he denied ever talking to Kelly since a chance meeting at the Lincoln Day dinner in 2004. That does not explain Kelly claiming "Chris and I have been talking . . ." but I have listened to enough of Kurt to know I do not believe him. I am surprised at Pastor Ed Johnson endorsing him. But then he snowed Warford, Jeb, and lots of others. Just remember, if he opens his mounth, well go the other way! --pwf
Today's question:
Who is chairman of the school board that has held things together as the good CINO went out and recruited opposition for Crawford and Mosley, and attacked Steve Herring in an unnecessarily vicious manner.
Answer Sue Mosley.
Tune in tomorrow for another question and answer.
--pwf
Ah, why wait for tomorrow:
Another question:
Who has been chair of the school board, elected by her peers, for the past two years, overseeing the tremendous job done by the teachers of Marion County in raising test scores to an overall county-wide grade of "A"?
Answer: Sue Mosley
--pwf
Today's question:
Who has been chair of the school board during the past two years as Marion County has gained 35 district grade points over 2004-5, which makes us tied for second in the state among school districts when it comes to "Leading the state in raising students performance"?
Answer? Sue Mosley, who has supported the administration efforts to make the state standards work, AND still have good discipline moral conduct, over the objections to some CINOs.
--pwf
Someone once said when a defense attorney doesn't have a case, he argues and defames the state or the system or the cops . . . anything but his client.
One of the truisms of my career is when a politician doesn't have any facts or artibutes to run on their own merits, they attack the character of their opponent. The word has been out for some time that this will be a dirty campaign sincew they can not argue the facts.
So, Night Owl, be prepared. I can assure you everything I will use can be backed up -- or I wouldn't risk my reputation on it. --pwf
Some of the bloggers on here should heed the letter the blogmaster has in the Candidates Section of the blog. Some good points that apply to us voters just as much as to candidates. Read and apply!
Today's question:
Who was Chair of the school board when budgets were worked out to provide an 8% pay raise for teachers? Never happened before, but through hard work, and working to soothe feelings with a sometimes disfunctional board member, teachers will get a nice raise this year.
Answer: Sue Mosley, that's who.
--pwf
Haven't talked to Jim Payton yet (suspect I will after this though), but I understand Jim had his say pretty good at the EDC this week when they tried to adopt a policy against networking of political candidates (incumbents and challengers as well) at public EDC functions. Candidates have always passed out cards and got petition cards signed, but someone decided it was a no-no this year.
Funny how both the EDC and Chamber decided to come up with this stupid policy this year after both pushed the candidacy of Mayor Randy Ewers last year, and Carmen Maines two years ago.
The only benefit I can think of at the Chamber currently is networking, and to stop political networking is stupid and does more damage to an already declining Chamber membership.
EDC could have picked a better time to implement its policy when when one of the people who must approve the $160,000+ donation of county tax funds is running for re-election.
Let's see, if Payton would team up with Randy Harris (who has always opposed the EDC handout . . . that would make for an interesting budget day if they got one more vote.
Bad move EDC.
--pwf
Sit back and watch folks. Now that Kelly is officially unopposed, he will be working behind the scenes for Alvarez. That is a scary thought. Alvarez has gone through all his Cornerstone people and if the people of Marion County cannot see that, it's pathetic. He sent his children there and his wife teaches there. He only wants to be on the Board now so he can show his pompous self. Kelly is short-sighted if he thinks Alvarez is going to "side" with him on voting. Mosley, however, votes for what she thinks is right. Not to align herself with anyone. Think. Think, voters. it's Mosley and Crawford now.
Mosely and Alvarez will be a nail biter. Thurow will take Crawford down in round one, bet on it.
Yo, anon . . . call me and we will have a bet. crawford will win in round one, squeeking by kelly's t wo picks yp oppose him. sue by 58-42. the story on alvarez and kelly spreading fast. kelly's stand on catholics is hurting alvarez who is not hispanic, only has ahis mother's husband's name.
Crawford barely won last time around to Jeff Carr by about 350 votes. Jeff did not have any money. Thurow has name recognition and has money.
I falied to add that there is no way Crawford will get 50% + 1 vote in the primary. No way. Round one will be the November run off. Unless Thurow pulls a hat trick and takes 50+1
aint no way anon . . .
where is thurow's name recognition. only thing is that he played games with the EDC. that hurt not helped.
Ya know Ron the facts are the facts no matter how you twist them. You won last time by the skin of your teeth. Your luck has run out. Glass or Mosley or dumb luck won't help. By the way what have YOU done that would justify you getting elected again? Name one substantial issue you started and fought for until it came to fruition.
well, the name aint ron, but the question, thurow, is what have you ever done in MC except steal the EDC name, and help block the development of hundreds of jobs that we needed in MC? got an answer to that christopher.
Excellent points.
if anyone has connections with the Spanish community, please let them know that Alvarez is not of Spanish descent. He will try to use his name in the Spanish community as he has trying to lead folks to believe he has ties to other Alvarez's in this community. By the way they have no idea who he even is.
has anyone read today's Banner? Mosley is opposed to building these GRAND style buildings for our schools. Why can't our children learn in buildings that are not so extravagant? I'm sorry, and I may get a lot of grief for this statement, but what's wrong with adding stories to buildings or, God forbid, portables? Portables are air-conditioned, water-proof and the size of a classroom. Sure, they might be an eye-sore, but is that the point???!!! The point is education!! And I hope Alvarez has a way to pay for this $100M he wants to borrow, in a better way then he handled L-3 Comm./Microdyne. Yeah, it's easy to say, let's lay it on the people in Tallahassee, but let's me real! If he wants to make a difference in Tallahassee, run for State Legislator or Senator. And then he can combat Washington.
Question for marioncountydoc:
What is the story of his administration as the interim president of L3/microdyne?
Understand it is not pretty and some folks lost lots of money, but what is the story?
\
And youre right about the buildings. Forest is an excellent example--the kids at ward-highlands get a better education in old buildings than Forest in the fancy new ones. If it wasn't for the politics of schools, there really was no need for all that fancy stuff, cept woodfields folks want it.
You have to have a "key" to get into the bankruptcy records of the fed ct in re: his company bankruptcy filing. I dont do that work, but have a friend who does.
to barrister,
since I and 200 blogger are interested in the bankruptcy record of Mr. Alvarez's company, have your friend find out. Seems to be well hidden. I think we would all be interested. And as far as the woodfields folks wanting a taj mahal, not true. How much do you think just the brick cost us? But back to the $100M Alvarez wants to borrow, how can he possibly think that will be paid back through impact fees and half-cent sales tax monies? If he thinks Tallahassee will take care of us he really is in another world. We were very fortunate that the existing Board got raises for our teachers. So what's more important: more $ for our teachers or these GRAND new buildings?
You know these childish personal attacks won't get whoever you're rooting for elected. Talk about the issues and not this crap.
which is crap? too much spent on schools are how to pay for the future schools?
Ok help me pick my candidate then. The Star Banana asked HOW a candidate would pay for the construction that some on the present board have failed to address. What was the best answer among the people runnig? On the bankruptcy thing, fine give me alink with any info and I'll check it out. Cheers
Mom 23 you should call up Sue Mosley, I think you would like what you hear from her! she is a parent with 3 kids and feels just like you do, she has made alot of waves with the Architechs and staff and contractors over useless stuff in our Schools.
To Mom 23:
That was probably the best post on the blog! Your passion is obvious, and for good reason. Your facts are right on point. Kids do not care if they are in portables -- just give them a clean (well maybe not even clean) place, a good teacher and they will make it work. Proof they do not need $100 million worth of brick and mortar is the tremendous success of Grace Episcopal School (where my son attended and now my grandchildren are) or at Cornerstone where they took an old house and some lumber to add on classrooms, and have a good reputation. (Let's see, the big businessman who wants to borrow that $100 million "on the come" should know this since he was one of the board members at Cornerstone and his wife teaches there I hear.)
I would encourage you to stay involved, and if you ever decide to run, I would love to assist in your campaign. The last mother with such a passion for schools, teachers, discipline, for accountability from superintendents, board members, administrators, principals, teachers, students and, yes, accountability from parents as well was amother like you. Her name is Sue Mosley.
And yes, Mr. Kelly does pauses from his sermons only to attack the board members who are truly committed to making our schools better and to save our tax money, to attack and recruit candidates to oppose them. Not my idea of a Christian brother or of a leader. Hopefully, he will stay out of this election campaign now he has another four years of his much sought glory.
Be sure to let me know if you ever decide to run.
--pwf
My comments....
Moms posting is eloquent and right on target. My own 10 year old son has never once came home asking for a classroom “upgrade” or a new coat of paint for the restroom at his school. He asks for nice books for the school library, better hot dogs for lunch and a new set of markers for his teachers whiteboard. If my sons bedroom is any indication of preferences the existing schools actually look pretty good!
My son has asked me on numerous occasions, “Dad could you buy a telescope or maybe a computer for my science class, we don’t have this stuff.” I’m sure many of you have heard this same line of questioning. The point is that kids want to learn, they have deep desire to explore and create, unfortunately the resources are not always available. In many cases the resource is available it is more a matter of delivery to the students classroom. The school system needs dedicated leadership to adequately provide these opportunities and resources for our children. Our school system demands leadership who is keenly aware of what is needed in today’s learning environment.
In my opinion there are two distinct and completely separate issues for our school board members to embrace and execute. The first being the absolute commitment to providing a quality and challenging education for our children. This is job one. My philosophy is that the educators are the trained professionals and we must allow them to lead the way in instructing our children. The board is the support mechanism that should weigh the needs, costs and expectations and provide written policy for the administration to execute. We should then get out of the way and let the teachers teach.
Second is the physical plant and administration. This is more of the shadow of the teaching process. This is where the board should provide the educators with the needed resources for a superior educational experience. Fancy schools? No.
Buildings that are comfortable, cost effective and easily maintained. Maintenance seemingly always left out of the equation. The board must provide a high level of policy guidance here in order to deliver the product that is required. Not the product that some vendor or architect wants us to have. Fiscal oversight and restraint are the tools necessary for the sensible operation of the school system. Once again however the board must , after setting policy, get out of the way of administration and let them do their job. Meddling simply complicates the entire process.
The practice of public civility is paramount. The boards desire to place the needs of the community above their own political and personal agendas is the final component for a cohesive, energized and effective school board.
After all this isn’t about us, it’s about our children.
That speech almost brings a tear to my eyes except for one thing, Mosley has been preaching that for 4 years. Nice to see that you are catching onto the vision Mr. Thurow.
alright kids, here we go again.....
On July 21, 2006 three Forest High School Football Players, and former football players for Kurt Kelly, committed an Armed Robbery near the Mall. Two citizens were walking down the road when a car pulled up to them with lights off, two of the players got out of the passenger side of the car, the other player was driving, both of the players who got out of the car were armed with handguns, one with a .357 magnum and one with a bb pistol.
The two victims were robbed. The two players got back into the car and the car took off.
All three kids were arrested a short time later by the OPD and put in detention. All three confessed.
Are you wondering how they got the gun? well another football player brought the gun to football practice at Forest High School and gave it to them.
So the kids are in detention until yesterday, when our good friend Kurt goes before the judge and pleads with the judge to let these "good kids" go. The State Attorney and the DJJ both objected to the thugs being released. Well as a result of Kurt's words, the judge released the kids.
Does this bother any of you?
Another example of athletes getting away with a violent felony. Does anyone care about the victims of the crime. Were these kids just having "good clean fun?"
Oh my god someone needs to impeach this guy since no one is running against him. Where is the Star Banner?
An equally important question:
Who was the judge who released these kids?
ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? What in hell is going on? I'm practically speachless. First, I'm with Liz, who was the judge? And maybe if he was going to release them, he should have released them to Kurt Kelly. They should live with him and his family. Feel safe, Kurt? And was he there as a citizen for character references or as a school board member? Either way, he's way out of line. He should be impeached!! This is outrageous folks. Someone, maybe me, should make sure this information is on the front page of the Star Banner. There better not be a cover up. This is by far the most outrageous act of "power" I've heard of. What's scary is, he is unopposed and he is guiding voters to vote for Alvarez. Wonder if Alvarez with disengage himself from Kelly. What's better than notifying the Star Banner, is the contact I have with counsel in the Governor's office. I will get the public records and fax them tomorrow!!!!!!!
But may I ask what Kelly standing up for kids has to do with the courts does he have that much power that he can get judges to release dangerous felons?
Well, now children, class will come to order pleeeeeze!
Surprised? Well, yes, even old cynical pwf who has watched power corrupt for these past 50 years in the news gathering and commenting business is surprised, but I must admit, this one takes the cake.
Let's see if I get all of the story before I form an opinion: three guys, one of whom is a star player, all over the age of 12-14 so they may not be able to be called "just good little kids" arrange to have a loaded .357 Magnam in the dressing room of Forest High School, where the gun changes hands from the boy who took it from his father to the ones who confessed to using it in the alleged (but confessed) robbery.
(Question, what would have happened if, during the gun exchange in the dressing room, Coach Yancey had walked around the corner and there was a scuffle and someone got shot? If you believe there is not a lawyer around the corner waiting for this case, I have a bridge for you.)
These young adults then go out to football practice, and after practice, they leave the campus (Note: a gun on a school campus with a no tolerance policy, where kids get expelled for a pen knife and we have a loaded .357 Magnum???) with the gun and that night and go out an rob somebody.
These "nice little boys" (they are adults not little boys, they can fight in Iraq and they can vote because they are adults) go out and, according to the sowrn statements in the police report, with bandanas over their faces (little boys learn this in Kurt's football camp?) and rob people, get arrested, confess, admit where the gun came from, admit they had in the locker room of a no tolerance school, and Kurt goes before a judge, not as a private citizen, but as an official representative of the Marion County School System, and urges these guys be turned back onto the streets of Ocala and allowed back inside that same locker room and to football practice????? (Can they take their gun back to school?)
Question: How much of the facts did Kurt explain to Superintendent Yancey when Kurt told Jim how he (Kurt) was counseling and "mentoring" these fine young men who had made “a mistake.” (A mistake? The Police report details a criminal act, committed with a careful plan to commit and avoid detection!) Answer, probably few of the facts, lots of the emotions. Did Kurt tell Jim about the gun on the school campus? Did Kurt explain the gun was loaded at Forest? Hell no!!! Did Kurt tell Jim he (Kurt) had appeared before the Judge as an official representative of the school system as a character witness? Where the hell does he get the nerve to continually speak for the school system when there has been no action thus anointing him, or . . . Star Banner take note, has there been a secret agreement among school board members to allow Kurt to speak for them and appear in court to speak for them????
Answer to Star Banner: NOT on your sweet tooty. He is powerrrrrful and he just appears and pontificates.
Folks, this is not an aberration. Well, now children, class will come to order pleeeeeze!
Surprised? Well, yes, even old cynical pwf who has watched power corrupt for these past 50 years in the news gathering and commenting business, but I must admit, this one takes the cake.
Let's see if I get all of the story before I form an opinion: three guys, one of whom is a star player, all over the age of 12 so they may not be able to be called "just good little kids" arrange to have a loaded .357 Magnam brought to the dressing room of Forest High School, where the gun changes hands from the boy who took it from his father to the three who confessed to the robbery.
(Question, what would have happened if, during the gun exchange in the dressing room, Coach Yancey had walked around the corner and there was a scuffle and someone got shot? If you believe there is not a lawyer around the corner waiting for this case, I have a bridge for you.)
They then go out to football practice, and after practice, they leave the campus (a gun on a school campus with a no tolerance policy, where kids get expelled for a pen knife and we have a loaded .357 Magnum???) with the gun and that night and go out an rob somebody.
Question: How much of the facts did Kurt explain to Superintendent Yancey when Kurt told Jim how he (Kurt) was counseling and "mentoring" these fine young men who had made “a mistake.” (A mistake? The Police report details a criminal act, committed with a careful plan to commit and avoid detection!) Answer, probably few of the facts, lots of the emotions. Did Kurt tell Jim about the gun on the school campus? Did Kurt explain the gun was loaded at Forest? Hell no!!! Did he tell him he (Kurt) had appeared before the Judge as a representative of the school system? Where the hell does he get the nerve to continually speak for the school system when there has been no action thus anointing him, or . . . Star Banner take note, has there been a secret agreement among school board members to allow Kurt to speak for them and appear in court to speak for them????
Answer to Star Banner: NOT on your sweet tooty. He is powerrrrrful and he just appears and pontificates.
Folks, this is not an aberration. This is a crisis. I don't have a hoot how good a football player any of these kids are. (Wonder if Kurt would appeared before the Judge and been an official character witness had the kids been three guys from auto mechanics or the culinary program????) The Police report says they had a loaded gun on a school campus. The report says they robbed someone at gun point with full knowledge what they were doing was wrong, else they would not have hidden their faces. They willingly admitted their guilt and three of them rolled on their buddy to explain how they got the gun. If someone had been injured, would the parents of the one with the gun been arrested for allowing his son to have access to a loaded gun? If someone had been injured at Forest, would a law suit have been brought against our school system?
Come on Kurt, what the hell were you thinking. You might want to go back to the pulpit of First Baptist and have Dr. Johnson unfrock his inappropriate endorsement and begin prayers for healing of power going to one's head.
In my day, ancient as it is, Star Banner, the Tampa Tribune, the Florida Times Union, WTMC, WOCA, WMOP and I – the news media in those days -- would have been in that courtroom covering this hearing. What, you are telling me the Banner didn’t know about it? Impossible!!! The ripple through Ocala about the star athletes being arrested for armed robbery surely was heard by someone – anyone -- at the Banner, or is this a failure in government in the sunshine, and will the state attorney now be asked to investigate the court system ands the school system for not telling the Banner of the court hearing. Don’t tell me there isn’t sufficient staff at the Banner; there is plenty of staff if they would work at doing reporting instead of looking for a BBIGGGG story for their files.
Any way,
1. Bill O’Reilly needs to hear about this case. Maybe he will be able to talk to Kurt about his wanting to allow kids to have sex in class rooms, to spray paint schools, and getting sports stars back to practice, while costing us thousands by going after Steve Herring. Bill might even want to talk to a Judge who ignores the please of law enforcement and listens instead to Kurt’s stirring, Bible filled sermon.
2. The Banner front page tomorrow can start to do its job by explaining in detail how a school board member became the spokesman for the school system in a courtroom.
3. The principal at Forest should today announce an immediate suspension from all school activities of these adults still enrolled at Forest, and that expulsion will be recommended to the superintendent.
4. The Superintendent should announce today he has received the principal’s recommendation, and will forward it to the school board with his recommendation they be expelled immediately.
5. The School Board should adopt a policy that no employee of the school system will be a character witness for anyone charges with a felony without the knowledge of the Superintendent, and that no school board member will speak for the system without a vote of the board.
6. If there is an ounce of sincerity in his body, Mr. Kelly should resign today. That is what an adult faced with the facts would do.
Class dismissed!
--pwf
pwf certainly made many valid points. Now what? First, the "children", yes they should be expelled. Don't care if they are star players. Second, Mr. Kelly needs to answer to Jim Yancey and the board. Third, the State Attorney's office should look into any improprieties between the judge and Mr. Kelly. And last, but certainly not least, the general counsel for the Education Commissioner in Tallahassee is very interested in this case. Good luck squeezing out of this Mr. Kelly. Don't taint our school board. Just do the right thing, for once, resign! Hopefully, the Star Banner will step up to the plate and publish this outrageous injustice. Just thank God that no one was hurt or killed.
First, doctor, Kelly does not answer to that board, or to Yancy he is an elected official and he is responsible to US. Second improprieties between the judge and Kelly… are you absurd or just stupid. And last I called the general counsel and he has no idea what the case you refer to is. And last, but certainly not least, I think you’re full of shit and I feel sorry for your patients... Just thank God that no one was hurt or killed in your offices.
NICE POST!!
Must be one of Kelly's supporters. I can tell from the very Christian way it is written. Another member of the CINOs.
You are right. Kelly doesnt answer to the board. He knows nothing of accountability except to himself.
Thats what makes him SUCK as an elected official to US.
Hey Kelly lover!!
Does Kurt know you curse people and thank god in the same breath? You must be one of those good kids he is always talking about.
Ever think that is exactly why people think your and kurt's christianity is a joke?
Crawford Crawford Crawford Crawford
Mosley Mosley Mosley Mosley
Come on September 5th!!!
Jim Warford must be pulling what has strands of hair he has out for ever recommending kelly to JEB. lots of us tried to arn him.
where is bill o'reiley when we need him?
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