Toledotalk23, they are all citizens and are able to voice their opinions like you just did. Anyone in the district that pays taxes and is eligible to vote is eligible to have a say. There are current and past board members with kids in TPS and ones that did not send them to TPS. There are current and past administration officials with kids sent to and outside of TPS. I do know some of the people you mentioned did send their kids to school in TPS, but I am not sure how long or how many.
As everyone knows, anyone is entitled to say anything, but depending on how true the statements are is what determines the value of what is said.
Regardless of the sides one picks, any citizen can now download the meetings from ToledoTalk or http://www.toledopoliticians.com and hear for themselves what goes on in the meetings, uncensored or unfiltered, which is the power that the Internet is now provides. Plus, here at Toledotalk the different sides can now debate and present their cases in a neutral forum. I am sure you will begin to hear the other side tomorrow. Now everyone be nice :)
posted by chrismyers at 01:18 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
who is the blade reporter?
posted by ToledoLatina at 01:34 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
ToledoTalk23, you Sykes patsy, as long as money is comming from my paycheck to fund Public Schools, you bet your ass these elected officials are going to be held accountable.
I know for a fact I am not going to stand by and allow such childish and thug-like antics to be demonstrated by someone under my employ, and that's what poor little Larry is, my employee, to serve at MY leisure.
As long as my tax money is funding Toledo Public Schools, the days of you and your ilk enjoying the tranquility of being under that rock are over. There's going to be such a bright light shown upon you leeches, you'll shrivel up and die.
ToledoTalk23, if you don't want us taxpayers that do NOT have children in the TPS system messing up your little "programs" and "agendas", there's only one way to resolve this.
Pay our school taxes, otherwise shut the fuck up and prepare to be exposed.
posted by BrianInFlorida at 03:41 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
ToledoTalk, You are a brainless Sykes hack. Did you just start commenting on here when ol' Larry told you and the rest of his small entourage that he was being attacked on this website?
First off your personal attacks are deflecting from the debate of whether or not Larry misues his position. You have reverted to personal attacks for lack of a credible defense to his position.
Secondly every voter has a say in how TPS is run. The reason is because everyone in the community has a stake in it and not just those with kids. Under your reasoning of only people with children should have a say how about we only take school taxes out of the paychecks of those who have kids in TPS. I'm sure ol' Larry would love to deal with a budget that small.
Thirdly, you called Katie a "nut". Well Katie is a regular poster on here. I can guarantee you that she is a conscientious voter and has all of her wits about her. Any poster, even those that disagree with her, will not dismiss her as a "nut" because she's been on here with us for some time now. If anyone is a nut it's you. Who the hell shows up for the first time amongst those they do not know and starts off with the personal attacks.
I personally think you are someone who scans the boards for ol' Larry if you are not ol' Larry himself. You're probably just pissed that Ms. Cooper didn't get fined or jail so you decide to come on here and post some personal attacks and will remain off the board giving it's usual posters no insight as to what your frame of reference is.
No I am calling you out. You can't just come on here and attack people out of the blue. I challenge you to renounce your anonimity because you obviously know our other posters on here. Give up your anonimity. If you refuse then I encourage every normal board member to do the right thing and protect our own on here because we come here for an intelligent debate. We don't come here just to hurl insults anonimously.
No TT I challenge you. You are without honor until you do. The ball is in your court I hope you do the right thing with it.
posted by MikeyA at 06:08 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
I'll leave being nice to the pros.
So toledotalk23 is the pro-TPS/Sykes mindset, eh?
- "... really just a bunch or 10-12 people with no jobs and nothing to do."
- "You talk NOTHING of how much an idiot Darlene Fisher is ..."
- "AND TORRES,Oh my god what an idiot. He never says anything that means anything."
- "Claudia cooper got fired from TPS because she was a lousy teacher."
First of all, I didn't think it was possible for a TPS teacher to get fired based upon performance.
More of the "intelligence" of this TPS/Sykes/Flagg supporter:
"THAT SHE IS A NUTCASE. A JADED NUTCASE. just like FLAGG, and the rest of the dumb asses with nothing positive to say ... EVER."
"half of you are on welfare."
"I got to meetings ..."
I'd like to see a TPS English teacher grade the writing of toledotalk23. The red pen (or is it purple now?) would run out of ink.
toledotalk23, if you're going to call others idiots, you might want to do it with decent writing and punctuation.
"NONE OF YOU HAVE KIDS IN THE SYSTEM."
Well, that's true in our household. I live in Toledo, and my high school-age stepdaughter does not attend TPS. But since our property taxes support TPS, I will continue to speak out about TPS.
How about this idea, toledotalk23? Give households without kids in TPS the option to not pay taxes that support TPS. Then we'll be quiet.
I doubt toledotalk23 has the ability to explain why some TPS teachers send their kids to non-TPS schools.
posted by jr at 06:19 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
Ok, with somewhat poor grammar, you say I got to meetings and I see both side reported pretty fairly
But then you go to attack
KATIE the nut who video tapes meetings
Why in HELL would taping the meetings be something that pisses you off?
I'm pretty much with the rest of the posters - TT23, you're about half a bubble offa plumb!
posted by billy at 06:37 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
TT23 said: Claudia cooper got fired from TPS because she was a lousy teacher ... just like Gloria Sturdivant. NOW OH MY GOD THEYRE Racists. That’s crap. What did Claudia do for the 30 years before she got a job in her mid40s as a teacher? What ever it was she couldn’t keep it. and she couldn’t keep a job teaching at a charter school AFTERE TPS DUMP HER crazy Ass...
Those are some harsh allegations against Ms. cooper(sic) and Ms Sturdivant. Can you verify this somehow?
posted by Offshore at 06:46 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
OK - I read this and my blood boiled. So it was back to the coffee pot to take a "do over" and sit back down.
Toledotalk23, I have a few questions/comments for you.
1. Can you please tell us just what Larry Sykes has done that is 100% in the best interest of the school children of Toledo?
2. Would you please elaborate on your supposed reasoning behind someone that doesn't have children in TPS having no vested interest in the system?
3. Is there a particular relevance to what Ms. Cooper did prior to becoming an educator? If so, please enlighten us.
4. Your thoughts that a person that does not send their children to TPS has no right to be concerned about the system are unfounded. I do not have children in that system, in fact I don't have children at all, but that does not lessen my concern for quality education for the kids that will be deciding my future at some point. Your comments on this particular topic are unbalanced and misaligned. Please reconsider.
5. The Urban Coalition and other groups concerned with the quality of education in TPS are not just a bunch of cranks. These are people who share a common cause and that would be getting the best education for our children and demanding accountability from those administrators that are spending our tax money with impunity.
6. As for the taping of the meetings....I am at a total loss as to why this bothers you. Kate does this as a service to all. Her children have attended TPS in the past and if you knew her you would know why they don't attend there now. And Chris Myers has devoted a lot of his time to attending these meetings and taking pretty comprehensive notes. Perhaps it's the idea that the truth will no longer be obscured. You know, The Great and Wonderful Oz will be revealed and we just might find the Yellow Brick Road. Heaven forbid that that happen!
I look forward to your response to this post, but seriously doubt that there will be one.
And, for the record, as long as I pay taxes that support TPS I will continue to be involved to whatever level I deem appropriate. If that doesn't fit with your agenda and dreams of personal gain, then please, by all means, get over yourself.
Thanks for reading.
Carol
posted by DoknowDocare at 07:01 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
Oh TT23, I *love* that you are ticked about the videotaping!! Katie- Chris- it's working!!! TRANSPARENCY is making them insane!! Keep on doing what you're doing guys.
One more thing TT, I *am* a parent with two kids in the system, I pay taxes and you bet your arse I am watching these videos, as I can't get to the meetings most of the time. I LOVE that the videos exist. It keeps you and your cronies in line and disables 40% of the really nasty behavior that is unfit for video, right? I shudder to think what these meetings were like BEFORE videotaping.
Believe me, TT23, we are counting down the days until we can elect a new school board. We are patient, we will wait. And while we are waiting, we will watch. And take notes. That bothers you why?? Probably because YOUR job is in danger of being vaporized.
posted by gotoledogo at 07:21 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
gotoledogo - you have hit the nail on the head!
Only those with something to lose would be upset with a demand for accountability from TPS. The fact that those salaries and perks are paid for by taxpayer money, in and of itself, is enough to demand accountability.
We have no problem demanding such from City Council, Toledo Police, the library system, and many other departments, but when it comes to TPS it becomes one huge "How dare you!" kind of situation. Go figure.
posted by DoknowDocare at 08:18 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
Very interesting indeed.
You know - I love you guys (well dang near all of you) - but not to worry. I've been called a nut by much bigger folks than who I think this is. It’s usually a last gasp effort by the elitist sect when they’re losing an argument on the unfamiliar turf of plain ol’ right and wrong. They can’t grasp that concept.
And - after all - there has to be alot of pent up frustration following criminal charges against a woman that vaporized because the 'f' bomb that supposedly propelled a school board member across a gymnasium floor failed to appear in court. Nice try though.
My sister is a teacher - in her 40's. It was her dream to BE a teacher, like our grandmother. She got her degree just last year. It took her 20 years to do so. My hat is off to anyone who's willing to work that long to be a teacher. It is a noble profession.
I’m happy to hear that a mouthpiece like you who undoubtedly represents the frustration of a bullying administration is frustrated that I’m taping. Gotoledogo – thank you for your comment. You are the perfect example of those who care but can’t be at the meetings because of the times they are scheduled.
TT23 I have a job. Thank you. I’ve also been without a job when I left an abusive marriage and struck out on my own with my children to find a better way. Is it your opinion that those who are not wealthy should not be allowed to have an opinion? I thought we’d all moved beyond that point. You still exist in 2006 and feel that the poverty stricken do not love their children. You still exist in 2006 and work to silence the low income class. It is a good tool for those like you to keep them there. Sad. Very sad indeed to know that there are still those of your class in the world.
The Urban Coalition has a long history – with Mr. Sykes – beginning with their originally asking for meetings to discuss the issues. Mr. Sykes at one time agreed to meet and then reneged. Since then, it’s a well documented set of events how he has gone after them to discredit them (largely by calling the nuts), legally and then finally by barring them from speaking.
That’s a long way to go to keep people quiet. Those with thinking minds just want to know what it is that Mr. Sykes works so hard to keep us all from hearing.
If you go to the website www.tpsorg.com – you’ll see a well thought out discussion and supporting documentation. Hardly the work of nuts.
I’m sure this will further enrage you – after all once you call somebody a nut they’re supposed to go to the other end of the playground and just start crying – right?
posted by katie82640 at 08:26 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
We have no problem demanding such from City Council, Toledo Police, the library system, and many other departments, but when it comes to TPS it becomes one huge "How dare you!" kind of situation. Go figure.
Bravo! And I would add that some of us consider TPS the most important, since some of our future leaders are within the student body.
posted by valbee at 08:29 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
valbee - that was my point exactly.
The students of today are the lawmakers, businesspeople, mothers, fathers, care givers, etc. of tomorrow. If they are not provided with the absolute best tool (aka knowledge) that is available to them, then we (folks of our generation) are in BIG trouble.
Just think....25 years from now....a police chief that cannot add simple numbers on paper. A doctor that cannot dictate proper medicine titrations because his hand-held computer has a dead battery. A lawyer that is totally befuddled when he/she has to look up case law in printed matter.
The technology of today is awesome, but if these kids don't have the basics to back them up in case of a power failure, then we are doomed to a fate that we don't even want to imagine.
posted by DoknowDocare at 08:36 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
Katie, all i can say is thank you for what you do! (and everyone else also). I admit that im not real active in tps because of my own schedule, but i too have a child in tps and im HONORED to have you as a watchdog for us! THANK YOU!
posted by tm at 08:43 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
You're welcome tm - I'm glad to know that it's getting the ire of someone who still believes in the 'shut up and do what I say because you don't qualify for an opinion' group :-)
On overview - I believe in our kids. Every single one. Teenagers and kindergartners. They come in many shades and many circumstances. I want every single one of them to have the best that Toledo has to offer. And those who PAY the taxes are out working during the day. They cannot attend 7:30 a.m. meetings or 5:30 p.m. meetings.
But we're all getting educated about what's been happening while we were away - paying the tab. And lots of us don't like it. And lots of us want change. Darlene Fisher was a Mom who ran into the same type of trouble trying to use the district as I did. And she had the absolute courage to run for the school board. And the people of Toledo elected her - as they did with Robert Torres. Because they were tired of failure. Because they want success. Now we have Three Acting Like Children. If you are in a leadership role - you can lead. You can also follow. You can also just get the hell out of the way. But you cannot stand in the middle of the road with your fists in the air and your voice raised in argument and impede all progress as we are seeing now with the board. Two want change. Two have sat through tirades and embarrassing meetings - and now it's time to give them a pair of partners.
I hope Chris Myers runs for the school board next year. I really hope he does. I hope we have two new school board members that want to take a look at the plan for change that Toledo elected Darlene Fisher and Robert Torres on. And get ‘er done…….
posted by katie82640 at 08:59 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
It truly is a shame that our government leaves it up to the citizenry to police and publicize meetings that are open forums. Cities much smaller than Toledo publish all documentation surrounding meetings AND their leaders ensure that visual records are freely published. There is NO LOGICAL REASON FOR NOT DOING SO. Katie and others that are involved in publishing the antics of this board should be applauded for their efforts and EXPENSE. This board should be ashamed of themselves for their behaviors, inaction, and COVERUP.
DISCLOSURE: as a new resident (returnee) of Toledo, I have not yet paid city or state taxes; further I am not a property owner, but I do pay the property taxes on the building I lease.
by Chuck for....
posted by Alternea at 09:57 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
Chuck - Welcome back to Toledo! We are glad to have you home!
And you DO pay taxes - it's in your rent. :) And if you are employed you will pay more taxes.
Your input and opinions are no less important than any others. We welcome them.
posted by DoknowDocare at 10:06 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
Welcome back Chuck....Toledo still has the greatest people on the planet. Couple of people in office that ought to be replaced,,,,luckily there's an election coming right up :-)
Today is the last day to register to VOTE!!!
The Toledo Lucas County libraries have volunteered to deliver voter registrations they receive today - to One Government Center for us.
If you are not registered to vote - go to your local library and ask for a voter registration card.
Fill it out and give to them. Today :-)
posted by katie82640 at 12:50 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
Katie - you gave the link to the official TPS web site. The Urban Coalition is at tpsinfo.com.
posted by sflagg at 02:08 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
Wow TT23 what an amazing tirade. There is a mentality in Toledo that believes that if you kill the messenger (or in this case discredit the messenger) no one will hear the message. But I do believe many in the community are catching on quickly as to who is telling the truth.
OK, STEVE FLAGG, TWILLA PAGE, AND THE REST of you so called Urban Coalition who are really just a bunch or 10-12 people with no jobs and nothing to do.
Sure have been a lot of people that have been at Board meetings lately and they don’t seem to be Sykes supporters. Besides what difference does it make if our group is just 10-12 people – we did get two new board members elected and when we opposed the May 2005 levy we got 15,000 people to believe us resulting in the largest loss ever for a TPS levy. Darlene and Robert each got 25,000 votes easily outdistancing Steel who finished third. I’ll take 10 -12 willing souls (if that is what you really believe are the number active in the Coalition) that can’t be bought, corrupted or bullied any time!
As to my source of income, I fail to understand why that has any impact on whether my opinion is valid or not. BTW – I’ll put my 1040 income tax return up against your return any day. Be careful what you say – Sykes has been promulgating that rumor for a long time. It just shows how low some will go. I am blessed that my work and schedule allow me the flexibility to attend board meetings and other committee meetings. I’ve also been most fortunate with my past business activities and investments. I grew up a poor kid from a broken home. I got a good education including an MBA and parlayed that into a comfortable life. I am truly blessed.
YOU LIE. You lie.
You want to point out which lies I have told – any evidence? Well if I have been lying then Sykes could always sue me for slander and libel. I’d have a field day with the ability to subpoena TPS personnel and records.
All of you can go to TPSINFO.COM and see for yourself. Most of the documents and data come from open records request – meaning the information was generated and produced by TPS. I encourage all of you to make up your own minds about the opinions and information.
You'd only be happy if the blade printed YOUR side, which is crap.
I wish they would even print “my side”. I have it from a good source that was I blacklisted last year. They did finally print one of my letters a while back. I also was told by the reporter in question last year that our side would get no ink. So, I just wish they would print “my side”. But then again, I’m probably lucky they don’t. After all I would not want to be portrayed as a nut by the Blade.
Oh and yeah, the blade pointed out that she plays her guitar to illustrate the truth.
No it does not illustrate the truth. The Blade used a photo of her in costume at a Lathrop House function and that she played her guitar to make her look like a nut. Remember she was acquitted but in the news story no one could tell why she was acquitted. There was simply no credible evidence presented to convict her and Sykes’ little game was over. The Blade reporter presented information that had no bearing on the case to discredit the person. Mr. Messina should be ashamed of himself for such an obvious and transparent effort at character assassination.
So playing a guitar means you are a nut. She actually did it one time – the reporter had to go back to the Blade archives to find it as he was not even the education reporter at the time. I was there and frankly it was very effective and somewhat funny. Claudia is a great person and was put in a bad situation. I recently visited a first grade classroom at the invitation of the teacher. (And by the way, the kids loved me and were disappointed I did not come back the next day.) At lunch as I was leaving I commented on her classroom management style (regardless of her style it was obvious that the kids were learning). I said that she would never be able to get through the intern program. She agreed with me and said it was a good thing she was hired before the program was started. Now that comes from a veteran teacher with 27 years in the system.
NONE OF YOU HAVE KIDS IN THE SYSTEM.
Well I don’t now but I did when I got started. Really what difference does that make except it gives you something to rant about and use to cast dispersion on our efforts. I’ll tell you what I said to John Foley in a recent meeting. I have friends that have children attending TPS. I go to their birthday parties, graduations, sporting events, and other activities and I care about those kids. I want the best for them and I want the best for every child. As I have said many times, what better way to impact the future than through the children that will make our future!
Get off this argument as it makes no sense. The one thing I can say is it makes me a bit more objective. Parents are very parochial and frequently fixate on their own children and school. They frequently don’t see the big picture and don’t realize that when you advocate for all children your child is helped even more. I can do that and I do advocate for all children. You might criticize my approach and tactics, but to discredit my motives with irrational and unsubstantiated comment is in poor taste.
everyone should know how full of crap you all are
Interesting how you justified that remark. I always use my name and never hide behind some nom de plume. Our research is out there for all to see. We almost always provide solutions or recommendations when we analyze and/or criticize.
In conclusion, you might want to check your spelling and grammar before you post. It doesn’t reflect well on you or your arguments.
posted by sflagg at 02:09 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
Which half is on welfare?
I had a very interesting telephone call late last night. The lady (unknown to me)told me that she wanted to talk to me before it came out in writing. Her main concern was that the Concerned Citizens Group had called for the boycott.I guess this is what she was talking about.
Will write more after I digest this......
posted by purnhrt at 02:38 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
Does anyone notice how TT has yet to get on and confront my challenge to out themself? If you look at other boards you'll see that TT is only spamming his/her message.
Such conduct should be rewarded with being banned indefinitely from this site.
posted by MikeyA at 02:57 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
TT23 - One more item.
You talk NOTHING of how much an idiot Darlene Fisher is and she ALWAYYS NEEDS MORE TIME to think. what she really needs to do is run back to Steve Flagg and get the okay from him.
Darlene and I have known each other for 15 years when our children were in the same class at Elmhurst. I watched Darlene do an excellent job as PTA president. She has her college degree and a very good job. She has a good head on her shoulders and understands the process needed to bring people together. She is a good listener and asks a lot of questions and gathers information before making a decision.
With regard to needing more time, what usually happens is the administration springs things on the board at the last minute and then wants them to "rubber stamp" whatever they have in front of them. Darlene refuses to operate in that manner. She takes her fiduciary responsibilities to heart.
As to running to me to get an okay that is so far from the truth it is laughable. Does Darlene ask my opinion on issues? Yes. But she also consults with many others as well. There have been many times when I have made suggestions and Darlene has decided on another approach. But I know that she always seeks out opinions from all sides before she acts. This is her job and her responsibility and to claim that someone else is a puppet master is shear lunacy.
One thing I will say for myself is that I do get my facts and I do have informed opinions. I don't know about the rest of you, but I would want people like that on my team. And I would darn well ask their opinion.
My only regret is that we don't have more people like her on the board and in public office. She is not there as a stepping stone to another elected position. She is there because she saw a need and was willing to take on a tough job.
Even though I don't agree with how she has handled every situation, she has my respect and based upon what I hear in the community she has the respect of a whole lot of this community.
posted by sflagg at 02:57 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
and go pick up my foodstamps.
posted by purnhrt at 03:02 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
and the name is Twila not Twilla
posted by purnhrt at 03:04 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
JR
More of the "intelligence" of this TPS/Sykes/Flagg supporter:
I don't think she is a supporter of mine.
How about this idea, toledotalk23? Give households without kids in TPS the option to not pay taxes that support TPS. Then we'll be quiet.
I doubt toledotalk23 has the ability to explain why some TPS teachers send their kids to non-TPS schools.
Well said!
posted by sflagg at 03:35 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
MikeyA - please excuse my ignorance, but what other boards are you referring to? I'd like to read them.
Thanks!
posted by DoknowDocare at 03:36 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
Katie - you gave the link to the official TPS web site. The Urban Coalition is at tpsinfo.com.
posted by sflagg
Oops - sorry about that :-) For clarity - once again...that's www.tpsinfo.com
Me too Mikeya :-) Me too!
posted by katie82640 at 04:24 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
...KATIE the nut who video tapes meetings
While I have disagreed with Kate on many of her conservative views, she has always represented herself in a professional fashion with courtesy and respect for those on the other side of her opinions. If she is a NUT maybe we need a full jar of Planters to establish more sanity to this society.
Claudia cooper...she plays her guitar to illustrate the truth. THAT SHE IS A NUTCASE
First off, you need to capatalize Cooper. This and your other composition errors go a long way to showcase your ignorance of proper grammer. If playing a guitar to illustrate makes her a NUT anyone who has picked up a musical instrument, a paintbrush, a pen to paper, a sculpter, a photographer, or any other form of artistic expression must be a NUT also. I am sure I've listed some activity you must be involved in TT23 or you live a very sheltered life.
A JADED NUTCASE. just like FLAGG
Welcome to the club of Nutcases Flagg. LOL.
I am not married and have no children in TPS. However, I do have many nieces and nephews in the system, I pay my taxes on time, I have supported the School levies in the past, I vote in EVERY ELECTION even if it's a primary and I attended TPS in my school years. I feel I have a every right to voice my opinion on any topic which effects this community.
TT23, if you came here hoping to discuss issues in a logical and knowlegable manner and expose TT posters as bias bigots...YOU FAILED!
Now GO AWAY YOU NUTCASE!
posted by KraZyKat at 07:05 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
Speaking of NUTS, last January after Darlene Fisher and Robert took office, during a break in their first board meeting Claudia and I were outside of the board room and Larry Sykes came outside. He stood near us and started throwing peanuts up in the air and catching them in his mouth. A man came by and said something to Mr. Sykes. Mr. Sykes said, "yeah this is the first of the year when all of the nuts come out" and nodded to Claudia and I. Meetinks this smells of Mr. Sykes. But do you really think that he has nothing else to do but say malicious and untrue things about people just because he does not agree with them?
posted by purnhrt at 07:55 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
Speaking of nuts too, if I was a nut I would like to be a pistachio nut. I love pistachio pudding and ice cream.
Hey, maybe NUT is a code word.
Nice
Upstanding
Toledoian
'Nuther
Undaunted
Toledoian
We have many N.U.Ts here on ToledoTalk!
posted by chrismyers at 09:17 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
I don't think ToledoTalk23 is a N.U.T after that rant.
posted by chrismyers at 09:18 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
Awwwwh..N.U.T. - need that extra period. Sorry about that.
posted by chrismyers at 09:19 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
Well I am in good company at least :-)
You would think that alot of people would be just plain old curious to know what it is that Mr. Sykes doesn't want them to know :-)
I know I was.
posted by katie82640 at 09:46 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
Chris & Katie -
Some of my favorite people are "nuts"! Possibly insane............ Of course, I have heard arguments that Einstien was "nuts", wow, you guys must be brilliant! What a compliment! LOL
Kris
posted by KrisP at 10:19 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
C'MON LISA - show your face...........we know it is you hiding behind your snide remarks and ass kissing.
Oh, whats the matter Lisa? Afraid that if everyone in the Point found out the truth about you that not only would not have our support for the school board elections or is it the City Council spot that you are now going to try for? Oh, well, too late, you never had it. The people here in Point Place know what you are all about. The school board run is dead for you so now your going to make a try at Joe Birminghams spot on city council? That is going to make for some great entertainment.
Kris
posted by KrisP at 10:31 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 10, 2006 #
Ah, so much excrement, and me with so little time to wipe up.
toledotalk23 reposted or trolled: “so called Urban Coalition who are really just a bunch or 10-12 people with no jobs and nothing to do.”
Employment status is not a qualification for participating in the electoral process or, in fact, any government function. But thanks a bunch for bringing in your table-thumpin' rightwingnuttery.
Speaking of employment, I never see Larry in his office nowadays. What's worse, a man who's unemployed, or a man's who's employed as a token VP? I'm just speculating freely here, you understand. Maybe I oughta call the golf courses tomorrow to see which niner Larry's playing that day. I don't know, but I'm willing to bet that he's not in any public school in Toledo, seeing to the TPS's business.
toledotalk23 reposted or trolled: “You'd only be happy if the blade printed YOUR side, which is crap.”
Thank you for admitting that the Blade IS biased. Crap or not, the Blade worships certain institutions. Granted, to its credit, the Blade WAS pretty hot on the trail of that set of $2000 bonuses that the worthless fücks in the TPS administration were paying themselves. But other than that rare event, there just isn't a TPS process that exists that the Blade doesn't like (or more deadly: silently approves of).
toledotalk23 reposted or trolled: “YOU LIE.”
Fück you. Sykes and the rest of the Three Acting Like Children faction only and obviously want to treat the TPS's real academic emergency as just another day on the job. They are following the Shithead Sanders lead of running this hokey school construction project as if that will solve any problem whatsoever. The existing schools are being deemed as write-offs from clearly deferred maintenance which any fücking idiot can see from just driving by these schools on a clear summer's day. The TPS fraudulently allowed the public to believe that many of the schools "needed" to be rebuilt.
And all THAT was just urged along by Ohio's decades-old CONSTRUCTION MAFIA. Learn some Ohio history, jackass. We're tearing down schools that are largely recoverable, but are only being abandoned; then, about a BILLION DOLLARS is being spent on new schools ... yet not on, er, uh, EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS (books, teachers, etc. -- go and look up the term) which are the real nuts and bolts of education. Note that with new schools, maintenance can be deferred IMMEDIATELY, and then for a LOOOONG time, which just continues the now-routine TPS process of defrauding the public. The Toledoans of the year 2040 will just hear another song and dance about "needing new schools".
And all of this is going on while the TPS is losing students at such a rate that you'd think somebody slashed its femoral artery. Other than that, the yard apes coming out of these schools might as well just board buses with "LCCC" on the side, since they are being so poorly educated that "prisoner" is too often their career. When we undereducate, we are just manufacturing thugs. We owe our society's children a lot more than that.
toledotalk23 reposted or trolled: “You talk NOTHING of how much an idiot Darlene Fisher is and she ALWAYYS NEEDS MORE TIME to think.”
In contrast, the truth is that Fisher appears to be interrupting the process of prior railroading and rubber-stamping. Due diligence takes time, you dork. The basic assumptions of the operations of the BOE are now under question.
toledotalk23 reposted or trolled: “[Torres] never says anything that means anything.”
You must be taking lessons from him, then. Irony!
toledotalk23 reposted or trolled: “KATIE the nut who video tapes meetings”
Unlike you, at least she has the balls, and I mean that as a deep compliment. But who's the real nut here; the woman whose kids suffered in the TPS before she withdrew them, or the public official who tried to stop her from taping? Kate should be looking up the "color of law" statute and considering taking Sykes to trial over that incident.
toledotalk23 reposted or trolled: “the blade pointed out that [Claudia] plays her guitar to illustrate the truth.”
If the Blade also pointed out how Sykes is now quite hostile in Board meetings with the public, I'd agree with you. In contrast, the Blade's recent article on the trial only showed the Blade bias towards protecting the established Board members, and that also entails slanting the reports against any dissenter.
The only reason that people like Mr Flagg and Ms Cooper appear to be strange ducks is that they are on the wrong side of the BOE's podiums. Just look at Barnett ... she can't even be bothered to follow along with the discussion, for instance. Heck, if she'd take up guitar playing behind her podium then she'd at least serve some purpose.
toledotalk23 reposted or trolled: “NONE OF YOU HAVE KIDS IN THE SYSTEM”
The Ohio constitution mandates that education of children is a government function, and anyone making a rent or mortgage payment (i.e. most adults) is tapped to pay that bill. Hence, all of us citizens have a stake. My balls could be torn off in an industrial accident, yet I would have the same rights to address the local BOE as YOU would, even if you have dropped litters all over the city through impregnating legions of Toledo barflies like some sort of hick Pan.
posted by GuestZero at 02:17 A.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
Well, y'all fell right into the chasm that toledotalk23 created, just as it was intended. You took the bait -- hook, line, and sinker.
Actually, y'all couldn't have dug your selves a better hole if you dug it yourselves. The attempt by toledotalk23 to rile you up and to get the attention to the subject was more than a success; it was an orchestra of perfection.
posted by Beowulf at 06:17 A.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
GZ - I owe you the beverage of your choice. Once again you have demonstrated your uncanny way with words. :)
Your post was very colorful!
posted by DoknowDocare at 06:42 A.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
"y'all couldn't have dug your selves a better hole if you dug it yourselves."
What are you talking about? What hole?
If the toledotalk23 posting was flame bait, first of all, it makes toledotalk23 look horrible because of the lousy writing, and the toledotalk23 posting makes the Sykes cabal look bad. toledotalk23 is not the kind of public support you want.
Maybe I missed it, but I don't see anyone above agreeing with what toledotalk23 said. The people opposed to toledotalk23's barely decipherable drivel did a good job of stating their opinions as to why the public need to be involved in holding TPS accountable. So how is that digging a hole?
posted by jr at 07:22 A.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
Beowulf – well, that is an interesting perspective, but let me respectfully disagree with you. In reality it offered us an opportunity to provide a distinct dichotomy of approaches – rational vs. irrational, logical vs. illogical, fact based vs. fiction based, respectful vs. disrespectful……
When you have a school yard bully trying to intimidate you, you stand up to the bully. For if you do not, the bully just keeps on bullying you. I will agree there are times when it is best to ignore what is said and move on. With regard to Mr. Sykes, I have on more than one occasion ignored his remarks and letters. However, ignoring his behavior generally means that it becomes more egregious!
I'm curious - are you a supporter of the past Toledo Board of Education and how it represented this community, former Superintendent Sanders and his performance, etc.? Would you have the same opinion if it was you mentioned in this tirade? Do you support transparency and accountability in government that comes when citizens demand it and act instead of sitting on their couch watching TV and complaining how lousy things have become?
posted by sflagg at 07:35 A.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
Steve - your questions seem to mirror the ones I asked of TT23. I didn't see this post as a 'flame' but more of a radical spread of misinformation.
I believe the responses thus far have been intelligent, thought provoking, insightful and well put. To see that as "falling for the bait" is totally escaping me.
The progress that your group and others have forced in the last couple of years has been marked but slow. But that is the best course of action since the old 'snowball' effect is usually short-lived and ineffective.
Thanks for your insight, input and persistence. Most all of us appreciate it.
Carol
posted by DoknowDocare at 07:58 A.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
DoKnow and Katie. I said board I should have said thread. TT has been on other threads where all they did was just cut and past their comment from this thread. It's fine to do if you're adding to a discussion or proving a point but TT is just doing it to spam their opinion.
It would be like me posting something in one thread and cutting and pasting into every thread. All it does is take up space and doesn't deliver any new arguments.
posted by MikeyA at 08:27 A.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
Mike - thanks for the clarification. I was getting all excited to read what other words of wisdom this poster had to offer. Now I guess I'll just have to let my mind wander - even if it shouldn't be out alone. ;)
posted by DoknowDocare at 08:51 A.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
ToledoTalk23
Case in point.
I attended a policy meeting yesterday in which the Blade "education" reporter also attended. There were many serious issues of policy, including an Ohio School Board Association member presenting a proposal to look at the policies and make changes, institute new policies and possibly put the policies on line at a cost of X amount of dollars. One policy that the administration wants to change is the one where a student can have an advocate represent them in suspension/expulsion hearings. TPS wants to change it where only an attorney can represent the student, which is utterly ridiculous. Who can afford an attorney for a suspension? The low income community will be in an uproar if this were to take place.
Also discussed was the TPS school board's not allowing citizens to mention employee's names during a meeting. One citizen stated that he was prepared to challenge this "policy" at the next board meeting. Since I was banned from speaking at board meetings for three months for saying a teacher's name (in praise) this looks like another lawsuit in the making.
None of this was mentioned in today's Blade article, yet over twenty paragraphs was written about the recruiters being in school buildings and quoted a person who was not even at the policy meeting. The discussion concerning recruiters took up three minutes at the most and was not even on the agenda. Yet over 21 paragraphs was written about this subject.
You'd only be happy if the blade printed YOUR side, which is crap.
TT23 it's not that I want the Blade to present any SIDE, I just want the Blade to report the news.
posted by purnhrt at 09:01 A.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
ToledoTalk23
You dont do any ACTIVISM. all you do is complian and blame people for your problems.
Lola Glover is an activist. You all are just mad becuase two of your friends got fired for being lousey teachers.
First of all what problems do I have that you would be privy to?
Complain, according to the dictionary means "to express dissatisfaction," so I guess I will admit to that, because I am dissatisfied with the school system. But my main dissatisfaction concerns the lack of credence given the public when they have a problem with a public institution.
The teachers (and there are more than two) who have been fired becaused of the biased Toledo Plan were not my friends. We have become friends over the years because of our coming together to make changes for all children in Toledo. These teachers could have gone on about their business but instead chose stay, stand and fight to make a difference for all children in Toledo, by whatever means necessary.
It is commendable that you consider Lola Glover an activist and I would not try to dissuade you from your opinion but Ms. Glover's activism is no more credible than any one elses. Flagg, Cooper, Katie, Murphy, Sturdivant and my advocacy for the children of Toledo should be in concert with Ms. Glover. We all want the same thing, a quality education for all children.
Our advocacy is purely voluntary. We receive no money, power or recognition, nor do we want any. We just want to do right by children. We will continue until major changes are made in this city to address and change the existing conditions as they relate to children. We will push forward to elect two new school board members who will listen to us, the public, whether we have children or not, in public school or not.
posted by purnhrt at 10:31 A.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
Me too Mikey - I thought maybe this was the covert PR machine or something :-)
"We just want to do right by children. We will continue until major changes are made in this city to address and change the existing conditions as they relate to children. We will push forward to elect two new school board members who will listen to us, the public, whether we have children or not, in public school or not.
Ouch!!! posted by purnhrt"
Speak it :-) Add my sentiment to this. Until every child in the Toledo Public School system goes to a school that is reasonably safe, offers a quality education and a mutually respectful atmosphere - baby I ain't going nowhere.
Get used to it. I'm here to stay :-)
posted by katie82640 at 01:36 P.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
NONE OF YOU HAVE KIDS IN THE SYSTEM.
I live in the TPS district, but my kids don't attend a TPS school. There is a simple reason for this; I want them to get a good education. Of course, I'm probably a nut. That being said, I find it a shame that I had to take that option. I pay the taxes and am concerned about the general welfare of the city. Katie and Chris, keep up the good work and just maybe I'll be able to send my kids to the local public school.
posted by LRogue at 02:08 P.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
purnhrt - you are right on. And there are many of us that are there with you, just sometimes we take on different roles. Some more visible than others. ;)
posted by DoknowDocare at 02:44 P.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
Our advocacy is purely voluntary. We receive no money, power or recognition, nor do we want any. We just want to do right by children. We will continue until major changes are made in this city to address and change the existing conditions as they relate to children. We will push forward to elect two new school board members who will listen to us, the public, whether we have children or not, in public school or not.
purnhrt - THANK YOU!!!!!!
Kris
posted by KrisP at 03:03 P.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
Some people label you a 'nut' if you care about your neighbors children. Some people will label you as a nut if you advocate for your community - and its' children.
I think it's worth being called a nut. Who else do they have TO advocate for them? Just us. That's all there is.
And it is true - it takes a village to raise a child. Too hard to do it alone.
posted by katie82640 at 03:30 P.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
But Kris ---- remember that most every village has an idiot, too! ;) And I'm sure that in all the 'villages' in Toledo that there are plenty.
posted by DoknowDocare at 03:38 P.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
Oh you girls, you are right, maybe we should start a club! LOL
Red heads only though.............
posted by KrisP at 03:42 P.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't! (taken from a familiar candy advtertisement)
I don't care what people call me as long as progress is made. And if they are wasting time calling me anything, then they aren't making progress.
posted by DoknowDocare at 03:50 P.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
There is a reason people use labels - it means they don't have to defend their opinions and actions. It also is a good way to divide us instead of looking at all we have in common. He's just a jaded nut, why would you want to listen to what he has to say. We've been called anti-teacher, anti-children, public school bashers.... Most go away or shrink from confrontation when they are labeled. I remember when Sykes laughed at us at a board meeting in 2001. The Blade had started calling PPS a watchdog group. Instead of denying it, I stated that a watchdog stood on guard to protect and defend. We are proud to be a watchdog as we stand as the guardian of our children and the conscience of our community. As I was walking away from the podium, he barked and said that dog doesn't hunt. I would guess I am already a charter member of the nut club. Sorry girls, redheads are not allowed - blondes only please. (Laughs now)
posted by sflagg at 05:12 P.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
Ummmmm - Steve? At this point I'm thinking you will be surrounded by redheads whether ya like it or not! hahahahahahahaha
And if you are REALLY good we might let you be an honorary redhead!
Whaddya say ladies? Should we let Steve be an honorary redhead?
posted by DoknowDocare at 06:55 P.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
Krisp:
doknow:
I can be a dread head but not a red head, can I join?
posted by purnhrt at 07:46 P.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
purnhrt - you most certainly can! And being a dread head is close enough for me!
Just wear some red earrings, or lipstick or something. :)
posted by DoknowDocare at 08:47 P.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
Well Steve, you know at this actual moment, I am a blonde.........though it will not be for long, but I am one.
And Punrhrt - We can all be the dread-red-heads.
We all need to go and sit down and have a good meal and talk over each other across the table while passing the butter and refilling our wine glasses.
I am sure that Carol and I could easily spend an evening discussing everything over good food!
Anyone have any good ideas???
Kris
posted by KrisP at 09:02 P.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
Oh heck yeah! Good food and I are old friends. ;)
The Oarhouse was just kind of noisy to try to carry on much conversation.
Someone make some suggestions and when my brain wakes up I'll try to think of some places where the noise level is below 10.
posted by DoknowDocare at 09:08 P.M. EST on Wed Oct 11, 2006 #
The Oarhouse was just kind of noisy to try to carry on much conversation.
Someone make some suggestions and when my brain wakes up I'll try to think of some places where the noise level is below 10.
You’re showing your age! (Not really, I hate it when the music is too loud).
posted by Offshore at 07:27 A.M. EST on Thu Oct 12, 2006 #
Thanks Offshore! LOL
I have never been a fan of loud places. So age is not the real tattle-tale in this one!
But......now that ya mention it.......
Gotta go take care of these gray roots....
posted by DoknowDocare at 07:49 A.M. EST on Thu Oct 12, 2006 #
Someone make some suggestions and when my brain wakes up I'll try to think of some places where the noise level is below 10.
Max and Erma's (perrysburg or Sylvania). Bar with smoking, great food, wine/beer/liquor etc./ also quiet.
posted by tm at 08:48 A.M. EST on Thu Oct 12, 2006 #
Anyone interested in the Claudia Cooper story? There is a lengthy article in this weeks Toledo Journal, which is pretty accurate from what I heard at the trial. It pretty well made this trial look like the travesty of the year, if not the century. I was not inside the courtroom because I was a witness but the article contains testimony from Sobecki, Sykes and the Security guard Willis.
posted by purnhrt at 08:05 P.M. EST on Thu Oct 12, 2006 #
I can't load their page. I'm at thetoledojournal dot com - right?
posted by katie82640 at 03:54 P.M. EST on Fri Oct 13, 2006 #
I tried to load their page, but I got loaded instead.
posted by Beowulf at 08:18 P.M. EST on Sun Oct 15, 2006 #
So did we settle on a location?
posted by katie82640 at 11:24 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 17, 2006 #
I got the Toledo Journal story. They don't leave those stories up for long - that's true.
I'm going to copy over b/c it probably won't be live for long. (Please note that I did not hear Lisa Sobecki testify that Claudia Cooper used a profanity to her, although she was asked directly - Mr. Sykes then testified that HEARING that missing profanity is what propelled him across the gym floor to confront Ms. Cooper)
Start
"Will Sykes-Cooper case worsen matters at TPS?
By: Bob Stiegel
The Toledo Journal
Originally posted 10/17/2006
BY BOB STIEGEL
Journal Staff Writer
The president of Toledo Public Schools’ education board says a criminal charge brought by one of her colleagues against a citizen could make matters “difficult” for the school district, but that she hopes resolution of the case can somehow bring citizens and school leaders together.
Darlene Fisher, commenting after education activist Claudia Cooper was found not guilty of disorderly conduct, said she still cannot understand why Larry Sykes insisted on pursuing the matter in Municipal Court.
“We are elected to represent the public so when a situation like this involves one of our members making charges against a member of the public, I think it’s a very difficult situation,” Ms. Fisher told The Journal. “I’m also concerned by how a situation like this could come to this result (a trial). We’re here to work for the public so I hope that we can move forward working in collaboration with all of our citizens.
“I’m surprised that a situation like this had to go to a trial level,” she said. “I’m glad the situation resulted in an acquittal just so we can move past that. And I’m willing to work with everyone on the board and everyone in the community.”
Ms. Cooper, 58, was acquitted after a 90-minute bench trial conducted Oct. 3 by Municipal Court Judge Tim Kuhlman. Mr. Sykes had accused her of using the F-word and hitting him on the hand with a small crocheted purse she was wearing around her neck.
After hearing testimony, the judge voiced disgust, asking Mr. Sykes and Ms. Cooper “what would a Toledo Public School principal say” to two children who were misbehaving. He said he often has cases where he’d like to punish both the accuser and the accused.
“I’ll say I’d like to throw the both of you in jail but I can’t throw both of you in jail so I’m not throwing anybody in jail,” Judge Kuhlman said. “Not guilty.”
Mr. Sykes left the courtroom by a side exit and avoided talking to reporters from Toledo’s four TV stations, newspapers and a radio station. He did not return message left later by The Journal. Ms. Cooper spoke to the media in a corridor, with her comments indicating that Ms. Fisher’s hopes that the public and the district can “move forward” might not come to pass.
“Mr. Sykes has a pattern of being belligerent and being bullying toward people who disagree with him,” Ms. Cooper said. “He’s horrible. He’s a disgrace to this community.”
Ms. Cooper did not testify but three defense witnesses – Bob Sopher, Joe Zielinski and Twila Page – testified they saw Mr. Sykes walk up to Ms. Cooper at a press conference last June, point his finger at her face and say something to her.
They said they saw Ms. Cooper flip her little yarn purse at his hand but couldn’t tell if it touched his finger.
“I perceived what Mr. Sykes was doing as an assault,” Mr. Zielinski testified.
Defense attorney Joe Loeffler made the same assertion during closing arguments, and called Mr. Sykes “a baby” during a scathing attack on his character.
“If anybody’s going to be threatened, it’s her with him jabbing a finger in her face,” Mr. Loeffler told Judge Kuhlman. “He took matters into his own hands and now that he got his hand flashed away, ‘How dare you touch me? I’m an elected official. I can jab my finger in your face and if you do anything about it, you’re going to go to disorderly conduct.’”
The attorney continued, “When you get up and jam your finger into somebody’s face and they swipe your hand away, you don’t running like a baby filing charges. You take responsibility for the actions that you did.”
The incident occurred June 7 at Grove Patterson school, where Mr. Sykes and board members Deborah Barnett and Steve Steel announced the formation of their “Three for Children” coalition. Mr. Sykes stood in the audience while the two others addressed the media as well as several citizens.
The incident was so brief and relatively minor that most media members weren’t aware that it occurred or decided that it wasn’t newsworthy.
Lisa Sobecki, who testified on behalf of Mr. Sykes, said she had been standing in front of Ms. Cooper and Ms. Page. “I couldn’t hear because the people behind me were really quite loud,” she told prosecuting attorney Kathryn Sandretto.
She testified that she turned and politely asked them to be quiet and that Ms. Cooper “very abruptly told me to shut up and turn around.”
Mr. Sykes, who is about 8 inches taller and 100 pounds heavier than Ms. Cooper, testified that he walked over to the women at that point and that he pointed his finger at Ms. Cooper, but that he was not a threatening figure.
“And I walked over to her and said you can’t curse in a Toledo Public Schools building,” Mr. Sykes replied to a question from Ms. Sandretto. “I said, ‘Ms. Cooper, please be respectful.’ I did extend my hand (toward) her. ... She turned around and told me to shut the F up ... and she hit my hand.’
“Security came over at that point and said, ‘Mr. Sykes, are you all right?’” Mr. Sykes testified.
During cross-examination, Mr. Loeffler questioned Mr. Sykes about a long history of TPS antagonism toward the Urban Coalition and the African American Parents Association, education advocacy groups to which Ms. Cooper belongs.
“So you’ve never really addressed any of these issues ...” the attorney said before the prosecutor cut him off.
“Objection, you honor, irrelevant,” Ms. Sandretto told Judge Kuhlman, who sustained the objection.
But Mr. Loeffler later worked the antagonism issue into another question for Mr. Sykes.
“Have they ever tried to have conversations with you about their concerns?” he asked.
“I don’t know what their concerns are so obviously we did not have a conversation,” Mr. Sykes replied.
Mr. Loeffler also asked Mr. Sykes why he hadn’t asked TPS Security Officer Cenia Willis, who was assigned to be at the press conference, to handle the situation with an allegedly disruptive citizen.
“There was a security guard right there. Why didn’t you call her over?” he asked
“She was called,” Mr. Sykes said, contradicting his earlier statement that Officer Willis “came over” after he already had confronted Ms. Cooper.
“You saw this disruption going on and you decided to take matters into your own hands, correct?” Mr. Loeffler asked.
“As a school board member, sir, I’m responsible for the public schools.”
“Are you trained in law enforcement? ... You decided to take it on yourself to enforce the law.”
“The district has a policy on how people should act in buildings,” Mr. Sykes said.
“And who enforces that?”
“Anyone of authority – an elected official, principal, or anyone who sees that the policy is not being followed.”
During his closing argument, Mr. Loeffler described the Grove Patterson incident as a flare-up caused by some school officials who consider themselves “anointed” and education advocates who are frustrated by years of being ignored.
“It’s been very contentious involving the school board and this city and one of the problems is, is these individuals feel there’s no response other than disrespect coming from these people (school officials) who are elected but believe they are anointed,” the attorney said. “... They can’t stand the idea of people holding them accountable.
“It got to him. He cruised across the room ... and he confronted her. He got in her face. Maybe Mr. Sykes didn’t need to become a police officer. Maybe he should have used the police officer that was there. But now he’s boo-hooing because a woman that probably weighs a buck-twenty-five swiped the guy’s hand away where he probably weighs 230. I mean, give me a break.”
Ms. Sandretto told Judge Kuhlman that the case was only about the charge against Ms. Cooper, not whether animosity exists between Mr. Sykes and education advocates.
“There was a disturbance. He heard the disturbance,” she said in her closing argument. “He walked across the room and asked the woman (to) please be quiet. And ... she told him to get the f*** out of her face and she hit him. That’s disorderly conduct.”
Ms. Cooper said afterward she did utter a profanity at Mr. Sykes and but she did not curse at anyone else that day. Ms. Sobecki did not claim during her testimony that Ms. Cooper cursed her. Mr. Sykes, however, claimed Ms. Cooper uttered a profanity at Ms. Sobecki, too."
posted by katie82640 at 08:52 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 17, 2006 #
When, tell me when, can this total buffoon Sykes be elected OUT of office? When is his term up?
posted by corky at 09:37 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 17, 2006 #
Corky - elections are next year - two seats are up - Sykes and Barnett - next year!
posted by sflagg at 09:54 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 17, 2006 #
And start talking to your family, coworkers, friends and neighbors now. Even if they don't normally vote - if you tell them about this would they register to vote to clean up the school board? I think yeah - everybody would IF they knew.
At the bottom of everything are our kids. And they are counting on us - who else is supposed to take care of this if not us?
posted by katie82640 at 09:32 A.M. EST on Wed Oct 18, 2006 #
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