This is the "stonewall" campaign mailer from Wake County school board candidate Heather Losurdo that has generated some controversy in District 3.
The mailer says that incumbent school board member "Kevin Hill says he will 'Stonewall' Concerned Parents." She got the year wrong in the mailer but it references a March 30, 2010 email that was released last year by the Bedford Homeowners Association.
"Some 300 Bedford area parents signed a petition to the School Board asking to be heard about the reassignment of their children from nearby Wakefield High School to Heritage High," says the mailer. "Kevin Hill refused to meet with us and emailed the principal at Heritage that he intended to 'stonewall' them and their petition. Heather Losurdo will listen to her constituents and advocate for their needs. Is that any way for a Representative to treat his constituents?"
The mailer also brings up Baileywick Elementary, saying that it's "a high needs declining enrollment school in Raleigh that deserves Federal funding under the needs-baaed formula instead of being funded on a per-pupil basis."
"Hill has refused to advocate for them, so they have been unable to get the funds and resources they need," adds the mailer. "Is that any way for a Representative to treat his constituents?"
The reference has apparently annoyed a number of people at the school, several of whom have contacted me to complain it unfairly puts Baileywick in a bad light. They're not happy that the words "Rock Bottom" appear above the description of the school.
In a letter to the editor today, Baileywick teacher Becky Norkus praises the school's academic accomplishments and notes it gets federal Title I Funding. She also writes that "Losurdo falsely claims that our school is unable to get the funds we need because Hill will not advocate for us."
"Most schools in Wake County need additional funds, and Kevin Hill does support Baileywick," Norkus adds.
The mailer also brings up Wakefield Elementary, saying "parents would like their school put back on a traditional calendar to conform with that of Wakefield Middle School and ease confusion in families with children in both."
"Hill has ignored them over and over," the mailer continues. "Is that any way for a Representative to treat his constituents?"
Comments
Losurdo wrong AGAIN?
Sat, 11/05/2011 - 18:41 — paulastamSo Losurdo is distributing mailers saying Baileywick is not supported by Hill yet we have a Baileywick teacher coming out publicly (I pray there are no professional repercussions for her taking a stand!) and declaring the contrary: Hill is seen as supporting their school! Is it the case that Losurdo serves cocktails better than the truth?
Paula, "Independent, Fair & Speaking Up for MY Kids."
Why isn't there an in depth
Sat, 11/05/2011 - 18:27 — loriacWhy isn't there an in depth story on this stonewall email? If I remember, the Heritage principal wanted to make sure certain kids didn't get assigned to his school, so he didn't want the Wakefiekd kids moved out. Why isn't the media putting Hill on the spot asking for his rationale on this assignment? Why is it ok to tell a principal he will 'stonewall' parents' requests so that certain kids don't end up at the school? This is the type of information voters need to hear so they understand Mr. Hill's actions and mindset, Instead we hear about Ms. Losurdo's jobs from 20 years ago, all driven by a 527 group. Where has Mr. Hill ever had to defend his record?
Wrong date?!
Sat, 11/05/2011 - 13:15 — logosisdeadWrong about the date.
Wrong about the federal funding.
Wrong about Kevin Hill's character.
All this a day after she slung mud at Kevin Hill for not breaking the law and contacting third party groups. This is her campaign slinging mud.
Losurdo: wrong about too much to be on the Board.
?
Sat, 11/05/2011 - 14:05 — Bob_SconceWhy wrong about federal funding?
I don't know how you can get around the fact that he promised to "Stonewall." That's very unlike the portrait your side is trying to paint of him.
Hmm..
Sat, 11/05/2011 - 18:45 — Dove314I would say each candidate is very unlike the portrait their opposition is trying to portray. Their "supporters" are not doing either candidate any favors with the continued obviously biased representations. This is even more true after having watched the WRAL video where Mr. Crabtree interviewed the two candidates together.
I wouldn't say this is
Sat, 11/05/2011 - 13:23 — KeungHui (author)I wouldn't say this is coming out just today. This mailer is among the mailers she's sent out over the past 10 days or so. The bug I picked up and all the other stuff going on meant I built up a backlog I'm trying to work through today.
Thanks!
Sat, 11/05/2011 - 13:56 — logosisdeadI did understand that. I think it's perhaps a bit worse, or "hollow" that she called on the Kevin Hill to ask the pacs to stop the mudslinging after she was directly involved in mudslinging that isn't even proofread. Thanks for the important work you do. I hope you feel better soon.