Are Kenn Gardner and Stan Norwalk as dangerous to education or to your pocketbooks as critics claim?
As noted in today's article, some inflammatory things are being said by the candidates and their backers in that contested race for county commissioner. Many of those accusations revolve around how both men would deal with school funding if they're elected next week.
"Stan Norwalk will give the school system a blank check," said Kathleen Brennan, a co-founder of Wake CARES, which is backing Gardner. "Norwalk basically supports everything the school system wants."
Or how about school board member Lori Millberg's assertion that the current GOP majority on the commissioners is hurting education by not providing enough money.
"I feel with the current slate, there are four of them, we really don't get a fair shake," Millberg said. "The current slate is just not wiling to be open minded and work with us. That's why Stan Norwalk would help."
Millberg said commissioners underfunded the school system's request by $36 million this year so they could have enough money to "get their precious $400 million courthouse."
Norwalk wouldn't say that he would have backed the school board's full $54.7 million increase. He said he would have worked with other commissioners to find a solution to the problem.
Gardner said the school board had proposed a $54.7 million increase to try to paint the commissioners as being unsympathetic to education.
Comments
ROFL.....
Wed, 10/29/2008 - 09:38 — WuptdoOnce again, what budget shortfall? They got more money this year than they got last year. IMHO, the additional $36 million that Millie & Company (and the NandO) keep whining about was nothing but "edu-PORK." Beside, with the "record" State Budget passed by Gov. "Tax Hike" Mike and the State Demokrats, why wasn't there additional money for education? Seems to me that it is the State that is not meeting their responsibility for "equal education" for all in North Carolina. Perhaps a change is needed at Department of Public Instruction as well.
Millberg owes her seat to WakeDems via their PAC, lock, stock and barrel due to the $30K they used to support her campaign during a run-off election. IMHO, if she hadn't had that money, she would just be another ink spot on some PTA membership list. She can spout the WakeDems/BoE(eR) mantra like few others, "Tax More, Get Less!"
If you all recall, it was Mr. Gardner who took the time to do a "line-by-line" budget analysis of the WCPSS budget. By the time he was done with them, there was much EGG on many BoE(er) members and senior staff. Seems like those folks don't like it when their "authority and expertise" are challenged. I have no doubt the Mr. Norwalk will give the BoE(eR) a blank check for all programs, regardless if they work or not.
No, Lori....
Wed, 10/29/2008 - 09:08 — RiversideRealist"The current slate is just not wiling to be open minded and work with us"
They're not willing to give you an "OPEN CHECKBOOK". That's your problem. My God, what would the state of affairs be up there if you had no one to 'check' (pun intended) your 'power'.
Oy Vey.
Give the junkie a fix?
Wed, 10/29/2008 - 08:36 — Dadof3Stan has been quite clear on the matter -- I don't know at what level he would say "enough" as it relates to availing public funds -- but his lowest hypothetical threshold is higher than my actual one. Witness Millberg's junkie-like beg for more; Q.E.D.