Wake County school board chairman Ron Margiotta is blaming voter complacency for his election loss while also calling for people to rally around Heather Losurdo in her runoff contest.
In an interview Wednesday with conservative talk show host Bill LuMaye on WPTF, Margiotta said they just weren't able to turn out their voters on Tuesday. He pointed to the efforts by the Wake County Democratic Party to spend $85,000 on get-out-to-vote efforts for the school board races and the money spent by the outside groups such as Common Sense Matters to attack him.
"Our voters were extremely complacent," Margiotta said. "They felt they didn't have to come out because Margiotta was going to win and I think that's what it tended to boil down to. Our voters didn't come out feeling that they were pretty much satisfied with what was going on. "
Margiotta also mentioned how he was still getting "vicious phone calls" from opponents on Tuesday and even Wednesday.
"There's a lot of hatred out there," Margiotta said of the phone calls. "I wouldn't even go into the viciousness of it, calling me racist, telling me to move to an area where only white people live. Horrible stuff."
Margiotta sent out a call to support Losurdo.
"My concern is that we could very soon, if we don't win that runoff for Heather Losurdo up in District 3, we'll be right back to that old diversity policy again that people in this county do not want," Margiotta said. "I don't care what the results of this election are. The election was not based on the diversity policy."
LuMaye, who praised Margiotta throughout the interview, asked if there's anything the outgoing board chairman wish he had changed during the campaign.
"I don't have any regrets," Margiotta responded. "We did as much as we could,"
LuMaye asked if Margiotta would work for Losurdo in the runoff.
"I believe it's important to maintain that five votes on the school board to continue the programs that have been started, and if she chooses to have me help her I would be more than happy to do whatever I possibly do," Margiotta responded.
LuMaye asked Margiotta if he wanted to single out the big achievements that the board majority has made in the last two years. Margiotta said one of them was hiring Tony Tata to be superintendent.
"Hopefully he's not burned by the results of this election," Margiotta said of Tata.
Margiotta said they had done more in the past two years to help low-income students than had been done in the last 10 years "because the busing policy never helped them."
Comments
Maggiorta, it's much more
Fri, 10/14/2011 - 21:11 — ruthlissMaggiorta, it's much more personal than you want others to believe! The only one to BLAME for losing is YOURSELF!!!! Many said, "I CAN'T STAND the guy!" I know, you haven't learned anything in this process. Your behavior may be accepted in Jerzee, but not here. You will remain an IGNORANT "wanna-be capo".
I can't help but note that
Sun, 10/16/2011 - 01:53 — jeffrey1I can't help but note that the tone of your post demonstrates the very same behavior that you accuse Margiotta of.
So here's what we can conclude about ruthliss -- He's from Jersey (what exit?), and he's an ignorant wanna-be capo.
WHY RON LOST
Fri, 10/14/2011 - 10:08 — ajtukThere was, of course, a Dem tide on Tuesday. And school assignment policies were probably a big deal to many voters who turned out. But there are smaller, more micro issues that made a difference in the RM-SE Dist 8 race Tuesday. A major reason for RM's defeat, for example, was his complete focus on Apex. Whenever the board majority pushed proposals, RM made sure Apex's interests were protected. He defined himself as Apex's representative. He really didn't do much to look out for Holly Springs or the Cary neighborhoods in his district. He's very tight with Republicans on the Apex TC & active in Apex affairs, but didn't feel it was necessary to reach out or communicate with Cary & HS folks on a whole host of issues. I think the precinct-level returns demonstrate the frustration of these communities quite well.
Mr. Margiotta recieved 6124
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 14:07 — WhalerCaneMr. Margiotta recieved 6124 votes. That is significanlty more than he recieved in 07 when he ran unopposed (3,951), and in 03 when he won (4,445).
It simply is incorrect that his defeat was because of 'complacency' of 'our' voters.
Just like 09 was as much about stability and growth as diversity, Ron's defeat was as much about governance and his leadership style than assignment.
What voters want most are committed public servants who will make individual decisions based on data and evidence, not partisan voting blocks.
Although misguided and wrong, Ron should be thanked for his 8 years of service and people should not call his home and harrass him.
My Message to Chairman Ron
Fri, 10/14/2011 - 06:31 — lovingpenelopeSo Ron says it was complacency that got the Democrats elected?
Does that mean it was complacency that got the Republicans elected in 2009?
See because if I remember correctly, Ron sold that as "the people have spoken" and "an overwhelming response to the refusal of the school system to listen to parents."
Maybe you were wrong about that "will of the people" crap after all, Ron.
Too bad you didn't recognize it sooner. Maybe we wouldn't have spent the past 2 years fighting.
My only hope is that the new board will recognize that successful plans are built on something more than the opinions of just those who elected them. Democracy relies on finding views that serve everyone---not just the fringe.
You cannot compare vote
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 19:14 — woodstockYou cannot compare vote counts from 2003 and 2011. That district has seen a lot of growth so to claim meaning from them is pointless.
Thank you WhalerCane for
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 15:14 — virginiadareThank you WhalerCane for your efforts in getting the winners elected this time! Your assessments of the 2009 election and subsequently this one are astute. At the same time, you have been able to give the other side more courtesy and respect than I have been able to muster in the face of their attacks on public education and the damage I feel they have done to our community. Thank you for your participation on this blog!
Much closer race than one think!
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 17:22 — local23Look at the big differential in the One Stop Votes:
Ron - Election - 6,124
Evans - Election - 6,323
Ron - Absentee - 151
Evan - Absentee - 159
Ron - One Stop - 240
Evans - One Stop - 618
I would really like to see some of these real voting ballots/cards!
Repeat
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 17:24 — Dove314You have this same post in another thread. I'll repeat my question from our discussion in that thread -- why do you think ballots from one stop or early voting are less valid than ballots cast on election day?
And I answered
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 17:38 — local23My WHOLE point IMHO is that the race was a lot closer, yet statstically the One Vote is much higher in percentage to all of the other votes..I find that very interesting.
It may have to do with
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 18:58 — woodstockIt may have to do with orgainzed bus loads of folks voting who may or may not be who they say they are. Maybe it is like the paid Wall Street protestors. I am not saying that is the case, but the disparity in ratios is curious.
I would guess that voters
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 17:57 — virginiadareI would guess that voters who wanted to oust Margiotta were much more motivated and couldn't wait to cast their vote. Perhaps some wanted to vote early in order to man the polls and get out the vote on election day. They knew their task to vote Evans in would be more difficult in the most Republican district in the county, so they worked harder.
Because it is different
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 17:45 — Dove314Just because the percentages are very different does not mean your first thought should be voter fraud. Responded in other thread as well about the processes and why this is unlikely.
Who brought up
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 17:49 — local23voter fraud, not my words!
Mistakes can happen to, computer, human, etc. Nothing is perfect.
Ok
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 21:32 — Dove314Just to be sure I follow, you are suggesting that election staff at the early voting sites uniquely made errors in the vote tallies that, by some sheer coincidence, all happened to result in votes for Evans?
The Fish and VD
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 16:38 — FSandYOUshould get a room.
Notice the Fish and the Rev were both quiet during the last weeks of the return to diversity bussing campaign and now they both are back trying to kiss and make up.
I say put some cream on it and hope the swelling goes down.
FS, "An Equal Opportunity Offender and We Just Begun."
LOL VD's comments
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 17:16 — woodstockLOL VD's comments were rather gag-inducing.
Thank you Virgina
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 15:49 — WhalerCaneIf we quit talking to each other, we are already doomed, and I try hard not to question others intentions because frankly life is too short. I'm afraid I do not always pull that off.
I Hope We Aren't Doomed Either....
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 18:29 — JanisTangobut the previous board really didn't want to hear anything the parents had to say unless it supported their position. It's hard not to think that is going to happen with this next board.
taking my ball and going home
Sun, 10/16/2011 - 22:53 — FSandYOUif I had a flag I'd wave it too.
Ditto to the most recent G5!
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 19:10 — duvalRon: "Get on board or get out of the way." Margiotta
Chris: "We are right and you are wrong." Malone
John: "I am listening...in one ear and out the other" Tedesco
Debra "I am an independent,,,,until they are mad at me" Goldman
What Changes Did They Make
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 19:25 — JanisTangothat impacted your children? What specifically did you try to address with them that they didn't listen to you about? Everyone is beating the same drum, but I have yet to have anyone tell me specifically what this board did to hurt their family and children.t
I've already give everyone a pass on the accreditation issue. It was handled badly.
How about
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 20:33 — Dove314We talked about this before and I know we agree somewhat here. But how about losing focus on student achievement for months after taking office, cancelling the majority of committee meetings, all the while cancelling PLT's then having to reinstate them later instead of starting with a considered and measured position of understanding they brought benefit but needed the scheduling changed? Every student in WCPSS including mine and yours was impacted while the BoE focused on Mr. Farr and his law firm audits costing a teacher's salary and while the BoE decided whether Elementary School Susie's bell schedule needed to be changed to get her to 4 o'clock dance class on time. What if, instead of auditing law firms, the BoE had put that same effort in to understanding where the funding formulas were working or not working and how to get better program equity? or, as mentioned previously, the same focus on assignment had been given to middle school math -- would the process be further along and other targets in student achievement also better understood? It's not as straightforward or obvious as someone getting their own child moved involuntarily (as also did happen) but there was a cost and it was to all families in WCPSS collectively.
The board is responsible for
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 22:37 — jeffrey1The board is responsible for addressing all issues concerning the district. You would not advocate that they priorituze the emails they receive and respond to based on the the subject, would you?
Also, the board meetings are but a small part of the endless work that these guys do. Just because a topic has significant discussion at a board meeting does not mean that topic has the same priority outside the board room.
Neither your student, or any other, was afffected by the discussion about law firms or bell schedules. You have not shown any opportunity cost associated with those discussions.
Finally, as I mention in another post, this board has devoted more time and effort to student achievement than any prior board.
Harry_Moncelle As a resident
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 22:00 — hmoncelleHarry_Moncelle
As a resident of District 8, and an professional educator working in the Apex High School learning community I wish to thank Mr. Margiota for his investment in the young people of our county. I have not agreed with much of what Mr. Margiota has proposed. I feel his record demonstrates his contempt for the students of Apex High School and his failure to push for the yet to be completed construction that was to be done to provide the Apex community with a facility that was on par with the more recently constructed schools in the area.
During his time as chair of the BOE he failed in the role of leader of the community and was seduced by the partisan ideological politics from the reactionary right wing of the Republican party. I agree with others on this blog that express the belief that we must continue the dialog and focus upon student achievement, authentic educational issues and not be stampeded by Ideological agendas from the Left or the Right. Name calling, and increased polarization of issues will not assist all of us in creating workable solutions for the many challenges facing our young people today.
Agreed Dove!
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 21:55 — JanisTangoThere was a lot of things that could have been handled better. There were sideshows that didn't need to happen (i.e. renaming Enloe was one). I will say this once again, if this assignment mess isn't put to bed shortly all the things you have mentioned won't get focused on once again. There may be meetings here and there, but look how long it has taken to get something going in the area of math placement. I think the time is better spent on focusing on these things instead of trying to decide where the 7-10K kids will be assigned and who has to be reassigned in the next 2 years. We will start the nasty cycle all over again and how many years have we wasted. BTW...do you think this board has done positive things. I sure do...I just wish they would get credit for some of them.
Yes
Fri, 10/14/2011 - 06:29 — Dove314They have done some positive things. For me this centers mostly around what EDSATF is doing and mostly driven by JT or KS. Also, Supt. Tata is doing well to date. Mixed reactions to their financial management as they did work hard to keep teaching positions but did not argue to even keep spending flat.
For Starters...Deborah Prickett
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 20:24 — duvalTotally ignored all e-mails and any correspondence from the Stough community and other schools in District 7, focusing solely on Leesville.
She blew off several of my e-mails, responded to only one of my e-mails pre-election in 2009 with such blatant disregard of the content of the message, earning her an "F" in reading comprehension.
I Have Friends At Stough That Received
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 21:49 — JanisTangoemails back from Deborah so to say she hasn't responded to the Stough community is a bit of a stretch. With that, there has been too much negativity for the last 10 years with the BOE current and past. Most of the negativity and time has been spent on assignment. Wouldn't it be nice if that issue could be finally resolved and there is plan in place that can be tweaked along the way when things don't work instead of wasting the time and energy that has been spent on assigning and reassigning kids. If this new board spends a year on 'vetting' the plan, think about the things that won't get done once again. We will have another 7-10K students in the district before anything they would 'vet' could be rolled out. Where will they go and who will have to be reassigned to handle the growth. If this plan doesn't pass next Tuesday it will be 2 years or more before we can see any movement in that area. There is a lot of logistics involved with setting up the systems and process. I would like to think the time needs to be spent on things like achievement, the schools to prison pipeline and for goodness sakes helping children read before they get to 3rd grade! I appreciate the feedback and trust me...I understand your frustration. I've been there as well so does that make us all in the same boat. What do you suggest we do to move forward?
different way of looking at it
Fri, 10/14/2011 - 08:24 — EBDarcyWhy can't they work on multiple things at the same time? The implementation of assignment is a staff function. The current board chose to use so much time talking about assignment. They could have decided to spend more time on achievement, but they didn't. But no going back now.
I don't see assignment as a "problem" to be "solved". There are problems with the current plan that need to be addressed, but it's not a static document. In a county that continues to grow can you actually create a permanent plan? The assignment plan should be updated on a regular basis to address the changing population, demographics and problems/challenges of individual schools. It's not clear how the choice plan would handle growth, other than some vague comments about filling new schools, that's one of the areas that needs to be better explained to the public.
Assignment
Fri, 10/14/2011 - 08:58 — JanisTangohas been a problem for over a decade and with the growth projections for the future it will be so much worse. Mr. Tata has said the current plan will not work going forward with the projected growth we will have. He said anywhere from 50,000 - 70,000 students would have to be reassigned in the next decade. If they stick with node based assignments you will continue to have over crowed and under utilized schools. I've seen the plan, I've asked questions, I've heard how it is suppose to handle growth without major reassignments. They have thought out how to fill new schools without major reassignments. They have thought about how they will change feeder patterns in the future without disrupting the feeder pattern of an existing child in a school. They have also made extra provisions for children in high poverty areas and figured out how they define high achievement schools. It's well thought out and I believe it could actually work. Is it perfect...no, but it sure gives parents some peace of mind about where their kids will go to school in the future.
I know you don't see it as a problem, but I'm sure glad I don't live in the Apex, Cary or Wake Forest areas. Those areas continue to grow and those areas have dealt with reassignment issues that would have you screaming. I do know kids that were reassigned 4 times in 6 years. I do know families that had kids in 2 different middle schools. So yes, in my opinion, this plan is broken and needs to be replaced. Once that is done a lot more energy can be spent on the other things that are much more important.
A letter to the community
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 23:16 — SDR256How about this - the new board could show good faith and teamwork by making it first order of business to craft a letter of promise to the community. It's something I wish we and the most recent board would have been wise enough to think of. Bridges need to be built to make progress. Families need to be reassured. Voters in the middle need some evidence of intent. This could go a long way to avoid the Barbers and pirates of the near future. Crafting a letter could also help this still fractured group politically find common ground philosophically. couldn't agree with you more Janis. The Titans need to put down their swords. The election is over. The children and their achievement must be the focus.
A "letter of promise" would
Fri, 10/14/2011 - 08:09 — woodstockA "letter of promise" would have kept Barber at bay? You just cannot honestly believe that.
The approach matters
Fri, 10/14/2011 - 17:43 — SDR256IF this current board, when it came in had been wise enough to realize the polarization of feeling and despiration to make one of their first a ts one of reconcilliation it may not have prevented Barber from objecting but it might well have taken wind from his sails. The public would have been able to see that the BOE was trying to address their feelings on both sides.
As it was I recognize that there was certain work that needed to be done and I appreciate the thinking that drove the fab 5 to take drastic
measures. In the end though I think the pressure of being a political linchpin for republican leaders, required to be a hero for the party - took Ron off track. If he'd used the welfare of the kids as his barometer and not been so overtly drastic it might've played better in the end. All in all, though I deeply appreciate what he did do and what he tried to do. I think it came down to a matter of style. He needed to be a bull in a china shop to get there, but I wonder if more of the peacemaker in office wouldn't have put the conservatives in a better place today.
I'm coming out of my WakeEd
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 14:43 — shearertwI'm coming out of my WakeEd blog retirement to correct an obvious flaw in you analysis. (And you say good-byes to SDR and VOR (if you’re still out there) who I forgot yesterday.
1. There is no reason to compare the '07 #'s to anything as he was unopposed. I'm surprised he got more than 3 votes then.
2. The # of people living in District 8 are far greater now that in '03.
We don't need to discuss the other 3 districts b/c they're solid D and always have been.
I'm support Ron M whole-heartedly. As I admitted yesterday, I thought he'd win, no problem. I simply underestimated the number of liberals living in District 8, the level of their anger, and the Democrats ability to mobilize them.
That being said, I'm willing to bet 50% of the people in District 8 have no idea who Susan Evans is even today (much less support her views). You and your buddies also did a good enough job (with your $85K) making Ron looking like the issue to pull Susan across the finish line. Congrats to you, your strategy won the game. However, the win is certainly was no "mandate" (at only 600 votes or so) for Susan or against Ron. Susan won the election, but she at best has support from 50% (probably closer to 40% in reality) of the people living in District 8. If she does what I think she'll do (which is concede to whatever DT Raleigh wants), she'll have support from <20% in less than a year. She won't care about that, though, nor will you. It won't matter for me, my kids or the people in District 8 who have kids in the system now. The damage is done for us and we'll have to live with it. If we don't like it, our only choice to is get out, which is exactly what I plan to do for my family.
Good luck to you Perry and your friends on the board. I hope your experiment with the children works this time around. ;-)
Good Luck Todd
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 15:40 — WhalerCaneI did not say mandate, but it was a strong repudiation of Ron. Likewise, I never claimed two years ago those races were not legitimate. I said to many of my friends then it was incorrect to assume we just didn't get the vote out, but were beat for real reasons that we best understand. Everyone had a chance to vote, and is just wrong that it was 'complacency' and 'liberals' that got him beat. You over estimate the level of support Ron enjoyed. I've seen the polling numbers.
Let me be clear, it was not 'my' strategy and I had nothing to do with it. I take no credit for it. I assisted the campaign with mail, but it was Susan Evans, her message and the energy her campaign generated that carried the day. All incumbent elections are about weather to keep or fire the incumbent. Susan and her campaign succesfully capitalized on the wave that was there.
You are correct that if she and the other new Board members do not consider what precipitated 09 and well as this week, they will end up learning that lesson the hard way as well.
Is this it or....
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 14:59 — bpuli9999are you keep coming back out of retirement from this blog? There's going to be lots of posts here with flawed analyses.
Good point...(perhaps your
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 15:11 — shearertwGood point...(perhaps your first ever)...
Some habits are hard to kick. I'm thinking this is it. How fitting?
Mr. Margiotta...
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 10:20 — JanisTangoI have heard over the past two years how Mr. Margiotta is the bad guy, the villian, the uneducated mafia guy from New Jersey and I'm personally appalled by many of you so called 'adults'. I doesn't matter if you don't like him or his politics, but please act like an adult. Do you tell your children that it is OK to badmouth someone and call them names if they don't like or agree with them? I sure hope not.
For the people that like to say these things about Margiotta, I have to assume you didn't deal with the mess of reassignment. When many parents were getting jerked around year after year after year, Mr. Margiotta was the only one that would listen. He didn't have any power, but he took the time to listen to my concerns. When we were reassigned and our school continued to lose about 100 kids a year Patti Head wouldn't return my calls or emails. I asked Mr. Margiotta to call me. He did. He listened and sympathized with what I was saying. He heard the same story over and over again from others, but he was powerless to do anything. It was parents like myself and others that finally had enough and knew something had to change. If all the people calling for compromise now truly want it, you need to take your hatred of the 'republican' board members and use it for something more constructive. I will give this new board the courtesy of respecting them when I talk to them and coorespond in the same manner.
Ms. Tango
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 14:05 — WhalerCaneI agree.
Again, there is not a "new
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 10:37 — woodstockAgain, there is not a "new board." The current GOP majority still reigns and when Losudro wins it will continue. Nothing yet has been decided.
So, all eyes turn to District 3. Do they want the burdensome status quo, forced-busing regime Hill resided over as BoE Chair or do they want to support the current GOP board members who brought in Superintendent Tata and that has instituted may positive family-friendly and achievement-focused changes? We will find out on Nov, 8.
At This Point....
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 10:42 — JanisTangoit doesn't matter who takes district 3. It will be a disaster if people don't start putting down their swords! The democrats on this board are not going to get a pass just like the republicans didn't in 2009.
It doesn't matter? You
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 10:45 — woodstockIt doesn't matter? You could not be more wrong about that. I pray to God, you are alone in that thinking.
What I Mean Woody...
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 10:55 — JanisTangois people don't stop the anger and resentment, we will have another two years of discourse. I believe people were fed up with the discourse of the past two years and that is why the dems won.
As I explained in another
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 19:07 — woodstockAs I explained in another post, the negative discourse did not eminate from the board. It came from meeting after meeting after meeting when folks like Barber, Petty, Gatewood, Brannon, and yes, Martin, Evans and Kushner would chastise the board, imply racism -- or say it outright -- and demand a return to busing for diversity. I think that is who those people are and I only expect them to continue it.
I find it interesting that you keep talking about discourse and not a word about policy... which is what really matters.
Janis
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 11:45 — choice4allFirst I am in total agreement with you.
Second, I do not recall any parent who wanted neighborhood schools have ANY anger or resentment such as what was displayed by the elite magnet crowd. In fact I am convinced that those parents who supported neighborhood schools were intimidated and stayed away from board meetings because of the disrespectful, jaw dropping, way that these demonstrators were disrupting those school board meetings. Tell me what decent parent in their right mind would want to throw themselves in the middle of those protests? That would be no different than standing in the middle of the Wall street fiasco with a sign on your back that says "I work on Wall Street and I am a Banker" Really? Really?
The only blame I have of Ron Margiotta is not banging down that gavel from the onset of these disruptions and throw every single bum out of there for not following procedure and decorum of a public meeting. Patti Head and Rosa Gill had security throw out a parent from a CEM meeting for simply going over her 3 minutes. Security escorted her out. So it is mind boggling to me to see that it was UNACCEPTABLE for someone to go over their time to speak YET it was ok for several elite magnet students to point their fingers and shout at the Chairman of the Board. The magnet crowd are the ones who caused the embarrassment to this county and its frightening to know that the ring leaders of that crowd will now have power.
Like I said earlier. The elite Magnet students private education is secure!
It Was Appalling...
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 12:02 — JanisTangowhat was said and done at the board meetings. I agree with Jeffrey1, that we need to show respect and civility going forward or we will be no better than them. I definitely stayed away from BOE meetings because of them. The actions of those few really gave the magnet program a bad reputation.
Well, the issue are
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 11:14 — woodstockWell, the issues are divisive. There are very contrasting views and ideologies at play. Plus, conflict is just part of any big change and therefore not necessarily a bad thing.
Did you attend any of the community engagement meetings held by the old board and Del Burns? There was major conflcit then by a lot more folks than are causing trouble now.
I disagree that the conflict on the board is the reason the Democrats won. It was the manufactured conflict from the outside (think Barber) and the fact that the Democrats are much better at the getting voters out... using every and any means possible. Do you really think Sutton won with over 80% of the vote because he is such an outstanding board member and individual? There are lots of factors at play that have nothing to with what happens in the board room.
Sutton....
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 14:07 — hampton86@Woodstock. It's funny how the GOP and its supporters have twisted the outcome of the recent Wake School Board Election.
First, Margiotta claims that he was ready to retire anyway. Well, why did you decide to run for re-election. And then, there's the excuse that his supporters just thought he was going to win and didn't come out to vote. If not mistaken, they did come out to vote, but if I'm not mistaken it was those who DIDN'T agree with his policies and the handling of the school board that got him FIRED.
As for your statement about Keith Sutton, he won District C because he listens to his constituents and is visible in his District, which is heavily Democratic.
Wow, the excuses are interesting.
You Might Be Surprised...
Thu, 10/13/2011 - 11:32 — JanisTangoI actually agree with everything you said. The CEM meeting were horrible. I have always stated I was very disappointed in Mr. Burns for not trying to deal with the contention that happened year after year. For that he gets a big F in my book. The contention from 2009 was started right up front with Barber and the SES busing supporters. With that said, the new board members in 2009 could have handled their first meeting better than they did. When you come in with an agenda and blind side people the way they did it's going to make some people very mad.