The Wake County Republican Party is revving up its members "to finish the job" and elect John Tedesco in the District 2 school board runoff race.
In a press release sent Tuesday, Wake GOP Chairman Claude Pope Jr. says they need to "work extra hard to ensure the new school board will have the critical new leadership to bring back neighborhood schools and stop the costly busing policy which keeps critical resources from getting to disadvantaged schools."
The Wake County Democratic Party didn't officially endorse anyone in District 2 because only Republicans and one Libertarian were on the ballot. But some individual Democrats are rallying around Cathy Truitt now.
Here's the GOP press release:
“FINISH THE JOB AND ELECT TEDESCO AND ROBINSON
ON NOVEMBER 3” SAYS GOP CHAIRMAN POPE
RALEIGH, N.C. -- “Finish the job and elect John Tedesco to the Wake County School Board on November 3 in the runoff election,” said Wake GOP Chairman Claude E. Pope, Jr. tonight at a meeting of the Wake County GOP Executive Committee.
“We are thrilled at the results of the October school board elections where three Republican-endorsed candidates were elected outright, and the fourth, John Tedesco (District 2) won more votes than the second and third finishers combined. But Tedesco was just a few votes short of the 50% margin which would have eliminated any chance of a runoff.”
And we are anxious to assist Jennifer Robinson, another GOP-endorsed candidate who was just four votes short of enough to avoid a runoff in her election for District A Town Council in Cary, as well as John Tedesco in his race for school board,” Pope continued.
“We are thrilled with the great successes of the GOP-endorsed candidates which included Chris Malone (District 1 school board), Debra Goldman (District 9 school board), Deborah Prickett (District 7 school board), John Odom (District B Raleigh City Council) and Jack Smith (District C Cary Town Council),” reported Pope.
But Chairman Pope reminded the committee members of the work left to do, including endorsed candidates who are running for election on November 3 as well as Tedesco and Robinson. He urged members to double their volunteer efforts, working precincts and telephones to ensure the 2009 election successes are indeed the best ever!
”We have to make the same effort next month on behalf of Mike Jones, Lance Olive and Gene Schulze who are running for Apex Town Council. In Fuquay-Varina we are backing Cindy Shelton for Board of Commissioners. We need to get out the vote in Garner for Town Council candidates Arnie Osbourne and Kathy Beringer. In Holly Springs we have endorsed Mayoral candidate Dick Sears and Town Council candidates Vinnie DeBenedetto, Tracy Goodwin and Linda Hunt Williams, and we will be working to ensure they win their seats. Finally in Morrisville we will be out in force to support at large Council Candidate Tom Murry and District 2 candidate Mark Stohlman.
The Chairman also spoke about the still undecided races: “I am disappointed with the two runoff elections since none of the opponents to Tedesco and Robinson were close to winning. But we must simply work extra hard to ensure the new school board will have the critical new leadership to bring back neighborhood schools and stop the costly busing policy which keeps critical resources from getting to disadvantaged schools, Pope concluded. “Both John Tedesco and Jennifer Robinson will demonstrate strong decisive leadership which will not be deterred from doing the jobs they will be elected to do.”
Comments
With both candidates firmly
Fri, 10/16/2009 - 11:29 — RevHiDWith both candidates firmly opposing forced bussing, the only difference between them is Magnet Schools. One wants to expand them to increase choice and the other is advocating all community schools. This sheds light on the GOP agenda regarding bussing by choice, i.e. Magnets.
Rev, I don't tihnk that
Fri, 10/16/2009 - 14:47 — jenmanRev,
I don't tihnk that Tedesco is against magnets. Didn't he say here that he likes magnets, but that they shouldn't be used as diversity tools? I agree with him. We shouldn't be deciding who gets to take part in those programs based on what neighborhood they can afford to live in and what school they are assigned to. Its discrimination.
In addition, although the GOP and Dems have entered the fray this is a non-partisan election. I'm a Dem who has never voted for a Republican in any Congressional or Presidential elections and I'm behind Tedesco and the other 3 new board members all the way. There's no GOP 'agenda' in this election.
I agree the current limits
Fri, 10/16/2009 - 20:56 — RevHiDI agree the current limits on magnet selection are unfair at best. I would also remove them. You can do this and still use magnets as a tool to promote diversity by ensuring that each one is accessible to low income housing, and includes a low income base.
Tedesco used the phrase "best and brightest" in conjunction with Magnet schools. Magnets should not be for the "best and brightest" they should address unique learning styles and interests. Using magnets for the "best and brightest" will further segregate them by wealth, because students most likely to test or audition well are those whose parents could afford the summer at ballet school or extra tutoring.
Don't let the current limits on magnet access ruin their mission to reduce high concentrations of poverty. I hear you talk about eliminating Magnets as a tool for diversity, not a call to change HOW they are used as tools for diversity. In today's polarized world that may seem like being wishy-washy. But I disagree.
The best people to expand Magnet access while continuing to use them for diversity are people who have concrete experience creating a magnet school with no extra funding.
The actual solution to improve WCPSS is to think outside the bus AND the neighborhood. I know that some people think that's wishy-washy, but I think it's the road to success.
AMEN! This is a critical
Fri, 10/16/2009 - 11:00 — changewcpssAMEN! This is a critical seat. Bringing J Tedesco into our district is of utmost importance. Allowing C Truitt in would mean disaster. Three parent hating liars and cheaters are retiring. We don't need more of them. Time for change is now.
why the name-calling?
Fri, 10/16/2009 - 13:18 — Athey01I'm sure J Tedesco will win without that.
You are correct. Years of
Fri, 10/16/2009 - 19:06 — changewcpssYou are correct. Years of dealing with soon to be retirees has been eternally frustrating. I stand by the adjectives as honest personality assessment but need to forget them and move on.