You still might have a chance to line up a visit this week with new Wake County Superintendent Anthony Tata.
As noted in Friday's article by Thomas Goldsmith, Tata will speak with the Wake County Taxpayers Association while he's in town this week. But school board chairman Ron Margiotta, who is organizing Tata's itinerary, said today that he's nowhere near completing the schedule for the rest of the Thursday and Friday trip.
"We're trying to reach out to elected officials, to the (Greater Raleigh) Chamber (of Commerce), to Wake Ed(ucation) Partnership...," Margiotta said.
Some events are being combined in order to fit interested parties on Tata's schedule, Margiotta said. He also said that a press conference planned as part of Tata's schedule will probably take place Friday.
One group that apparently won't be on the list is the Great Schools in Wake Coalition. But that's because the group didn't ask to be added, according to GSIW chairwoman Yevonne Brannon. She said that Tata's schedule this week will be packed and GSIW will have plenty of time to meet with him later on.
The Wake County Taxpayers Association is trumpeting Tata's visit, which will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Barbecue Lodge, 4600 Capital Blvd. in North Raleigh. WCTA says that people who intend to eat should show up at 5:30 p.m.
UPDATE
Tim Simmons, VP of communications for the Wake Education Partnership, says the WEP won't hold a separate meeting with Tata this week because several of its leaders will be part of other meetings with the new superintendent.
Simmons also said they'll also help out with the Jan. 14 reception for Tata that's being sponsored by the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce.
Comments
What purpose does this serve?
Wed, 01/05/2011 - 14:23 — user12345School board chairman Ron Margiotta has repeatedly refused to release a detailed schedule of people and groups who will spend time this week with Tata, whose tenure in the $250,000-per-year post officially begins late this month. His only publicly announced appearance will be before the Wake County Taxpayers Association at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Sure...
Wed, 01/05/2011 - 15:17 — Bob_SconceLet's say that Margiotta released a tentative schedule saying that Gen. Tata would be meeting with the Shriners at 2:00pm on Tuesday. NC-Heat gets that tentative schedule, and decides to protest at the Shriners. But, the schedule gets changed and (consistent with history), NC-Heat doesn't have a clue. So, they show up at the Shriners and, when Tata doesn't show up, decide to go on a rampage, destroying miniature cars and fezes.
Ok, that last part is silly. But, the point is that if Margiotta released a non-final schedule, other people will run with that schedule.
I am not sure why a few
Wed, 01/05/2011 - 16:12 — user12345I am not sure why a few people who are unhappy dictate the release of information to the general public ... I think Ron is just an inept leader and a poor planner and organizing the agenda is too difficult for him ... taking Tata around for a dog and pony show to conservative group is so bogus ...hopefully, Tata can break loose and meet ALL interested parties.
?
Wed, 01/05/2011 - 17:02 — Bob_SconcePart of the schedule has been announced -- there's an article about it. It looks like most of his day is going to be taken up with visits to schools. Not exactly a dog-and-pony show.
I've never been to a WCTA meeting, but I think anybody's welcome to attend. (Be warned, though, the menu includes chicken gizzards. Clearly an old-boys sort of a place. Wonder if they'd consider moving to a pizza joint.)
Et tu, Bob Sconce?
Wed, 01/05/2011 - 21:55 — Apexter"Wonder if they'd consider moving to a pizza joint."
A PIZZA joint, instead of barbecue? Are you part of that Eye-talian conpiracy group, Mr.Sconce? Or is it really Sconca?
Heh...
Wed, 01/05/2011 - 23:06 — Bob_SconceI have to confess to disliking barbecue. I feel dirty when I'm invited to a barbecue place by a native, and feel compelled to agree that, yes, it really is the most wonderful thing in the world. Meanwhile, my stomach is turning, and I'm wondering how much of the stuff I can hide in my napkin. I've occasionally wondered whether it's just an elaborate practical joke they play on the yankee transplants.
What? NC barbeque is
Thu, 01/06/2011 - 10:54 — woodstockWhat? NC barbeque is absolutely delicious... and I "ain't (originally) from around here."
Wow...
Thu, 01/06/2011 - 11:43 — Bob_SconceThey must be relishing that you bought into the practical joke hook, line & sinker. I'm sure they're gathering at Mecca right now, eating off the secret menu (the one with the petit filet and bernaise sauce), chuckling about how they convinced another yankee to like vinegar-soaked over-cooked shredded whatever. How many times have they said "Well, bless your heart" to you?
I don't understand a word
Thu, 01/06/2011 - 12:33 — woodstockI don't understand a word you are saying. Eastern NC bbq is a treat that I immediately loved at first taste... and I can be a food snob at times. Do you eat Wonder bread and put catsup/ketchup on your hotdog?
Ha - I know exactly what you
Wed, 01/05/2011 - 23:16 — loriacHa - I know exactly what you mean. It was a big deal at work to have a breakfast meeting where they would serve these sausage biscuits. One of my co-workers looked at me cautiously eyeing the biscuits and said - 'don't do it. If you're not from around here, they'll kill you!'
Of course, my Southern friend had similar 'problems' with all the garlic I like to cook with. There are ways to get even :-)
You've never been to
Wed, 01/05/2011 - 21:30 — jenmanYou've never been to Barbecue Lodge? It's delicious, although I've never had the chicken gizzards.
there's an article about it.
Wed, 01/05/2011 - 17:47 — user12345there's an article about it. It looks like most of his day is going to be taken up with visits to schools.
So, Ron is keeping the schedule secret to sneak up on schools? Catch those teachers in the act of teaching?
That must be it
Wed, 01/05/2011 - 18:26 — Bob_SconceHe figures that now that there's a General, it's OK to plan an ambush.
Why is it so hard to believe that this is a last-minute thing that takes some time to setup? Would would be the point of a conspiracy?
Than why not say that
Wed, 01/05/2011 - 20:52 — user12345Than why not say that ..."this is last minute and I will keep you informed as things become solid" ... stonewalling is never productive ...
So...
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 21:07 — chaboard.....are WCTA meetings open to the public? A little BBQ and a little high-octane insane wingnuttery could make for an entertaining Thursday evening.
Go for it Charlie, they
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 21:45 — CaryCurmudgeonGo for it Charlie, they won't have you turning on a spit. I went to a couple of meetings in '09, they were very polite.
They've traditionally opened
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 21:34 — KeungHui (author)They've traditionally opened them to the public. They're encouraging people to attend Thursday.
We Should Have A WakeEd Blog Table
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 23:24 — chaboardNaaah. They'd be too
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 23:29 — ApexterNaaah. They'd be too afraid that a food fight would break out.
ABC11 Eyewitness News went
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 19:26 — AngelaWABC11 Eyewitness News went back through the school board meeting minutes when Tata's predecessor, Del Burns, was hired --the internal candidate was interviewed and promoted in a matter of weeks all behind closed doors.
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=7877558
I wonder...
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 19:55 — loriacI wonder how many N&O articles there were on the 'secret hiring process', and the lack of public input.
Interesting that Wake County
Tue, 01/04/2011 - 07:44 — HJ2ss2Interesting that Wake County has a track record of hiring and firing in secret.
Having covered the past two
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 20:44 — KeungHui (author)Having covered the past two searches, we did note that they were not releasing the names of applicants. In 2006, Burns announced he was applying. In 2000, McNeal announced he was applying.
Thanks, I should have
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 20:58 — loriacThanks, I should have mentioned editorials as well.
What they did was go through
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 19:39 — KeungHui (author)What they did was go through the press release that Joey Stansbury sent out today. I'll post it later.
ok, cool. Welcome back!
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 19:46 — AngelaWok, cool. Welcome back!
...
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 17:04 — Sideburns"But that's because the group didn't ask to be added, according to GSIW chairwoman Yevonne Brannon."
Brannon and her crew aren't interested in a discussion. They'd rather yell out during meetings, support and encourage those getting arrested, and send weekly press releases about how horrible everyone else is.
!!!
Tue, 01/04/2011 - 00:04 — choice4allBrannon and her crew aren't interested in a discussion. They'd rather yell out during meetings, support and encourage those getting arrested, and send weekly press releases about how horrible everyone else is.
Don't leave out the little green plastic Army men ">)
Barbecue Lodge
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 16:26 — HereWeGoAll the millionaires in the WCTA and the best they can do for their $250,000 per year superintendent is the Barbecue Lodge?
Anything but millionaires
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 17:49 — Voice_of_Reason_I have been to a few meetings and never saw anyone there that looked like a typical millionaire. Of course, I would be predjudice like you if I were to say there weren't a few. Definitely a BBQ crowd, you know, mainstream Americans. BTW- that's where they always meet.
I really don't think the
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 17:43 — CaryCurmudgeonI really don't think the WCTA is made up of millionaires.
WCTA - Barbecue Lodge
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 17:00 — MissVFYI: the Barbecue Lodge has been the meeting place for WCTA for several years. It's affordable and accessible for both members and guests.
... and the BBQ and fried
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 17:16 — woodstock... and the BBQ and fried chicken is pretty good too.
It is a shame that GWIS
Mon, 01/03/2011 - 15:47 — CaryCurmudgeonIt is a shame that GWIS decided not to meet with Tata, Yvonne could have had a direct discussion with him about how unqualified she feels he is for the job.