vrs
enthusiast
Posts: 2632
Loc: Allen, Texas
Reg: 04-20-00
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04-10-12 01:07 AM - Post#147897
Two incumbents - Jayne Grimes and Benny Bolin - have decided to step down from the AISD Board and I certainly thank them for their dedication and service.
Susan Olinger (our very own "sco") is unopposed for Place 1 and we are lucky to have her. In Place 2, Carl Clemencich and Alan Hurst are on the ballot. Jason Shepard is the only incumbent running for reelection and Rona Zafari has chosen to run against him for Place 3 rather than for one of the open seats (which I would view as a pretty strong anti-AISD statement from her.)
Dallas Morning News published side by side responses from the candidates at all levels:
http://c3.thevoterguide.org/v/dallasmuni12/
Here is the direct link to the AISD races from there (hope the link works). Place 2 comes up and then click "next" for place 3.
http://c3.thevoterguide.org/v/dallasmuni12/index.d...
I am voting for Carl Clemencich and Jason Shepard. These side by side comparisons make the choices very clear.
| Blessed be the cracked, for they let in the light. |
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RRRquilter
enthusiast
Posts: 1243
Loc: Allen
Reg: 05-02-05
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04-10-12 01:43 PM - Post#147913
In response to vrs
Thank you for posting this link. Very helpful!
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asmile4u
enthusiast
Posts: 774
Loc: Allen
Reg: 04-20-08
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04-10-12 01:44 PM - Post#147914
In response to vrs
 for Mr. Clemencich and Mr. Shepard
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Jeremy
member
Posts: 83
Loc: Allen, Tx
Reg: 06-20-11
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04-10-12 10:06 PM - Post#147928
In response to asmile4u
Thanks for posting the links. They were really helpful. You can read campaign sites all day but it is nice to see them answer the exact same questions for an independent source. Does anyone know how long the DMN gave them to respond? It seems that two of the people responding were more prepared and thorough with their answers.
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vrs
enthusiast
Posts: 2632
Loc: Allen, Texas
Reg: 04-20-00
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04-11-12 12:30 AM - Post#147930
In response to Jeremy
Jeremy -
They had plenty of time - two of them are ready for the job and two of them are not.
Jason Shepherd is an incumbent so one would naturally expect him to be more informed about the business of the district and the issues at hand. He has served three years and is really hitting his stride.
Carl Clemencich has been attending the board meetings at least for a year - paying attention to the business of the district and preparing himself. He shared with me that he was interested in making a run for some time, but he thought the current trustees are doing a good job and he was biding his time, waiting for an open seat. He is one of the best qualified and best prepared candidates I have seen - ever.
The difference in responses to these questions underscores the fact that school business is not simple and becoming sufficiently educated to serve as an effective advocate for our district takes time.
As for the other two candidates, I know that Mr. Hurst is president of the Waterford Trails HOA and I would speculate that his interest in the Board is connected to the bus barn issue. It's an important issue but it will be decided in the next few months and then what is his compelling interest for the next three years?
I have no idea why Ms. Zafari is running. She is a bundle of contradictions. On her webpage she writes: “I want to contribute to the tradition of good education and smart stewardship of taxpayer dollars.”
However, after praising Allen's great traditions and smart stewardship, she files against the only incumbent on the ballot - bypassing two open seats to do so. Rona says she wants to reduce taxes, but she wants to reduce class size also. Those are contradictory statements.
Rona points out Allen has a higher tax rate than neighboring districts, but fails to note that Allen delivers quality education for fewer dollars per student than any of the neighboring districts (with lower tax rates) because of gross funding inequities coming out of Austin. She is very confused about how the tax rate works for capital projects and operations.
There are two ways to lower the school tax rate - lobby Austin hard to fix the funding inequities or start handing out pink slips to district employees. Rona does not get that.
I am sure Rona has good intentions but she is totally unprepared for the job and I cannot imagine why the voters would choose a novice who has failed to do even the simplest homework over a person with solid experience.
Finally, both Mr. Hurst and Ms. Zafari indicated that achievement gaps are not an issue in Allen. I had a lot more written here about that topic but deleted it all. Suffice it to say that neither of these individuals is remotely prepared to be an "at large" representative on the School Board.
| Blessed be the cracked, for they let in the light. |
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Jeremy
member
Posts: 83
Loc: Allen, Tx
Reg: 06-20-11
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04-12-12 12:28 PM - Post#147992
In response to vrs
VRS,
You and I are on the same page as far as which candidates appear to be the best for Allen. I was simply asking to ensure they both had the same amount of time to answer. It appeared that Ms. Zafari answered all of them, though many of them limited to a few words. Mr. Shepherd went into much greater detail which proved his greater understanding of the issues. Regarding the other race… Mr. Hurst seemed to answer the ones that he chose to answer and left many unanswered. Mr. Clemencich, like Jason, answered thoroughly and backed up his responses with facts. The answers provided by both Jason and Carl, along with the addition of Susan, provide hope that despite the loss of Benny and Janie, the AISD board will remain an excellent group of individuals with the right motivations and focus.
I have the same concern related to individuals being elected for the sole reason to attempt to stop the service center. If they were successful, though a sole member cannot really change it, then they would be happy and most likely serve the remainder of their term to the best of their ability. However, on the opposite side of that, if they are unsuccessful in stopping it or changing it I find it hard to believe that for the next 2.5 years they would not be resentful. There are not many people who are as familiar with the service center issue as I am so trust me when I say that I completely understand how important it is. However, we never considered running to replace Mark and Louise since we acknowledged how good of a job they were doing and our only concern was the location of the service center.
Only time will tell how everything works out.
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MO
enthusiast
Posts: 296
Reg: 07-31-08
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04-12-12 04:16 PM - Post#148008
In response to asmile4u
for Mr. Clemencich and Mr. Shepard
Ditto!!
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sco
enthusiast
Posts: 2670
Loc: allen,TX USA
Reg: 10-26-02
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04-12-12 05:35 PM - Post#148015
In response to MO
Make sure to spread the word to get people out to vote. These elections typically have extremely low turnout.
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cp
enthusiast
Posts: 203
Reg: 12-14-11
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04-13-12 01:50 PM - Post#148050
In response to sco
Make sure to spread the word to get people out to vote. These elections typically have extremely low turnout.
I'm just waiting for my new voter ID card to be mailed, and I'll gladly vote in this election...
To others who have detailed the candiadates as indicated above, a big thank you for doing so. It has certainly helped me out...
| "In religion and politics people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second-hand, and without examination..." -Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain |
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vrs
enthusiast
Posts: 2632
Loc: Allen, Texas
Reg: 04-20-00
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04-13-12 02:02 PM - Post#148055
In response to cp
I'm just waiting for my new voter ID card to be mailed, and I'll gladly vote in this election...
cp - if you are a registered voter in the Allen ISD, all you need is a valid Texas driver's license, not your voter card.
Here is where you can look up the status of your registration online:
http://www.co.collin.tx.us/elections/voter_regist r...
| Blessed be the cracked, for they let in the light. |
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common sense
member
Posts: 30
Reg: 05-06-08
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04-16-12 12:57 AM - Post#148134
In response to vrs
Here we go with some of the old VRS spin zone.
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Jeremy
member
Posts: 83
Loc: Allen, Tx
Reg: 06-20-11
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04-16-12 07:47 AM - Post#148136
In response to common sense
You are absolutely right. How dare VRS post a link to an independent and unbiased question and answer comparison between the candidates. Also… some nerve she has to provide details on what CP needs to be able to vote… and a link to Collin County!!! The nerve she has!!! When will it all stop!
I don’t see the spin. She provided a way for people to gather some information to formulate their own opinion and voting decision. She then provided her opinion which she is far from the first person to do that.
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rw
member
Posts: 427
Reg: 10-11-01
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04-16-12 08:50 AM - Post#148140
In response to common sense
Here we go with some of the old VRS spin zone.
This seems to be uncalled for...looks like she posted a very helful source for all voters...and added her opinion...
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cp
enthusiast
Posts: 203
Reg: 12-14-11
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04-16-12 08:51 AM - Post#148141
In response to Jeremy
You are absolutely right. How dare VRS post a link to an independent and unbiased question and answer comparison between the candidates. Also… some nerve she has to provide details on what CP needs to be able to vote… and a link to Collin County!!! The nerve she has!!! When will it all stop!
I don’t see the spin. She provided a way for people to gather some information to formulate their own opinion and voting decision. She then provided her opinion which she is far from the first person to do that.
Jeremy, well-said. Thank you...
And many thanks to VRS for responding to my post.
| "In religion and politics people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second-hand, and without examination..." -Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain |
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 8759
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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04-16-12 02:20 PM - Post#148156
In response to cp
Thank you, VRS, for this very helpful information. I knew who I was planning to vote for and your links and information confirmed I had made good choices. I always value your input.
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vrs
enthusiast
Posts: 2632
Loc: Allen, Texas
Reg: 04-20-00
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04-17-12 08:31 AM - Post#148166
In response to denisew
Thanks to all for the kind remarks along with the spirited (and entertaining!) defense.
Although commonsense's response was not phrased in a courteous and constructive manner, I believe the comment was addressed to this statement:
Rona points out Allen has a higher tax rate than neighboring districts, but fails to note that Allen delivers quality education for fewer dollars per student than any of the neighboring districts (with lower tax rates) because of gross funding inequities coming out of Austin.
Rona started with a one bullet campaign - "Allen's tax rate is higher than the neighbors."
Because I believe in notions such as "data requires context" and "root cause analysis," I paint that one bullet into a larger context - namely that Austin has denied Allen the use of our own economic growth for the past six years - capping our revenue per student at a level MUCH lower than those neighbors who enjoy the favorable rates. Nor would tearing down ANY facility change that.
Further, "lowering our tax rate" = "laying off people who live and work in Allen" because 85% of the operating budget is people. Ask the teachers in Allen how things were before the TRE passed - THAT's the way things look in this district with lower local taxes absent a step change in Austin. I doubt many, if any, of them would want to go back in time 9 months.
We need to speak to Austin with one voice.
However, all of this requires broader and deeper thought than just glaring bleary eyed over the first cup of coffee and grunting "tax rate's too high."
Because I know commonsense's posting history (and how much she apparently blames me personally), I believe this is the intended meaning.
The insult part is just water off a duck's back as far as I am concerned. The important message in the post - and the point of concern for ALL of us - is that commonsense has a voter card and there are a number of other voters in Allen who share her views - and their minds will not be changed in this campaign.
Therefore, YOU must vote - and YOU must bring a sense of urgency to the process - and YOU must bring every likeminded voter you can possibly influence with you.
The outcome of any election is not determined by the majority of voters - it is determined by the majority of voters who actually show up to vote.
| Blessed be the cracked, for they let in the light. |
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MO
enthusiast
Posts: 296
Reg: 07-31-08
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04-18-12 09:22 AM - Post#148202
In response to vrs
The outcome of any election is not determined by the majority of voters - it is determined by the majority of voters who actually show up to vote.
Wise words, indeed, so get out there and vote for your candidates! Early voting begins April 30th! Beat the rush!
And on a purely personal note.....
Go Carl! Go Jason! Go Susan!
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traveler
newbie
Posts: 1
Reg: 04-18-12
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04-18-12 06:41 PM - Post#148224
In response to MO
For those you who belittle the bus barn issue as a short term single issue....I bet you would not think that, if this thing is built across the street from where you live.
You will be living with it for at least a few years. I wonder would you still think of it as a short term issue.
How far would you go to protect your home?
Edited by traveler on 04-18-12 06:42 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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MikeC
member
Posts: 76
Reg: 07-21-02
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04-18-12 11:20 PM - Post#148231
In response to traveler
I wouldn't elect two unqualified individuals (Zafari and Hurst) who have no reason to run other than to try and protect their neighborhoods. Elected officials must serve the entire district, not just their own neighborhood.
I have talked with current and former council and school board members. All say that when acting as a council member or school board member, they must act for the entire city/district and not one neighborhood.
I have met Mr. Hurst multiple times, he is a very nice guy, but only has one reason for running. To stop the bus barn.
I've tried to communicate with Ms.Zafari and she doesn't seem able to answer any basic questions other than it's her time.
I've watched Mr. Shepard at the school meetings and he does a great job of understanding the issues and makes decisions that benefit the community at large while always thinking of our students.
I've reviewed Mr. Clemencich's history of service and have talked with people who have worked with him. He is fair and makes decisions based on the information available and not on emotion.
Both men (Clemencich and Shepard) have earned our vote and should be elected.
For those you who belittle the bus barn issue as a short term single issue....I bet you would not think that, if this thing is built across the street from where you live.
You will be living with it for at least a few years. I wonder would you still think of it as a short term issue.
How far would you go to protect your home?
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vrs
enthusiast
Posts: 2632
Loc: Allen, Texas
Reg: 04-20-00
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04-19-12 01:14 AM - Post#148234
In response to traveler
How far would you go to protect your home?
This question is completely backwards. The question one should rightly ask of someone running for an at-large position is "How far would you go to take care of the best interests of the entire district?"
As someone who has some experience in the matter, I can tell you that the Board will always look for the win-win but sometimes not everyone gets to be happy. In that case, the Board does what makes the most sense in the big picture and trustees who are sworn to uphold the law and put the interests of the district first better be willing to vote against their own property values - or even their own children.
I came home from Board meetings a few times and cried. I came home a few times and got drunk. However, I never put the interests of my own children or property or friends ahead of the district. And I am not so special - I watched other trustees make equally difficult decisions.
For those you who belittle the bus barn issue as a short term single issue....I bet you would not think that, if this thing is built across the street from where you live.
You will be living with it for at least a few years. I wonder would you still think of it as a short term issue.
I don't think anyone belittled the bus barn issue at all. I think we just said the job of School Board Trustee is much bigger than this one issue and someone who stands for the office should be prepared for that.
You might be surprised to know that I DO live in one of the affected neighborhoods and I have to drive through the intersection of Hopewell and Bray Central each morning on the way to work. If the barn finds a different home I think that would be fabulous. I appreciate the diligent efforts of all those who are working to make sure all the facts come to light before a decision is made.
None of that changes the fact that Carl Clemencich is far better qualified and prepared than his opponent to be an at-large representative for the district on the broad range of issues that will come before the Board during the next three years - including the issue of the barn because his mind is not already made up.
| Blessed be the cracked, for they let in the light. |
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