80 replies to this topic

[DustyDog]

Good moniker for you, Larry . Can you explain further why you think a union perspective would be good for Rancho Cordova? Many of the district's union members live and/or work in Folsom too. It's non-sequiter without explanation.

I have to admit that I dont know anything about Zak Ford's positions. And to be completely honest, I dont know if he or anyone else have put their positions out there. But in looking at his website, he seems to have a lot of politicians endorsing him. No teachers. No parent groups. The ex-mayor of Galt doesnt do much for me even if he claims to have gone to school in the district.

I want Board members who will not rubber stamp what the administration wants to do and will put education of our kids as the priority. Not inclusion. Not sports. Not nicer offices.

[Soonerborn]

I have to admit that I dont know anything about Zak Ford's positions. And to be completely honest, I dont know if he or anyone else have put their positions out there. But in looking at his website, he seems to have a lot of politicians endorsing him. No teachers. No parent groups. The ex-mayor of Galt doesnt do much for me even if he claims to have gone to school in the district.

I want Board members who will not rubber stamp what the administration wants to do and will put education of our kids as the priority. Not inclusion. Not sports. Not nicer offices.

Unfortunately you never know what you'll get. I voted for a current board member, who was "fresh" and new to the board, and all they've done is vote yes on essentially EVERYTHING. I then voted yes for JoAnne and she actually is a breath of fresh air that doesn't just rubber stamp like the rest of our board has done and continues to do so. There is no magic wand. It doesn't matter what they say, it is what they do that shows where their priorities are!

It sure would be great to have a listing posted here that shows how board members have voted over the last two years on key issues...no it isn't that easy to search the board packets on the website either!

[camay2327]

Unfortunately you never know what you'll get. I voted for a current board member, who was "fresh" and new to the board, and all they've done is vote yes on essentially EVERYTHING. I then voted yes for JoAnne and she actually is a breath of fresh air that doesn't just rubber stamp like the rest of our board has done and continues to do so. There is no magic wand. It doesn't matter what they say, it is what they do that shows where their priorities are!

It sure would be great to have a listing posted here that shows how board members have voted over the last two years on key issues...no it isn't that easy to search the board packets on the website either!

Don't know if you have the time or effort to do it or not but this is where you can
get the information on City Council Meetings & Minutes for 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
It will show you what was voted on and who voted for it.

http://www.folsom.ca.us/depts/city_clerk/meetings/default.asp#2010%20agendas

[EDF]

Yes, my friend Zak is union-oriented. During our successful effort to defeat the Measure O school split in 1995-1996, Zak was the editor of the Cordova High newspaper. Up there in the foothills anything having to do with labor unions may be viewed as Consummate Evil, but I think you can make the argument that down in Rancho Cordova they need somebody with a union perspective to protect their students against the Folsom Powerhouse.

In my initial scan of the school board candidates, the name MIKLOS immediately strikes fear. Angelo and AKT have way, way too much power in the district. Mr. Miklos will have to do a lot of explaining to avoid being characterized as the Dark Side candidate in this race.

So Zak was one of the misguided idiots that thinks we in Folsom are all racists... racists... because we wanted our own stinking school district... and that's ok..?

I don't think so dude...

He ain't getting my vote and in fact if he got some of that "union thug" money... then he's way out of the mainstream....

Funny how that now that Rancho is a city they can't get all their new development in the same district and it was delicious to see how Elk Grove just snubbed their noses at the powers that be when that suggestion was made...

[mac_convert]

The teacher's union is not supporting any candidates so residents should make their own decisions!

So Zak was one of the misguided idiots that thinks we in Folsom are all racists... racists... because we wanted our own stinking school district... and that's ok..?

I don't think so dude...

He ain't getting my vote and in fact if he got some of that "union thug" money... then he's way out of the mainstream....

Funny how that now that Rancho is a city they can't get all their new development in the same district and it was delicious to see how Elk Grove just snubbed their noses at the powers that be when that suggestion was made...

[the_professor]

That is truly disheartening gottasmile.
Perhaps if you took the time to get to know me, and why I am running, and what my qualifications are, you might feel differently
I would invite you to stop by my home on Sept 10 between 5 and 8 pm, and give me a chance to change your mind. You might be surprised.

And I extend the same invitation to all Folsom and Rancho Cordova residents on this Forum. I would love to meet you, to hear your concerns, answer your questions, drink some iced tea, and maybe break out the ukulele for awhile!

Vincent Hill
Candidate FCUSD Board of Governors 2010

For those of us that can't make it Friday, can you give us a brief summary of your background and ideas.

[jennyjen]

Mr. Hill, I am a Natoma Station mom, involved parent and an active folsomite. My children attended Natoma Station when you were PTA president and I have to say I wasn't that impressed. I didn't see you around the campus and the general pta meetings were not informative. I am wondering what the difference will be with a project so much larger than a PTA? Please understand I am not baiting, I really am curious.

[Revolutionist]

Hi Jennvjen
I am not exactly sure how to respond to your remark. You didn't see me around the campus? Perhaps you mean compared to other PTA presidents/leaders? That may be the case, as 4 of the last 5 presidents, including the current, were employees of Natoma Station Elementary at the time of their presidency. The oddball out was me... therefore I was not on campus all day, every day. I have my own business to run. However, I can assure you I was there, making copies, setting up, cleaning up, planning events, calendaring, sorting agendas, passing out popsicles, making pancakes, bbq-ing, etc.

As for the informative nature of the general meetings, again I am not sure what you mean. A good portion of those are financial, and we were very detailed and clear on how money was being spent. The then-treasurer/now current President did an excellent job on that. The beginning of the school year was marked by the loss of librarians, and our first meeting focused on how to keep or replace librarian services at the school. The middle of the school year was a good deal to do about the outbreak of head lice on campus, how to combat them in the classroom and at home, and pressing the district to change its policies on the handling of these cases, which we were successful at doing. There was lots of discussion about these topics at both the board and general meetings. The end of the year saw a drop off of volunteerism as well as attendance, resulting in the cancellation of the carnival and the postponement of at least 2 general meetings, as we did not have a quorum. One had to be postponed twice due to lack of attendance, forcing a quick final meeting at the science fair.

And there were some amazing events. The NSE sock-hop was a total blast... thank you Sherri! The pancake breakfast again a hit. The Cheetah chase ... which we brought back after it lapsed in the prior year was a stellar success, allowing the PTA to purchase 4 years worth of the new AR product.

My last thought would be this... if you see a hole or a deficiency in an organization that you prize, I hope you find a way to step in and fill it, making it better not only for yourself, but for everyone.

Mr. Hill, I am a Natoma Station mom, involved parent and an active folsomite. My children attended Natoma Station when you were PTA president and I have to say I wasn't that impressed. I didn't see you around the campus and the general pta meetings were not informative. I am wondering what the difference will be with a project so much larger than a PTA? Please understand I am not baiting, I really am curious.

[Revolutionist]

If you click the pencil, you will be directed to my website, which has a brief summary of my qualifications and a statement. And there on the website is also a link to my campaign facebook account which may give you a better idea of what I am about. Stop by, say hello!

For those of us that can't make it Friday, can you give us a brief summary of your background and ideas.

[Lightningrodlarry]

Helenophobia does refer to fear of the Greek developer community. AKT basically runs the City of Rancho Cordova right now, just as they ran Folsom when Angelo's attorney "Slow Growth" Bob Holderness was mayor. As a consequence, I'm afraid that our water supply will be stretched out by serving tainted drinking water in the low-income neighborhoods so new houses can be built in Rancho for our own little local elite. I can see Rancho Cordova City Councilperson Linda Budge, who is joined at the hip with Holderness, endorsing Miklos.

Back when Holderness was in charge in Folsom, the last of Rancho Cordova's surface water was about to be transferred to Folsom for development south of 50 when the Rancho Cordova incorporation committee, backed up by a threat by the school board to test Rancho Cordova's water independently for perchlorate, revealed the presence of said contaminant in Rancho Cordova's water supply. Aerojet had tested the well in question next to Mitchell Middle School the week before and said no perchlorate was present, but when faced with independent testing by the school board, Aerojet capitulated. In essence the school board, as guardians of the health of their students in Rancho Cordova, killed the planned development of Folsom south of 50. I personally recruited the wife of the lab tech who was testing soil for perchlorate for AKT at Cavitt Ranch to nag her husband into testing for the school board as well.

So just from the perspective of protecting the physical health of children in Rancho Cordova, I went for Hill because of his science background. Shaw was the principal at Mitchell Middle School where the contamination was highest, and he personally knows people who have reason to suspect they were poisoned by Aerojet. Erin Brockovich, for example, tried to recruit retiring FCUSD trustee Roger Benton because of his health history. Ford is the son of a school principal (I don't know if for FCUSD or another district), and is a product of Cordova High. He's not going to poison the children of his Cordova High classmates.

Safe drinking water is a given in Folsom. Not so in Rancho, thanks to the illegal (no Public Utilities Commission hearing) transfer of Rancho Cordova's surface water to Folsom in the period 1985-1995.

The fact that Hill is tight with Tess, who was there on the board during these water quality shenanigans back in 1996-1997, in my mind only strengthens his viability as a candidate. I'm looking forward to meeting him at next week's Rancho Cordova Kiwanis breakfast at 7 am at the Sunrise IHOP, which no other Folsom candidate has bothered to attend.

[Revolutionist]

Larry, it was good to meet you tonight on "The Patio"
as well as the other folks who came by to say hello.
I even had a chance to whip out the ol' ukulele

If you missed it, never fear, we'll have another
on Wednesday between 9 and 10:30 I'll be hanging out at the Starbuck's at Natoma Station if anyone would like to say hi
and on Thursday I'll be at the RC Kiwanis at 7am

[gottasmile]

The district usually sponsors two debates during the elections for the school board candidates; one in Rancho and one in Folsom. I think they are done by the League of Women Voters. Does anyone know when these debates for the school board will take place? If so, can you please post?

[lra32]

I wonder why you have chosen these three? Can you elaborate?

For incumbents, I think Shaw would be the only one, if I chose to vote for an incumbent, that I would vote for. I will find out more about Zak Ford. Only concern I have about Vincent Hill is that I heard he is strongly supported by Theresa Stanley....she is even showing him around. If this is true, sorry Mr. Hill, you just lost my vote.

Has anyone heard about Ron Melchin? I have heard from a friend that attends the board meetings that Melchin and Ford have been the only candidates actually attending the governing board meetings? Can anyone confirm?

Does anyone know if any of the governing board candidates plan to speak at a event or public gathering? I want to get more information that just a website to determine which candidates would get my vote.

Yes, I know that Ron Melchin is running. I know Ron personally and I think he'll be a great addition to the School Board. He regularly attends the school board meetings. I think I'll be attending the meeting on Oct. 7th because it's at Folsom High and I'd like to hear what issues the Board is addressing right now. I imagine that, if you'd like to meet him or any candidate, this would be a great place to do it. Also, I heard that all of the candidates are speaking at the Folsom Cordova Education Association meeting on 10/5. Maybe we'll have a chance to hear from all of them on their stances on the issues.

[gottasmile]

I know that there are three positions open for governing school board this November election. There are two incumbents (I) and four new candidates:

Zak Ford, Vincent Hill, Ron Melchin, Bill Miklos, Richard Shaw (I), and Ed Short (I)

Usually the cities offer voter informational forums: one in Folsom and one in Rancho Cordova. Does anyone know when and where these forums will be held this year?

For other information, a candidate forum has been scheduled for Monday, October 11, 2010 at the Masonic Lodge (1000 Duchow St, Folsom) from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. The forum is free and open to the community. Invitations have gone out to all candidates with 80% confirmation currently. The candidate forum is sponsored by the Folsom Cordova SEPAC (Special Education Parent Action Committee).

[Revolutionist]

Are you referring to the forum usually hosted by the League of Women Voters? I have not yet received an invitation, so I do not know when those will be yet.
As soon as I receive one I will be happy to post the details.

Usually the cities offer voter informational forums: one in Folsom and one in Rancho Cordova. Does anyone know when and where these forums will be held this year?