An Underemployed Teacher Responds to Combs and "Teach for America"

I am an underemployed teacher. I have been working as a tutor at a learning center in the tri-state area. For the last few years, I have also substituted in several districts across the greater Cincinnati area. I have tried to get into the field of education to help educate better citizens. However, I have not been successful, despite excellent scores on my teacher exams, as well as recommendations from some of the finest true educators in this state or any other. I know of many other teachers in Ohio and Kentucky who cannot find their ways into the system, who are fine educators. Many of them I work with at the learning center and in other positions I have to make ends meet.

So, when I read of Mr. Combs and his effort to bring "Teach for America" into Ohio, I had to chuckle. It is not the " the extraneous education licensure requirements currently on the books " that is causing the brain drain to grow. Why do we need to hire just 'young recruits fresh from graduating'? It is not the licensing board that is making it tough for the best and brightest to teach. It is the politics of school districts across the state, and each school building.

For example, in my home district, many of the teachers are related to board members, former board members, or administrators or other influential "families" in the community. While some are excellent educators, there are some who are there just because they set a school athletic record 20 years ago or because mommy or daddy was a booster or things like that. In some cases, getting into a school to teach requires more connections than it takes to get into a mafia family. This is what needs to be addressed first, not licensing standards (though those are at times quite confusing, I will admit).

Other places, the boards are only looking for certain types of people. At one interview in an inner city school, I was constantly reminded by the administrator that I would be with "urban" children in an "urban" setting, and could I handle being in an "urban" situation. What the administrator was saying was that she wasn't sure I could handle the job because I was not African-American or Latino. This goes on quite a bit, in those inner city districts that need people, but instead they go for color over qualifications. Kind of a sad twist on the 1950s segregation, don't you think?

So, rather than throw a whole bunch of more people who haven't even been trained in education into the fold, why not go out and recruit those of us who have been in the system, who may not agree with it, who ARE some of the best and brightest out there, to come in and get the jobs done? I have devoted the 15 years of my life to helping kids succeed, and outside of two harassment filled years where I was castigated and shunned for my right to have my own political beliefs, I have been relegated to substituting and tutoring. Many of my former and current students tell me I am a better teacher than the ones they have in the classrooms, unsolicited. So, instead of looking to create a wider pool of those of us who are disappointed by the rather arcane and not so clear hiring methods of administrators and boards, why not look to get rid of the rampant nepotism and reverse discrimination?

Senator Charade Brown Busted for Astroturfing Town Hall...

...by no less than the Columbus Dispatch:

In the aftermath of Sen. Sherrod Brown's appearance on health-care reform Wednesday at Ohio State University, a number of people complained that Brown made little effort to advise area residents he would be there talking about the nation's hottest topic.

That apparently was not a problem for supporters of Brown, who had ample notice that the senator would hold a roundtable discussion on health care. The day before the event, Democratic organizations were urging people to show up and support "one of our greatest advocates for health-care reform."

That prompted complaints that Brown wanted to pack the event with supporters in an effort to avoid a confrontation on health care.

No way, says Brown's staff. Meghan Dubyak, a Brown spokeswoman, said the event was posted on the senator's Web site "before the event, either the day before or early that morning."

She pointed out that nearly 500 people showed up, forcing Brown's staff to find larger rooms to accommodate the crowd. "The senator stayed for a full hour and one-half answering questions," Dubyak said. "As anyone who was there could see, the crowd was diverse in opinion."

Wow, 500 people. Really? Gee, how many of them were from ProgressOhio or their allies? What am I talking about? Check it out:

But a trail of e-mails and phone calls suggests that Democratic organizations had a heads-up about the event that everyday people did not have.

At 1:31 p.m. on Tuesday, Brian Rothenberg, executive director of ProgressOhio, an independent organization closely linked to the Democratic Party, sent an e-mail urging backers of President Barack Obama's health-care changes to show up.

"We need you to hold a sign in support of health-care reform, be positive and smile for the cameras," Rothenberg wrote. He said a number of different groups supporting health care -- including the Service Employees International Union -- would be there.

At 1:49 p.m. Tuesday, Brown's staff sent a media advisory about the event. When asked about the event Tuesday, Dubyak said space would be limited.

A Dispatch reporter called Brown's staff Tuesday night and said she could not find the event posted on the senator's Web site. The staffer first insisted it was there and then said it would soon be posted.

The Dispatch and local radio and TV then noted the event would be held the next day. That apparently prompted some of the hundreds of people to show up.

I should note that I talked to Brown's office and was told NO TOWN HALLS were scheduled. But I guess they didn't think I was one of their buddies....
RightOhio has more, including video. The 2nd one with the arrogant p***ck of a staff member of Charade's is priceless, as is the union thug trying to stare peole down. It is disgraceful, as is the wifebeating, pot toking joke of a Senator we have.....Right Ohio had posted the meeting through an email he received meant for lefties.

Gee Charade, not trying to be less than honest and open with the people now, are we?

Columbus City Hall Incumbents Hide from Debate Challenge

Release:

(COLUMBUS, OH) Matt Ferris, candidate for Columbus City Council, called on Priscilla Tyson, Eileen Paley, and A. Troy Miller to answer his challenge to debate the proposed 25% income tax increase. Tyson, Paley, and Miller are all incumbent members of Columbus City Council and are up for election in November.

"Our city is at a crossroads. The tax increase is one of the most important issues facing Columbus and polling has shown that a majority of voters oppose it. If the tax increase passes, these three members of City Council will decide how the money from the tax is spent. Therefore, as incumbent Council members and candidates for City Council, Paley, Miller, and Tyson owe it to the voters to discuss publicly the ramifications of this tax increase."

Ferris issued his debate challenge in a letter to Tyson, Paley, and Miller's homes that he sent on Saturday the 18th and called their offices to re-issue the challenge on Thursday the 23rd.

Ferris has proposed a plan to balance the budget without raising taxes and without cutting police and fire services. The full plan can be viewed at www.TheFerrisPlan.com

Ferris Budget Plan for Columbus

Matt Ferris is proposing a budget for the city of Columbus that doesn't cut vital services nor increases taxes...

City hall has proposed a permanent 25% tax increase to address a temporary budget shortfall. So, while families are tightening their belts city hall wants to increase their spending by more than a billion dollars over the next 10 years!

Instead of allowing city hall to take more of our hard earned money, I’ve put together a plan on how they could balance the budget without raising taxes or cutting police and fire jobs.

Here’s what I propose…

Step One – We have to freeze any increase in spending for 2010. As it stands now city hall’s budget for 2010 is almost 11% higher than it was in 2009. Almost 60% of the reported budget deficit is caused by this increase in spending! That’s over half the problem solved by resisting the urge to spend more next year than they did this year! Families can do it, so can city hall.

Step Two – We need to prioritize city hall’s current spending by improving inefficiencies and simply addressing just 12 of the line items in the massive city budget. This alone will eliminate over $40 million from the projected budget deficit.

Step Three – City hall needs to implement a 1-year 2.5% across the board spending reduction. It’s not asking too much for government to tighten its belt a few notches for one year during tough economic times. Families and businesses are trimming their spending and so should city hall.

That’s It! With your support we’ll send a strong message that we don’t need this tax increase. I’m calling on you to VOTE NO on this massive tax increase on August 4th and asking you to vote for me, Matt Ferris, on November 3rd.

Want some of the details? Read on...

The Ferris Balanced Budget Plan

Ferris: Columbus' Leadership is Asleep at the Wheel

Release:

(COLUMBUS, OH) - "It is clear that Columbus is at a major crossroads in its history. After almost 10 years of Mayor Coleman and City Council being asleep at the wheel, they are asking tax payers for a 25% income tax increase. This tax increase will be voted on during a special election in August that will cost over $500,000 to hold.

As if that isn't bad enough, the citizens of Franklin County may be forced to bail out the Columbus Blue Jackets by paying a "sin tax" on beer, liquor, wine, and cigarettes that would be used to purchase Nationwide Arena. This "sin tax" would affect one of Columbus' top employers, Anheuser-Busch. Anheuser-Busch employees nearly 2,000 people, provides approximately $115 million in payroll to its employees, and is one of the largest customers of Columbus' water and sewage service. So, what does Mayor Coleman have to say about this tax and the impact it might have on one of Columbus' biggest economic engines? You'll probably be disappointed to know that Mayor Coleman's spokesman said Coleman was "neither engaged nor involved in this."

For those of us who realize how Columbus got to this point, a lack of engagement and involvement by Coleman and City Council seems to be an all too common theme. When you've been asleep at the wheel for almost a decade, major issues have a way of sneaking up on you. No wonder we have been asked to bail out the City and a failing sports franchise."

Tax Increase is "Permanent"

Release:

(Columbus, OH) - "Last week Columbus City Council President Michael Mentel told local radio personality Bob Conners that city hall's proposed 25% tax increase would be "permanent."

"It's clear to me that Columbus does not need a 25% tax hike - even councilman Mentel admitted that city hall could have asked voters for a smaller tax increase! However, he said that would require them to go "back to the voters probably in a 5 or 6-year period."

"Why should taxpayers have to pay extra now simply because city hall can't stomach the thought of asking voters for more money in the future?

"I believe voters will see this tax increase proposal for what it is: a sloppy abuse of power by politicians not used to being held to account."

VIDEO:



If there is a flag to be thrown on this play, it might be overuse of an audio clip. Maybe.

Ferris Responds to Coleman

Statement:

Mayor Coleman's State of the City Address made it abundantly clear that Columbus faces great challenges ahead. Not only are we facing a highly unstable national economy, but we are facing major budget deficits in the state of Ohio, and our very own city of Columbus. Unfortunately, the Columbus budget "crisis" is a result of City Council turning a blind eye to wasteful spending.

While you and I are tightening our belts, in this turbulent economy, the Mayor, and City Council, both seem committed to funding more unworthy projects, instead of protecting our wallets. It seems that each new day the Mayor, and City Council, proposes another project that is touted as the saving grace of Columbus. In reality, this "build it, and they will come" mentality will only lead us to larger budget deficits.

The Mayor, and City Council, would have us believe they are awaiting the results of an economic advisory panel, before they decide to officially propose a ballot measure for a 25% tax increase. However, after last night's address, I believe the only thing City Hall is pondering, is how large the proposed income tax hike will end up being.

If we are to attract new businesses to Columbus, how can City Council even consider increasing the burden on potential employers? If the city of Columbus wants to attract new residents, then why would they make it more expensive to live here? When will City Council stop doing business as usual, and address the real causes of our problems?

A friend of mine used to say, "If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got." It is time for us, as residents of Columbus, to stop choosing between bad and worse. It is time to give the residents of Columbus a meaningful alternative to the disastrous decisions that have been made over the last 8 years. I intend on providing that alternative. In fact, that is why I'm running for Columbus City Council.

The people of Columbus deserve better. The time has come for us to take our city back. I hope you will join me in rescuing the city that we all love, and I hope you will help me in promoting a new direction for Columbus.

More Columbus Gossip

Two items for youtoday...

Mike DeWine wants to run again. I love this quote from the anonymous source:

“Governor, Senator, statewide, he runs. He wins. Mark my words. You will see him announce something this spring.”

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. These guys are real comedians. They ought to take that act on the road...or maybe not. In all seriousness, does Mike DeWine and his cronies remember what happened when socialist Sherrod Brown ran against him last time? Best advice for Mike is to hang up the flannel shirt and stay done.

Note to Kevin DeWine: You ought to step in and discourage this nonsense. Mike DeWine is NOT the future of this party and you ought to say so...it would give you more credibility.

Jim Petro is contacting fundraisers about a Senate run. I've been hearing this off and on. Like Mike DeWine, Jim Petro's day is done. Also like DeWine, Petro just can't seem to get the message. Nobody wants you. Stay down. Stay out. The Old Guard needs to go away and stay there...ALL of them.

McCain Returns to Ohio

This just in from the McCain campaign:

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that John McCain will deliver remarks in Columbus , Ohio on Thursday, May 15th.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

COLUMBUS, OHIO

WHO: John McCain

WHAT: Speech

WHEN: Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. EDT
Doors open for general public admission at 8:00 a.m. EDT

WHERE: Greater Columbus Convention Center
Terrace Ballroom 4
400 North High Street
Columbus , Ohio 43215

VIDEO: McCain Interview with WBNStv

OhioGOPtv:

Senator John McCain talks with John Fortney from Columbus television station WBNS. McCain discusses improving Ohio's economy, retraining workers, leadership and the War on Terror.