tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post1921955511972933705..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: The votes are inCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-86405142071277018302010-11-03T22:45:16.367-04:002010-11-03T22:45:16.367-04:00As I recall, Shayna only lost by just over 200 vot...As I recall, Shayna only lost by just over 200 votes - out of 20,000 cast. I would say that Paul won due to name recognition from serving on the board back in the 80s and his political connections (many thought he WAS the incumbent - go figure!). He also had a self-funded $50,000 war chest against Shayna's grassroots under $5k campaign. I'd say she did very well. <br /><br />But I will say this -- it IS about getting out there. Ladies - start going door to door TOMORROW if you haven't already. I see that Nancy has three of her coffees already scheduled - <br /><br />Coffee Talk with Nancy<br /><br />Thursday, November 4th; 10am<br />Starbucks at Dunwoody Village<br />5561 Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd.<br />Dunwoody, GA 30338.<br /><br />Friday, November 5th; 10am<br />ChocoLate<br />2558 Shallowford Rd NE # 201 <br />Atlanta, GA<br /><br />Friday, November 5th; 7pm<br />Starbucks at Dunwoody Village<br />5561 Chamblee-Dunwoody Rd.<br />Dunwoody, GA 30338<br /><br />But really - beyond that - it's a hand-shaking, door to door campaign. It's very hard work - long days and requires a pal to go with you for support. <br /><br />Get signs out and tell your neighbors and friends in Districts 1 and 7 to mark their calendars - VOTE JESTER and EDLER on Tuesday, November 30th!Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-13390773774360209872010-11-03T22:21:40.053-04:002010-11-03T22:21:40.053-04:00I believe the District 4 race was lost in 2008 in ...I believe the District 4 race was lost in 2008 in the first few weeks of the run off .... get moving quickly to support your favorite non-incumbent.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-58618880860717446092010-11-03T19:53:37.525-04:002010-11-03T19:53:37.525-04:00No one said this was going to be easy! We still h...No one said this was going to be easy! We still have the opportunity to elect two intelligent, hard-working individuals who want to turn this board around! We should do everything we can to help them. Two new members would be a start. So we can complain about the outcome of the vote (and yes, I did this morning), but we can also renew our efforts to get the word/vote out for Nancy and Donna.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-45271292683617568192010-11-03T18:17:49.993-04:002010-11-03T18:17:49.993-04:0044.24% Ella
55.58% Eugene Walker
The totals have...44.24% Ella<br />55.58% Eugene Walker<br /><br />The totals have changed. Above is my totals and Nancy appears to have move also. I do not know where the votes came from but they came from somewhere.<br /><br />I was extremely happy with the results as I spent less than $1000.00 on the election and over 1/2 of this was on the entrance fee. I did not even buy signs. I had decided before I entered the race that I was not going to put a great deal of money into the election. I also learned that the legislative body is definitely looking at doing away with two districts. It is totally their choice as to what districts these are.<br /><br />It could be the at large districts or it could be the two that were added which are Sara's and Zepora's districts. I am looking for them to do away with Sara and Zepora's districts. What the legislative body will do is redistrict all the school board districts and do away with two of them. <br /><br />I am extremely happy with the vote percentage that I received for the amount of effort I put in. I felt the at-large district made a statement. Dr. Walker won with 66% or 67% two years ago. I think him not winning by as much does make a statement to him.<br /><br />I think Sara barely winning makes a statement to her and Zepora being in a run-off makes a statement to her. Jay also got our and campaigned extremely hard in his defense. He was out there working during this election. He did not take anything for granted.<br /><br />District 1 race also will be interesting. However, it is important to note it really does not matter who is leading in the votes now. I got 41% of the vote and the other two candidates got approximately 27% and 28% but I was beat in the run-off one month later. My voters did not return to the polls. You never know what will happen in a run-off.Ella Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485840445272819682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-23819178985555901042010-11-03T17:42:05.757-04:002010-11-03T17:42:05.757-04:00It is obvious that Sara Copeland-Wood represents t...It is obvious that Sara Copeland-Wood represents the face of her district. What educated sane person would vote for her? Her district is obviously filled with voters who are as uneducated and as crazy as she. Maybe we will get lucky and the DeKalb Police will pick her up for DUI after one of the Board meetings. Wouldn't that be fun. <br /><br />On a positive note-there is still a chance of getting rid of sluggo.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-69662689463664868942010-11-03T16:54:08.059-04:002010-11-03T16:54:08.059-04:00Donna Edler's website provides Paypal! Didn...Donna Edler's website provides Paypal! Didn't even have to go downstairs to get my wallet and type in those pesky small credit card numbers.<br /><br />Donna, sorry I couldn't give more. Times are tough. But, I know you will use my small donations wisely -- as I know you will use our tax dollars wisely once you are elected.<br /><br />Go Donna GO!No Duhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14462063673391668451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-42851944891439491002010-11-03T16:53:45.584-04:002010-11-03T16:53:45.584-04:00I have donated to both Donna Edler's and Nancy...I have donated to both Donna Edler's and Nancy Jester's campaigns. I a impressed with both, and I think their showings yesterday are positive.<br /><br /> I will see if I can clear my schedule to volunteer - surely making phone calls or something...Dekalbparenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16376422781260452873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-6068270936284031172010-11-03T16:43:44.783-04:002010-11-03T16:43:44.783-04:00Anon 10:07, when does common sense prevail? You a...Anon 10:07, when does common sense prevail? You are in the low end, food service business. Your target audience is families with children, typically school age. You've been in business for several year providing inexpensive pizza's to families and to some schools (room parents, booster clubs, etc.). You decide you would like to serve the greater community by running for school board. You win. Does that mean you should no longer sell to your target audience at all? If you believe yes, that means you would go out of business. If you believe yes, that means anyone that does business with any school or family that has school age children should not run for school board, for fear of conflict of interest or ethical violations.<br /><br />Is there a middle road?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-43204880007811062102010-11-03T15:08:16.196-04:002010-11-03T15:08:16.196-04:00Split the district! Let the incumbent areas stand...Split the district! Let the incumbent areas stand on their own. I'm all for helping people who need help, but they need to HELP US HELP THEM. And by sending back the same clowns, they showed they do not want or need any help.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-14124391070403289302010-11-03T12:10:39.320-04:002010-11-03T12:10:39.320-04:00The people spoke
Democracy isn't always satis...The people spoke<br /><br />Democracy isn't always satisfying but it is our best hope.<br /><br />It will be interesting to see if the run offs usher out the incumbents.<br /><br />LIfe isn't always fair but I find it preferable to the alternative. <br /><br />Keep active, work to improve our schools, and let's see what we can accomplish that is positive.<br /><br />http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/newsroom/press/pdf/2010-10-30.2010-11-07.High_School_Robotics_Team_to_Represent_DeKalb_at_Auburn_University.pdfAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-75789897593652298052010-11-03T11:56:26.125-04:002010-11-03T11:56:26.125-04:00A very sad night for DeKalb Schools.
I am disappoi...A very sad night for DeKalb Schools.<br />I am disappointed in the voters.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-27170458838604680342010-11-03T11:48:24.870-04:002010-11-03T11:48:24.870-04:00Come on folks, let's take action. Go on Nancy...Come on folks, let's take action. Go on Nancy Jester and Donna Edler's campaign websites and sign up to either volunteer or donate (or both!).<br /><br />Let's support them (can you imagine how much time and effort they've invested to get this far?) and help them get out the vote.<br /><br />Two strong, new, smart members of our school board? Won't that be fantastic!<br /><br />Go to:<br />www.nancyjester.com<br />www.donnaedler.com<br /><br />Do it today! I'm sure both women could use a boost of energy.Melissa Wilks, Dunwoodynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-47010540506405079672010-11-03T11:47:40.442-04:002010-11-03T11:47:40.442-04:00"And what about the scandal involving his wif..."And what about the scandal involving his wife and the money missing from the Tucker Tucks gymnastics booster club?"<br /><br />I can vouch that there was a HUGE mess involving the Tucker gymnastics program run out of the county Parks & Rec Department's Tucker Recreation Center, and that county staff were praying that it didn't get to the media. The AJC was contacted,, but chose not to investigate. Yes, Jay's wife was very involved in the huge mess.<br /><br />And a whole lotta money disappeared."<br /><br />And... so did all the trophies the kids had earned! And our children and support for what had been a good - if crappily run local gymnastics program.<br /><br />I had no idea Cunningham was involved, all i knew was that there were "hushed up" allegations of thievery - and that the same people were still walking around the halls, while stealing all the trophies! Unbelievable...<br /><br />Please DeKalb D1 and D7 voters - make sure you turn out, and bring 10 friends with you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-42444300455844253962010-11-03T10:52:18.726-04:002010-11-03T10:52:18.726-04:00Actually, Moe's Pizza on Briarcliff Road almos...Actually, Moe's Pizza on Briarcliff Road almost always sells pizzas for school events for $6-8 - for a whole - large pizza. Add some $.79 2 liter sodas and it's pretty cheap. $3 a person is not unrealistic or a big 'deal' - at 8 slices per pizza - that's $24 per pizza including soda. <br /><br />But it's true that Cunningham's other issues are just as - if not more - relevant. I guess voters in his district aren't concerned about that though. <br /><br />And you're right Anon - some of the reps in the north end are just as manipulative behind the scenes. They just don't have criminal records that I'm aware of... and I'd be shocked if they did.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-41037391372661883512010-11-03T10:07:27.381-04:002010-11-03T10:07:27.381-04:00Anon 9:30, you tickle me. You really do.
Do you n...Anon 9:30, you tickle me. You really do. <br />Do you not understand that it is not ethical for an elected official to use his office to expand his business? Do you not get that persons purchasing said pizza could in fact be currying favor with said elected official? The issue is not whether the $3 price was fair; the issue is a conflict of interest, where constituents (parents, teachers) might perceive that if we order pizza from this guy, it will help us gain other advantages in a school system that relies on backdoor deals instead of fair process when allocating resources. Cassandra Anderson-Littlejohn couldn’t understand why it was wrong for her husband to peddle his t-shirts to the cheerleaders at Chamblee. It’s his business, she cried. It’s good for everybody. No. Not really. Because Chamblee parents were put in a no-win position: if we don’t order our t-shirts from the board member’s husband, will it come back to haunt us later? Will Cassandra support us when we need her vote on a crucial issue? That, dear anon, is why this “pizza thing” is not overblown in the least and not a red herring.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-6135881735981860992010-11-03T09:49:30.991-04:002010-11-03T09:49:30.991-04:00The real winners were the losers last night. The ...The real winners were the losers last night. The board is treated as one entity and no matter how a board member votes they are lumped together with the other board members.<br /><br />On another point, the culture of DCSS is just as broken on the north side as it is on the south side. It always comes down to what is good for me and mine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-83439087440291578362010-11-03T09:30:43.509-04:002010-11-03T09:30:43.509-04:00The pizza situation with Jay IS way overblown. Th...The pizza situation with Jay IS way overblown. This was more an obsession with the AJC than anything else as he was cleared of any possible wrongdoing on this 2 years ago when it first came up. If a booster club or classroom parents does comparison shopping and determines Jay's restaraunt offers the best prices for food, why shouldn't they purchase from his place of business? As long as he does not have a contract with the school system to be a provider (something that does not exist), anyone should have the opportunity to purchase from his restaraunts. He should not use his position as board member to solicit business from schools, something else that he has not done. Should he not offer or sell his products to anyone affiliated with a school just because he is a school board member?<br /><br />Does anyone else know where you can get a slice of pizza and a drink for $3 as that is the approximate unit price he gives to schools. Essentially he sells them at cost and is not making much of a profit. He did this prior to becoming a Board member so why should he discontinue supporting schools in this manner? If schools save money which allows them to do other things for the students, that is a good thing.<br /><br />The other concerns raised about Jay are legitimate but the pizza thing is a red herring.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-19176428695972108382010-11-03T09:25:08.560-04:002010-11-03T09:25:08.560-04:00I challenge anyone who is able to donate to Donna ...I challenge anyone who is able to donate to Donna Elder's campaign. I'm in district 1 but district 7 needs new blood more than my district (not any endorsement of Jester or Redovian just a real fact). I just donated $25 - please think about it - it's for the benefit of all of our kids!Momfirsthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17442013512328561751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-52108285822521068742010-11-03T09:07:28.174-04:002010-11-03T09:07:28.174-04:00This morning while I was looking at the results my...This morning while I was looking at the results my 11 year old came up to me and asked how a man, who robbed a McDonalds of $12k win and a woman who threatened violence on a member of the press receive that many votes? Does this mean it's okay to steal and bully at school? <br /><br />I told him that the people who voted for these folks are okay with it and probably don't even know that Mr. Cunningham has been caught stealing and that Ms. Roberts threatened another woman.<br /><br />He added, "It certainly does not set a very good example for the kids they say they care about."<br /><br />I couldn't have said it better myself!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-72708770627551089862010-11-03T08:55:17.363-04:002010-11-03T08:55:17.363-04:00Buck up people.
The situation this morning is tha...Buck up people.<br /><br />The situation this morning is that we have a chance to remove 2 board members. We'd probably be looking at a third (SCW) if her main opponent did not have legal and ethical issues of his own.<br /><br />As for the other 2, who knows why Cunningham won big, free pizza maybe, and Walker, well, Ella is a nice woman, but I'm not sure she really ever had much of a chance.<br /><br />But the point is--WE'RE NOT DONE. We can still start being the change we want to see 4 weeks from now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-23788877872668960012010-11-03T08:53:49.665-04:002010-11-03T08:53:49.665-04:00It is what it is. We have to respect the process....It is what it is. We have to respect the process.<br /><br />Time to put our energy behind the run-offs and then focus back on the children with whatever board members the voters have selected.<br /><br />Or move.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-90946507383814603152010-11-03T08:46:38.160-04:002010-11-03T08:46:38.160-04:00@8:23. If we break it apart and low scores continu...@8:23. If we break it apart and low scores continue, perhaps the race claims will finally disappear, and the real issues can finally get addressed for the kids in that area. As long as the county is combined, other sectors will continue to be the scapegoats for problems existing in the southern end, much easier than tackling real issues and making the time to do homework with your kids. <br /><br />This election proves the point that at least one area is content with the status quo. I'm not. I want fiscal accountability, focus on curriculum, and a reduction of classroom disruption. These incumbents are incabable and uninterested in all of these things.<br /><br />Things are going to get worse. We'll see more cuts to education budgets at the state level, and will see increased attorney fees in this county. We'll continue to see increased administrative requirements from the feds and the state okand a lack of ability of the board to effectively manage find to ensure that classroom needs aren't cut in order to meet these. Dekalb will consistently be scrambling to catch up rather ryan ferrying ahead of the game, and when we eject a boe who cannot stay within their own budgets at home, we are set up for continuing disaster.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-47505335287460950872010-11-03T08:45:56.679-04:002010-11-03T08:45:56.679-04:00True. Imagine this board -
Shayna. Ernest. Pam B...True. Imagine this board -<br /><br />Shayna. Ernest. Pam B., Orson, Nancy, Donna, Kirk and Ella. <br /><br />Too bad they don't just let the bloggers choose!<br /><br />Oh well.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-42075008753204897292010-11-03T08:40:51.694-04:002010-11-03T08:40:51.694-04:00Before you beat up on S. DeKalb, please remember t...Before you beat up on S. DeKalb, please remember that two years ago, N. DeKalb had the chance to elect some real stellar candidates, Shayna Steinfeld, Orson and Pam Buncum. Not to mention Ernest Brown for the at large district. <br /><br />Instead, Paul "Let's make Lakeside back to the way it was" Womack and Don "I will redistrict all of Sagamore Hills into Lakeside" were elected. <br /><br />Let's be careful not to throw stones.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-74093497902644440502010-11-03T08:31:47.668-04:002010-11-03T08:31:47.668-04:00"And what about the scandal involving his wif..."And what about the scandal involving his wife and the money missing from the Tucker Tucks gymnastics booster club?"<br /><br />I can vouch that there was a HUGE mess involving the Tucker gymnastics program run out of the county Parks & Rec Department's Tucker Recreation Center, and that county staff were praying that it didn't get to the media. The AJC was contacted,, but chose not to investigate. Yes, Jay's wife was very involved in the huge mess.<br /><br />And a whole lotta money disappeared.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com