Showing posts with label SCHOOL COMMITTEE CANDIDATE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SCHOOL COMMITTEE CANDIDATE. Show all posts
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Friday, July 10, 2015
Sunday, July 5, 2015
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
SAME OLD SONG BUT LOOKING TO CHANGE THE TUNE
Can you hear me? I'm doing my best FRANKIE VALLIE impression singing "OH WHAT A NIGHT...:".The evening started with a DATE with my FIRST LADY the MAYOR. I got there at the library to wait in line to insure I got my traditional seat in the front row center, over one seat to the right. I felt the excitement just like when a NEW Apple phone is being debuted.
Turns out there wasn't quite the crowd, in fact probably less than twenty if we count the MAYOR and her CHIEF OF STAFF. I was hoping my early arrival would count for something and unlike last year I wouldn't be the subject of a conscious avoidance (Hey that's not my call it's what some stranger put on FACEBOOK). As it happened though I was the last one called on I think after several promises to get to me. Of course I wanted to redirect everyone's attention to the GRAVITY of the 16 MILLION DOLLAR debt the city is going to be saddled with as a result of the NSS snafu.
Her attempt at resolution is to hold choir practice with LT. GOV KAREN POLITO after I believe the fiscal year is up betting that the laws won't apply to us because we are so special. I am sure she will find sympathy from KAREN but guess what KAREN can do JACK.
JUDY completely ignored the letter from the DESE I have being circulating around swearing that it doesn't really say what everyone else thinks. I was assured they weren't ignoring it they just weren't doing what they were asking for. I asked why no other urban city has the problems LYNN has and that only 3 other districts in the state have a problem with NSS. Of course she said the figures being circulated out there were wrong (Sorry LORI) and that BROCKTON was looking to file a lawsuit against the state for the way they calculate NSS. She did mention we might consider it too. Well she does have a record of winning suits costing tens of thousands of dollars regarding how much the former MAYOR was paid, winnng it then almost doubling hers and the council's salary above what the old Mayor made and then working out some NEW formula so no one would have to pay back what her lawsuit had successfully shown that they had been overpaid. Instead she drove the same bus over REFUGEES in general since there weren't enough UNACCOMPANIED MINORS coming in now to make a good speed bump.
Sitting quietly in the audience was LSC CANDIDATE JARED NICHOLSON observing before turming in to the best educated cab driver you ever did see. Even with those two IVY LEAGUE degrees he found room in his car to shuttle me and TRIPPY to that other LSC CANDIDATE MICHEAL OUK'S FUNDRAISER.
It was nice to see LSC CANDIDATE NATASHA M&M, LSC MEMBER MARIA CARRASCO and have HUGS WITH HONG, not too mention evidently TRIPPY'S reputation preceded him because despite the fact he filled up on the food, a to-go plate was presented to him as a going away present!
Turns out there wasn't quite the crowd, in fact probably less than twenty if we count the MAYOR and her CHIEF OF STAFF. I was hoping my early arrival would count for something and unlike last year I wouldn't be the subject of a conscious avoidance (Hey that's not my call it's what some stranger put on FACEBOOK). As it happened though I was the last one called on I think after several promises to get to me. Of course I wanted to redirect everyone's attention to the GRAVITY of the 16 MILLION DOLLAR debt the city is going to be saddled with as a result of the NSS snafu.
Her attempt at resolution is to hold choir practice with LT. GOV KAREN POLITO after I believe the fiscal year is up betting that the laws won't apply to us because we are so special. I am sure she will find sympathy from KAREN but guess what KAREN can do JACK.
JUDY completely ignored the letter from the DESE I have being circulating around swearing that it doesn't really say what everyone else thinks. I was assured they weren't ignoring it they just weren't doing what they were asking for. I asked why no other urban city has the problems LYNN has and that only 3 other districts in the state have a problem with NSS. Of course she said the figures being circulated out there were wrong (Sorry LORI) and that BROCKTON was looking to file a lawsuit against the state for the way they calculate NSS. She did mention we might consider it too. Well she does have a record of winning suits costing tens of thousands of dollars regarding how much the former MAYOR was paid, winnng it then almost doubling hers and the council's salary above what the old Mayor made and then working out some NEW formula so no one would have to pay back what her lawsuit had successfully shown that they had been overpaid. Instead she drove the same bus over REFUGEES in general since there weren't enough UNACCOMPANIED MINORS coming in now to make a good speed bump.
Sitting quietly in the audience was LSC CANDIDATE JARED NICHOLSON observing before turming in to the best educated cab driver you ever did see. Even with those two IVY LEAGUE degrees he found room in his car to shuttle me and TRIPPY to that other LSC CANDIDATE MICHEAL OUK'S FUNDRAISER.
It was nice to see LSC CANDIDATE NATASHA M&M, LSC MEMBER MARIA CARRASCO and have HUGS WITH HONG, not too mention evidently TRIPPY'S reputation preceded him because despite the fact he filled up on the food, a to-go plate was presented to him as a going away present!
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Monday, June 22, 2015
GOING YARD
Of course, other candidates show both for school committee and city council. From the school committee race DONNA COPPOLA sat at my table, RICK STARBARD (who is on the LSC now but running for COUNCILOR-AT-LARGE) and MARIA CARRASCO gave me a ride home. Also there was MICHEAL OUK (I had to apologize to him for not being able to make it to his fundraiser WED cause I got a date with the MAYOR {I hear she may be on the market now and well you know my past.}, NATASHA M&M, LORRAINE GATELY, and JARED NICHOLSON. JARED got a picture because he IS a SMART man. He saw TRIPPY was the one taking the picture and I am sure he remembered me talking about TRIPPY playing for TECH so he smoothly shifted the conversation to baseball and voila, "Smile for the camera!". They don't let dummies like me into TWO IVY LEAGUE schools.
From the city council races along with RICK was TIM PHELAN (who smartly skirted away when I tried to trick him into a conversation about warnings he issued in the debate during his failed MAYORAL run. It turns out whether he knew it or not he was on to something.), omeone said JAY WALSH CANDIDATE FOR WARD 7 was there (he never said HI to me) HONG NET COUNCILOR-AT-LARGE gave me his customary bear hug. WAYNE LOZZI from WARD 1 (my COUNCILMAN) was first there, saw PETE CAPANO, WARD 6, but never talked to him, and last but not least BRIAN FIELD, CANDIDATE FOR WARD 7 who bought TRIPPY and I drinks and we couldn't even vote for him. Don't worry MOM, it was only GINGERALE!
OH WELL ENOUGH OF THIS NICE STUFF I'VE PAID MY PENANCE!
Sunday, June 21, 2015
TAKES A YARD OF BRICKS TO BUILD A CANDIDATE
Invite
Public · Hosted by Tony N Dolores DiFillipo
Join us for an evening of food, music fun, and conversation with the Candidate.
Families & Children All Welcome.
Donations accepted, however not required.
Donations can be made out to:
Committee to Elect Dolores DiFillipo to Lynn School Committee. 10 Hermon Road Lynn, MA 01904
Any questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you!
doloresdifillipo@gmail.com
Families & Children All Welcome.
Donations accepted, however not required.
Donations can be made out to:
Committee to Elect Dolores DiFillipo to Lynn School Committee. 10 Hermon Road Lynn, MA 01904
Any questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you!
doloresdifillipo@gmail.com
POSTS
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
PLENTY OF GOOD PREACHING BUT THE CHORUS WAS PRETTY MUCH ABSENT
Went to an informative event tonight at the LYNN MUSEUM on the overuse and misuse of standardized testing. There was a video from a U.S. Senator, a invited guest speaker, and a panel discussion, The only thing missing were people who set the standards we are all expected to live by.
Since the panelist were from LYNN, SALEM, and PEABODY you would have thought the place would have been packed. There were empty seats available and I didn't even have to play my crippled card to find a place to sit. LSC member RICK STARBARD sat on the panel (and talked about a great documentary he took me and my old BFF to {old WATCHers will remember who}
Too much of the presentation was about identifying the problem everybody already agrees exist. What do you expect me to do about it. There was no talk about action. Of course I had to bum a ride home. After I had gotten a commitment from MICHEAL to be my cabby, DONNA asked me and TRIPPY ( he was there for the cookies) if we needed a ride. I told her thanks but MICHEAL'S got this.
"Heck DONNA'S been a friend forever, I know how, why, and what she thinks. No chance to learn much there."
Anyway MICHEAL asked a good question. Good because I had the answer. Even better because I was the answer. He asked, "How do people find out what's going on with the school committee?".
I laughed, "You're looking at it".
Sad, I know.
Since the panelist were from LYNN, SALEM, and PEABODY you would have thought the place would have been packed. There were empty seats available and I didn't even have to play my crippled card to find a place to sit. LSC member RICK STARBARD sat on the panel (and talked about a great documentary he took me and my old BFF to {old WATCHers will remember who}
Race to Nowhere, The Dark Side of America's Achievement Culture ...
Current LSC members CHARLIE GALLO ( Who is NOT seeking re-election) and DONNA COPPOLA were there LSC candidates NATASHA M& M, JARED SINGLETON ( we bonded a little over baseball a little, a budding bromance perhaps?) and MICHEAL OUK (my long lost twin of another mother) were also there to drum up some support while learning a little.
"Heck DONNA'S been a friend forever, I know how, why, and what she thinks. No chance to learn much there."
Anyway MICHEAL asked a good question. Good because I had the answer. Even better because I was the answer. He asked, "How do people find out what's going on with the school committee?".
I laughed, "You're looking at it".
Sad, I know.
DOING A LITTLE YARD WORK
Earlier today at the NAVS game LSC CANDIDATE DOLORES DIFILLPO stopped over to say HELLO. Our conversation ACCIDENTALLY spilled over to why she is running for the LSC. Her own son who now goes to ST. PIUS (she was at the game as a PARENT volunteer.)
Anyway it's personal and not personal (so she says). As an accomplished professional with extensive experience she feels more than qualified to handle all aspects of the job. I don't doubt that she is and can. She felt the need to take her child out of LPS to get him caught up with his grade level. She evidently is not happy with the LPS curriculum. My word not hers but what else could it be?
According to her, it took months of tutoring for her son to catch up to grade level. Now I know DOLORES has the credentials to make an accurate assessment what I can't vouch for is her degree of objectivity. I did say, "Yeah, well you were at SHOEMAKER, one of the better schools".
Her response was "Well not anymore down from a LEVEL 1 to a LEVEL 2 and falling" Has she looked around the district?. She was quick not to blame the influx of SPED students (the COACH program has moved over there.). Who's kidding who, the crazy, unfair MCAS score are figured in that probably is EXACTLY the reason for the schools drop.
Funny I was having a conversation with outgoing LSC member RICK STARBARD last night at the screening of the film, ANONYMOUS and he mentioned receiving lots of calls (don't worry no names were given) from parents out SHOEMAKER way complaining about the SPED influx (Not in my backyard?). His explanation was that it was simply a space issue because a lot of older people without kids lived in that part of the district and many of the kids that did live out there opted to go to a PRIVATE school. See those residents became a VICTIM of their own success or at least that's their way of thinking.
I am sure DOLORES would quickly assure me that's not the way she thinks at all.
Anyway it's personal and not personal (so she says). As an accomplished professional with extensive experience she feels more than qualified to handle all aspects of the job. I don't doubt that she is and can. She felt the need to take her child out of LPS to get him caught up with his grade level. She evidently is not happy with the LPS curriculum. My word not hers but what else could it be?
According to her, it took months of tutoring for her son to catch up to grade level. Now I know DOLORES has the credentials to make an accurate assessment what I can't vouch for is her degree of objectivity. I did say, "Yeah, well you were at SHOEMAKER, one of the better schools".
Her response was "Well not anymore down from a LEVEL 1 to a LEVEL 2 and falling" Has she looked around the district?. She was quick not to blame the influx of SPED students (the COACH program has moved over there.). Who's kidding who, the crazy, unfair MCAS score are figured in that probably is EXACTLY the reason for the schools drop.
Funny I was having a conversation with outgoing LSC member RICK STARBARD last night at the screening of the film, ANONYMOUS and he mentioned receiving lots of calls (don't worry no names were given) from parents out SHOEMAKER way complaining about the SPED influx (Not in my backyard?). His explanation was that it was simply a space issue because a lot of older people without kids lived in that part of the district and many of the kids that did live out there opted to go to a PRIVATE school. See those residents became a VICTIM of their own success or at least that's their way of thinking.
I am sure DOLORES would quickly assure me that's not the way she thinks at all.
THEY GOT TOOK OUT
What an exciting time I had at the NAVIGATORS SCHOOL DA Y. LPS by SALEM, the BROWN SCHOOL in PEABODY, the PROCTER SCHOOL from TOPSFIELD (Whose band played the NATIONAL ANTHEM {don't worry LYNN ENGLISH JROTC still presented the colors}), SACRED HEART and ST. PIUS. Around 3100 students got to see the NAVS defeat the SEACOAST MAVERICKS 1 - 0.
Fans got to witness DR. LATHAM throw out the ceremonial FIRST PITCH. Not bad, but I think the NAVS rotation is ALL SET. I understand there was some discussion about pitch selection for the toss and it was decided her split-finger was too wicked. OFFICER FERRARI was in attendance, surely to be her personal bodyguard. Those autograph seekers sure can be aggressive.
Dropping by to say HELLO was LSC CANDIDATE DOLORES DIFILLIPO (IF YOU TRULY DON'T CARE IF I SPELL YOUR NAME RIGHT, WHY DO YOU KEEP CORRECTING ME?) who was there doing PARENT DUTY as a chaperon for ST. PIUS.
Fans got to witness DR. LATHAM throw out the ceremonial FIRST PITCH. Not bad, but I think the NAVS rotation is ALL SET. I understand there was some discussion about pitch selection for the toss and it was decided her split-finger was too wicked. OFFICER FERRARI was in attendance, surely to be her personal bodyguard. Those autograph seekers sure can be aggressive.
Dropping by to say HELLO was LSC CANDIDATE DOLORES DIFILLIPO (IF YOU TRULY DON'T CARE IF I SPELL YOUR NAME RIGHT, WHY DO YOU KEEP CORRECTING ME?) who was there doing PARENT DUTY as a chaperon for ST. PIUS.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
AND THEN THERE WERE TWO MORE
I stopped by the clerk's office at City Hall just to double check who is running for LSC. Glad that I did because there were TWO names on the list I didn't know about. It seems that JUNE NATOLA (a former candidate for MAYOR and possibly other elected office) and SANDRA LOPEZ who is totally UNKNOWN to me.
Don't worry I'll be on the WATCH for more details.
ARE YOU THE JUDGE?
Last night provided the perfect opportunity to get a feel for LSC CANDIDATE MICHAEL OUK'S position on GORDON COLLEGE. Given he graduated from there and our similar career paths, I was very interested to hear his take on the whole LBGT controversy dilemma.
What I got from him is that he is a very deep thinker and the whole matter is very concerning to him. Being somewhat personally religious he kind of gives credit to the education he got at GORDON that allows him to be as understanding of people's differences. His exact words were, "Who am I to judge?".
Given his crucial work with CITY COUNCILMAN HONG NET in establishing the LYNN HUMAN RIGHTS'S COMMITTEE, I have to ask "Who's judging now, LPOBE?'.
It's not our government's job to be thought police (Heck the NSA don't even do that) and the LSC is part of our government. Not only do I say you can't punish until you have an actionable crime, it's the law. Some of you people over there ought to know that.
JOURNAL IN FASHION
Boy you have to give credit to the LYNN JOURNAL for showing up at last night's CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF FOR DONNA COPPOLA. Politicians were packed and they were camera ready. Someone is sure to be a CENTERFOLD.
What the Journal lacks in substance they make up for with style!
What the Journal lacks in substance they make up for with style!
ACCIDENTS DO HAPPEN AND SOMETIMES THEY AREN'T
A principal's position is an important and vital one, especially if you want them to be a princiPAL. They set the tone for the whole school, cultivating the learning enviroment. Recently I went into a school with a new princiPAL and the only thing you could hear when you walked in was the sound of eggshells cracking. Makes it hard to teach or learn when you are holding your breath.
That's why it's a little surprising these interviews the interviews for the position at SEWELL-ANDERSON were held at a time that sort of conflicted with DONNA COPPOLA'S CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF. Since the NEW principal probably won't start this week I bet the interview could have been delayed a day or two.
Sewell Anderson Elementary Principal | Candidate Interview Schedule
McGuiness Administration Building
100 Bennett Street, Lynn MA
School Committee Room
Monday, June 8, 2015
4:30 PM | Erin Magrane
4:50 PM | Christina Colella
5:10 PM | Mary Foster
5:30 PM | Mary Panagopolous
5:50 PM | Erik Brenner
6:10 PM | Sarah Lynch
Maybe some people caught a little of both and maybe that explains why some people were ABSENT that PROFESSIONAL COURTESY required that they be there. Face those who weren't there didn't have the opportunity to shake my hand. Their loss and yours for having to put your kids in such an a state of disharmony.
Monday, June 8, 2015
AWOL TO FALL
Just back from DONNA COPPOLA'S CAMPAIGN KICKOFF and I tell you now these are exciting times. There was a packed house in the HIBERIAN HALL but the big story is about who wasn't there. Now of course there were a couple other story lines and I will delve into them later more in depth but I got to get this out.
The way it's been for some time, on most issues of contention the vote usually breaks 4 to 3 with the group of 4 consisting of the MAYOR, PATRICIA CAPANO, JOHN FORD, and CHARLIE GALLO; and the losing side consisting of DONNA, MARIA CARRASCO, and RICK STARBARD (RICK is leaving the LSC to run for CITY COUNCILOR-AT-LARGE).
People do disagree. That's politics and that's what gives pundits and poets points to pontificate. But the first and most important part of the battle is to show up. You show respect for your opponent and your own convictions by being present. Stand up or you may have to step aside. ABSENT were the MAYOR, PATTI, JOHN and CHUCK (He is leaving the LSC to practice at his LAW PRACTICE involving the STATE of ESTATES).
I think I shook hands with all of the new candidates for LSC who did show up JARED NICHOLSON (he has a strong handshake and I can read people by their grip, good vibes I tell you), DELORES DEFILLIPO (I can't believe I forgot to put HER in my original post), LORRAINE GATELY, NATASHA M&M, and MICHEAL OUK and OH YEAH, ESTELLE who also may be running. With all of the problems that are going to be showing up shortly. I'M TALKING ABOUT MONEY AND THE LACK OF IT.
Suffice it to say working together will be VITAL and requires being there.
IF YOU'RE NOT IN, YOU MAY BE OUT!
Sunday, June 7, 2015
NEVER A DAY,I'M JUST OFF ALL THE TIME
Here I meant to spend a peaceful afternoon at FRASER FIELD watching the LYNN ENGLISH JROTC present the colors for the NORTH SHORE NAVIGATORS and wouldn't you know it WORK (or what passes for it) got in the way. Even before the first pitch was thrown, CANDIDATE FOR LYNN SCHOOL COMMITTEE, DELORES DEFILLIPO asked me to sign her nomination papers. Of course, I GLADLY did.
Perhaps my greatest thrill though was hearing somebody from my old college, WEST VIRGINIA COLLEGE, (BA 1985) getting the nod at first base for the WORCESTER BRAVEHEARTS.GO BOBCATS! Gladly though, the NAVS spanked them.
Perhaps my greatest thrill though was hearing somebody from my old college, WEST VIRGINIA COLLEGE, (BA 1985) getting the nod at first base for the WORCESTER BRAVEHEARTS.GO BOBCATS! Gladly though, the NAVS spanked them.
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