Well...it's all over for some and just beginning for others. A huge congratulations to all the successful candidates in the race for School Trustee in Delta and Mayor and Council. I applaud everyone who stepped up to the plate to try to make a difference in Delta. A Standing "O" to you all!
Now it's back to reality for those of us who weren't so successful! The bank is still open and I still need a few more dollars to call it even. Not a huge amount and one that I can probably make up without breaking my bank account, but anything at all would be greatly appreciated.
My Campaign Chair is talking about organizing a fund-raiser at a local pub in the New Year to welcome 2012 and a new beginning...not only for the year but for me. I will definitely post all details when we have this organized and would love to see as many of you as possible out there...even just to meet you!
In the meantime, as you well know, campaigns cost money. I probably had one of the most frugal campaigns in the election. If you can donate any amount (small is good) to my campaign I would greatly appreciate it! You can do so by clicking on the "donate" button at the top of this page.
Now I want to get out there in the community and do what I do best...support it! It's onward and upward with Sidekick (theatre company I founded) as we move into our second production of the season, Norm Foster's "The Melville Boys". We open January 12 to 28th (Thurs, Fri & Sat only) at The Tsawwassen Arts Centre. We perform in a "bistro" setting (dinner theatre without dinner!) and we have a lot of fun! It's a great AFFORDABLE evening out right in our own back yard! Reservations are available by calling 604-288-2415. Adults $18/Seniors/Students $15.
I will be meeting with Mayor Jackson in the new year to discuss the arts and Delta. There is room for growth (a lot of it) in that area and I am confident that we can get something happening for all of Delta in the arts that will become as popular as the Ladner Market! Keep your fingers crossed!
I will also be looking for employment as I really want to get out there and work! The election definitely got that adrenalin flowing again! I want to come OUT of retirement! So, if you have any leads...you know where to contact me!
Thank you to everyone!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
And then there were none...days left, that is!
First of all I'd like to thank the many people who have waved to me, thumbs-up and big smiles as I drive through the community. I'd like to thank all those that have e-mailed me to tell me how much they appreciate what I do and what I am doing for the community. I am sorry I haven't been able to answer all of you but I've kind of been busy the last month or so! I'd like to thank all the teachers who have contacted me and pledged their support. That was especially humbling and so very much appreciated. I want to thank my fellow candidates for entering the political arena. I wish everyone all the best tomorrow.
I have been asked (by too many people over the last few days), what kind of School Board would I like to see. What would be the best scenario from my point-of-view. I answer with "a good mix of people". I get positive feedback with that comment. Some have asked to be more specific and I've managed to fudge around a bit, but I know what I feel is best for the kids of Delta as far as school board representation is concerned. And now, I'll give you my thoughts for you to ponder.
We must remember that the trustees job is (in a nutshell) to ensure our students, your children, get the best education possible. Their first priority should always be the kids. Keep that in mind when reading the rest of this blog.
We have 20 candidates. I've had the privilege of meeting 19. One has never shown his face or engaged in the e-mails we have sent around to one another. His name is Andrew Maas.
We have an abundance of talent. We also have an abundance of either retired or working teachers.
There are 7 seats...we have 5 of the aforementioned. Plus one who works as a special needs assistant. I question the "conflict of interest" issue when certain items on the agenda are raised. Can they be non-biased, for instance, when dealing with anything pertaining to teachers? As an "outsider", I would have great difficulty believing that they could.
We have several who have been involved with PAC's and three who have been/are PAC chairs. Their input would always be welcome as the interest is in the kids.
We have business people, sports affiliated people and one arts community person and 6 incumbents.
I feel that the best mix for the board would be a group of people heading in the same direction but with different ideas and the vision to see those ideas to fruition. It would involve people bringing their individual expertise to the table. New ideas and values and experiences to refresh the existing aging school board and move in a forward motion to get the ball rolling again in Delta.
Why has it taken forever to get more funding? I've asked this question a lot and I get the same rhetoric..."we had a meeting with the Minister of Education, but..." But nothing was obviously resolved. Perhaps the present trustees just take the answer and go home. I don't know. But I have no problem being a thorn in anyone's side! It's time there was action and not just lip service.
So, who would I recommend for School Trustee in Delta? What would be my "dream board", so-to-speak? I will give you choices...always. But the choices will be in "categories"...the "mix".
One incumbent...there has to be history. But I would narrow that to those that haven't put down roots. My choices would be either Brenda Bennet-Schneider or Laura Dixon.
One teacher (retired or otherwise...although I really have a problem with an actively working teacher being on the board) or other employee in education.
My choices would be Nick Kanakos, Carol Johnston or Valerie Windsor
One PAC Chair (past or present)
My choice would be any of the following three. All of them are capable and worthy opponents.
Julie Sanders, Carleen Barzowski or Donna Burke.
One Sports enthusiast.
My choice would be Brad Sherwin.
One parent not actively involved in any of the above.
My choice would be Michael Macumber.
One business person.
My choice would be either Sue Lloyd or Andy Basi.
One arts person (of course) for the reason Dave Stevens, Delta Teacher has said "With the current interest on the part of school boards for 21st Century learning there is a stronger need for recognition of the many ways that the arts encapsulate the goals around creativity, self expression, problem solving and cooperative learning. Carroll would provide an arts based background to the discussion, a view point that is often missed..."
My choice is the only choice...Carroll Allan.
I also have to say, on behalf of the arts person...I have not spent my entire life in theatre. It's been a huge part of my life and my passion, but I have worked in business for a very long time as well. In the public sector and the private sector. I have also worked on many committees. I don't say "sat" on committees, because anyone can "sit" on a committee. I actually worked on and off the committee. I have always been a "hands-on" person who gets the job done.
Given this has been the main topic of interest at every all-candidates' meetings I would expect at least one of the current trustees to bring the rest of us up to date if there are changes looming in the future. They haven't provided any hard facts, to my knowledge. That would lead me to believe, there is no change on the near horizon for education funding in B.C. We have another election in 2013. This time we can make a difference. But without the right people willing to do that, to go the extra mile to hold them accountable for the serious problems facing our schools, once again we will have a government that just lives by the status quo.
I have no allegiance to the Liberals, NDP...whomever. My allegiance is to our schools and the children that attend them. I say let's work on putting together a group of trustees that lobby this government hard over the next year and a half so that there will be more than $8m for playgrounds and $30M for new schools...neither of which Delta partook.
You decide tomorrow. I'm only accountable to you. And I will be more accountable than the trustees have been in the past. I will also work to make the entire board more transparent to everyone. Right now we hear nothing! It's your tax dollar...spend it wisely tomorrow at the polls.
Thank you all very much,
Carroll Allan
I have been asked (by too many people over the last few days), what kind of School Board would I like to see. What would be the best scenario from my point-of-view. I answer with "a good mix of people". I get positive feedback with that comment. Some have asked to be more specific and I've managed to fudge around a bit, but I know what I feel is best for the kids of Delta as far as school board representation is concerned. And now, I'll give you my thoughts for you to ponder.
We must remember that the trustees job is (in a nutshell) to ensure our students, your children, get the best education possible. Their first priority should always be the kids. Keep that in mind when reading the rest of this blog.
We have 20 candidates. I've had the privilege of meeting 19. One has never shown his face or engaged in the e-mails we have sent around to one another. His name is Andrew Maas.
We have an abundance of talent. We also have an abundance of either retired or working teachers.
There are 7 seats...we have 5 of the aforementioned. Plus one who works as a special needs assistant. I question the "conflict of interest" issue when certain items on the agenda are raised. Can they be non-biased, for instance, when dealing with anything pertaining to teachers? As an "outsider", I would have great difficulty believing that they could.
We have several who have been involved with PAC's and three who have been/are PAC chairs. Their input would always be welcome as the interest is in the kids.
We have business people, sports affiliated people and one arts community person and 6 incumbents.
I feel that the best mix for the board would be a group of people heading in the same direction but with different ideas and the vision to see those ideas to fruition. It would involve people bringing their individual expertise to the table. New ideas and values and experiences to refresh the existing aging school board and move in a forward motion to get the ball rolling again in Delta.
Why has it taken forever to get more funding? I've asked this question a lot and I get the same rhetoric..."we had a meeting with the Minister of Education, but..." But nothing was obviously resolved. Perhaps the present trustees just take the answer and go home. I don't know. But I have no problem being a thorn in anyone's side! It's time there was action and not just lip service.
So, who would I recommend for School Trustee in Delta? What would be my "dream board", so-to-speak? I will give you choices...always. But the choices will be in "categories"...the "mix".
One incumbent...there has to be history. But I would narrow that to those that haven't put down roots. My choices would be either Brenda Bennet-Schneider or Laura Dixon.
One teacher (retired or otherwise...although I really have a problem with an actively working teacher being on the board) or other employee in education.
My choices would be Nick Kanakos, Carol Johnston or Valerie Windsor
One PAC Chair (past or present)
My choice would be any of the following three. All of them are capable and worthy opponents.
Julie Sanders, Carleen Barzowski or Donna Burke.
One Sports enthusiast.
My choice would be Brad Sherwin.
One parent not actively involved in any of the above.
My choice would be Michael Macumber.
One business person.
My choice would be either Sue Lloyd or Andy Basi.
One arts person (of course) for the reason Dave Stevens, Delta Teacher has said "With the current interest on the part of school boards for 21st Century learning there is a stronger need for recognition of the many ways that the arts encapsulate the goals around creativity, self expression, problem solving and cooperative learning. Carroll would provide an arts based background to the discussion, a view point that is often missed..."
My choice is the only choice...Carroll Allan.
I also have to say, on behalf of the arts person...I have not spent my entire life in theatre. It's been a huge part of my life and my passion, but I have worked in business for a very long time as well. In the public sector and the private sector. I have also worked on many committees. I don't say "sat" on committees, because anyone can "sit" on a committee. I actually worked on and off the committee. I have always been a "hands-on" person who gets the job done.
Given this has been the main topic of interest at every all-candidates' meetings I would expect at least one of the current trustees to bring the rest of us up to date if there are changes looming in the future. They haven't provided any hard facts, to my knowledge. That would lead me to believe, there is no change on the near horizon for education funding in B.C. We have another election in 2013. This time we can make a difference. But without the right people willing to do that, to go the extra mile to hold them accountable for the serious problems facing our schools, once again we will have a government that just lives by the status quo.
I have no allegiance to the Liberals, NDP...whomever. My allegiance is to our schools and the children that attend them. I say let's work on putting together a group of trustees that lobby this government hard over the next year and a half so that there will be more than $8m for playgrounds and $30M for new schools...neither of which Delta partook.
You decide tomorrow. I'm only accountable to you. And I will be more accountable than the trustees have been in the past. I will also work to make the entire board more transparent to everyone. Right now we hear nothing! It's your tax dollar...spend it wisely tomorrow at the polls.
Thank you all very much,
Carroll Allan
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Door knocking or signs or both or lack of...
But, having said that...in a community as diverse and large as ours it is virtually impossible, unless you are an incumbent, to "touch" everyone that lives in Delta. Unless you've been out walking the streets and banging on doors since June, it can't be done, at least by one person. Or, unless your name is Fabian Milat...but rumour has it he has nothing else to do anyway. Including attending meetings of committees he sits on as a representative of the Delta School Board. Is he really the person you want on Council or the School Board? I think he's all talk and very little walk...unless it's banging on doors for 5 months! He said he lost 25 pounds. Hey, Fabian! I found them!!!
I am of two schools...I appreciate the one-on-one of knocking on doors but I always think I'm intruding as I stand there waiting for someone to answer. 99% of the time people are very gracious and kind and welcoming. But I still am not a huge fan of door-knocking. I'm a private person for the most part (my own personal life). I rarely answer my door unless I know who it is and even sometimes when I do know, I don't answer! Same with the phone. Thank goodness for call display! With so little in this world these days that we can hold near and dear to our hearts as privacy, I embrace every chance I have to hang on to some shred of privacy. And, because I think that way, I feel like I'm an intruder when I door-knock.
I will, however, walk miles delivering my literature and covering as much ground as I can afford. What do I mean by "afford"? I mean when I run out of brochures, I'm done. I don't have a battalion of people out there pounding the pavement on my behalf or filling the bank account with money. I have had three donations that, along with my own donation will cover my expenses. But I won't go over the amount by leaps and bounds. As of today, I am about $300 short. I can live with that and can make sure it's all taken care of when the final curtain comes down, but I won't spend excessively for something that is so intangible as an election.
Researching the cost of lawn signs was quite the eye opener! Everyone wants to buy local, but the companies in British Columbia were ridiculously high for simple signs...the basics. No creativity allowed for the most part. A picture and some words, slam, bang...you've got your basic lawn sign. Some even charged extra for the wire holders! I looked everywhere and ended up several miles from where I used to live...in Ontario! And I could be creative! (something that is lacking miserably in our school board right now) I also paid, with shipping (got them in 5 days) and taxes and free wire holders, less than any company in B.C. Something to think about, I would say...
Because I only bought a certain number with no increasing that amount in the plans, I strategically placed them as well as on lawns of those who requested them. They must be a collector's item or something, because they are literally disappearing off the planet! They aren't in the ditches at the fault of a windstorm or all bent and ripped at the hands of vandals...they are GONE! Everyday, I drive around and everyday there is another missing sign! They don't even leave the wires!!!
Then you have my three (yes...THREE) big signs. They are different and, I think, very creative. I made them all myself from scratch and recycled materials. Each one has a cleverly placed apple in the corner (apple for the teacher?) that attracts the eye to the sign (so I've been told). Well...my sign crew (2 guys) decided to screw these apples on the signs so that they wouldn't blow off or get pulled off easily. But guess what!!! The biggest one of the three which is at Hwy. 17 & Hwy. 10 (on top of the fence..well behind it and on top of it) is missing the apple as of last weekend! I didn't realize it was apple picking season in Delta! When I investigated this thinking maybe it was the wind storm, I couldn't find the apple anywhere in the vicinity of the sign and there are no traces of "red" that would have been there had it been ripped off. This was masterfully extracted from my sign! One would have needed a ladder to take it off or else climb that rickety fence and carefully removed the apple. All they had to do was ask...I would have made them their own apple! No big deal! But when one has gone to the work I did to create and make these, I take it personally!
I like the fact that Burnaby says no signs. There's something for our new council to contemplate before the next municipal election. No big signs with horrible pictures on them all over the community. Or a prize for the most creative sign of all...and you could only do 3 (one for each area). HEY! I would have won that this time! If candidates wanted to be gung-ho to spend copious amounts of money on a campaign, with the biggest chunk of that budget going towards signs...they could give that money to a charity. What about those who give the most to charity wins? I don't know...but I do not appreciate people, whomever they are, taking my signs and picking my damn apples!!! Get a life!
People say "It's politics..." No it's not! It has nothing to do with politics. It's selfish stupidity by people who have nothing else to do with their lives but cause destruction or steal. It IS stealing! Isn't that illegal? These signs are private property. Would those that say "It's politics" say the same thing if someone decided to deface their home during a campaign? I don't think so.
When I see anyone messing with anyone's signs, I say something. If I'm driving, I lay on my horn and bring attention to them...they usually run off. They do it because they can. So let's stop giving them permission by saying "It's just politics.." and let's start identifying them by making noise or confronting them or get out your Blackberries, iPhones, whatever and take their picture and go straight to the police station. As long as we continue to tolerate this behaviour, it will never stop. And when these "vandals" have no signs to destroy, what will be next on their agenda. There will be something else...trust me. It's in their blood.
I just wished they didn't like apples or writing out lines....that's all...
Thursday, November 10, 2011
To Endorse or Not to Endorse...THAT is the Question...
Well...what to say? I guess I just trust people a bit too much to do the right thing. I should have learned my lesson long ago when I exercise that option where politics are concerned. You see, I think that if you put your name forward to run for public office that you do so in good faith and also hope to get elected on your own merits. Yes, it's great to have people in the community say good things about you...your character...worth ethics...accomplishments, but is it the same to have other politicians (already elected in another office) endorsing only certain candidates?
I realize the political field isn't a fair one, but a girl can dream, can't she? As I blogged earlier, the School Trustee all-candidates' meeting earlier this week was more like a meditating retreat than a debate (as it was referred to in The Delta Optimist). So one would almost get seduced by the friendly manner and coziness of the other candidates. One wouldn't think that shoddy goings-on would be happening whilst you spoke!
Today I discovered that Guy Gentner, MLA for Delta North has a telephone (robocall) marketing in Delta telling people to vote for two candidates. Personally, I think this is inappropriate and certainly removes any thoughts to a "fair playing field". I can accept another candidate saying that another candidate is a good guy or hard worker or will do a good job, but when an elected official, living off the taxpayer, comes out and spends money (ours?) to openly campaign for two candidates in another election, it is just wrong.
I have a pretty good idea who one of those candidates are as I was told by a North Delta resident that he was door knocking with her. Yes...my eyebrows did go up! I honestly thought that this woman wouldn't do something like that at all. Boy, you never know, do you?
So...what do you think? It is ethical? I don't think it is. Well, perhaps I should say, in my little book of what's-right-rules, it isn't. Perhaps others really don't care. But it makes me question the candidate's integrity if he/she would have an MLA pushing her towards the finish line ahead of the others.
I don't care if Mr. Gentner wants to have a party and introduce her to his friends in his home. That's fine. But you don't use telemarketing to endorse any candidate, put ads in newspapers and you certainly don't door knock with them. Now that the "secret" is out...which of course they really didn't think it would be kept quiet, did they? I think it will backfire.
If the two people are whom I think they are (and I'm pretty darn sure I know one of them), they won't be getting my vote. Simple as that. How can I trust them as a School Trustee and/or a Councillor and/or a Mayor if they use tactics such as this to garner votes. Aren't they good enough to be elected on their own merit? Obviously not....
I realize the political field isn't a fair one, but a girl can dream, can't she? As I blogged earlier, the School Trustee all-candidates' meeting earlier this week was more like a meditating retreat than a debate (as it was referred to in The Delta Optimist). So one would almost get seduced by the friendly manner and coziness of the other candidates. One wouldn't think that shoddy goings-on would be happening whilst you spoke!
Today I discovered that Guy Gentner, MLA for Delta North has a telephone (robocall) marketing in Delta telling people to vote for two candidates. Personally, I think this is inappropriate and certainly removes any thoughts to a "fair playing field". I can accept another candidate saying that another candidate is a good guy or hard worker or will do a good job, but when an elected official, living off the taxpayer, comes out and spends money (ours?) to openly campaign for two candidates in another election, it is just wrong.
I have a pretty good idea who one of those candidates are as I was told by a North Delta resident that he was door knocking with her. Yes...my eyebrows did go up! I honestly thought that this woman wouldn't do something like that at all. Boy, you never know, do you?
So...what do you think? It is ethical? I don't think it is. Well, perhaps I should say, in my little book of what's-right-rules, it isn't. Perhaps others really don't care. But it makes me question the candidate's integrity if he/she would have an MLA pushing her towards the finish line ahead of the others.
I don't care if Mr. Gentner wants to have a party and introduce her to his friends in his home. That's fine. But you don't use telemarketing to endorse any candidate, put ads in newspapers and you certainly don't door knock with them. Now that the "secret" is out...which of course they really didn't think it would be kept quiet, did they? I think it will backfire.
If the two people are whom I think they are (and I'm pretty darn sure I know one of them), they won't be getting my vote. Simple as that. How can I trust them as a School Trustee and/or a Councillor and/or a Mayor if they use tactics such as this to garner votes. Aren't they good enough to be elected on their own merit? Obviously not....
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Lawn Signs
My lawn signs have arrived. Thank you to all of you that have them displayed already! They are unique, just like my 3 (yes...just 3) big signs. If you'd like one of my lawn signs contact me at carroll.lefebvre@hotmail.com and I'll get one out to you as soon as I can!
I'll tell you one thing...people slow down when they pass my house to read them then give me a thumbs up!!!
Thank you!
I'll tell you one thing...people slow down when they pass my house to read them then give me a thumbs up!!!
Thank you!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Surviving the first All-Candidates' Meeting
Last night I ventured out in the rain to the first of two scheduled All-Candidates' Meetings for the 20 School Trustee candidates in Delta. Yes...two scheduled meetings! It makes one wonder why there isn't at least one face-to-face scheduled All-Candidates' Meeting for the councillors. They get to do theirs on cable TV as a phone-in show. It won't be the same. Most of these phone-in candidate's meetings are staged. It's hard to avoid that given people have questions preplanned by the candidates and/or their supporters and oftentimes they jam the phone lines. How do I know this? I've been involved in far too many to count! Oh you'll get the one or two honest ones that will manage to squeeze through, but for the most part, it's not as open as one would like to think.
Is this Carroll being cynical? No...not at all. Watch it on Thursday night and let me know afterwards what you think. If it is a really open debate, I'll be ecstatic!
But I digress...back to our meeting last night at the Genesis Theatre. The theatre has 400+ seats...I'd say there were about 60 people there and I would guess more than 40% were family, friends and/or supporters of many of the candidates on the stage. I was there alone as were a couple of other first-time candidates. I have worked in that theatre for almost 14 years and know how big the stage is as I've tried to fill it with scenery and sets! Last night it wasn't really big enough for all of us! With four rectangular banquet style tables set up with five chairs each (on one side of each table) it was, to say the least, crowded. I was literally shoulder-to-shoulder with the candidates on either side of me. Being at the end of the table, I didn't even have a place to put my papers! The format was flawed, but what could the organizers do with 19 candidates (one didn't show up)...I still haven't heard why.
Each candidate got to answer two formal questions and then one from each table could rebut if they so wished. What we got was a lot of rhetoric, in my humble opinion. Yes there was some good information, but people generally said the same thing as the other person only using different verbiage. It was very tame and polite. Which can translate into very boring and tongue biting!
I sensed that there were people who wanted to take a step to the "other side", but were holding back because everyone was being so darn nice to one another. I was waiting for a chorus of "Kumbya" to break out at any minute! Not that I am in favour of mud-slinging. That is not what I am trying to get across, but with 14 people vying for the 7 seats who have never ran for this board before, it must mean that everyone thinks they can do a better job and wants change. Yet only one person mentioned it in her closing speech. I had mine written...I had it mentioned several times, but had hurriedly scratched it out and replaced it with a kinder version. This other person spoke first and opened the door. I told the people what I've been hearing on the doorsteps of Delta...there has to be change on the board. People have been there too long. What longevity can do to a board...but I was still nice.
As I've blogged previously, we have trustees who have been on the board since 1987. Only two have served one term. We are in dire financial stress in Delta where education is concerned. This isn't a new problem. Why are we still in distress mode? I hear that the Chair has met with the Minister of Finance and still we have no extra funding coming our way. Was this a tea party? And why is it so difficult to get more funding to Delta?
We are a smaller population base regarding the kids in the schools, so we get less money. Yet, the Premier can allocate $8M to playgrounds in schools across B.C. and then $30M for new schools across B.C. Well, we certainly don't need new schools when this present board of trustees closed two of them less than three years ago and a previous school board of trustees sold one and the land for the development of many high priced homes. (By the way a couple of the trustees we have were there then too). We do have schools in dire need of repair. We need money for upgrading infrastructure in several schools. Not every playground in Delta is pristine and up-to-date or state-of-the-art. Why didn't we get any funding out of either of these two generous offers?
According to the information I have been able to extract, the school trustees were to give a list to the Ministry outlining schools in need of new or upgraded playground equipment. I couldn't find Delta anywhere. Did our trustees not do this or were we just overlooked AGAIN by the Liberal government that sits in Victoria? Is anyone else getting fed up with this or is it just me?
If we don't qualify for any of the above funding, isn't there any compensation for those that still require extra funding for other important things (like special needs teacher assistants, restoring full-time libraries in the schools, hiring more custodians so that our school yards aren't full of drug paraphernalia, condoms, broken glass, liquor bottles..etc etc etc). Playground equipment takes precedent over the safety and education of our children? What am I missing?
I don't think the trustees of Delta have been diligent in holding the Minister's feet to the fire. I would love to see every trustee in B.C. go on a "field trip" to Vancouver and say "enough is enough" and force them to do something and do it quickly. Aren't our children worth that? How many parents would hop on board (excuse the pun) and join us? I'll bet we'd see an awful lot of them gladly volunteering. I'm not talking about a major protest or sit-in but just sending a very clear message to the powers-that-be in Victoria that education isn't taking a backset to anything else and we aren't taking this shoddy treatment from that government anymore.
Why is a new football stadium in downtown Vancouver more important than our children's education? They had no problem getting the money! Perhaps they should have thought about what they were stubbornly doing when they insisted on erecting the disgusting hydro poles/lines through Tsawwassen instead of digging in their heels with the "my way or the highway" mentality which ended up costing us (as taxpayers) an awful lot of money when all those homes where bought at market value and then sold for less. If they had of done it the right way in the first place there would have been lots of money for education instead of having to make amends with those homeowners.
The South Fraser Perimetre Road is already over budget and we all know the financial fiasco as a result of the Olympics. So do you honestly believe a little chat with the Minister is going to move a mountain? It won't even move a pen to sign a cheque to Delta School Board!
We need a complete overhaul of the School Board and now is the right time, while you have excellent candidates to choose to breathe new energy into a very stale board. It's not necessarily the fact that these people are incompetant. It is about the fact that complacency has set in and the roots are getting harder and harder to excavate! They do what they do when they want to. How many times have you been informed of what is happening unless it's at the point where it becomes news..."Closing two schools"..."Declining Enrollment"..."Selling TJS"....etc etc etc. Why isn't our school board telling us quarterly what they are spending and the issues they are dealing with. Why did I have to go to an All-Candidate's meeting to discover the Chair had a little meeting with the Minister of Education? Or was it in the paper and I missed it?
I'm sure both of our local papers would gladly afford space to the school board to insert a press release outling the activites and financial situation every quarter. That's all it takes. We don't need a glossy, expensive brochure...just a simple press release. This board is the furthest thing from "transparency". We can go to meetings if we'd like...but where, other than the Delta School District 37 web-site do we find out about when meetings are held? And what would happen if everyone in the community went to a meeting? Where would we all sit? At least we can watch Council in action on TV. The school board seems to be hiding somewhere in the boardroom of the building on Harvest Drive. Have they considered holding meetings every 3 months or 4 months in North Delta? Wouldn't that be a wise thing to do considering the bulk of the enrollment is in the North? I bet they'd get more people to those meetings!
These people, most of them, have been there too long. Their vision is not clear anymore. It's time to vacate the premises and make room for a new vision. And when making the decision to refresh the board, think wisely about who you are putting in those seats. Right now we have retired teachers and PAC chairs (or past chairs). There is definitely a place on the board for both of these groups, but certainly not an entire board comprised of them. For any council or board to function in a healthy manner there has to be a balance of personalities and qualifications as well as age groups.
I would say approximately 70% of the present 20 candidates are incumbents, retired teachers or PAC chairs (past and present). The other 30% are people like the majority of you. Let's get ourselves a school board of varied and hard working, team players that are there for the children of our community. From K-Grad! We owe it to those kids.
Advance polls are tomorrow (9th) and Thursday (10th) 8am to 8pm. If you can't vote on November 19th...make sure you don't miss out on these last two opportunities to have your say. It's up to all of us to hire the best people for the job. I hope I'm one on your list.
Is this Carroll being cynical? No...not at all. Watch it on Thursday night and let me know afterwards what you think. If it is a really open debate, I'll be ecstatic!
But I digress...back to our meeting last night at the Genesis Theatre. The theatre has 400+ seats...I'd say there were about 60 people there and I would guess more than 40% were family, friends and/or supporters of many of the candidates on the stage. I was there alone as were a couple of other first-time candidates. I have worked in that theatre for almost 14 years and know how big the stage is as I've tried to fill it with scenery and sets! Last night it wasn't really big enough for all of us! With four rectangular banquet style tables set up with five chairs each (on one side of each table) it was, to say the least, crowded. I was literally shoulder-to-shoulder with the candidates on either side of me. Being at the end of the table, I didn't even have a place to put my papers! The format was flawed, but what could the organizers do with 19 candidates (one didn't show up)...I still haven't heard why.
Each candidate got to answer two formal questions and then one from each table could rebut if they so wished. What we got was a lot of rhetoric, in my humble opinion. Yes there was some good information, but people generally said the same thing as the other person only using different verbiage. It was very tame and polite. Which can translate into very boring and tongue biting!
I sensed that there were people who wanted to take a step to the "other side", but were holding back because everyone was being so darn nice to one another. I was waiting for a chorus of "Kumbya" to break out at any minute! Not that I am in favour of mud-slinging. That is not what I am trying to get across, but with 14 people vying for the 7 seats who have never ran for this board before, it must mean that everyone thinks they can do a better job and wants change. Yet only one person mentioned it in her closing speech. I had mine written...I had it mentioned several times, but had hurriedly scratched it out and replaced it with a kinder version. This other person spoke first and opened the door. I told the people what I've been hearing on the doorsteps of Delta...there has to be change on the board. People have been there too long. What longevity can do to a board...but I was still nice.
As I've blogged previously, we have trustees who have been on the board since 1987. Only two have served one term. We are in dire financial stress in Delta where education is concerned. This isn't a new problem. Why are we still in distress mode? I hear that the Chair has met with the Minister of Finance and still we have no extra funding coming our way. Was this a tea party? And why is it so difficult to get more funding to Delta?
We are a smaller population base regarding the kids in the schools, so we get less money. Yet, the Premier can allocate $8M to playgrounds in schools across B.C. and then $30M for new schools across B.C. Well, we certainly don't need new schools when this present board of trustees closed two of them less than three years ago and a previous school board of trustees sold one and the land for the development of many high priced homes. (By the way a couple of the trustees we have were there then too). We do have schools in dire need of repair. We need money for upgrading infrastructure in several schools. Not every playground in Delta is pristine and up-to-date or state-of-the-art. Why didn't we get any funding out of either of these two generous offers?
According to the information I have been able to extract, the school trustees were to give a list to the Ministry outlining schools in need of new or upgraded playground equipment. I couldn't find Delta anywhere. Did our trustees not do this or were we just overlooked AGAIN by the Liberal government that sits in Victoria? Is anyone else getting fed up with this or is it just me?
If we don't qualify for any of the above funding, isn't there any compensation for those that still require extra funding for other important things (like special needs teacher assistants, restoring full-time libraries in the schools, hiring more custodians so that our school yards aren't full of drug paraphernalia, condoms, broken glass, liquor bottles..etc etc etc). Playground equipment takes precedent over the safety and education of our children? What am I missing?
I don't think the trustees of Delta have been diligent in holding the Minister's feet to the fire. I would love to see every trustee in B.C. go on a "field trip" to Vancouver and say "enough is enough" and force them to do something and do it quickly. Aren't our children worth that? How many parents would hop on board (excuse the pun) and join us? I'll bet we'd see an awful lot of them gladly volunteering. I'm not talking about a major protest or sit-in but just sending a very clear message to the powers-that-be in Victoria that education isn't taking a backset to anything else and we aren't taking this shoddy treatment from that government anymore.
Why is a new football stadium in downtown Vancouver more important than our children's education? They had no problem getting the money! Perhaps they should have thought about what they were stubbornly doing when they insisted on erecting the disgusting hydro poles/lines through Tsawwassen instead of digging in their heels with the "my way or the highway" mentality which ended up costing us (as taxpayers) an awful lot of money when all those homes where bought at market value and then sold for less. If they had of done it the right way in the first place there would have been lots of money for education instead of having to make amends with those homeowners.
The South Fraser Perimetre Road is already over budget and we all know the financial fiasco as a result of the Olympics. So do you honestly believe a little chat with the Minister is going to move a mountain? It won't even move a pen to sign a cheque to Delta School Board!
We need a complete overhaul of the School Board and now is the right time, while you have excellent candidates to choose to breathe new energy into a very stale board. It's not necessarily the fact that these people are incompetant. It is about the fact that complacency has set in and the roots are getting harder and harder to excavate! They do what they do when they want to. How many times have you been informed of what is happening unless it's at the point where it becomes news..."Closing two schools"..."Declining Enrollment"..."Selling TJS"....etc etc etc. Why isn't our school board telling us quarterly what they are spending and the issues they are dealing with. Why did I have to go to an All-Candidate's meeting to discover the Chair had a little meeting with the Minister of Education? Or was it in the paper and I missed it?
I'm sure both of our local papers would gladly afford space to the school board to insert a press release outling the activites and financial situation every quarter. That's all it takes. We don't need a glossy, expensive brochure...just a simple press release. This board is the furthest thing from "transparency". We can go to meetings if we'd like...but where, other than the Delta School District 37 web-site do we find out about when meetings are held? And what would happen if everyone in the community went to a meeting? Where would we all sit? At least we can watch Council in action on TV. The school board seems to be hiding somewhere in the boardroom of the building on Harvest Drive. Have they considered holding meetings every 3 months or 4 months in North Delta? Wouldn't that be a wise thing to do considering the bulk of the enrollment is in the North? I bet they'd get more people to those meetings!
These people, most of them, have been there too long. Their vision is not clear anymore. It's time to vacate the premises and make room for a new vision. And when making the decision to refresh the board, think wisely about who you are putting in those seats. Right now we have retired teachers and PAC chairs (or past chairs). There is definitely a place on the board for both of these groups, but certainly not an entire board comprised of them. For any council or board to function in a healthy manner there has to be a balance of personalities and qualifications as well as age groups.
I would say approximately 70% of the present 20 candidates are incumbents, retired teachers or PAC chairs (past and present). The other 30% are people like the majority of you. Let's get ourselves a school board of varied and hard working, team players that are there for the children of our community. From K-Grad! We owe it to those kids.
Advance polls are tomorrow (9th) and Thursday (10th) 8am to 8pm. If you can't vote on November 19th...make sure you don't miss out on these last two opportunities to have your say. It's up to all of us to hire the best people for the job. I hope I'm one on your list.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
One down...three to go...
I managed to get to the first all-candidates' meeting tonight. It was just for the Mayoralty candidates, held at Genesis Theatre. I was an hour late because of a prior committment and when I pulled onto 45th Avenue I was astounded at the lack of parking available! Even the high school parking lot was jammed packed. This was a very good thing. It was also a sign of people wanting to hear what the four candidates had to say. I could definitely smell the aroma of "change" in the night air.
I managed to find a seat in the almost packed to capacity theatre and settled in to hear the candidates answer a varied selection of questions. Some were from the panel, South Delta Leader editor Philip Raphael and a student from Delta Secondary School...Claire. Others were from the floor. Some of the questions were strange, but I felt that the majority of them were answered by everyone pretty equally. No one really shone over the others. I was disappointed to witness some mud slinging. I don't think that is necessary. It only makes the slinger look the fool in the long run. Some people will "cheer", but the majority, from where I sat, just shook their heads ever so slightly.
The question that stood out the most for me was a question asked if they would agree to a 2 term limit in office. Several chuckles went through the house as eyes immediately turned to Mayor Jackson! Every candidate agreed with a limit on how long one would serve on Council except one. I don't think I have to tell you who that was! The chuckles turned to loud laughter! But, having said that, I have to agree with a cap put on how long one serves on Council, in Parliament (Ottawa and Victoria) and on School Boards. Roots should not set in!
It's not that the "old timers" are incompetant, but it does breed complacency. History comes with longevity and when things get embroiled in the history, moving forward is virtually impossible. There has to be a new set of eyes and ears on any board to make it efficient and a smooth running machine. That brings me to our present school board of trustees. Let's take a look at the incumbents. Our chair, Dale Saip has been a trustee since 1987. I think he was gone for one term, but don't quote me! Regardless, over 20 years on one board isn't a good thing. For anyone. It brings with it a "been there done that" attitude that permeates into the newer trustees. Another one, Fabian Milat (who is trying to snag two seats this time round...one on council and one on the school board), has been a trustee since 2002. Janet Shauntz was first elected in 1990 but I believe she also took a term off (3 years). Simon Truelove was first elected in 2005 and the other two, Laura Dixon and Brenda Bennett-Schneider were both acclaimed in 2008. So, let's do the math. Mr. Saip is looking at 20+ years, Ms. Shauntz is looking at approximately 20 years, Mr. Milat is looking at 9 years and Mr. Truelove is looking at 6 years. While Ms. Dixon and Ms. Bennett-Schneider are both finishing up their first term of 3 years.
I am hearing, all the time, on the doorsteps of our community, that people think there are some on the board that have been there far too long. Given the numbers above, I tend to agree with them. I can give the one-term trustees another term with no problem as far as time served is concerned. But I have a lot of trouble bending to the other four. Given some of the decisions this board has made is another issue. But, I have to wonder if the influence of the longer sitting trustees ever factored into decision making. I've sat on enough boards as a Director, President and Chair and can attest to the fact that the "newbies" look to the experienced crew for guidance and advice. Quite often in the early stages of the tenure, it's the seasoned members making the decisions and there isn't enough debate or opposition due to the lack of experience on the board. I don't think that is a healthy board.
Of course...this is speculation. I wasn't there. But I do know that too many of them have been there for too long! The Mayor and Council aren't the only ones in need of change. I'm wondering if next week, on November 7th, as I approach The Genesis Theatre again, only this time for the first of two all-candidates' meetings for School Trustees, I'll smell the same aroma as I did tonight.
I managed to find a seat in the almost packed to capacity theatre and settled in to hear the candidates answer a varied selection of questions. Some were from the panel, South Delta Leader editor Philip Raphael and a student from Delta Secondary School...Claire. Others were from the floor. Some of the questions were strange, but I felt that the majority of them were answered by everyone pretty equally. No one really shone over the others. I was disappointed to witness some mud slinging. I don't think that is necessary. It only makes the slinger look the fool in the long run. Some people will "cheer", but the majority, from where I sat, just shook their heads ever so slightly.
The question that stood out the most for me was a question asked if they would agree to a 2 term limit in office. Several chuckles went through the house as eyes immediately turned to Mayor Jackson! Every candidate agreed with a limit on how long one would serve on Council except one. I don't think I have to tell you who that was! The chuckles turned to loud laughter! But, having said that, I have to agree with a cap put on how long one serves on Council, in Parliament (Ottawa and Victoria) and on School Boards. Roots should not set in!
It's not that the "old timers" are incompetant, but it does breed complacency. History comes with longevity and when things get embroiled in the history, moving forward is virtually impossible. There has to be a new set of eyes and ears on any board to make it efficient and a smooth running machine. That brings me to our present school board of trustees. Let's take a look at the incumbents. Our chair, Dale Saip has been a trustee since 1987. I think he was gone for one term, but don't quote me! Regardless, over 20 years on one board isn't a good thing. For anyone. It brings with it a "been there done that" attitude that permeates into the newer trustees. Another one, Fabian Milat (who is trying to snag two seats this time round...one on council and one on the school board), has been a trustee since 2002. Janet Shauntz was first elected in 1990 but I believe she also took a term off (3 years). Simon Truelove was first elected in 2005 and the other two, Laura Dixon and Brenda Bennett-Schneider were both acclaimed in 2008. So, let's do the math. Mr. Saip is looking at 20+ years, Ms. Shauntz is looking at approximately 20 years, Mr. Milat is looking at 9 years and Mr. Truelove is looking at 6 years. While Ms. Dixon and Ms. Bennett-Schneider are both finishing up their first term of 3 years.
I am hearing, all the time, on the doorsteps of our community, that people think there are some on the board that have been there far too long. Given the numbers above, I tend to agree with them. I can give the one-term trustees another term with no problem as far as time served is concerned. But I have a lot of trouble bending to the other four. Given some of the decisions this board has made is another issue. But, I have to wonder if the influence of the longer sitting trustees ever factored into decision making. I've sat on enough boards as a Director, President and Chair and can attest to the fact that the "newbies" look to the experienced crew for guidance and advice. Quite often in the early stages of the tenure, it's the seasoned members making the decisions and there isn't enough debate or opposition due to the lack of experience on the board. I don't think that is a healthy board.
Of course...this is speculation. I wasn't there. But I do know that too many of them have been there for too long! The Mayor and Council aren't the only ones in need of change. I'm wondering if next week, on November 7th, as I approach The Genesis Theatre again, only this time for the first of two all-candidates' meetings for School Trustees, I'll smell the same aroma as I did tonight.
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