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maremayfuss
New Forum Member
USA
38 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 02 2009 : 1:59:25 PM
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| I just listened to Kirk (of the Kirk/Thompson ticket) call into the D Bevington show on WMVO regarding his illegal campaign funds he received from corporations. He admitted taking the funds and said he returned the money. His excuse was that he was "unaware" of the rules/law. A. Taylor pointed out, rightfully, that Kirk could still be prosecuted for having taken the funds illegally. II don't feel comfortable with having someone ignorant of the law on the School Board, especially regarding finances....and especially when Kirk/Thompson have sent out fliers bad mouthing the financial judgement/ability of our current school board. Kirk claims ignorance about a financial matter that could tag him with a legal charge and has the nerve to send out propaganda questioning the financial know-how of the current school board. |
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clearviewfarm
Regular Forum Member
USA
161 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2009 : 2:50:16 PM
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Do you think KIRK should be CHARGED.Yes I do and they should be kicked off of the election.
Vote NO for Kirk
http://www.knoxpages.com
http://countrysideforum.smfforfree2.com
http://knoxcountyspeakout.smfforfree3.com/index.php
www.mvohio.net |
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Editor
Administrator
USA
2373 Posts |
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Zumadog
New Forum Member
7 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2009 : 3:14:48 PM
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I listened to Kirk on the radio as well. Nice job to Adam & Dave @ WMVO. I really wish I had not voted for Kirk, but I did. I voted for Steve Thompson as well, and I stand behind that vote. Kirk = Crook to me now. I don’t believe he was unaware that taking corporate dollars was against the law. As stated earlier, he can’t be very bright if he entered an election without knowing the rules.
My decision to vote for Steve Thompson was solidified by his interview w/ Adam- again nice job. Thompson has a plan for the school budget not an agenda. I like plans. I don’t like it when government on any level creates laws/mandates based on hope, belief and agenda and not a plan- the bailouts are a good example. Today CIT announced it will not payback taxpayers. His comments on Freshwater concerning streamlined disciplinary actions and streamlined rules overall make sense to me. Here’s my take on Freshwater: If he pushed his beliefs on students then he should be punished. If having religious paraphernalia is a violation of state and/or federal law, then he should be punished. If the guy just had a bible and some religious items adorning his office, I say let it go. I don’t care if he has a bible at school anymore than I care if a student has a bible- whatever it takes for the child to read. The reason I voted for Thompson, & unfortunately Kirk, is because I think the entire school board should be fired for how they have handled the Freshwater case. It has cost entirely too much money- money our children desperately need to obtain a competitive education.
Thompson/Kirk have spent a lot of money, but I am guessing that is why they teamed-up: to pool resources. Given that, I can understand how they have been able to advertise lavishly. My guess is that Thompson wishes he did not partner w/ Kirk just as I wish I would have voted for Paula Barone. The more I learn about her, the more I like her. I voted absentee out of convenience, but I now clearly understand the incredible pitfalls of absentee voting.
In the end, I like the fact that Steve Thompson is so completely focused on the budget. The post referencing Thompson’s comments that his knowledge of the school district’s financials were derived from the school calendar were THE BEST! And so were the comments on his bashing one of the individuals responsible for his very own retirement account. Funny! Funny!
I stand behind the Thompson vote, but I wish I had also voted for Paula Barone.
Zumadog... |
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FTM
Regular Forum Member
USA
357 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2009 : 8:05:15 PM
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| Vote yes on Issue 12. |
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cateyes
Senior Forum Member
USA
2930 Posts |
Posted - Nov 03 2009 : 12:04:00 AM
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Do all remember you can vote absentee..as long as it is post marked the DAY BEFORE the election IF you MAIL it..
.if you walk it in the election office..you can do that day of voting..just must be before closing of the polls..
I got mine in the mail today...in fact took it to the post office as I had to pick up some things....latest I have ever sent one in...but took time to decide WHO all I wanted..may WE have made the right descion for our kids..time is going to tell...
“On every unauthoritative exercise of power by the legislature must the people rise in rebellion or their silence be construed into a surrender of that power to them? If so, how many rebellions should we have had already?” —Thomas Jefferson
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seabiscuit
Senior Forum Member
USA
1476 Posts |
Posted - Nov 03 2009 : 07:16:15 AM
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EVERYONE
GET OUT AND VOTE! |
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curious mind
Senior Forum Member
19920 Posts |
Posted - Nov 03 2009 : 10:32:47 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by seabiscuit
EVERYONE
GET OUT AND VOTE!
I voted two weeks ago, g/f 
"You might have to fight a battle more than once to win it" - Margaret Thatcher
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green
Forum Member
USA
52 Posts |
Posted - Nov 03 2009 : 10:50:58 AM
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Today is election day so everyone please vote; its a great way to honor our Veterans. Regarding the Mt Vernon School Board election, I read Ian Watson's Straight Talk About School Finances ad/letter in yesterday's Mt Vernon News. This is a must read if you are interested in the truth about our schools' finances. Amongst other things Watson accurately states that THE MOUNT VERNON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS 6.5 MILLION DOLLARS IN A RAINY DAY FUND AND NOT A 3 MILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT AS FALSELY REPORTED BY THOMSPSON AND KIRK. I am in shock that Thompson and Kirk would lavishly spend thousands and thousands of campaign dollars (some accepted illegally) to falsely claim a 3 million dollar school budget deficit and, in doing so, "bear false witness against their neighbor". I believe that is the 9th Commandment being broken before our very eyes.
I continue to be apalled at the dirty tactics and lack of responsibility shown by Steve Thompson and Robert Kirk during this campaign for the Mt Vernon School Board. HOW CAN YOU LOOK AT A BUDGET AND BE 9.5 MILLION DOLLARS OFF ON THE FINAL BALANCE? And then tout your business expertise while saying your opponents "lack business and administrative experience"? What an insult to the voters of Mt Vernon. Thompson and Kirk have lavishly out-spent their opponents on this campaign and have spent their money in a very wasteful manner...this is not the kind of "stewardship" or "leadership" I am interested in. Thompson and Kirk are the wrong people for the school board. |
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maremayfuss
New Forum Member
USA
38 Posts |
Posted - Nov 03 2009 : 3:15:54 PM
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| I agree Kirk and Thompson are bad choices. They are the only candidates to run a Negative Campaign. They also broke campaign finance rules and way over spent. I'm not impressed. |
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mountvernon1805
Forum Member
USA
50 Posts |
Posted - Nov 03 2009 : 5:21:55 PM
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Green said: "I am in shock that Thompson and Kirk [.…..] falsely claim a 3 million dollar school budget deficit and, in doing so, "bear false witness against their neighbor". I believe that is the 9th Commandment being broken before our very eyes."
Those are some harsh statements to make--especially considering that Thompson and Kirk merely reiterated the facts about the school district’s 2008-2009 financial status as published by the school.
The subject of the financial challenges faced by the district was discussed at all three forums with the school board candidates. At the most recent forum, Hughes acknowledged that they have been engaged in deficit spending, "While we have been in a deficit spending we are not in a deficit." (at 1:09:38 in video)
How soon will the rainy day fund be used up if the school continues to spend about three million a year more than it takes in? Are there ways the school can improve in order to slow or stop the deficit spending?
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seabiscuit
Senior Forum Member
USA
1476 Posts |
Posted - Nov 03 2009 : 5:32:30 PM
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I was just re-reading Ian Watson's statement in the Mount Vernon News, November 2nd, page 6A and thought it would be appropriate to post his statement. I believe it speaks volumes and helps provide clarity to our school's "alleged" deficit.
Straight talk about school finances from Board President Ian Watson: What you HAVE NOT heard from Steve Thompson or Robert Kirk
To The Voters of the Mount Vernon School District:
I am running for re-election to the Mount Vernon School Board, and I'd like to offer you something you haven't gotten from Steve Thompson and Robert Kirk - straight talk about our school district's finances.
The merged Thompson and Kirk campaign has spent an unprecedented amount of money - considerably more than the $12,000 they reported as of October 14 - publicizing what might, charitably, be referred to as "fiction", concerning the finances of our school system
You've no doubt received their expensive direct mail pieces, and perhaps you've heard their non-stop radio ads that refer to a "colossal" $3 million deficit. The truth is, that "deficit" does not exist. The term "deficit" has been tossed around like a beach ball by both Thompson and Kirk, based on their superficial reading of a school district expense and revenue statement that never pretended to be a comprehensive budget presentation.
Sadly, Thompson and Kirk never bothered to fact-check their gross misrepresentation of the Mount Vernon City School District budget, and have persisted in pouring thousands of dollars into a deceptive and malicious advertising campaign to discredit me, and the entire Mount Vernon Board of Education.
Steve Thompson and Robert Kirk absolutely refuse to acknowledge the availability of a $6.5 million "rainy day fund", which I and my fellow school board members have prudently maintained in anticipation of difficult economic times, which our community, our state and our entire nation are now experiencing.
Thanks to our budgeting foresight we have more than enough cash on hand to weather the current economic storm, without having to dramatically cut services to our students, and without having to ask voters for additional tax dollars. This is not to say we can go on indefinitely without a more predictable stream of state funding, or without additional local revenue. But for the time being, please don't cart us off to the poor house! We're managing quite well with the tax dollars you have provided, despite the fact Mr. Thompson and Mr. Kirk are trying hard to convince you otherwise.
As one recent letter to the editor astutely noted, if there really is a $3 million deficit, as Thompson and Kirk falsely claim, we would be voting on a substantial school operating levy tomorrow. But we're not, are we?
Rest assured, the school board, superintendent and treasurer are not complacently waiting for the economy to cure itself. We have already implemented, numerous cost reductions, and will continue to implement more. For example, we cut back summer school, keeping the best and saving $100,000 on the rest. We eliminated two teaching positions, and a teacher's aide, through attrition saving $150,000 per year. And, we divided the duties of the former business manager among other administrative staff members, saving more than $100,000 annually. These are but a few of the savings effected.
In short, the school district has been efficiently conducting business, without the need to ask for additional tax dollars, and without weakening the instructional program.
Certainly the past four years have been filled with challenge; but with a new administrative team now in place, our school district is fixed on a path to excellence.
Proud of my accomplishments to date, I respectfully ask for the privilege of continuing to serve you as a member of the Mount Vernon Board of Education.
Ian Watson
MVHS Class of 1968
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Edited by - seabiscuit on Nov 03 2009 6:07:08 PM |
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seabiscuit
Senior Forum Member
USA
1476 Posts |
Posted - Nov 03 2009 : 5:37:57 PM
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mountvernon1805
I think that Ian Watson's statement above very directly answers your question, "Are there ways the school can improve in order to slow or stop the deficit spending?"
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Edited by - seabiscuit on Nov 03 2009 6:06:23 PM |
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green
Forum Member
USA
52 Posts |
Posted - Nov 03 2009 : 6:08:26 PM
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mtv1805....I see the 6.5 million dollar rainy day fund as an asset for our schools. If it is on the books as an asset and we were short 3 million in other areas, that puts us up 3.5 million currently, which is what we are talking about. To not aknowledge this fact is bearing false witness...by omission. Further, to state that "the current board lacks the business and admistrative experience to get the job done" is ABSOLUTELY bearing false witness. Keep in mind a current board member, Ian Watson, served at First Knox National Bank for many years. Remember that First Knox (owned by Park National Bank) is one of the more successful banks around, which is saying alot given the state of the banking industry these days.
Other pertinent questions are... How many school systems in the State of Ohio currently have a multi-million dollar rainy day fund? Do you think there are many school systems in the State of Ohio that wish someone had managed their money so they had a multi-million dollar rainy day fund? Is this a valuable asset? If someone had helped manage a school's money in such a way as to build a multi-million dollar rainy day fund would it be right to call this "poor management". False Witness. |
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zaubern
New Forum Member
22 Posts |
Posted - Nov 03 2009 : 10:14:10 PM
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Todays election is a sad day for Mount Vernon, first we have lost one of the best council members to ever set on the city council and, the one who elected has no idea of what is going on in this city! He was elected for all the wrong reasons. Keep your eye on him, watch where he takes us.
Next, our school board has now lost leadership that has made it work. We now have a person on the board who has lied, cheated and God only know what else he has done just to be on this board. The voters of Mount Vernon have been mislead by two men, who only wanted one to be elected, to get a person inside to do their bidding. too, bad he can not read the rules, nor can he follow them! I believe we will find that he too has used monies given him by people and groups he was not supposed to accept. Why would he not list on his reports who gave the money?
Why has he refuse to tell what his post high-school education is? What kind of back ground does he have that will give him the edge on budgets?
I do hope the right people do what is required of them, and do not sweep it under the carpet, as they are known to do often.
I'm betting he is going ot cost the school board more money because of not being able to serve.
Zaubern |
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