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School Board Candidates
Topic Started: Feb 7 2008, 10:29 AM (4,772 Views)
LPS Reformer
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
Mr.Bean
Feb 10 2008, 07:40 PM
LPS Reformer
Feb 10 2008, 01:12 PM
Mr.Bean
Feb 10 2008, 12:59 PM
al dente
Feb 10 2008, 12:10 AM
Oak and Bailey are running unopposed?   I personally think they are the least objectionable on the current board.

Well everybody knows Bailey does as told by the other BOE members. Can't really comment about Oke though.

Give him credit for voting against the LI. He did take a lot of heat for that.

And he was probably reprimanded for that one. Learned his lesson, and wont stray again.

Well, I can say I certinly have not agreed with his votes since then.
“Child Abuse” means different things to different people....
----Randy Liepa 8/9/12
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Extra Olives
Veteran
Today is the deadline. Does anyone know if any others have filed?
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mmmmkay?
Advanced Member
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Extra Olives
Feb 13 2008, 11:50 AM
Today is the deadline.  Does anyone know if any others have filed?

The incumbents have filed.



mmmmkay?
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Mrs.M
Veteran
http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/...0/80213036/1027
Three file for Livonia schools board

Of the three candidates who filed to run for seats on the Livonia Public Schools board, two were on the ballot last year.

Incumbents Tom Bailey and Greg Oke are running for re-election. And Patrice Mang, who ran unsuccessfully for a one-year seat last year, will try again this year.
Bailey, a technical specialist with BASF, was elected in 2004. Prior to that he held leadership positions with the PTA at local, regional and state levels.

Bailey was the only trustee to vote against the Legacy Initiative school closings and reconfigurations. As such, he did not face recall in 2006.

Oke, assistant principal at Wolfe Middle School in Center Line, was elected last May to a one-year position.

Mang is a high school special education teacher in Allen Park.

Residents in the Clarenceville School District will have one decision to make.

Two candidates, Brad Tripp and Jilian Cramb, both of Livonia, will face off for one, one-year term.

Incumbent Brenda Uren and Mark Brooks, both Livonia residents, filed for the two, four-year seats.

Incumbent Sharon Simpson, a Farmington Hills resident, is running for a three-year term.

Wednesday was a busy day at the Livonia City Clerk’s office. Five of the candidates decided to wait until the deadline day to file their paperwork.

The election is May 6.

I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG.
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Vanna White
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I am THRILLED that Patrice has decided to run again!
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Micki
I love teaching.
How many seats are open?
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LPS Reformer
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
Micki
Feb 13 2008, 07:25 PM
How many seats are open?

2 seats.
“Child Abuse” means different things to different people....
----Randy Liepa 8/9/12
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Mrs.M
Veteran
So Clarenceville won't have to be doing write ins. They had 4 seats open. Two trustees were appointees, now they had to run for their seat. I remember Brad Tripp had put in for the one year vacany last year. The person that ended up being appointed (Immonen) isn't running. Boards don't usually have 4 openings in one election.
I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG.
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Deleted User
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livoniarocks
Feb 13 2008, 01:46 PM
Otis B.
Feb 13 2008, 01:39 PM
So.

By your logic, I have no right to comment on the state of Livonia/Clarenceville schools because I do not serve on the school board.

Am I right?

No, but by your logic you would assume that. What I said was, it's very easy to complain and criticize, it's a lot harder to do something about it. So, do something about it. You want people to change things, so why don't you start by trying to change them yourself. For how many people complain about the state of our City and Schools, it's quite shocking that no one has filed to run against the incumbents. GET INVOLVED!

There have been countless people involved, and trying to change things as far as the schools go over the past two years LR. It just isn't as easy as you put it. There is a deeply rooted, and deeply entrenched political machine that is very difficult to overcome for your average Joe/Jane that wants to run for a seat. And that is a shame. People are involved, maybe just not in the way you perceive involvement should be.



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Queen of Hearts
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Jimid
Feb 13 2008, 11:09 PM
There have been countless people involved, and trying to change things as far as the schools go over the past two years LR. It just isn't as easy as you put it. There is a deeply rooted, and deeply entrenched political machine that is very difficult to overcome for your average Joe/Jane that wants to run for a seat. And that is a shame. People are involved, maybe just not in the way you perceive involvement should be.

That "deeply rooted, and deeply entrenched political machine that is very difficult to overcome" gets it's beginning base in the home schools of the candidates who choose to run, usually many years before the person becomes a candidate. That is something that all three of last year's unsuccessful candidates were lacking.
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LPS Reformer
Member Avatar
The schools exist to educate, not employ.
Queen of Hearts
Feb 14 2008, 06:28 AM
Jimid
Feb 13 2008, 11:09 PM
There have been countless people involved, and trying to change things as far as the schools go over the past two years LR. It just isn't as easy as you put it. There is a deeply rooted, and deeply entrenched political machine that is very difficult to overcome for your average Joe/Jane that wants to run for a seat. And that is a shame. People are involved, maybe just not in the way you perceive involvement should be.

That "deeply rooted, and deeply entrenched political machine that is very difficult to overcome" gets it's beginning base in the home schools of the candidates who choose to run, usually many years before the person becomes a candidate. That is something that all three of last year's unsuccessful candidates were lacking.

And look were that has got us.
“Child Abuse” means different things to different people....
----Randy Liepa 8/9/12
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Rocky
Advanced Member
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Still, it seems to me for as much disenfranchisement and outrage as this message board seems to represent with the existing board, for there to only be one non-incumbent to file is pitiful. To say that no one filed because they are scared of a deep-rooted political machine makes no sense, it doesn't take much effort to throw your name on a ballot.

For as long as Livonia has been a city, there have been no name candidates on city and school board elections who spent nothing to campaign. Sure it takes an organized campaign to go against incumbents, but it takes practically nothing to at least show you care by filing to run. Certainly if there is a ground swell of anger about the current board in the community we should be able to put a package of willing and qualified candidates out there for the voters to pick without spending a ton of money. That's why I have stated before and still believe that we on here are a tiny minority and the vast majority must be satisfied with the district and its board.

LR is correct that there is a big difference between sitting around complaining about a problem and doing something about it or trying to make a difference. Just because Steve King was the only candidate we got in last time doesn't mean we pack up our football and go stand on the sideline mumbling. But that's exactly what I see. Which leaves Steve sitting out on an island looking like Kirstin Galka who opposed everything the rest of the board did, ultimately looking silly and powerless.
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Vanna White
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What you see as "pitiful" may be a very smart move. Throwing your name on the ballot to "show you care," just might ruin the chances of a non-imcumbant actually getting elected. If those that are unhappy with our current school board throw their support behind Patrice Mang, she will most certainly win a seat. She barely missed at the last election.
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Sourapples
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Rocky, ya just don't get it. Why run in a crowd with a slow pack when you can lead with a soloist?
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Nikki
Veteran
Queen of Hearts
Feb 14 2008, 06:28 AM
Jimid
Feb 13 2008, 11:09 PM
There have been countless people involved, and trying to change things as far as the schools go over the past two years LR. It just isn't as easy as you put it. There is a deeply rooted, and deeply entrenched political machine that is very difficult to overcome for your average Joe/Jane that wants to run for a seat. And that is a shame. People are involved, maybe just not in the way you perceive involvement should be.

That "deeply rooted, and deeply entrenched political machine that is very difficult to overcome" gets it's beginning base in the home schools of the candidates who choose to run, usually many years before the person becomes a candidate. That is something that all three of last year's unsuccessful candidates were lacking.

Are you referring to the PTA? :rolleyes:
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Sourapples
Advanced Member
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Nikki
Feb 14 2008, 01:33 PM
Queen of Hearts
Feb 14 2008, 06:28 AM
Jimid
Feb 13 2008, 11:09 PM
There have been countless people involved, and trying to change things as far as the schools go over the past two years LR. It just isn't as easy as you put it. There is a deeply rooted, and deeply entrenched political machine that is very difficult to overcome for your average Joe/Jane that wants to run for a seat. And that is a shame. People are involved, maybe just not in the way you perceive involvement should be.

That "deeply rooted, and deeply entrenched political machine that is very difficult to overcome" gets it's beginning base in the home schools of the candidates who choose to run, usually many years before the person becomes a candidate. That is something that all three of last year's unsuccessful candidates were lacking.

Are you referring to the PTA? :rolleyes:

ie. - "annointed ones"
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Mrs.M
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Mr. Moderator, Thanks
I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG.
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Rocky
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Sourapples
Feb 14 2008, 07:40 AM
Rocky, ya just don't get it. Why run in a crowd with a slow pack when you can lead with a soloist?

Because one person can not make a difference when there are six other votes always against you. Like it or not, when serving on a board, committee or other representative body you need to work as a team and earn the respect of your peers to get a majority of the votes to go the way you want.

That may mean compromise, consultation and promoting your views to win over additional votes. A lone maverick never accomplishes anything, it's been proven time and time again.

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Mrs.M
Veteran
Rocky
Feb 14 2008, 10:56 AM
Sourapples
Feb 14 2008, 07:40 AM
Rocky, ya just don't get it. Why run in a crowd with a slow pack when you can lead with a soloist?

Because one person can not make a difference when there are six other votes always against you. Like it or not, when serving on a board, committee or other representative body you need to work as a team and earn the respect of your peers to get a majority of the votes to go the way you want.

That may mean compromise, consultation and promoting your views to win over additional votes. A lone maverick never accomplishes anything, it's been proven time and time again.

certainly sounds like rubberstamping

If you don't like the team, should you not try out for it? Referring to either City or School board as a team, no wonder some people are left on the bench.

I'm sure those lone votes can earn a person respect. Respect for doing what's right and standing against the 'crowd', especially when you're supposed to be representing constituents.
I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be WRONG.
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Rocky
Advanced Member
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Mrs.M
Feb 14 2008, 11:09 AM
If you don't like the team, should you not try out for it? Referring to either City or School board as a team, no wonder some people are left on the bench.

I'm sure those lone votes can earn a person respect. Respect for doing what's right and standing against the 'crowd', especially when you're supposed to be representing constituents.

That's my point. If we don't like the team, how come there isn't a line of people running to change the team? One person alone can't win a game, nor can one person on a board.

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