December 1greenspun.com : LUSENET : Diversity coalitions : One Thread |
News and information for December
-- Anonymous, December 01, 2001
Don't forget to check the end of the November section for any last- minute postings.Here are the sources we should all be looking into that provide some of the information and philosophies our district is basing its programs on. Emailed from Robin Sears, District Health Coordinator:
Sex information and education council of the US SIECUS
National Center for Policiy Analysis
National Coalition Against Censorship
Condoms in schools
-- Anonymous, December 01, 2001
The CARE site: "energenic?" This a cross between eugenic and enervating?
-- Anonymous, December 01, 2001
Nov.29 Freeman article""School board member stands ground in condom controversy" -- Kemble
BOICEVILLE - Onteora school board member Joseph Doan defended his plan to bring in a registered nurse to discuss condom safety as part of an effort to ban distribution of the prophylactics among students. At a Board of Education meeting this week, Doan was criticized for inviting the speaker to a board meeting next month without the knowledge of district health officials.
Trustee Marino D'Orazio said Doan's invitation undermines work done by people hired to plan and implement programs in the district.
"I don't have any problems with anybody coming to school board meetings and voicing their opinions during meetings and public hearings," D'Orazio said. "But I have a fundamental disagreement with the way that a school board trustee approaches people to come to a meeting. ... I think it's a bad way of doing business."
Doan told board members there was no effort to "eliminate" district Health Coordinator Robin Sears from the discussion on establishing a "policy on not providing condoms to children on school property." He said district officials would be welcome to participate in the discussion.
The presentation next month will focus on sexually transmitted diseases and whether students who distribute condoms in schools should be subject to disciplinary action.
The policy revision was requested earlier this month by parent Patti McCallum, who provided school board members with court decisions showing the district should not be involved in the distribution of condoms.
"In 1994 ... (the) New York state Appeals Court found that to dispense condoms to minor children without the consent of their parents or guardians or an opt-out provision violates the civil rights of parents or guardians," she said.
Members of the a high school junior class organization called Safe or Sorry have said the distribution of condoms is part of its strategy to provide accurate information to their teen-aged peers. They said efforts to conduct more discreet discussions have not been enough to keep critics from lodging complaints about the information they provide.
Doan, however, did echo comments by members of Safe or Sorry about the need for information to reach students.
"I really believe that what (the registered nurse) has to say will be highly beneficial to not only the children in our district but also the adults in our district in understanding how some diseases are transmitted even with the use of condoms," he said.
-- Anonymous, December 01, 2001
Friend who attended the Doan Fundraiser event said they didn't see anyone from Onteora other than Mrs. Browning, the sister of Mr. Doan's deceased wife. She is a math teacher in high school. That is expected. Also, Rose was there. that's expected. No surprises. Of course they stayed awhile and left. People showed up before and after. My friend, Fran Azouz would like to join our bbs and help out SOS. she is a long time Woodstocker, works with children with disabilities, has crossed my sons and my path and been a positive influence, has kids in district and is wife of Jeremy Wilber. Give my your OK's :)See you tomorrow night at Phoenicia School. It will be a big one!
-- Anonymous, December 02, 2001
Saturday was world aids day. 40 million people infected and counting. . NYState has the largest Aids population in the Us, and indeed ,the population contracting Aids at the greatest rate are 18 -25 year olds. god bless christians who pretend to be providing reproductive health services but whose intentions are altogether different.Did anyone look at the marketplace site on CareNet's website? Scary?I hope someone has a letter re: doan's request for finite board mtgs.Political ploy or totally oblivious to the reality of his role in creating the endless Onteora Board mtg.?oh god.
-- Anonymous, December 02, 2001
Fran gets my strong approval...she's great... Also, Doan was on Sam Mercer's show on Channel three repeating his allegations...I taped it and will pass it to all those mentioned in the show. I have excerpted the public be heard from the last meeting and it will play on Channel Three Woodstock this Friday at 7PM...also on Olive cable, but I don't know the date or time (in about a month...they take that long to schedule!)It's important that folks let Doan hang himslef with the condom issue, and that the nurse be asked directly about her "clinical" experience with condom use...or is she just giving advice?
Lots more question need to be asked, and I'LL PREP MEG AS BEST I CAN WITH OUR CONCERNS, BUT TOM AND MARINO ALSO NEED TO BE AS PREPARED AS POSSIBLE...BUT PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY WE NEED DOCTORS WHO WILL TRUMP THIS NURSE AND HER VIEWS, WITH REAL SCIENCE. Tobe
-- Anonymous, December 02, 2001
Thanks, Melissa for the info...any idea how many were at the dance? Did your friend pay real money? Check made out to the Doan Fund, or some such? If so, please ask her to hold onto the cashed check when she gets it back...we may need it. Tobe
-- Anonymous, December 02, 2001
I am of the opinion, as always, of not directly responding to Doan's misadventures so we can adhere to a more proactive rather than reactive political posture. It seems to me that we tend to gain more public support and credibility by just letting the opposition open their mouths and insert the foot. Then we just hold them accountable for their actions and words at election time. Most people I speak to are simply appalled by Doan's behaviour. Remember, it was Doan who openly and publicly fought the Bennett bond proposal. Honestly, could we have created any better political position for him (and us) to adhere?? maybe 30-35% of the vote! Let's continue to bring our issues to forefront and have them react to us. We should be sure Marino is enabled to bring things forefront to the BOE table. We need to help shed his image of reacting to Doan.(Good as it is) BTW-If Melissa would like to bring someone into the SOS fray than I support and trust her opinion (even though I don't know the person to whom she is referring). We should all try to be concentrating on bringing more people and support to our cause. I hope to organize an SOS meeting after the holidays to get into full gear on this issue and others. Hope to see all on Monday. Best Regards.
-- Anonymous, December 02, 2001
Perhaps we should start a new catagory on the SOS BBS which will maintain a list of Doan's actions and/or quotes to be used in the election? It wil be simply called Doan's Deeds. Please submit all verifiable accounts with substantiations. I'll try to set this up and if not successful will rely on the ever net-savvy Carol for help.
-- Anonymous, December 02, 2001
i think Fran Azouz is a great addition to the BB.
-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001
Is tonight the night for Doan's Mystery Nurse, or is that the 17th?
-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001
Nursey comes on the 17th...we just got her resume, form Doan which conveniently leaves out the Pregnancy Center all together, although Meg has her picture from the web site. he he he ...gets interesting again...thank you Lord Doan...Tonight there may be amnother statement about nursey by a school nurse, Marsh Panza, but I'm not sure how it'll get on the early pbh if there's nothing on the agenda about it... come on down.Phoenicia
-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001
Robin Sears has requested access to the bb. Any objections, please let me know.
-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001
My only concern would be for HER being put in any compromising position, since this is so "political" and if found out she would be closely associated with us rascals. Any thoughts? Tobe
-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001
Is there some sort of condom that she could wear so she wouldn't catch our political cooties? One guaranteed not to "leak"? ;)I'd be happy to have her here, but Tobe's concern is a valid one too. That it makes her a de facto member of SOS could have repercussions, though if Doan can have the captain of his political cheerleading team appointed to the board one would think anything goes.
Did Lev make it here yet?
I couldn't make it to last night's meeting, though I'll try to make the 17th. Anyone have some further perspectives to add to Kemble's?
"Emotions flare in Onteora on subject of condoms" Daily FReeman December 4.
BOICEVILLE - Debate raged during Monday night's Onteora school board meeting on the level of input district health officials should have in developing policy to prohibit the distribution of condoms between students. The discussion stretched for about 30 minutes during a meeting where board members were forced to talk over the objections of Trustee Joseph Doan, who chaired the session in the absence of President Martin Millman and several times sought to limit comments or rebuttals.
Doan has scheduled registered nurse Patricia Tiernan to speak at a Dec. 17 meeting, telling other trustees they would benefit from knowing that condoms cannot protect against the consequences of some sexually transmitted diseases.
"One of the things that has concerned me that I felt it was necessary to bring this to the public was the fact that I have three children that have gone through this school (district) and ... there have been discussions in the classroom about condoms but there has never, ever been discussions about the use of condoms and the types of sexually transmitted diseases that can be (contracted) even with the use of condoms," he said.
Robin Sears, district health coordinator, told Doan his information about classes was obsolete and abstinence is encouraged to prevent the spread of disease. She said information used to make policy decisions should come from the Onteora Health and Safety Advisory Committee instead of an outside person.
"These councils are responsible to advise school districts on health programming and appoint subcommittees to work on specific issues," she said. "Our members includes parents, school board trustees, teachers, students, union representatives, law enforcement, health services personnel, community-based agency representatives, medical professionals, school administrators, special education professionals and clergy."
Telling trustees the committee is mandated under state Education Department regulations, Sears said the group has been active with other health issues and has found the discussion over condoms to be a political discussion that hurts children.
"Unfortunately, the victims of these battles are our students," she said. "No student should ever be denied or prevented from obtaining the information they need to save their lives. It would be irresponsible for us as a public educational facility to present one- sided and, perhaps, fear-based instruction."
Trustee Margaret Carey voiced support for the committee but was required to speak over Doan when he would not let her state objections to the invitation of guest speakers as "improper" when done without an endorsement from district health officials.
-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001
The meeting was a hoot..Doan bellowing, and ending up trying to stop Meg from requesting information about the expertise of the nurse, since there is nothing on her resume to indicate she knows something special from a condom.I have reason to hope Bill will do a story on the origins of this attempt to bring nursey to the board.
Robin was great, as was Marsha Panza at the end...on public be heard...she ended by saying how the availability of all the tools to prevent sexual infection are needed, just like defibrulators, they could save one life.
Fun stuff, maybe only a prelude to the big show on the 17th...The nurses were very effective in doing research about the players in tyhis condom caper.
Excellent.
-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001
Being a participant of this SOS BBS does not mean one is member of SOS and, if so, who cares? I feel that everyone should be welcome if endorsed by our current members with no serious objections. Robin is more than welcome and has certainly and publicly demonstrated her ability to face the consequences of her own actions. Let her in, her input will be invaluable. Let's get things moving while people are interested in participation. I say, give her the password, now. Perhaps we can archive some of the old material to make the site easier to use for newcomers. Any thoughts on that, Carol?
-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001
We don't have money, we don't have officers, we don't have clipart from the wrong bio-region, we don't got no stinkin' badges... so I guess we are just smoke and mirrors anyway...Archiving could be done, but alternatively we could just save ourselves the effort and make it easier by setting the default to newest messages on top, rather than on the bottom (you had set it that way, Jim, but I assume it can be set to newest on top).
-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001
I think we can simply make an archive cat with all that info in there for reference. Please do change the default...I never could do it. Thanks.
-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001
let's welcome Robin and Fran and "othjers" (with permission from the group...issue new securioty passwords to active members (others need apply if they want to get "back on" (just security, you know.Forward... HEadline: Condom Cop Tries to Shut Down Discussion
-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001
I've emailed a new password suggestion to Jim. If I have his OK, tomorrow I'll switch the password, and he'll send notification out to all active members. If you can't get in, check your email for the new password.Do not, repeat, do NOT mention passwords in public, or in any form other than email. Best thing for new members is to have them email Jim for the password, so that he has a current list of members.
-- Anonymous, December 05, 2001
I will wait until new password to send to new members. I wasn't successful sending Pam Free our bbs from my request months ago. Please email me the new address and password or I'll give you their emails. whatever :) I think there's going to be lots more new SOS members...the teachers are buzzing at Phoenicia. If we can endorse someone for Doans seat that the teachers like...win city! Does anyone know how sick Georgianna Milman is? People's first reaction is whether she had a breakdown. Personally, she seemed squirrelly for a very long time. I must interject, I have compassion for those suffering mental illness. All in the family are affected. It can explain why Marty is so obsessed. Robin can get access and decide on her own whether to contribute or not. I agree with Jim. She can take care of herself. We can periodically change password if things get questionable. It also reminds us to guard and be protective of this bbs.
-- Anonymous, December 05, 2001
New members are needed and welcome...Could Jim or Carol post the "rules" so that all new members are on the same page...I believe that no one should share information from these pages unless the pertson who posted has been asked for permission. Just courtesy.For May we need three good committed candidates...unfortunately there are no "seats" anymore, but everyone runs district wide, so we need to be sure that Doan (if he runs) comes in 4th, 5th or 6th!
letters to the editor are help[ful on the mystery nurse and the condom Cop capers at the last meeting.
Also, interested to hear that the softball field is $10,000 over projercted budget. Did any SOS members help build the field? Tobe T.
-- Anonymous, December 05, 2001
I think it would be very wise to encourage our friendly board members to invite Robin Sears to be an active part of this upcoming condom lecture at the next meeting. Let's get her on the agenda!!! I feel it would help level the playing field if Doan's intentions are to change the district policy regarding the other SOS's distribution of condoms. If Robin is able to adequately respond to the board after the nurse does her show then the board will have to publicly decide what stance to take between a serious, knowledgable and professional educator or a nurse with a political agenda. Otherwise, the nurse will simply scare them into voting with Doan to ban condoms from the school property.Could be a fun meeting otherwise though. Anyone, other than myself, have any prior experince making water baloons out of condoms?
-- Anonymous, December 05, 2001
Some of us have used them for the purposes intended. [stern look] Though I once had a condom explode rather spectacularly inside me, does that count? Maybe we should have a balloon delivery service do a condom-gram to the board? Lots of pretty balloons with little brightly colored condom packets hanging from ribbons?I'll write up the information email boilerplate that Jim can send out to reflect any security reminders that we need to include.
-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001
Carol_You're the best!!Thanks for the great intro for the new password. I will work on a mass e-mail tonight. Thanks again!!
Jim
-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001
I have invited Marino D'Orazio and Debra and David Osherow to participate in the SOS BBS.
-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001
curious, i'm not an active member or what? what does active member mean? Tobe , I noticed the numbers regarding the softball field... I thought I remembered Mr. Doan saying it would cost only 2500$ Any memory of that? Sometime at end of budget discussions last year. Of course none of these expenditures include coaching , uniforms, transportation ,etc.Does anyone know the details about Phoenicia turning down the remainder of the garden grant?I would like to invite Rachel Hernandez to the BB, and her parents, Dmitri H. and Carol Mondano , both social workers at the high school.I think all of them would have great input.
-- Anonymous, December 08, 2001
Active member means you open your mouth [hmm, unclench your fingers?] here on the board once every month or so. If you say you can do better than what we are doing now, we make you an official staff member, and if you show _true_ zeal and commitment you can mark off every Saturday and Sunday next spring for supermarket meet'n'greets. No good deed should go unpunished.Tobe, the reservoir film is very well done, and I bought a copy as fast as I could. You can be very proud of it. For those who didn't see it, the next showing will be in Woodstock on the 15th.
-- Anonymous, December 08, 2001
I'm a little confused myself as to why we pass up Free Money. Can someone explain this? Other than saying, "Oh, it's just a Joe Doan thing."
-- Anonymous, December 08, 2001
I would like to find out why the Phoenicia School turned down the money as well. Seems odd, don't it? Who was responsible and why for turning down the money? The school, PTA, Onteora administration, Marty, Rose??
-- Anonymous, December 08, 2001
Furthermore, I thought Rose stated that she had a green thumb and would love the opportunity to be paid to create a garden for the community?? Where was she when this money was lost?? BTW-How much money was lost? This may be something we can capitalize on for the upcoming elections.Tobe-Nice piece of work on the reservior film and a pleasure to see it screened first in Olive. Very good idea. Sharon regrets not having the time to attend but I got her a copy for viewing at home.
-- Anonymous, December 08, 2001
I just picked up a copy of the little freebie Phoenicia paper today. You should be aware that if you write a letter to the Woodstock Times, some of them (if not all?) will go in the Phoenicia Times as well. Curry and I both had a letter about Onteora in the copy I picked up.
-- Anonymous, December 08, 2001
For those who are interested, I have FOILed the softball field info, including the board resolution with amount budgeted, the engineering plans and surveys (!) the bills paid to vendors and the estimates for completion... TobeStill waiting on the answers to my FOIL request for the authorization to test water by Doan at W Hurley and the bills paid by Onteora to the lab... Anyone think I should FOIL the authorization for Doan to do engineering type core-borings on the pavement and tennis courts?...when was that approved???
-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001
Thanks to those who came out to the packed Olive Library yesterday to see the Deep Water Video. We were quite thrilled with the local response, and appreciate the support from all those in this great group.PS One more local chance to see the program before Christmas, on December 15th at Colony Arts Center in Woodstock at 2PM. Tobe
-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001
Knew your vid show would be packed in Olive, can't wait to bring Rali to see it at the colony..Congrats Tobe. There never was an authorizing vote for Joe to test the bores. Just like the water test.Please respond to the ? of the Hernandez/Mondano family joining the BB.Nobody knows anything about the Phoenicia garden abandonment?The Freeman said something about staff and admin no longer supporting it.
-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001
I support the addition of these folks to the bbs. More the merrier.I understand that Rose showed up at the last Woodstock PTA meeting for the first time in seven years! And Greg W. had been to the previous one. She was as usuual giving out false info and I understand was confronted on her false accusations and spreading ill will. I only heared bits and pieces of this story though. Francine Xaviar who was previously on this bbs will be joining us again soon and perhaps can verify the story as she was there.
-- Anonymous, December 09, 2001
Yes to Demitri & Linda & Francine!Curry
-- Anonymous, December 10, 2001
yes to all the new members...great...I don't know intimate details of the grant turn-back but Hal could be asked directly. I had also heard that staff and faculty didn't support the continuation, and as I recall BOCES was going to administer it, but I have no way to check reality on that one. And maybe if the PTA wants to do a project like that they could be helped to apply for their own version.
-- Anonymous, December 10, 2001
I spoke with Linda Sella about lost grant money. She explained BOCES took it over. Joyce W. (her last name is 12 letters can't relay, is a phoenicia parent, once gifted & talent director in onteora, and now works for BOCES) examined grant with Hal. In order to implement $20,000 second portion of grant, 1/3 of this money would pay the director of grant. Beth earmarked and put purchase orders out for projects like a gazebo, fish pond etc. The numbers didn't work. There wasn't enough money to pay someone after paying for second phase projects. Hal and BOCES attempted to resubmit a new plan, but grantor cannot or will not change original plan. The Phoenicia PTA is miffed because they would have taken over the responsibility....I'm not sure if that was even possible. I think there's more to it. I'll ask around. Hal would probably be able to explain it best. I worked with Beth at Phoenicia through kindergarden class projects. Stage productions, craft and classroom projects, outdoor "garden" projects etc. She has a "seat of her pants" approach, inventing and improvising, being spontaneous while implementing her projects. I have to say the end result is great! Every project was successful and creative. The kids got a lot out of her projects. I liked working with Beth. My impression working and living in shandaken...the Randy and Beth incident has caused confused feelings. The staff at Phoenicia respected and liked Randy. His year leave of absence was a surprise to everyone, many felt abandoned but wished him well. When the scandal came out everyone stepped back a few steps. This factor may have had a part to play with Phoencia not stepping up to the plate concerning the grant? I'm not sure.
-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001
I plan to make copies of the Planned Parenthood "Fact Sheet" on "HPV The Most Common Sexually Transmitted Virus" to distribute at the next BOE meeting on December 17. This article can be found at http://www.plannedparenthood.org/library/sti/011120_hpv.html
-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001
Reminder, this Wednesday from 2-9 is the time set for the voting on the roofing funding.
-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001
The Ulster Townsman has an ugly letter by nasty CARE advocate Bill Wanecke. It chastises Hal for cost of the Eratt modulars and stipends while at the same time arttacks Marino as a lawyer who isn't minding the law. This opens the door for a response if anyone is inclined...Susan Goldman where is your letter?On a more friendly note, Doris Bartlette of Mountain Business Services, has indicated that she will help us in the next school board election with the town of Shandaken. She was part of the overwhelming victory of the Democrats in that town. After the holidays we need to move firmly with organizing and fundraising.
-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001
If any of the new people recently suggested by SOS "members" to be admitted to this bbs are lurking please say "Hi" so we can welcome you to the fray!! We look forward to new voices and opinions.
-- Anonymous, December 11, 2001
Apologies for my computer skills but I need help getting Rachel et al on here. Could someone send her the website address in that marvelous blue form that you click on and get there?Raquelita@hotmail.com.Iwill send her an e with hello.Her folks can get here through her. Melissa, thanks for checking out the Phoenicia info.Who are the PTA heavies in P.town? You know, I'm a little amazed at the huge silence re: the roof vote tomorrow. Does anyone think there will be a board member voting against this?Is there some mystery?
-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001
I took care of the request for Rachel and family to be on board the bbs.Turnout for the vote was painfully low at Bennett at 7pm. I have mixed feelings about this vote. Yes, money should be earmarked for the much needed repair of the roofs. But I just hate to not be able to point out that this money is over the 2% fund balance allowance that CARE so often was screaming about in order to get rid of Hal Rowe. So I reluctanly voted "Yes". But I wish we could articulate a point to be made on this issue.
-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001
Susan's letter is on its way to the press and will (I believe) be read at the Monday Condom, oops I mean board meeting.I am sure it won't stop Doan et al for an instant...I think it's critical to show Doan's utter lack of credibility...every chance one can take to remind the public and press of the false accusations, and lies he has made(Memo-gate with Barbara Boyce, Kimberly Faniff, et al) will help people understand he's not to be trusted.
The roofs vote passed by about a 4-1 margin...
Regardless of where the money came from it's smart to save some for repairs that are needed.
Did anyone else notice the Freeman article where the new Saugerties superintendent said 2% is NOT enough for a fund balance, and he recommends 5% be put aside...That's a D. Shaw district...he he.
Don't forget the mystery nurse is suppopsed to appear on Monday at W Hurley School..
As far as I can tell, there has never been a reported case of cervical cancer at Onteora caused by a condom. Yet there have been students hurt and killed by driving cars. It would make more sense to me to suggest that the board adopt a policy to forbid students from possessing drivers licenses while at Onteora, so we can save "the children."
-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001
The roofing vote article in the Dec. 13 Freeman
-- Anonymous, December 13, 2001
Tobe-Please explain either here, or in the Doan's Deeds, what it is you are referring to when you speak of B. Boyce and memogate. I know my memory is not too great but I need refreshing of this issue. Thanks.
-- Anonymous, December 13, 2001
Thaanks Jim, for Rachel et al.My memory of memogate goes like this:Early in Joe's career he was more blatantly hostile to BB but actually found it a bit difficult to get away with.During that time he accused BB and[ I believe] BLane of holding meetings [ teacher training sessions] at the West Hurley fire Hall, that were for a for-profit organization, and hence abusing the district's free use of hall.Big drama. Supposedly he had some proof in the form of a memo but when push came to public shove, the West hurley Fire Chief said he basically didn't know what any body was talking about. One of the early Doan wild accusations gone awry.Took up the usual huge amount of time and energy.Maybe Tobe or anyone has additional particulars.Tobe , it might be good to keep a copy of that Freeman /Saugerties school article. I do think the attacks by Doan on Hal revealed at recent mtgs. will be the discussion of note for this spring's election. People need to understand these issues instead of being swayed by one or another's politics.I'd love to understand what the " double and triple payments " is exactly about and how to respond. I think it's useful to cop to stupidity when it happens and make every effort to correct same. Carol's excellent letter to Ed. did such a good job of talking about that.Personally I've had lots of practice, and I'm more interested in seeing systems change to better reflect the district's need than see individuals "punished".
-- Anonymous, December 13, 2001
Ah yes, Memo-gate..In November or December of 1999, when i first started taping meetings Doan accused barbara and her secretary of securing free use of the W Hurley Firehouse obstensibly for school district personnel training, but according to Doan, really for use by BCL Solutions for a workshop...He waved a memo around, claiming it came to him from the West Hurley Fire Commissioners...Barbara of course denied it, explained she had been doing school (West Hurley teachers) training for many years at the Fire Hall... was properly outraged as was her secretary... We went to the next fire commissioner's public meeting...Hal was there as well...and taped that. When asked point blank, they said they wrote no such memo...
So, where does that leave Doan...egg on his face...never brought it up again...First of several recorded lies...Of course Doan did not show up at the fire Commiss. meeting. This was his first attack on administration as a board member.
Maureen has it right...I have it on tape... Tobe
-- Anonymous, December 13, 2001
That episode with Barbara was possibly on November 1, 1999 -- oddly enough, I just came across the agenda for that meeting last night in my Y2k files. The district was going to discuss its readiness for Y2k that night, and Tom had specifically invited me to come so that I could hear it, as I'd done a fairly big write-up on areas I thought the district should be covering in their preparation. It was my first board meeting, I think.
-- Anonymous, December 13, 2001
This should be put into the Doan's Deeds file now that we have a date and Tobe's tape for verification. Good research.News around town...I got a verification today that Doan is indeed trying to pourchase the West Shokan post office and deli building. His partner is a guy whose son I know from the city. Although I don't really know them well enough to call and warn him of Mr. Doan's deeds.
Barbara Clare is now working at the Fleet bank in Shokan on Rt 28. Be sure to carefully count your money! There have been more than a few stories of counting mistakes made by the Pres. of CARE.
Special thanks to Janet Nelson who helped me with her copy machine to make 50 copies of the 9 page (3 reference pages!) Planned Parenthoodwebsite article on condom use and the HPV virus. This informative article will be distributed at Monday's BOE meeting at West Hurley. It is uncanny how the article starts off by stating that "In their efforts to discredit the effectiveness of condoms, right-wing idealogues who want to institute sexual abstinence until marriage as a standard for all Americans have instigated an alarmist and misleading public policy and media campaign about a very common, and usually benign, sexually transmitted infections-the human papilloma viruses (HPV's)."
-- Anonymous, December 13, 2001
We will have a letter from Philip Weiss, MD, head of the Ulster County VD clinic and former head of the AIDS clinic to read at the meeting. he'll be ouit of the country, but will have a statement ready. I sent him the Planned parenthood and another article to look at. In addition, he is sending us a recent report from the American Council of Pediatric Doctors (or some such) which speaks directly to the issue of condoms and adolescence...since that's their area.It runs 5-8 pages, I believe.
Its also possible there will be two doctors who may come to the meeting.
As far as we know the nurse has not responded to press inquiries about her background, nor to Meg's request for more information about her special training or expertise in this area.
T.
-- Anonymous, December 13, 2001
I saw PA Jane Young at the Dr. Dinapoli's office today and she is well aware of this issue and how serious it could be for the community. She believes that a local doctor, maybe Randi Rissman, will comment at the meeting. I there have been requests made to him. If this doesn't happen, it will take three reading to create policy and by then the public and medical profession will se how serious the majority is on this issue. The board members on our side of this issue should be sure to respond to the nurse AFTER her comments so that she gets to be discredited if the need be. Otherwise she will have the last word which counts a lot with certain members of the board. Short memories. Hmmmm...if only birth control was more prevelant back then....I think we should contact the local Planned Parenthood in Kingston. I called today but they were gone by 4pm. Can't do it tomorrow. Anyone else want to try them?
-- Anonymous, December 13, 2001
Tonight's BOE meeting 12/17 is cancelled due to the school's cancellation today.
-- Anonymous, December 17, 2001
At the Boiceville supermarket the other night, I saw on their bulletin board (er, the analogue one) a handwritten flyer saying something like "To see what your Onteora tax dollars are going toward, please watch channel 23 on Wednesday night." I was out that night so I couldn't see it. Anyone know what that was all about?
-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001
got my FOIL on the West hurely water testing and the school paid $120 on an invoice to the water testing lab for J Doan's request to have the water tested, although he had no authorization from the board to have it done, and although he kept the report himself until I FOILed it to have it released from his files. He claims he gave it to Maintenance, but although maintenance requested that the bill be paid they apparently had no copy of the report ever given to them.Strange?
Hmmm...is that called theft of services by Doan? or something else? Seems he owes the district $120, wouldn't you say? Tobe
-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001
Hi Everyone, I'm off to the wilds of western PA, soooooo... Happy Holidays to All!!! Looking forward to working with you all to win back our BOE in 2002!! Best Wishes, Curry
-- Anonymous, December 22, 2001
I heard about this sweetheart deal whereby "As part of the $318 billion defense spending bill passed last week, Congress approved a plan to let the Air Force lease up to 100 airborne refueling tankers built from Boeing 767s, at a cost expected to be well over $20 billion. Critics complained the deal would cost more than buying the planes outright, and some said it amounted to a bailout for Boeing." (The analyst for the Marketplace program on NPR said taxpayers will be paying 30% more for leasing them over the cost of the period rather than buying them.)Looks like a/ we got off pretty lightly with the modulars in comparison and b/ we're just following a classic governmental practice.
Thinking about the recent vote on the roof repairs. I didn't recall running into any discussion on this in print that indicated there was any negative aspect to it at all -- that it was fiscally and physically the right thing to do. Can anyone fill me in on any legitimate perspectives that would have indicated wisdom in doing otherwise, say from CARE's position? And if not, if this is a motherhood, flag and apple pie kind of issue, does this indicate that the approximately one quarter negative vote (pretty consistent across the district) is one that can be pointed out as being kneejerk contrarian in their voting on school matters? Can someone let me know if I'm taking this to the logical conclusion, or if I've got a flaw somewhere?
-- Anonymous, December 26, 2001
I, for one, can't see the down-side of the roof vote...sounds like the 1/4 who voted no were following the age old "if it costs money, oppose it" viewpoint. As i recall, even Rose voted in favor of setting up the fund for repairs...It appears the next board meeting (Jan 7th) will be at the Woodstock School. Here's hoping the nurse will be available to come...
Happy holidays to all. Tobe
-- Anonymous, December 26, 2001