FWCS Board President Redefines "Tax Increase"

Only a member of the Fort Wayne Community School board could argue that the city's decision to increase the levy by 4% is not a tax increase. You can read Fort Wayne Community School board president Mark GiaQuinta's letter to the JG here, but I also want to rebut a few of his points:

As I understand it, last summer the former City Council reduced the city’s budget by almost $4 million with no anticipation that the state legislature would cut municipal funding statewide by an even greater amount.

Anyone that didn't anticipate that the legislature was going to do something drastic regarding property taxes simply wasn't paying attention - and I hardly think our city council fell into that category. They knew it was coming but chose to play politics instead.

Mayor Tom Henry’s attempt to restore the $4 million is the right thing to do. To characterize his common-sense approach as a “tax increase” is nonsense.

I appreciate Henry for demonstrating the common-sense leadership he promised. Shame on those who would jeopardize key city services by mischaracterizing his attempt to preserve public safety and other key services we so desperately need.

The budget was passed with a 4% levy cut by the previous council. Everyone expected our tax bills to be reduced by that amount. When the new council decides to retroactively increase the levy that is raising taxes. What else could one call it? There is no mischaracterization here and no need to engage in an argument of semantics either.

I thought the previous council was acting recklessly when they voted for the levy cut but that doesn't change the fact that it passed. And it definitely doesn't change the fact that the cut was rescinded - even if it was the fiscally responsible thing to do. To most people that's tantamount to a tax increase but I guess that logic doesn't apply to members of the Fort Wayne Community School board. Let's not forget that board member Carol Coen once infamously stated that we had all received a tax break because she didn't raise our taxes...

Code Blue Schools Starts a New PAC

A new Political Action Committee has been formed to replace out of touch Fort Wayne Community School Board members with fiscally responsible ones. The PAC was formed by the leaders of the Code Blue Schools remonstrance which successfully challenged the FWCS facilities project last summer. Kevin Leininger had a great column (go read the whole thing - it's worth it) in yesterday's NS detailing the PAC's plans:

Already one of the most successful local grass-roots organizations ever, the people who last year defeated Fort Wayne Community Schools' $500 million building and renovation plan have just raised the stakes.

Their new mission, they say, is nothing less than to control - and thereby reform - an unaccountable, underperforming bureaucracy that is out of touch with the public it supposedly serves.

Don't let the ho-hum name fool you. The newly created Code Blue Schools Political Action Committee has the potential to become a political and fundraising force capable of fulfilling its stated purpose: to elect FWCS school board members who will set achievement milestones needed to comply with federal law and to balance the needs of the district and taxpayers alike.

Its first test will come in November, when three board positions - two of them now held by supporters of the capital-improvement project - will be on the ballot.

“If (Steve) Corona and (Carol) Coen run again, we will try very hard to find suitable candidates to run against them and to give those candidates a fair degree of financial support,” said C. Lockwood Marine, PAC chairman. “This all started after the building program was defeated and we didn't see any concrete action for change (within FWCS).”

This is a chance for everyone that is sick and tired of business as usual within FWCS to have their voices heard. There were a lot of people that signed the blue petition last year and an average $10 contribution could save them thousands in the future. But more than money is needed. Supporters need to ramp up the motivation level to where it was during last year's petition drive and support Code Blue School's preferred candidates. The moneyed interests will always raise a significant amount of campaign cash but they still can't compete with the sheer determination and will of an informed citizenry - last year's petition drive proved that.

But it's not enough to simply fight the battle when it's brought to you in the form of a massive tax increase. No, it's time for citizens to be proactive and place people into these positions that will actually listen to them and carry out their wishes. So what are you going to do to make sure we have a school board that represents all the people of the district? It's time to send a message that the people in this community are still the ones in charge...

Referendum Discussed at State Legislature Hearing in Fort Wayne

Last Wednesday the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing here in Fort Wayne to get input from public officials and citizens on the issue of property taxes. Evert Mol, leader of the successful FWCS facilities project remonstrance, spoke before the committee about the need for a referendum process. His remarks are transcribed below:

Last year Fort Wayne saw why we’re unable to slow the rise in property taxes in spite of taxpayer opposition. In February, in a process similar to the one that played out in Indianapolis a few years ago, our school board by a 6 to 1 margin approved a $500 MM bond issue for a capital project. In June that project was defeated in a remonstrance by a margin of 7 to 2. How could a board elected to represent the interests of taxpayers as well as the schools misjudge taxpayer sentiments by that much?

One reason is that the public meetings and hearings before the February vote were designed to sell the project, not to listen to objections from taxpayers. But in any case the only way to really know what taxpayers think is to allow them to vote. Lacking requirements for a ballot referendum, we had to initiate and conduct a remonstrance, a massive petition drive, to give taxpayers that voice. Without a remonstrance, taxpayer objections would not have mattered and property taxes, already set to increase by an average of 15%, would have gone up another 20% over the next 5 years. In a city the size of Fort Wayne a remonstrance is an expensive and time consuming proposition. It’s an undue burden for taxpayers. Last year’s change in the law allowing all registered voters to participate will make the process even more daunting next time.

Although this particular project triggered a remonstrance process which seems to be designed to discourage opposition, many projects go unchallenged and the taxpayers have no voice. Who would go to all that trouble for smaller projects, say $50 MM or $20 MM even if they weren’t justified, knowing that the winning the remonstrance doesn’t even stop the project, but merely delays it for a year. Yes, the new proposal is supposed to be “substantially different” but how do you define and enforce that requirement except through the courts?

Construction projects are a major factor in rising taxes. Elected officials have repeatedly shown they are unwilling to stop them or scale them back, so taxpayers need a viable means to vote on them. A petition drive is not a viable means for most taxpayers. They need to be able to vote on projects in a ballot referendum as the governor has proposed. Yes, that forces the taxing entity to work harder on their costs and justification. But it will not mean, as Senator Kenly told me, that “nothing will pass”. In fact the success rate in states with referendums is higher than it is in Indiana with remonstrances.

The Governor called the remonstrance process “klutzy”. Having done one in a large city, I think “insane” is a better word. No other state forces its taxpayers to do this. It’s time Indiana joins them.

Evert Mol
Fort Wayne

School Board Hypocrites

Last year the Fort Wayne Community School Board couldn't go a day without telling anyone that would listen how dire the school facilities were. Unfortunately, instead of taking a pragmatic approach to fixing the worst of the schools, they tried to ram an unnecessary and bloated bond project down taxpayers' throats. After their overwhelming defeat one would think they might be ready to compromise and start a project that would be palatable to the taxpayers. However, the new facilities project isn't even on their radar and they're not sure they'll even come up with a new plan this year.

The first proposal was to upgrade 42 buildings, close five schools and build four new ones. Board members said in July they didn’t want to box themselves into the one-year time frame and instead focus on listening to the community and developing a long-term plan.

But Corona said the goals have little to do with a building plan and more to do with administrative duties and academics. In Corona’s mind, the board has owned up to its promise to focus more on academics than buildings, answering criticism from those opposed to the half-billion-dollar plan.

Give me a break. The criticism wasn't that some upgrades were needed it was how much the community could afford and tolerate. Of course if Carona had bothered to listen to the people then the school board wouldn't have rejected the $350 Million compromise offered by the future remonstrators. So what's the real reason they aren't tackling this problem you might ask? Why would they let something so dire fester for an extra year? Oh yea it's an election year. And guess who's up for re-election? That's right, Carol Coen and Steve Carona - longtime board members and the two biggest champions of the original facilities project.

Board member Jon Olinger believes the board will not want to introduce any type of plan this year because members fear it will be too controversial during an election year.

Olinger and board member Kevin Brown think the longer the board waits to present a new plan, the better the chance the community will believe it lied last year when it said the district had many emergency needs.

“You have told the public that this is something that the corporation needs,” Brown said. “Our buildings are falling apart and if you go ahead and drop the ball and then say, ‘Oh, well, really what we told you in 2007 now isn’t the truth in 2008 and we’re going to wait until 2009,’ you’re losing credibility with the community.”

This is just another reason why Carona and Coen need to go. They're more interested in playing politics than doing what is right for FWCS. The district is bigger than those two and deserves representatives that will put the interests of all the students, employees and taxpayers ahead of their own.

2008 Agenda

So I took all of 5 minutes to brainstorm the local stories and politics that are of utmost interest to me and here are a few items where I'll be focusing my energy. Feel free to join the cause on any of these issues. As usual we'll likely be opponents on some issues but that shouldn't preclude us from working together on like minded ones. Also, feel free to comment and let us know what issues will be important to you:

1. Oust Carol Coen and Steve Carona from the Fort Wayne Community School Board while re-electing Jon Olinger

I was a Blue petition supporter and I firmly believe that Coen and Carona no longer represent the voters of the district. I hope to see the defeat of these two start a domino process that will lead to a complete overhaul of the board. Meanwhile, Olinger was the sole vote against the facilities project and he deserves the support of all voters who want to further the district's educational goals while maintaining fiscal responsibility.


2. Uphold the Smoking Ban

I was a vocal supporter of the comprehensive ban and I don't want to see it rolled back by the new council. I also think supporters of the ban should lobby the county commissioners into making the ban county-wide.


3. North River Development

Citizens should demand that ZERO tax dollars be used to clean up a polluted site owned by the richest family in the county. We also need to make sure that we get all the relevant data related to the problems before any plans to purchase the land are publicly discussed.


4. Tax and Capital Projects Review Board

This one has gone under the radar but starting in 2009 the all-appointed County Tax Adjustment Board will be replaced by a new body that will have 2 elected members. It is crucial that we elect members to this board that will protect our tax dollars and who are not tainted by the group-think policy of Allen County politics - the Good ol' Boy network if you will.


5. Harrison Square Accountability

City taxpayers need to keep a keen eye on the development of Harrison Square and make sure we're getting what we were promised. We also need to monitor the cost and schedule of the project and insure the citizenry has all the available information.

The Rest of the FWCS-Teamsters Negotiation Story

Friday's JG had a one-sided story describing the current feud between Fort Wayne Community Schools and the Teamsters which represent the bus drivers. Here's a brief recap:

Teamsters Local 414, the union that represents about 220 bus drivers, sued Wendy Robinson in her capacity as FWCS superintendent in Allen Superior Court on Nov. 7.

The bus drivers’ contract expired in December 2005, and negotiations have stalled over switching the health insurance package to one the Teamsters prefer.

Union representatives say their insurance would save the district and the drivers money and offer better coverage, but district officials disagree.

The two sides tentatively agreed to a contract this spring, but Robinson said the drivers changed some of the language afterward and ratified it without conferring with school officials. The Teamsters believe the contract is virtually the same and that Robinson entered into an oral agreement and should honor it by taking the contract to the FWCS board for its approval.

The story doesn't provide enough details to give the reader a real understanding of what the issues are. Therefore, I contacted FWCS board member Jon Olinger for more information and I'll attempt to summarize his statement with my own commentary:

1. The board allows the administration to handle these negotiations because most of the members have no experience in contract negotiation and because it's not the board's job to get involved in the operational management of the district.


2. One of the major sticking points of the contract was that the Teamsters wanted a closed shop which would mean every driver would be forced to be a union member. Let me just say that this is wrong - I believe workers should have the right to collectively bargain as well as the right NOT to collectively bargain.


3. The second issue, which the JG story did cover, is that the Teamsters want to remove their drivers from the FWCS insurance and put them on the Teamsters insurance. There has been debate over whether or not this will provide a cost savings or not


4. Now comes the most important part, in May Superintendent Wendy Robinson made a tentative agreement with the Teamsters that would allow them to move the employees to their own insurance if they dropped the demand for the closed shop. After this agreement Robinson simply changed her mind and tried to say there was no tentative agreement in the first place. However memos from Robinson started appearing that referenced a tentative agreement


5. Despite these issues the Teamsters went forward and voted on the contract and are no longer willing to negotiate because they felt they already had an agreement in place.

I think it's clear that the administration has not bargained in good faith. Unfortunately the board (minus Olinger) has become a rubberstamp for Robinson and her administration and there's no way they would vote to bring the contract before the board until she says so. This entire fiasco sounds like it could've been avoided - much like the facilities petition drive...

Fairfield's Loss Is South Wayne's Gain

Kelly Soderlund had a nice front page story today about last year's ISTEP improvement at Fairfield elementary and how South Wayne is facing a similar task. Now of course I'm biased because my wife works at Fairfield and I see firsthand how much hard work she and the other teachers there put into their job. The story focuses on South Wayne's new principal, Tim Bobay, who was the assistant principal at Fairfield last year. I've had the opportunity to meet Tim and it comes as no surprise to me that he was sought after to turn around South Wayne. Tim was very respected at Fairfield and will be missed - I fully expect to see South Wayne's ISTEP scores to start improving under his leadership.

Leaky Pipe - Better Call 911

Fort Wayne Community Schools issued a press release today to alert people that "emergency" maintenance is going to take place at Washington Elementary School:

Emergency facilities work will be done at Washington Elementary School before the 2007-08 school year begins to repair a leaking, corroded pipe in the gymnasium.

The condition of the pipe has made the gymnasium off limits. For safety reasons, no activities will be held in the gym until the pipe is repaired.

Since when does a leaking pipe constitute an emergency? Is this what these sore losers are going to do all year - issue a press release every single time they fix something? We get it; things need to be fixed. How about spending your time prioritizing the problems instead of issuing silly press releases...

(H/T: Mitch Harper)

Wholesale Changes Needed Within FWCS Board

If the preliminary numbers being reported are correct then the Blues have won in decisive fashion. This would be a victory for taxpayers within the Fort Wayne Community School district and absolutely nobody deserves more credit than Evert Mol. Evert has been branded a liar, and probably every other name in the book, but at the end of the day he stood up for the rest of us and helped beat back what must have been one of the largest tax increases in the history of this district.

So if the public is so opposed to this plan then how did the current school board come to garner such audacity? The answer is voter apathy. For far too long voters in this community have ignored school board races and this proposed $800 Million tax increase is a stark reminder of the power the local school board yields. What this community needs is a wholesale takeover of the school board by people that believe in accountability and fiscal responsibility. Voters might remember such a landslide in the County Council race 8 years ago.

There is no one more qualified to lead this coup d'etat than Evert Mol himself. The man has volunteered his time for several years and has proven to be a strong supporter of accountability and fiscal responsibility. Let me be the first to say that this community needs Mr Mol's leadership.

Every single member of the FWCS board (except Jon Olinger) should be voted out of office. I hope Evert Mol will continue his advocacy for FWCS by leading the ticket for challengers in the next election.

I am personally considering running for the school board and I would proudly stand beside Evert to usher in a new generation of boardmembers that would repeal the rubberstamp that this group has given to Wendy Robinson and her administration...

Job Creation is Not a Valid Reason to Support the FWCS Facilities Project

Karen Francisco pens yet another editorial in support of the FWCS facilities project. The latest reason to support the project is "economic development" and "job creation".

The projected tax impact of the $500 million Fort Wayne Community Schools building project gets much attention – and deservedly so.

But the jobs impact of the largest public project in county history seems to rate little discussion, probably because people most conscious of it are hesitant to speak up.

Uh, no. The reason why the jobs don't get any attention is because taxing everybody to provide a select few jobs is considered income redistribution and, in general, inefficient. If we take Karen's argument to it's logical conclusion then the government should significantly raise taxes in order to stimulate the economy and provide jobs.

That just isn't how a capitalist society should work. There is room for government services but the primary purpose of these services should not be to provide jobs. This latest Francisco piece reads like something out of Governor Mitch "privatization" Daniels' Little Red Book - namely that the government replaces the bourgeoisie by creating state-regulated monopolies that dole out contracts directly to the proletariat.

Even worse, she continues the JG's weak practice of anonymous "criticisms":

But critics are wrong to suggest the property tax money would sink into a black hole or that it will benefit only a handful of business owners.

Who exactly are the critics making such suggestions? I think the JG is in danger of becoming the Fort Wayne Strawman Press...

JG Editorial Page Off Base (As Usual) in FWCS Petition Drive

Yesterday's JG provided yet another editorial in support of the Yellows in the Fort Wayne Community Schools petition drive. As usual Tracy Warner and company provide a severely lackluster argument:

As the dueling petition drive hits the halfway mark, the Code Blue project opponents appear to have the most steam. Armed with a no-tax-hike mantra and much misinformation, they appear to be collecting signatures at a faster clip than the Write Yellow camp, which is noticeably lacking in support from teachers and members of the Yellow Ribbon Task Force.

Notice they don't mention what this misinformation is. This is a pathetic attempt at spin and they should be embarrassed for even publishing it. If they want to levy such charges then they should have the guts to tell people exactly what "misinformation" they're referring to. After placing the primary blame on the remonstrators the JG goes on to blame those "oh so lazy teachers" who couldn't possibly be against this colossal waste of money:

Regrettably, others seem to believe it’s not their job to get involved. It’s a notion they hold at their own peril, not because they would face any consequences from administrators for not signing or for signing blue but because the health of the school district is directly tied to the petition drive outcome. If the project is killed, the message it sends is that the community does not support public education in Fort Wayne. The end result will be that parents who can afford to choose will choose private, parochial or suburban schools.

Do you hear that teachers? If you don't go out and carry the water for this plan then the entire public educational system will come crumbling down and it will have you to blame.

But the JG doesn't end their weak argument there - sadly it continues:

Teachers also should know better than anyone that the Code Blue criticism of failing schools is untrue, and they should be countering any misconceptions of uncaring teachers with their active support of the project.

Does the JG have any examples of people criticizing teachers by calling them "uncaring"? In fact the only people I see insinuating such things are the JG editorial board. It couldn't possibly be that our poorly compensated teachers have decided that maybe they don't want to waste their hard earned money on this project? Nah. They must just all be lazy and indifferent.Let me share something with the JG editorial staff and yellow supporters like them:

You had an opportunity to take $250 Million without ANY remonstrance and you chose not to. Now, like anyone that refuses to compromise, you risk getting NOTHING. The blue side isn't to blame and school employees aren't to blame. The school administrators, the school board and your rubber-stamping yellow ribbon commission are to blame if you lose.

And this won't change no matter how many editorials you pen to the contrary...

Blue Side Off to a Good Start in FWCS Petition Drive

The News-Sentinel reports that the remonstrators are off to a fast start:

Opponents of Fort Wayne Community Schools’ $500 million building project have submitted 2,656 more signatures than proponents of the project since a petition drive began June 1, according to Tera Klutz, deputy auditor for the Allen County Auditor’s Office.

I would caution anyone reading too much into these numbers at this point. I agree w/ Code Blue Schools - I simply think the Yellow Side is intentionally not turning in their signed petitions:

The yellow side is not turning their petitions in so it will look like they can't win and people stop people from coming out to sign blue petitions.

So from now on the numbers you see will mean nothing and we have to go on the assumption they're ahead and keep going after signatures like they're ahead.

In the same story the leader of the Yellows claims that they are going to re-examine their strategy:

John Peirce, head of “Write Yellow. Right Now,” which is lobbying for the project, said his group would meet this week to rethink what it’s doing right and doing wrong.

I think the proper strategy would've been to take the $250-300 Million compromise and have avoided the remonstrance altogether - but now here we are. I would encourage everyone to sign and carry the blue petition...

FWCS Discussion Gets Ugly at Monthly Democratic Meeting

At this morning's monthly Allen County Democratic meeting there was a discussion about the FWCS facilities upgrade with leaders from both sides of the petition drive present. Representing FWCS and the yellow side was Kathy Friend and Evert Mol represented the Blue side. Let me start by saying that I'm a blue supporter but I must say that Kathy Friend is a great spokeswoman for the yellow side. I was very impressed as she is personable, knowledgeable and articulate. She even took about 15 minutes after the meeting to debate various aspects of the project with me.

I think Evert started off on the wrong foot by making people feel like he didn't want to be there. That may not have been the case but that was the impression I got and others I spoke to as well. I don't want to be too hard on Evert because this wasn't the most sympathetic forum for his argument by any means.

Early in the Q&A session the discussion became about how this facilities plan might affect academics. Evert questioned one man that said his two children went to Southside and were National Merit Scholars. This definitely could've pushed that person into the realm of uncivil discourse but the man simply explained to Evert that they were in fact merit scholars. Later, in response to a party member's statement, Evert said that FWCS "has no academic plan". I think this was a mistake and I'll bet even Evert doesn't believe that. I think he just got caught up in a simmering discussion and misspoke; I think he probably feels (as do I) that the plan simply isn't working as well as it should.

After that comment the meeting went downhill quickly. Councilman Glynn Hines interrupted Evert and began to argue with him. Evert, rightfully asked to be allowed to finish speaking and Hines said "I wanna say something and I have to leave so after I'm gone then you can finish". I think that only sent the meeting spiraling down even worse. Hines then continued by saying that Evert might have "cursory" knowledge about the schools but he and the parents visit them regularly. That statement was completely unjustified considering Evert volunteers daily at Southside High and is in the school much more frequently than Hines or any parent.

Evert then interrupted Hines and told him that he was at Southside every day and he knows how poor the students' knowledge of math is. Hines began speaking again eventually told Evert to "go fly a kite". I think Hines' demeanor was completely inappropriate and uncalled for. This could've been an excellent discussion about the merits of the plan but it degenerated into an ugly scene that should have no place in civil debate.

Unfortunately, this exchange seemed to sour Evert so much that he asked for the discussion to be over and he quickly left right after the meeting was adjourned. I can understand why he was angry but I think he should've grew thicker skin and tried to continue the discussion. Glynn Hines was not speaking for everyone at the meeting and there were others there that probably would've liked the discussion to continue.

I must say that Yellow supporters should follow Kathy Friend's example - she stays above the fray and argues for the merits of her position. Unfortunately, in my opinion, today was another example of yellow supporters going too far. Previous examples include Evert being temporarily banned from school property, Paul Spoelhof (head of the Yellow Ribbon Task Force) calling me a liar, and statements made by Superintendent Robinson (quoted by the JG) insinuating that remonstrators were acting out of racism.

The Harrison Square debate didn't go down this ugly path and neither should the FWCS debate...

FWCS Board Members Want You to Believe They are Fiscally Conservative

Fort Wayne Community School board members Steve Corona and Carol Coen wrote a letter to the JG trying to convince everyone that they are fiscally responsible and will use your $850 Million wisely:

FWCS has a long history of managing its money and its facilities well, and we assure you that our future building projects will be handled with the same careful, conservative approach we’ve used in the past.

I would like to know if they think allowing the same contractor that will get a percentage of future work to define all the problems that will go into that work is "fiscally conservative"? To most people that type of approach is the antithesis of fiscal conservatism and shows a lack of common sense.

Of course let's review a couple of Coen's greatest hits. In a January JG story Coen was discussing the proposed building plan and said:

I think in a lot of ways FWCS taxpayers have gotten a 50-year tax break, school board member Carol Coen said.

Yes, you read that correctly. Just because Coen hadn't RAISED your taxes by 25% she thinks that equates to a tax BREAK. Does that sound like a fiscally conservative statement to anyone?

Next is one of my favorites. In a school board meeting to discuss moving the graduation date several parents became upset when their concerns were overruled. There were some brief verbal complaints after the decision as people filed out of the room and what was Coen's response? She actually wanted to call security - and then you can hear board member Jon Olinger say "Jesus Christ we don't need security." This is just further evidence that Coen is simply out of touch.

What this district needs is practical, fiscally responsible board members to ensure that all of our property taxes don't continue to spiral out of control. FWCS taxes will now make up over 50% of the overall property tax burden and will be 25% higher than every school district in the county.

Even if you IGNORE the tax implications, it's ACADEMICALLY irresponsible to waste money on facility upgrades. Let's fix what we must but re-blacktopping the parking lots and adding redundant elevators?

That's not being fiscally conservative Ms Coen. I would encourage everyone to sign the blue petition...

FWCS Superintendent Smears Remonstrators as Racist

A recent Journal Gazette article said:

Fort Wayne Community Schools Superintendent Wendy Robinson wonders whether opposition to the district's proposed $500 million building project is really about raising property taxes or balking at providing better schools for inner-city kids.

This is absolutely shameful and Robinson should apologize immediately. I have heard absolutely nothing during this process that would lead one to that conclusion. This is an attempt to smear the remonstrators as racist and it's a disgusting tactic that has no place in our political process. She also said:

"Below the surface, it's, `Those kids don't deserve better buildings'.

Again, this is so pathetic, so baseless, that truthfully it probably doesn't dignify a response. But let me tell you, Dr Robinson, what's below the surface - these kids do deserve better.

Students and teachers deserve more resources that actually help them achieve their educational goals. They deserve more special education programs. They deserve more after-school tutoring and mentoring programs. They deserve leaders who can actually deliver educational results and not empty accusatory rhetoric and new blacktop for the parking lots.

They deserve many things Dr Robinson - but they don't deserve to have their intelligence insulted by suggesting the remonstrators are racist.

Fort Wayne Journal Gazette Has Finally Gone Off the Deep End

I've found myself at odds w/ the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette editorial page more and more of late. But yesterday's editorial criticizing public officials for signing the Fort Wayne Community Schools building remostrance takes the cake.

The decisions of Allen County Commissioner Nelson Peters and City Council members Tom Didier and John Shoaff to sign a remonstrance challenging Fort Wayne Community Schools’ $500 million long-range building plan are disappointing. The example of high-profile public officials is certain to sway the opinions of some property owners in deciding the fate of the much-needed improvements.

Imagine the audacity of a local official that doesn't want his property taxes raised tune the tune of $800 Million. So if these officials disagree with the current proposal they should remain silent? I see, only the Journal Gazette gets to use their bully pulpit, everyone else should just shut up and pay the taxman.

Public officials who protest measures approved by other elected officials should be prepared to demonstrate they’ve studied the issue in detail, listened to the public and weighed their fiscal responsibilities in protecting school buildings and other vital community assets.

This is UNBELIEVABLE. The school board didn't even BOTHER to study what the impacts of an $800 Million project would be on home and business owners or the overall economy. But the elected leaders who speak for their constituents' concerns about massive property tax hikes HAVEN'T listened to the public and weighted their fiscal responsibilities? Good grief - that's the most twisted logic I've seen in some time.

The community doesn't HAVE to defer to the JG editorial board. We all have voices - some louder than others - and we should ALL use them. For some reason the JG doesn't want this debate and they seem to feel that everyone would be better served if they just went about their business and didn't get involved in local politics.

They're wrong.

Again

GOP Mayoral Candidate Nelson Peters is Correct to Support the FWCS Remonstrance

Cross-posted at Left of Centrist:

I've been extremely critical of Fort Wayne GOP mayoral candidate Nelson Peters for his ever-dwindling support of the local smoking ban. However, I believe he is wise to support the remonstrance against the $800 Million property tax increase levied by the FWCS school board.

This tax increase is unconscionable and will cripple the residents and businesses of this city. Certainly school improvement must be addressed, but a lump sum approach with across-the-board fixes will needlessly drive up property taxes while inviting corruption and waste into the process.

Any future mayoral nominee should understand that property tax increases like this will only hamper their effectiveness in promoting economic growth. And when you couple this tax increase with increasing the area of special tax districts (Harrison Square), you have a recipe for disaster.

I hope Mr Peters takes his leadership on this issue even further by publicly signing a blue petition when it becomes available...

Fort Wayne Community Schools Dictator Stomps Out Dissent

Cross-posted at Left of Centrist:

As reported in today's JG, Evert Mol was fired from his volunteer duties and banned from all FWCS buildings. And for what? Because he voiced opposition to the ridiculous and arbitrary $500 Million facilities upgrade. This is the leadership of our local schools folks. Criticize a plan - you're fired. Offer up an alternative - you're fired. Is this the kind of example we want to set for our children? That you should never speak out or participate in the political arena because if you do some local political boss will have you fired? Does this encourage creative thinking and individualism? Of course not, but hardly anything in the educational system does these days.

However, I always felt like local school leaders were trying to do the right thing. That the problem was the system and not the leadership. That changed today. I think we all see the problem now. If you do ANYTHING outside the boundaries then you will be fired. That was the message sent today and the Superintendent knew it. She wanted to send a message to all teachers and staff - you're either with us or your against us. But that's the wrong message to send. We need MORE people involved in local politics and this kind of strong-arm tactic only serves to undermine the public interest.

Of course I've argued all along that the school board doesn't give a damn about the public interest. They are a special interest group and they will only do what's best for them. Tax people out of their homes - so what. Spit on freedom of speech - so what. They really think it's THEIR schools but I have news for them - it's OURS, the citizens and taxpayers in this district. It's time we send our own message. It's time we tell the school board and it's supporters that Putin-like tactics are unacceptable. And it's certainly time to support the remonstrance, not because of the administration's poor behavior but because their plan is fiscally irresponsible...

Update: 3/2/07 16:53 - Looks like Dr Robinson has corrected the "mistake" and allowed Mr Mol back into the building:

This morning we received a call from Dr. Robinson to tell us that the incident was a mistake for which she took full responsibility. So we plan to be back in the schools next week to continue helping with the kids.