Third in a series. 

Re: “McVarish Hits at Kent’s ‘Micromanaging’”

Having been briefly derailed in his comparison of strengths with teammate Anne Burke in their unique joint run for the School Board next month, Scott McVarish said that while he is a wonk on policy, “she constantly brings the topic back to the people, the parents, the teachers.

“Anne has a good understanding of how policy ideas will be received by the individuals who have to implement them, change them, grapple with them.”

Question/observation: Ms. Burke is the personality wing of the team?

“Your words, not mine,” said Mr. McVarish, who concedes no acreage in a contest of personalities.

Without pausing, the always densely prepared lawyer proceeded. “Any policy needs two elements,” he said. “It needs to be able to work at a practical level. It needs to be rolled out in a way people won’t be afraid to embrace it. The latter part is something Anne is excellent at, one of her greatest strengths.”

How did Ms. Burke and Mr. McVarish decide to run as an entry?

“I was recruited by (School Board member) Laura Chardiet after she decided not to run again,” he said. “With the support of a few other people, I said ‘I will run, but only if I can find someone whom I believe in to run with me.’”

Why?

Mr. McVarish exhaled, and then drove head-on into a potential rainstorm. “Because I saw the attacks on Kathy (Paspalis), on (Scott) Malsin, on (Jeff) Cooper and on (Andy) Weissman.”

What do they have in common?

“They were all attacked by (former City Councilman and prominent Democrat) Gary Silbiger.”

(To be continued)