http://www.thefrontpageonline.com/new/CritiquingAbramsGoOutandMeetthePeople
Reader: I have been reading all of the local papers, and I have been struck by the difference in Gary Abrams’ campaign strategy.
Reaction: You could only have heard from me in thefrontpageonline.com.
http://www.thefrontpageonline.com/new/OneCandidateallsFighttoGetIntoPrintBeforeItIsTooLate
Reader: As I understand it, Mr. Abrams is asking the residents of our city to judge him by his appearances at public forums and his letter-writing campaign.
Reaction: The forums are the last place I want to be judged from. I have finally figured out to turn them around (I sought expert advice).
http://www.thefrontpageonline.com/new/RaintreeForumKudostoAbramsWhileSieverandZirgulisArePanned
Reaction: My letters are information from the trenches. The problem is that not many people can read or have an interest in reading anymore. Public education, I guess. Look at the state school scores. (I know that Culver City schools are different.)
If you only knew. (I won’t be the one to burst your bubble. I am already in the hot seat.)
Reader: I do applaud Mr. Abrams’ pride in being a “Volunteer of the Year” at his children’s school.
Reaction: I was content just being a volunteer though. Too bad most of you do not realize what you are missing.
What I am not certain about is, how does that translate into assuming a role on a School Board, which is a completely different environment? Environment that is detached from the classroom. The Board is concentrating on everything else but what will affect the finished product.
Burnout, stressed-out teachers, undisciplined kids, falling test scores, teachers unhappy with the educational programs forced upon them without any input or feedback. Increased class sizes, deteriorating District property.
I could go on for pages. They cannot even figure out what to do with the Natatorium.
Been 17 years now.
Any of the candidates talking about this? Since we are ignoring it, must not exist. I am just sounding the alarm.
Reader: The problem with this strategy is that what works in movies and at the volunteer level — “the kids love me” — does not necessarily show off the skills and discipline needed in the position as a School Board member to those of us who take the time to listen to candidates, read their materials, show up at meetings and vote on Election Day.
Reaction: Go to my web page on smart voter.org. Read my pages, and compare them to the others.
Strange as this may seem, I recently read Karlo Silbiger’s article in the Culver City News. You know what? I finally was able to appreciate him and now I know what he is mainly about. I never got this from all the 2- to 3- minute canned speech introductions. If we could get a chance to be exposed like that, (dreaming), it would give you a real insight to how some of us think.
Reader: I hear a lot about school volunteering. But that does not make a School Board member.
Dear Ms. Ann Lidiot:
I have 18 or more articles related to me in thefrontpageonline.com. Maybe you are like the millions of other Americans not aware of the political machines that exist.
Culver City is no different.
There is an age-old technique that is used that neutralizes all unauthorized candidates. Just in case you are genuine, have you noticed that no one challenges the approved three candidates?
I am in the classroom daily. I see what is happening in the war zone, and that is exactly what it has become in the lower grades. This is where kids either like school or reject it. The formative years. I am just sounding the alarm.
If it appears that I am complaining about the other candidates, that is not my intention. I am complaining about the system used to showcase the candidates.
Sometimes people confuse stating the facts with complaining. Do you really want to hear want I am saying? The truth can be scary.
The election process needs to be better organized and candidate-friendly. I am working on a proposal, that could level the playing field for all candidates.
Coming to a news column near you — I hope.
M. Abrams, a candidate in next Tuesday’s School Board election, may be contacted at gabrams@ca.rr.com
