[Vision2020] Judge rules March schoo levy null and void
Saundra Lund
sslund at roadrunner.com
Fri Nov 30 01:37:10 PST 2007
Note: I've cc'ed this to the last V2020 address I have for Dr. Weitz.
In part, Gary Crabtree wrote:
"Dr. Weitz purchased the property and building that is the alternative
school. He paid to have it made into a facility to serve the needs of a
decidedly underserved portion of the school district. He graciously gave the
greatly improved parcel to the MSD at no charge."
Hmmm . . . has something changed that I've missed (which is certainly
possible)? The last I knew, Dr. Weitz retained ownership of the parcel --
he'd not given it to MSD at all.
Mind you, I'm not wanting to negate Dr. Weitz's generosity in *leasing* the
property to MSD for the paltry sum of $1/year, but, rather, I'm just
interested in keeping those pesky *facts* straight. Again, if something has
changed, I hope someone will please enlighten me.
I suppose this would also be a good time to reiterate that while I
*absolutely* support Dr. Weitz's keen interest in *strongly* encouraging
pro-tech (and, yes, I'd *really* appreciate it if folks would get with this
millennium in using the appropriate terminology) offerings in our district,
I also *absolutely* reject his method. In this narrow instance, I agree
with his many critics who equate his lawsuit with civic terrorism -- just
because one has *standing* to sue doesn't meant that one *ought* follow that
course.
Indeed, given his esteemed standing in our community, Dr. Weitz -- more than
many of us wanting to see MSD get with the program with respect to pro-tech
ed -- had many options unavailable to the rest of us to organize a wide
cross-section of respected community members to bring pressure to bear, so
to speak, on MSD to Get It that the community expects . . . no, *deserves* .
. . a more robust pro-tech program.
It's a pity, really, that that he didn't take advantage of those many
options to become a pivotal part of the solution rather than becoming just
another cog in the wheel in the way of progress, IMHO.
In the interest of full disclosure, Dr. Jerry is my dentist, and my dd sees
Dr. Dusty. I've appreciated Dr. Weitz's interest in and insight into
education generally, and I really wish he'd have used his influence in a
more productive fashion rather than the lawsuit. A majority of voters in
this district have now -- twice -- supported the levy. I can't help but
think of the benefits the students could have received had: 1) MSD not had
to shell out the money in legal defense and in elections costs, and 2) had
Dr. Weitz donated directly to a pro-tech course of his choice what's his
legal fees have cost. Again, I'm *not* interested in negating Dr. Weitz's
previous generous contributions to our community's children's education . .
. I just really wish he'd have found a better way than his all-around
money-wasting lawsuit to make his point. <sigh>
Personal note to Dr. Weitz: given our open relationship, I trust you will
take this response in the spirit with which it's intended.
JMHO,
Saundra Lund
Moscow, ID
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do
nothing.
~ Edmund Burke
***** Original material contained herein is Copyright 2007 through life plus
70 years, Saundra Lund. Do not copy, forward, excerpt, or reproduce outside
the Vision 2020 forum without the express written permission of the
author.*****
-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
On Behalf Of g. crabtree
Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 6:30 AM
To: Paul Rumelhart; Donovan Arnold
Cc: vision2020 at moscow.com; Joe Campbell
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Judge rules March schoo levy null and void
"I understand from Darrell's email that he was instrumental in getting
the alternative school started. That's great - I'm glad he succeeded
there."
Please be aware that "instrumental" was not by way of ranting and railing
and waving his arms wildly to and froe and not by writing emotionally
charged
screeds to V2020. Dr. Weitz purchased the property
and building that is the alternative school. He paid to have it made into a
facility to serve the needs of a decidedly underserved portion of the school
district. He graciously gave the greatly improved parcel to the MSD at no
charge.
His thanks?
"This is not a reasonable, calm, concerned, mature man; this is a bully,
a professional gadfly, and a bit of an eccentric (she said, understating
her point in
the interest of civility).."
Considering the reception his good deeds have garnered you might
wonder why he still bothers to fight for the needs of the non-collage
bound student. Despite what you read from MSD employees past and
present, and others with a vested interest in seeing the status quo
presented as the pinnacle of success, he still sees a need for improved
opportunity for a large group of Moscow's kids and puts himself out
there to see that they get it. What a bastard.
g
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Rumelhart" <godshatter at yahoo.com>
To: "Donovan Arnold" <donovanjarnold2005 at yahoo.com>
Cc: <vision2020 at moscow.com>; "Joe Campbell" <joekc at adelphia.net>
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2007 9:25 PM
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Judge rules March schoo levy null and void
> Then he should keep trying, but not by using methods that are ethically
> dubious. I don't find fault with his having a vision and wanting to see
> it through. I don't know that I agree with his vision myself, but it's
> certainly possible that I would change my mind if good arguments were
> presented to me on the subject.
>
> I understand from Darrell's email that he was instrumental in getting
> the alternative school started. That's great - I'm glad he succeeded
> there.
>
> Paul
>
> Donovan Arnold wrote:
>> Paul ask,
>>
>> "Has Dr. Weitz tried the more common sense route of involving himself in
>>
>> the machinations of the school district in whatever way a private
>> citizen is able to in order to effect change? Has he made a proposal?
>>
>> Has he done the research and come up with a plan for adding these
>> classes? Has he presented it to the right people? Has he come up with
>>
>> funding for this plan? Has he tried to make his voice heard in the
>> right places? In short, has he done anything other than trying to
>> strong-arm the district by bringing a lawsuit?"
>>
>> Yes, he did Paul. For years. But MSD doesn't listen.
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Donovan
>>
>>
>>
>> */Paul Rumelhart <godshatter at yahoo.com>/* wrote:
>>
>> I'm sorry, but the proper legal channels for adding more vo-tech
>> programs in the Moscow School District do not include suing said
>> district over the validity of a levy that passed earlier this year. I
>> don't know what those channels are, but I'm pretty sure that the
>> levy is
>> a completely separate issue from them.
>>
>> Has Dr. Weitz tried the more common sense route of involving
>> himself in
>> the machinations of the school district in whatever way a private
>> citizen is able to in order to effect change? Has he made a proposal?
>> Has he done the research and come up with a plan for adding these
>> classes? Has he presented it to the right people? Has he come up with
>> funding for this plan? Has he tried to make his voice heard in the
>> right places? In short, has he done anything other than trying to
>> strong-arm the district by bringing a lawsuit?
>>
>> Paul
>>
>> Donovan Arnold wrote:
>> > Joe,
>> >
>> > You wrote:
>> >
>> > "If Weitz wants a vo-tech program he'd be better off asking me
>> to put
>> > forth the
>> > case for vo-tech -- for a fraction of what he's paying his
>> lawyers and
>> > with a
>> > greater chance of success since then the MSD won't think that
>> they are
>> > being
>> > blackmailed"
>> >
>> > If you feel you can provide such a service, what is stopping
>> you? You
>> > aren't holding out on the kids just to spite Weitz are you?
>> >
>> > How can it be blackmail if he is using the proper legal
>> channels, and
>> > winning?
>> >
>> > Best,
>> >
>> > Donovan
>> >
>> > */Joe Campbell /* wrote:
>> >
>> > Donovan,
>> >
>> > What does the law suit have to do with the lack of a vo-tech
>> program?
>> >
>> > If Weitz wants a vo-tech program he'd be better off asking me to
>> > put forth the
>> > case for vo-tech -- for a fraction of what he's paying his lawyers
>> > and with a
>> > greater chance of success since then the MSD won't think that they
>> > are being
>> > blackmailed. Folks don't respond well to blackmail.
>> >
>> > --
>> > Joe Campbell
>> >
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>> >
>> >
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