A new press release from Republican mayoral contender Ken Johnson:
Ken Johnson the Republican nominee for Mayor of the City of Bristol continued his campaign theme of government reform today by unveiling his third plank within his agenda. Johnson, making his first run for Mayor, is a businessman and not a career politician. He is a lifelong resident of Bristol and a local real estate broker so he has his finger on the pulse of Bristol from his experience coming through the Bristol public school system and, more recently, from listening to prospective homebuyers and sellers.
The details of the third plank concern the appointment of the Bristol Board of Education. This is an especially important issue to highlight as Bristol children head back to school this week. Bristol made the change from an appointed board to an elected board in 1993.
Johnson believes that the City of Bristol should return to the previous charter provision, and appoint members to the Board of Education rather than electing them. “This is an experiment that just hasn’t worked in Bristol.” Johnson added, “People I have spoken with do not want to take the time out of their busy schedules to campaign for a Board of Education position. Can you blame them?”
“Liz and I put our three kids through the public school system, too. And when I talk to prospective Bristol homebuyers, the first question I’m asked is about the schools. Education of our children is too important an issue; we can’t afford to scare away the best candidates we can get for the Board.”
A Charter Revision Commission has been established to begin the process of revising the city’s blueprint and Johnson intends to offer this proposal to the Commission. If adopted by the Commission, the Bristol City Council would then have the final say as to whether this question appears on the fall 2008 ballot.
“I urge all Bristol voters to follow the reforms that I am proposing and ask your Council Candidates in your district if they agree that these changes need to be made,” Johnson continued “You have the right to vote on your form of government and no six member body of career politicians should take that away from you.”
The Republican nominee has been encouraging residents during his door-to-door “Listening Tour” to become more proactive about local government. He believes that it is time for the voters of Bristol to take this city back and get it on the right track. “Government reform is an essential key to creating a better Bristol.” Johnson said.
“I intend to Put Bristol First, rather than any political party or personal agenda.” Johnson concluded, “The residents of Bristol have been clamoring for a change – I offer that change and my ideas on how we can better serve the people of Bristol in the years to come. Having a strong Board of Education with candidates who are ready, willing and able to serve is essential to promoting quality education in our community.
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Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
20 comments:
Excellent idea Ken!
This is not good - because appointing people leads to council memebers appointing those who will be agree with their desires, not what is best for the taxpayers and the children. If members really want to be on the BOE they will campaign for it.
Another appointed board. A group of people chosen by the politicians.
One more way to eliminate the voice of the voting population. Don't let them choose the people that oversee their children's education and don't let them fire them when they haven't represented the public, but their own agendas.
This is the worst idea ever imaginable, especially after the entire K-8 fiasco.
I intend to Put Bristol First, rather than any political party or personal agenda.” Johnson concluded, “The residents of Bristol have been clamoring for a change – I offer that change and my ideas on how we can better serve the people of Bristol in the years to come. Having a strong Board of Education with candidates who are ready, willing and able to serve is essential to promoting quality education in our community.
How is taking the public's ability to choose who they want to run our kids education system "best for Bristol?"
Who will decide if the people to serve on the BOE are ready willing and able? What if I'm not happy with the choices they made?
I vote for people that I believe are ready willing and able. If they don't want to take the time to tell me why they are good for the children of bristol then they aren't Ready Willing and Able to serve the children in this town.
Well since "the public" has chosen 6 Democrats and 3 Republicans in every election since the board was elected, I think there's a lack of public input here.
In my opinion, the board of education candidates are endorsed, scruntinized and (if they feel it necessary) defeated by the public education system itself. These people are representing the education system not the people that "elect" them. It's time for a new leader to take charge of this broken system and change it for the better for the people.
I hope that Johnson will do this.
I am on record as being in favor of more accountability for Bristol boards and commissions, not less, so I would not support this suggestion. However, I think Mr. Johnson's idea should be fully debated so Bristol residents understand and accept the outcome. And before we act too hastily, remember what the incident was that led to our present system of electing school board members: not something as important as test scores or college acceptance rates, but who got to play in a football game.
Dear Mr. Johnson:
The term "Bristol First" was initially coined by Craig Minor and accepted by a small group of community activists who needed a name to identify themselves in their quest to save the Elk's Club( aka the historic Chauncey Jerome Home) from demolition.
This group was non partisan.
The group naturally disbanded when that goal was achieved.
It's one thing to say one wishes to to put "Bristol first" or rise above political parties. It's quite another to use the name of that particular group "Bristol First" and associate it with your political campaign.
I don't recall Mr. Johnson being active in saving the Jerome Home from demolition, or that "Bristol First" is now an active community group again having taken up another community "cause".
I sincerely wish Mr. Johnson would be more careful in his terminology, and perhaps a bit more creative?
I wish he would refrain from using the name "Bristol First" with his mayoral campaign.
In any case, I am pleased to see that Mr. Johnson has non partisan aspirations! :)
Sincerely,
Cheryl Barb
I can't support anyone that believes the voting populations should have one more choice and right taken away from them and handed to the politicians. They will appoint people that they can dicatate not people that will represent what the parents in this town want for their children's education.
Preach it Craig!
For all those who believe that the public has a say in this, just remember that all six democrats win with much higher numbers than the Republicans and the three highest Gop vote getters win.
So who is really choosing the Boards of Ed, The political parties?
Even though they are on the ballot and win all the voets do is rubber stamp the DTC nominees
Give Johnson until 4:00pm today he may print a retraction!
I sure hope Minor is on leave and not on company time posting on a blog! Ellen does it from because she only works at the Historical Society.
The last thing we need is another appointed board, not directly accountable to the people for their actions.
Parents,in particular, should have the right to vote for school board members. It is essential that parents are involved in matters that affect the education of their children. What better way than by directly electing this policy making board that has purvue over more than 56% of the General Fund ?
After all, the public is entrusted to vote for the City Council -the prime policy making board of this city. So what's the big problem with electing the BOE?
The public should have the right to vote for major school construction projects, and the public should be involved in discussions regarding the size and placement of schools.
Johnson's positions on the schools are contadictory. On one hand, he supports the public's right to vote on major school construction projects; however, on the other hand, he would recind the right to vote for a school board member?
Mr. Johnson is turning the clock backwards.
He should be encouraging the BOE members to interface with the public - parents, teachers, etc. to forward their ideas, rather than seeking to insulate the BOE further, and ultimately making them accountable to him. (That is, if he gets lucky!)
The answer for problems in democratic processes is more democracy and outreach, not less.
I support changing the Board of ED to an appointed board. I feel that the board does not make good decisions due to political reasons.
I feel there is a substantial amount of pressure from special interests in the Dem Party for Board electees to go around with the agenda od the Superintendent rather than the people.
It is clear that today (and for past decades) the BOE takes its marching orders from the Superintendent NOT the people. I believe an appointed board will put better qualified people onto the Board.
ward has already stated that the Boe should start interfacing with the school personell, the staff, the pto's, the parents and the students. he wants the boe to form an interactive panel - great idea too.
I believe the BOE should have a public relations committee as Mr.Ward has suggested.The statement that having an appointed BOE would only serve to insulate them MORE is quite correct.They should be accountable to those who will be "footing the bill",the taxpayers.I would HOPE the BOE would have learned from this K-8,900 student schools ordeal, that they did a really poor job in obtaining a consensus from the taxpaying parents and ALL taxpayers in our city before moving on this project.I repeat, I HOPE they learned!
Cheryl,
Theoretically you're right when you state that elected board members are a better representation for the people. But in reality the "elected" board members are the more popular people and they always are 2 Democrats to one Republican, no Independents. Political affiliation should not have anything to do with serving on the Education Board. The BOE should not be a popularity contest or a pandering contest.
Some qualified, educated, experienced people who don't care to be on an elected ballot could be helping the city. We have had members of the BOE who have no formal higher education and ones without career qualifications who have no business being on that board who were/are on it. An appointed board would end this problem.
Also, the education unions are incredibly influencial in getting board members elected. Do you think that's good for the children and the taxpayers? I can assure you it is not.
Tim,
You would think Ellen and Minor would think the same, but they support this whole K-8 crap!
I heard that there will be a "Working Families" candidate for BOE this time. She's getting my vote, and all she needs to do to win is poll better than all but 2 of the 6 Republicans that are on the ballot.
I think the Bristol Bored of Ed would be better off if it consisted of six chimpanzees and three barn owls.
IT DOESN'T?
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