Hills Board

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Retired...Finally

This is my second day formally retired from the school district. Those 13 years were quite a ride...many ups and downs..with much learned and many years of great job satisfaction.

With CARIBE, we enrolled over 12,000 students, surpassed $15 million in grant funds, and earned for the district about $2 million in "profits" from exceeding enrollment and completion goals.

For the past two plus years within student transportation, I worked in four area offices and learned that "bleeding school bus yellow" is not for the faint of heart. My hat is off to those who work in that fast-paced environment. Most people have no idea that the district's transportation office opens each day at 4:00AM and seldom closes before midnight. Each area office opens at 5:00AM...and some stay open until 6:00PM. Every day is filled with driver absences, bus breakdowns, accidents, or student fights on board....not to mention the bizzillion calls from upset parents.

I will not miss this at all while playing golf at Temple Terrace CC. :-)

On another subject: I see Susan Valdes has filed to run again for her board seat. Is there no one out there to truly challenge this hoochie mamma?

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Merry Christmas

Honk If You Love Jesus

Text If You want to Meet Him

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Editors Joe Guidry, Tampa Tribune, and John Hill, SP Times, must be Cafeteria Catholics

I know both John Hill and Joe Guidry are life-long Catholics.

Guidry is a local guy who graduated from Jesuit High School. Hill’s mom graduate from Tampa’s Sacred Heart Academy.

I have no doubt both attend Mass somewhere locally and regularly. And as good Catholics, they both have mastered the art of avoiding any feeling of guilt.

Trouble is, they are both “cafeteria” Catholics, or those who pick and choose which Catholic dogma to believe or discard. For example, the church is pro-life, anti-capital punishment, and opposes gay marriage.. Have Guidry or Hill ever endorsed a political candidate who has an opposite views? If so, should they spend mucho in purgatory?

Truth is, both have given April Griffin a pass and ignored her constant lying and resume embellishments. Both have overlooked her ineffective skill-sets and lack of accomplishments. Both consider her a “niche” candidate to accommodate her GED degree and liberal politics.

Hills goes as far to attack her main opponent, Terry Kemple, by saying his conservative Christian beliefs are “social issue” not suitable for the school board. Does Hill mean morality and ethics are not to be considered a skill-set for school board members.
So when Griffin has constantly lied about being a successful business owner, Hill thinks that is an OK example for the children of Hillsborough county.

And, does Hill really believe that someone like Kemple, who was admitted to the Naval Academy, has less ability to judge curriculum and instruction the our GED-challenged Griffin?

Let’s just admit, John Hill is a lazy reporter-now-editor and not to be taken too seriously. And I still think he loves titty bars.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Is This a Pinhead Item or What?

Noncitizens could soon vote in school board elections

By: Joshua SabatiniExaminer Staff Writer07/08/10 8:58 AM PDT

Board of Supervisors President David Chiu charter amendment to allow noncitizens to vote in elections for the Board of Education is expected to move closer Thursday to being placed on the November ballot.

The Board of Supervisors Rules Committee meets Thursday to vote on whether to send the charter amendment to the full board for a vote. It would take at least six votes by the full board to place it on the November ballot.

The committee meets at 10 a.m. at City Hall in Room 263. The City Controller estimates the measure would increase city costs by a minimum of $788,000 per election to print and distribute voting materials, train poll workers and separately register people who would become eligible to vote in just the school board elections.

The amendment would permit noncitizens 18 years of age or older who have children in San Francisco public schools to vote in the school board elections.

Read more at the San Francisco Examiner: http://www.sfexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/under-the-dome/noncitizens-could-soon-vote-in-school-board-elections-98031449.html#ixzz0tappXpPU

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Could April Griffin run Against April Griffin One Day?

You’re not going to believe this tidbit.

As Gomer would say, “Serprise, serprise.”

Up in Alachua County (Gainesville), April Griffin is running for a school board seat.

No, not our Tarball who we love to diss.

This other April Griffin is a couple years older….and actually has a degree in education and has been a real teacher….not a failed substitute as Tarball.

On Another Front:

This past Monday morning, six Terry Kemple signs were stolen out of my yard and a neighbor’s yard. The thief left the stands…only took the signs.

Since ole April and family live in Temple Terrace, I doubt she, her hubby, or sons were involved. Maybe.

But, three blocks away from me lives her Bubba, her BFF, her fellow Dumpster…..yes I’m talking Susan Valdes. Just wish I had a video camera recording the front yard…which gives me an idea to do just that.

Here’s a true story: back in 2004 when my wife ran against Valdes, a man called one Sunday afternoon about a passenger van in Wellswood stopping at our campaign signs, picking them up and replacing them with Valdes signs. The man gave us the vehicle type and license plate number. He also went to file a police report.

When we drove over the Valdes residence, there was, sure enough, the same vehicle with same plate number. I just wish that guy had a cell phone with camera.

The police took the report but never investigated. And I still have the guy’s phone number. And the lazy Tampa Tribune showed no interest.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

April Griffin's Campaign Contributions and Endorsements

Recently, the Tampa Tribune and it's editorial guy Joe Guidry had to apologize for endorsing April because she only has a GED diploma while presiding over a $3.1 billion budget and the 8th largest school district in the country.

As John Hill will duplicate in the SP Times, Guidry considers Griffin a "niche" candidate who will serve those students not heading to college and she will help enhance Adult Education and Technical Education.

Of course, in my twelve years in Adult and Career, Technical Education, I did not see April once...or hear about her influence trying to advance that agenda. She has no knowledge or ability to do so...nor has any skill set or financial background to understand how to do so. No doubt, she is completely ignored by the SDHC staff, which is not good for a student advocate.

Both Guidry and Hill also have overlooked Griffin's lies about successful business ownership, her lies about community involvement, and her violations of Sunshine Laws with Susan Valdes.

But Guidry and Hill always apologize for their chosen politicians.

April was also endorsed by La Gaceta and the Lesbian, Gay, and Transvestite Alliance. Nothing wrong with these endorsements...other than proving April's liberal politics....and Patrick Matiega's bias since his wife did contribute to April's campaign...along with her backing of Kevin Beckner, our openly gay county commissioner.

Now for the real hoot about Tar-ball's recent campaign finance report: Her husband Brian loaned her $10.

She also reported contributions from the disgraced Ralph Hughes family, disguised as corporate checks. I guess ole April still is repeating Ralph's mantra: "The school district has a spending problem, not a spending problem."

Remember, our county commission stripped Hughes of his Moral Courage award after the press revealed he and his companies owe $168 million in back taxes.

On Another Note:

Lee Decesare is back in the saddle. I thought she was terribly ill, but....she was out of town for an extended time. While I don't always agree with her style and personal attacks, I do admire her energy to write lengthy analysis...and most of her core arguments are correct.

You can see her blog by "googling" her name and find Castingroomcouch.com. You may be shocked...and you may end nodding in agreement with many of her words.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Top 10 Reasons Why SP Times Editor John Hill will Endorse April Griffin

We know John Hill will endorse ole April. Here's why.

10) April is a liberal Democrat. So is John Hill

9) April opposed the majority vote to have Good Friday a non-student day. John Hill concurred in writing.

8) April made over 400 minutes of calls to Susan Valdes’ district issued cell phone breaking Florida Sunshine laws. Hill forgives her because she is a liberal Democrat.

7) April lied about being a successful business owner. Hill forgives her because he knows she needs the job. She was canned from her first and only clerical job with the district.

6) April lied to the Tampa Tribune about being an administrator with the Pace Center for Girls. John really forgives her because she lied to the Tribune.

5) April is a Chamberlain high-school drop-out, turned GED grad. John Hill thinks this is an extra special qualification for a school board seat, and will never ask about why she hasn’t pursed a degree.

4) April claims direct involvement in securing the $100 million Gates Grant. Hill loves Democrat boasts and inflated resumes.

3) April’s main opponent, Terry Kemple, is a conservative Baptist. As a liberal Democrat and Catholic, John Hill forgives April’s apparent atheism. Plus….. Johnny loves titty bars.

2) April continues to grade the Superintendent lowest by any board member. John Hill hates Elia and is rumored to be married to former Tribune editor Rosemary Goudreau.

1) April has done nothing in her first term to improve the school district. John Hill loves a “maverick” and considers Griffin a “niche” candidate, like Valdes.

Actually, SP Times editor John Hill thinks Griffin and Valdes, aka Tar and Ball, to behot mommas.