The garbage man challenged

SJTorres - your insult is not appreciated. You and your 160+ comments on Reader articles indicate that you are a certified gadfly. Why don't you take time from your busy schedule of posting insults and online bullying and read the Attorney General's 126 page report on conflicts of interest? Or the FPPC rulings on ethics? Or the Common Law Doctrine against self-dealing? I wish I had never applied to that vacant council seat because it has turned my legitimate concerns about the Miesen incompatible office and COI complaints into sound bites for those willfully ignorant of the laws of this state and country. This country would be better for all of us if we educated ourselves more and spewed garbage out of our keyboards less.
— February 17, 2015 9:27 p.m.

Sweetwater chaos reaches Judge España’s court

Susan - the government code is actually 1770.2. I hope they weren't discussing 1771.2, which seems to be something entirely different! http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/cacode/GOV/1/1/d4/4/2… Cal. Gov. Code 1770.2: Upon the entry of a plea of guilty, the entry of a plea of nolo contendere, or the rendering of a verdict of a guilty either by a jury or by the court sitting without a jury of a public offense, the conviction of which would invoke the provisions of Section 1021, subdivision (h) of Section 1770, or Section 3000, the person found guilty shall not assume the office for which the person is otherwise qualified or shall be suspended immediately from the office the person then holds. During the time of inability to assume an office or of suspension from office, the person shall not be entitled to receive the emoluments of the office, including, but not limited to, the exercise of the powers of the office, the rights to be seated in the office, and the compensation, including benefits, prescribed for the office.
— May 9, 2014 5:33 p.m.

County board of education occupies Sweetwater

In 2007
— February 10, 2014 7:44 a.m.

Castle Park Middle School principal punches back!!

I respect Susan and think of her as a friend. But after reading this article and the subsequent comments, I had to call her. She was kind enough to listen to my earnest defense and praise of the "Mother Theresa" of parenting and teaching, Maria (Murphy) Galleher. It was a very long speech. I have had the privilege of being a friend and neighbor of Maria's for 14 years.Maria is a beloved teacher, a great mother, and a model citizen. She gives of her time and talents while modestly refusing attention or praise. Sadly, if you Google her name after this article was published, only mean-spirited comments tell her story. Maria has been like an older sister to Bobby Bleisch since they were young. Bobby would go to the Murphy home after school for snacks, homework help, and to play sports with her three athletic brothers. Two of Maria's brothers and two of Maria's sisters-in-law are also South Bay educators and very fine people. At Granger Middle, Maria and Bobby's mutual trust and professional admiration for one another gave them confidence to try a new idea. They had high hopes and expectations for the students at Granger, They transformed a glorified after school babysitting service into an academic safety net. Their program had its critics, but the results included better test scores and a clear understanding by students about how essential it is to complete one's homework. Bobby was promoted to Castle Park and proceeded to implement a similar program. Castle Park was also benefitting from a special program grant (which has been cause for unnecessary criticism, in my opinion). I don't think Bobby was part of the original grant, but as it should have a great impact on students at his school, I'm sure he probably supports it. Kevin Beiser transferred from Granger to Castle Park. Kevin is a "Teacher of the Year" in mathematics. A bonus for Castle Park Middle and a loss for Granger, in my opinion. Susan and I both agree that if Mr. Bleisch had met with her and answered her questions directly, Susan would not have had to interpret the story from 400+ emails. Who knows why Bobby didn't meet with Susan. Is there a gag order on administrators? Personally, I think they should be media trained and granted some leeway in responding to questions about their school sites to the press. I think that Susan would have walked away from an informational meeting with Bobby and would have been inspired by his enthusiasm for education. I have personally never heard Maria use foul language. I am sorry to admit that I have used the "B" word myself a time or two. Maria doesn't know Susan. But if the two ever meet, I would wager that they would truly like and respect one another. Maria's email to Bobby was as a close personal friend - a friend trying to jest, lighten the mood, show her support for her buddy who was being ill-portrayed in the press. I think Susan knows that now. Thank you for reading this. Can't we all just get along?
— February 9, 2014 11:41 p.m.