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Chula Vista candidates declare intent to run June 3
Correction: Arlie's brother used to work for Marty Block, but Arlie's sister-in-law still works for Mr. Block. I guess loyalty is more important than actually following the law. Too bad that is the lesson the students are getting as well.— March 14, 2014 12:04 a.m.
Chula Vista candidates declare intent to run June 3
No, the poll in question was taken by the reporter on the Southwestern campus, according to what I read. 115 people polled. 91 said she should go, 5 said she should stay, the rest weren't sure... But what is really interesting to me is that she--Arlie, that is--had a letter of support from Marty Block, who remarked on all the good she has done for the community. Mr. Block was questioned about all the charges she had against her, and he said he wasn't really that familiar, that a staff member had written the letter. Oh---and Arlie Ricasa's brother works for Marty Block. So--is Arlie safe because she has Marty's protection? If so, what does that say for our elected officials? That they ignore the law because they do favors for friends? Not very inspiring. Rather, this is a clear demonstration of how in-bred the politics are here. Revolting.— March 13, 2014 11:09 p.m.
Sweetwater district teachers vote on strike
Yes, I'd have to agree with you here. Will we ever get that forensic accounting report that goes back to Fast Eddy's first (messed up) administration? Why are there money problems? Let's ask the Edmeister himself where all the money has gone.— March 13, 2014 10:32 p.m.
Chula Vista candidates declare intent to run June 3
Yes, anniej, it is very wrong that the public never seems to be included in the spending of the public's money. I keep asking, who are the real estate people who are involved in all these transactions? Because it does take licensed professionals to accomplish these purchases, slick "trades" that keep Sweetwater paying yet not owning...surely there are records of the people involved? More favors for Ed Brand's friends? Fronts? What?— March 13, 2014 9:44 p.m.
Sweetwater district teachers vote on strike
I am not a teacher, but have been following the assorted messes, disasters, cover-ups, schemes, diversions and dare I say, idiocy, that has been Sweetwater for quite some time now. Ed Brand has wasted more money on his discretionary pet projects, has ensured that he and his wife will have gold-plated health care for life, yet he persists in wanting to reduce the health care benefits of teachers. Despite an earlier agreement that they would remain in place. And the do-nothing, know-nothing board of trustees lack the gumption to do the right thing. These teachers need to be heard. They need to be listened to. They are being systematically undermined by Ed Brand and his pals...the bringing on of charter schools is being done primarily to reduce the strength of the teachers. What the public needs to know is that Ed Brand does nothing to build up students, teachers, the educational system...it is all done for himself, his money, his friends, his friends' money, which will end up further enriching Ed Brand. Because Fast Eddy, who likes to strong-arm and intimidate, really likes it when his friends can pay back his favors. Education? More like Mafioso, old-school. Allegedlies all around, of course. Time for Fast Eddy to learn a lesson.— March 13, 2014 9:05 p.m.
Auction on for Pacific View Elementary School
You said it. It is, however, really great to see that community members are voicing opinions and not letting go of this. It shows what can be done, despite school board members feeling their decisions are the final statement. The question is, have there been promises made to parties unknown at this time? (Forgive me if the question seems out of line. I have been paying attention to the shenanigans of Sweetwater for a long time now. And there, as you well may know, there are more questions than answers on the subject of a school district being involved in land speculation and real estate development).— March 13, 2014 9:34 a.m.
Auditor, ethics director back plan to purge emails
Seems more than a bit turned around. Let's hope better heads prevail.— March 10, 2014 9:23 p.m.
Chula Vista candidates declare intent to run June 3
Some of us don't have as much background on some of these people. Can anyone tell me why Rindone was not reelected to the County B of E? So are we stuck with business as usual? And Please Not McCann?! It would be interesting to learn what positions some of these individuals would take on the Sweetwater corruption/Ed Brand's out-of-control spending/general fiasco-level of district mess. Not to mention the teachers who may well be forced to strike over Brand reneging on contract medical benefit terms.— March 10, 2014 7:05 p.m.
State reprimands SD schools for financial missteps
The good news is that the State is actually looking at some of this stuff. The bad news is that apparently they have not reached the deeper levels of the problems. But I will take this as a start--maybe Sweetwater will interpret this as the shot across the bow, or maybe Sweetwater will at long last decide to come clean, own up and clean up? We are not going away until that happens. No more siphoning off of funds...we need the honest and correct allocation of our school resources. Stop the scams!— March 1, 2014 12:09 p.m.
Sweetwater district meeting marked by chaos
correction--in a way it is a type of self-preservation... Aligning with a dysfunctional organization ends up messing with people's minds in all sorts of negative ways. It will take some strong and intelligent leadership to bring Sweetwater out of this. Getting rid of the real problems, and trying to work with what is still salvageable...I am wondering if Bill Kowpa is available, because it will take someone with that kind of background to eradicate all the disaster zones within Sweetwater.— February 22, 2014 8:51 a.m.