Readers who wish to read…just the facts, this synopses may help.

The Rotten Tomato Award - Joe Cimperman -  the Trans fat debate  The Community Hero Award - Maryanne Petranek - for her steadfast, on going, work getting the traffic camera issue before the voters where do Council members stand - with the common people or the power elite? Issue 12 past tense issues centered attention on concerns within the minds of thousands of citizens citywide. Now the concerns center on Council member involvement in improving civic conditions within the ward. councilman for Ward 3 Joe Cimperman responded A review of issues 1 to 4 and Council members responses for year 2010 is condensed here to be distributed among candidates at election time.  Lincoln West High School – Part three  more fire alarm suspensions - possible student tuition is in question suspension rewards for school officials A waste of tax dollars for education a memo to Suzan - you are awesome! Nicole - a public school drop out - a mother's wisdom - a charter school winner - a trip to Europe

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Open Letter No. 22 in the series, "Election 2013: A Betrayal of the Public Trust...will be titled again if..." 

February 13, 2012

To the Citizens of Cleveland,

Members of Cleveland City Council,

Mayor Frank Jackson,

The Rotten Tomato Award for the year 2011 goes to Ward 3 Councilman Joe Cimperman

He is deserving of the award for his anti-democracy decision on banning trans fat as part of the Healthy Cleveland program. 18 councilpersons that voted for the legislation need to REALLY THINK before acting, they are all deserving of the award. Phyllis Cleveland was the only wise leader who did not step on democracy when she voted against the measure. A full explanation against the ban can be read by clicking on the Open Letter below.

An update on the trans fat controversy. I’ll let the PD tell the story…

Cleveland files in court to keep its ban on trans fats

Published: Tuesday, January 03, 2012

City Hall needs to go for the Ohio legislators "Jugular". The bolsters need to file suit in Ohio Supreme Court with a firm decision to "succeed from the union (leave Ohio)" Home Rule is causing too many problems for local politicians and really…end the squabbles, and become independent. Rule with an iron fist, and watch the exodus of citizens and businesses leave Cleveland for better living conditions elsewhere…in Ohio…where they can eat McDonald's French fries without the horrible fear of consuming trans fat.

The Community Hero Award goes to Maryanne Petranek, the organizer of the petition drive to remove the traffic cameras from Cleveland streets.

Although the petition drive had not as yet gathered enough signatures of registered voters to place the issue on the ballad for a public vote the campaign was and still is a success. I have talked to many people who would have liked to sign the petition but did not have a chance to. And not having the opportunity to do so (dare I say thousands of voters), is a money-boost for the government.

Ms Petranek and many other citizens, who helped her in getting out the petitions for people to sign, deserve special attention. Because through their efforts, thousands of citizens were able, in signature form, say to all councilmen, issues such as the traffic camera one should be debated among voters. And allowed the collective intellect vote of yea or nay to be announced on Election Day. Yes I said intellect, are any of these citizens that had upheld democracy by signing the petitions, doing the same against the State of Ohio’s traffic laws?

Ms Petranek deserves The Community Hero Award on another front. She did what many fine upstanding citizens, people who uphold democracy, but apprehensive (meaning the opposition is an uphill battle) about doing something to keep the ideal strong in government. She put aside all the oppositions for a foreseeable victorious fight against, and became a candidate for Council more than two years ago for the Ward 18 seat, the seat Martin Sweeney now holds. Well, if you asked about how she feels about being the looser, be prepared to hear all about the reasons she feels "victorious".

Now if she decides to try again to bounce Sweeney from his "comfy" seat, the lady in waiting, just might have a strong hold Sweeney cannot buy with a bottle of beer or for that matter, an endorsement from the power elite at the Plain Dealer. No, the beer and PD propaganda did not do much good in swaying voters against voting for the lady the first time. And didn’t do too much good in swaying 9,703 non-voters to vote for Sweeney. Now if…and only if the lady again decides to talk over Sweeney’s jeeberjabber, she may have a mighty force in voters who already trusts her. And I feel they are willing to spread the confidence among the 9,703 non-voters.

But I wonder…I wonder how many of the 9,703 citizens signed the traffic camera petitions, and now feel the lady will do more for democracy in the community if elected. Sweeney is setting in Council to basically enrich the government which is "basically" governed by the power elite who (not all) agree in… keeping the traffic cameras in place, is kinda like prostituting the red lights, all for the glory of the green. Am I wrong Sweeney? He won’t answer, doesn't have the courage, his tongue has been silenced by people in high places.

This is not an endorsement for the lady. She does not need my writing put on her excellent record of city wide works.

Citizens should not confuse the Community Hero Award with the PD’s plural Heros Award. Lets just say I’m adding something of interest toward citizens who are rarely noticed by the paper.

Council members are midway between terms. And this series of writings centered on their work ethics FOR THE PEOPLE (meaning for the voter/ constituents), and all citizens (many very poor) who in some way pay taxes to the government in Cleveland. So when citizens pay out money, they expect something in return. Well, the "pay out" is not voluntary, so the "return" at best is services citizens are now rightfully complaining about. And in too many cases it does not matter to the politician (not all) what the public thinks.

They may even be whispering out of hearing range, complain all you want, I got your money and when Election Day rolls around, well if I want to keep the money flowing my way…gotta!..all those bill I made…sure I can get a job but not as lucrative, I may have to lie-a-bit on the campaign trail, but that’s not really bad, people do it every day…sometimes twice. Well, it doesn’t matter what the public thinks; it’s what people in high places think. Hay, I don’t want to brag but I even get a $1,000 extra bucks every month…for business expenses. Yea, I don’t want to boast but, but that’s more money than some people in the community get a month. But gotta keep the $1,000 on the QT, citizen’s think I’m already making too much money. Hay why should I worry, my name will get me a lot of votes; it may even scare citizens away from trying to beat me. The PD endorsements have been great contributions to the campaigns. I’m a good servant to the power elite, would the PD endorse me otherwise? But still…

Nothing is for sure. The above scramble of thoughts plus others that may pulsate through the mind of politicians to the point of ending in migraine headaches, is simply put, "nothing is for sure". And what makes those four words profound when it comes from citizens around the city ready to share information concerning the inactive work ethic of Council members (not all) in the wards. And ever since this WebSite was raised in 2001, I have embraced the echoes heard, sometimes for year, waiting for the right passage to include those concerns on the pages of this site. Two years ago, I decided to do something different with some of the citizen concerns written about in seasons past. I placed them in issue form, 12 to date, questioned Council members and expected answers to be relayed to readers. Based on the feedback, which did enlighten some readers, to others not surprising when, the answers of silence came back. But silence has an open ended message, to think whatever…

What has a councilman done "civic concerns" to improve conditions in a ward? An example: What had a councilperson done to improve school conditions etc. Issue No.12 centers attention on these "civic concerns". And if leaders put aside the response of silence, the information provided can become boosters when campaigns for re-election comes around. This is what voters are looking for, not what they get in PD endorsements which amounts to a hill of beans. Issue 12 is broken down into two parts, years 2010 and 2011. The following email was sent out, with responses placed below it.

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Issue No 12. This issue is in two parts. Past tense issues centered attention on concerns within the minds of thousands of citizens citywide. Now the concerns center on your involvement in improving civic conditions within the ward. Part one focuses in on improvements you made in the year 2010. What can you share (civic works) with citizens in your ward?

Civic works shared with citizens can become important boosts in an election where candidates will most assuredly, challenge your integrity to voters in all parts of the neighborhood. And it’s foolish to assume candidates will not rise up and challenge your work record.

Kind regards…Len

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18 members remained silent. PLEASE NOTE. The question I asked, centers on civic concerns citizens have which differ in each of the wards. The silence in return should come to conclusions in the minds of citizens as answers to the "concerns".

Joe Cimperman did answer, after the third reminder. His comments were…

January 19, 2012

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January 20,

The Following is a review of issues presented to Council members on this WebSite for the year 2010.

Issue No. 1 "Legal status of Traffic Cameras"

Majority silence prevailed on this issue. However, Ward 18 Councilman Martin Sweeney’s assistant provided indirect info. Click… and scan down to Index of Issues, click as directed to read her comments.

If I was councilman, this is what I would have written in an email to the citizens in my ward.

" If I was councilman years ago when the vote was cast, I would not have voted to raise the traffic cameras in Cleveland for two solid reasons. The first being, too many citizens in my ward already voted (vocal opinions) against raising them. And second also grounded in citizen understanding of Cleveland’s Home Rule in the Ohio constitution states, issues that conflict with state law (in this case traffic law) is not valid.

This ward has plenty of smart citizens, many of who have signed petitions to remove the cameras, but none that I know of care to sign petitions removing the Ohio’s traffic laws.

And once again, I wish to thank the people who came to my rescue when the heat of opposition among politicians was on. And the power elite who wished to trashes me because of my loyalty to democracy. Which in turn means the best in moral work ethics will always be served to citizens, politicians and the power elite".

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Issue No. 2 Who ordered "hands off" the Cleveland Public Schools.

Majority silence prevailed on this issue. However, Ward 5 Councilman Kevin Kelley provided indirect info. Click… and scan down to Index of Issues, click as directed to read his comments.

If I was councilman, this is what I would have written in an email to the citizens in my ward.

" One of the top complaints from citizens in this ward is the schools. Now I don’t know who ordered "hands off" the Cleveland Public Schools. But if I was to speculate, past and present CEO’s of banks have some politicians in this town jumping through hoops…all for the glory of the green. But with me it’s "hands on" and the minute school officials talk down to me like they have done to some parents I know. That is when I’ll get my defense team together (parents, and concerned citizens) talk strategy and raise peaceful hell for the sake of youth in this ward."

Issue NO. 3. Are you having scheduled (Town Hall) meetings with citizens in the ward?

Majority silence prevailed on this issue. However, Ward 6 Councilwoman Mamie Mitchell provided readers with a schedule of three monthly meetings. Yet she did not send any further schedules. Why she stopped is not for me to speculate. Click…

If I was councilman, this is what I would have written in an email to the citizens in my ward.

" Holding Town Hall meetings is perhaps more important than being a member of a Council committee. A major concern I have with committees is signing paper work before citizens had a chance to review the issues. I am but one person and have no righted acting on behalf of citizens whose rights too often had been removed by autocrats in this government. Am I considered a rebel, you bet by some citizens who involuntarily pay my salary, but I’d like them to eventually think of my work worth the income.

Town Hall meetings are so important I’d have them once a week, same time, same place. And if citizen’s voted against an issue presented in committees after a full review of the pros and cons, the concern does not get my signature. Am I a rebel, yes, but for good reasons. The gatherings are so important on another level. Citizens can feel they are a part of government by asking and expecting answers to civic concerns concerning the community or citywide concerns.

And, AND NOW, I am thinking about having a Happy Hour once a week for citizens who wish to join me in talks about happy things which does not include City Hall business or antics. Joe Cimperman gave me the idea when he got on the "Band Wagon" and howled against consuming the poisonous trans fat (like looking for a needle in a haystack) found in foods. But that’s his story and he is sticking to it…all the to the Ohio Supreme Court if needed.

The Happy Hour I’m thinking about must be family friendly. And McDonalds is just the place to meet, greet, talk, laugh and basically have a friendly hour where people can buy McDonalds…how did I state it on page one…oh " eat McDonald's French fries without the horrible fear of consuming trans fat.

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Issue 4 "The Councilmen’s Newsletters to ward citizens was discontinued, why?

Silence on this issue prevailed over the majority of members but a few broke the pattern. They are Phyllis Cleveland, Mamie Mitchell, Michael Polensek, Martin J. Sweeney and Joe Cimperman.

Cimperman’s assistant responded but she did not provide a direct answer. Cimperman is responsible for data she places in emails. The data can be read by Clicking on… than go to Index of Issues.

Ward 6 Councilwoman Mamie Mitchell provided readers with a schedule of three monthly meetings. Yet she did not send any further schedules. Why she stopped is not for me to speculate. Click… and scan down to Index of Issues, click as directed to read her comments.

If I was councilman, this is what I would have written in an email to the citizens in my ward.

"The Council member Newsletters should become history and I will encourage my colleagues to replace them with web sites. The Internet is the way to go in getting out info on a weekly basis or whatever time frame members choose to have. The allocation of funds for the Newsletters was on a quarterly basis, but some members published less, others none at all. Last year the funding was reduced to two Newsletters a year. Communications with citizens in the wards is almost becoming mute and like the Town Hall meetings struggling to stay afloat. Web site can provide what the Newsletters now offer plus much more in what citizens would like to read. And done at a fraction of the cost Council now puts out for the Newsletters. And the best part of all, if open communication is a democracy passion among members, the echoes of citizens will than fill City Hall’s Council Chambers energetic give and take conversation, a definite sign the public is welcome. I will show my passion by raising a web site…and probably be cursed for doing so. But I don’t need the Plain Dealers endorsement…just from citizen’s who expect service from the man who services them."

The Four issues stated here is still open for Council members input. Citizens deserve answers and if leaders cannot be direct and to the point, the public is at least entitled to explanations…or when the election rolls around candidates may try to answer them.

When the candidates are known from all the wards, they will receive copies of the issues stated over a period of four years, with invitations to respond to all.

But beware if candidates remain silent, it may be a sign of what’s to come in the future. More silence could mean more isolation of wills between City Hall and the public. I will place them all on this WebSite as invitations to read what the Plain Dealer is lacking in the endorsements and what is absent when votes are cast for names alone.

February is Black History Month, which means the media, in specific the PD in remembering the people; local pioneers whom in various ways improved on the human condition. But what is most important in honoring them, is not just in the remembering, but in feeling the spirit of their passions. In carrying the emotions into the future, because if not, all that has been gained could be lost…lost because here in Cleveland, men of power are testing democracy. Remembering who came before, the black and white pioneers who gave us the freedom that only democracy can give, must be protected against men in waiting, waiting to tie our hands to the plow.

So far the PD has avoided honoring two men who was not popular in government circles for keeping open communication with the public. And in there own ways honored a passage in democracy that warned against silence to the people from ruling leaders.

The men of honor go to Dr. Edward Young and Dr. Frederick Holliday. I need not repeat what I already written. Go to…

But I feel the PD should do an analyses of Holliday’s last interview on WJMO Radio a few hours before his death. The news media squelched it at the time, perhaps not intentional, but the PD should now do what they did not do years ago. I gave a copy of the broadcast tape to Young. Some time after, he wanted me to collaborate with him on a book concerning the horrid time it was for many citizens concerning both men. I was engaged in others writings and did not have any breakaway time to give to the project. However, I hope in my writings here, I made up for lost time.

                                               Lincoln West High School – Part three

The following elected and none elected officials received at least three emails concerning John, a student at LWHS who is now serving expulsion of 80 schools days for telling the truth.

The officials are as follows,

Cuyahoga Council members, Dave Greenspan, Jack Schron, Michael J. Gallagher.

I do not think anyone of the above or below gives a damn what happens to this 16 year old youth. The first email should have received a response, I’m not pleading for intervention on public issues here, but for the intervention of a young person who just might at this time in life, drop out of school because of some cruel antics of some officials at LWHS. Three emails are enough with the exception of Cleveland City Council members, because each one must take the blame for turning away from youth in need of help, not just from LWHS. Anyone who feels they do not warrant the message in this paragraph, please email your concerns…but stay away from excuses, there are none when it come to the education of youth, no matter what part of Ohio they live in.

Ohio Department of Education board members, Jeffrey A. Hardin, Kathleen McGervey, Tess Elshoff.

Superintendent of Public Instruction, Stan Heffner.

Governor John Kasish is responsible for the inactions of Stan Heffner, the man he appointed as head of public instruction. I will continue sending emails to Heffner, but if the memos do not provide feedback the Governor should be made accountable. NO, no one is to busy when it comes to intervening when school officials who are acting beyond the scope of reasoning. Does anyone ever wonder why parents are removing loved ones from public schools and putting them into charter or private ones?

If anyone wonders why I haven’t contacted CEO Eric Gordon of Cleveland Public Schools, no email address. I only communicate by email, which provides instant recipes. Public officials, who are not open to this method of communication, do not show real concern for citizen concerns. And all that do this are showing disrespectful to the tax paying public, the people who pay their salaries.

All of members Cleveland City Council…

They will continue receiving the emails because the "BACK TURNING" must stop, and the "HANDS ON" must start. If not, citizens must continue thinking about what to do about the "back turning", and must start selecting candidates for Council who are willing to pledge "hands on" the schools.

Forget Mayor Jackson. Six years of having "Mayor control of the schools" has done nothing to improve on the conditions at Lincoln West. And yes, I don’t think he gives a damn (educationally) about what happens to students at LWHS. Actions speak louder than words. Six years, no action.

Lincoln West is in Councilman Brian Cummins Ward 14. I do not cite Cummins for any of the above. At the present time, I feel he is trying to set down with officials to get some no-nonsense answers.

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On the last day of school before Christmas break, the fire alarm switch was pulled twice. Did the video cameras catch the pranksters on tape? Maybe so, and I’m sure more immediate suspensions was handed out.

Whatever happened to the act of, first offence – a stern talk and warning of what’s to come if rules are broken again, with documentation of the acts and warnings sent home to parents or guardians. Second offence – a taste of what’s to come if rules become a test for student’s rebellious attitudes. Third offence – in house suspension with chances of shortening of time based on completion of class work where applicable. Expulsion should only take place when students become so radical – the education of other students become a hindrance.

Expulsion not to homes or streets, but to special schools where students can receive a combined education of behavior insights that help to modify rebellious attitudes along with the studies in the three R’s. Many young people go to schools with emotional problems coming with them from homes or the streets, and mind-set could be blocking the flow education. Emotional problems should become a major entry into the process of learning. Think, really THINK about the low grades LWHS receives on the ODE school report cards? Does it have anything to do with "emotional problems" students carry into the classroom? In my opinion, ignore this part of a youth’s education and be damned! But throughout the process of doing the right thing for Cleveland youth, from the first offence to the last, the thread of thought in all of this is in working toward getting students back into regular schools settings. If none of the above works, the rebellious ones will probably leave the schools before officials can pronounce it.

What I stated above is nothing new, in various ways its been done in the past and may be practiced currently in some schools. But not at LWHS, Instead, instant suspensions seem the way to go. But when officials become to quick in acting mistakes are made. But when they happen in government services, mistakes are swept under the carpet, admit nothing, cover up the mistakes with more mistakes, do whatever, government authority must never be undermined.

I feel John was just a head count in October, in gaining over 8,000 thousand in tuition tax funds. In house suspension was the way to go in October, but when November rolled in, suspension exploded to the home. John for the most part has been following the rules. He is in the, hopefully, majority group of suspended students who are staying away from the troublesome side of the streets.

What about the student who pointed a finger at John as the one who pulled the alarm switch. He was revealed on video camera as the prankster. Did he really deserve a 50 school day expulsion without a firm counseling session beforehand and warnings of what’s to come if…? Yet there are rewards for schools officials who "at the drop of a hat" hand out punishments. How many students are now on expulsion or suspension to the homes…to…the…homes…hopefully! No, school officials are not about to tell. Maybe the students are already targeted by officials for another round when they come back, if they don’t smile when authority walks by.

What are the rewards for officials at LWHS? The rewards are Ohio tax funds to the Cleveland schools to educate the city’s youth. But when education is not happening with students on suspension or expulsion, what is it if not rewards? Cuyahoga County citizens pay more if they own property. The majority portions of these taxes are distributed among County school districts. Cleveland may be at the top in receiving the most in tax funds, but could be at the bottom in fund allocations in direct services to students. The combined tax amounts per student tuition is well over $8,000. But how much of that amount actually goes toward direct services to the student? A sensitive question certainly! Well, if I may be so bold as to say, it's nobody’s business about how much in tuition funds go where but a few insiders. Hay if administration was honest with the public about the tuition and school budget, they just might have a hard time selling the levies. Now the PD can provide the information, but levies come first, it matters not if students get shortchanged in the end.

Lets bring the school tax issue down to a personal level. I pay taxes on my home, forget about the investment end of it, that went south when the government started blueprinting what the "men in power" wanted for Downtown, University Circle and other areas of development dreams.

The total school days in suspension and expulsion if John is not allowed back in school sooner are 91. Now looking at this scenario from a personal viewpoint, my tax dollars was not spent on John’s education. Now because school officials have not come forward to defend their positions in stripping John’s right to an education, John is telling the truth and my tax dollars have been diverted. Spent on energizing the minds of officials who spend much time in finding ways to keep the pubic out of public affairs.

It may be a waste of my taxes and a waste of education John did not receive, but they become rewards to schools officials, thanks to the protectors I wrote about at the beginning of this text. So cold, They remind me of a group of people standing on a street corner, watching a fight and waiting to see blood flow or worse, instead of doing whatever it takes to stop it. What's the difference, blood flows from physical damage, damaged emotions flow from wounded minds.

There are many John’s in the school system, facing punishment because officials were too quick in striking emotional blows to minds that may already have too much of societies dark side to handle. It’s careless on the part of leaders who should know better in acting too quickly. They can catch a glimpse of their short comings by looking out at all the charter and private schools around them in the city who not only have to educate but center attention just on the emotional baggage youth bring with them from the public schools.

Sometimes I feel the reasons for the pubic schools borderline education, is to keep the majority of youth corralled in the city. Where marginal thinking becomes a play ground for politicians concerned about winning elections via deceptive acts that works on the naïve. And keeping the thinkers among voters away from the poles because the "deceptive acts" which they may feel, have mounted so high, the vote seems a waste of time. Defeat among the thinkers, now that brings smiles to the faces of certain politicians, who feel the education of youth in this city, does not need involvement from them. 

John is a close friend of Edward, Suzan and Martin. Suzan is taking this incident the hardest. They have been best school friends for a long time. She is learning fast that life’s situations are not always fair. Other students beside the three feel John did not deserve what was handed down. One of them in walking from one class to another approached a school official who was involved in John’s expulsion. The student asked, when would John be allowed to come back to school. The official hesitated…than stumbling over his words said, Well…he has to fill out some papers, than the judge has to review them before John can come back.

Now that seems confusing to John and myself. What the school official is saying, is the 80-day expulsion maybe longer, pending on what the judge orders? Confusing yes and this should be a matter that has Councilman Brian Cummins asking questions. John was not told at the onset about paperwork he must fill out before the eighty days is up? Will he have to serve more time before the judge reviews the papers? At this point in time, there is no promise, which John assumed from the start, that on the eighty-first day, he would be back in school.

Suzan from what I know, you have become unhappy with many things you have witnessed at LWHS. Right or wrong imagined or real, all have in some way effected your grade standing. Many students, who see it all on a daily bases, do muddle through it to graduation. I call them survivors, they have learned something beyond academics, life can have many pitfalls and you must learn the basic defenses, survival tactics not found in textbooks. But there are students who in order to survive the experience to the end, must move on to other schools.

I understand Suzan that your parents are not happy either with LWHS, and is preparing to make a move to sell the house (at an investment loss) and buy a home in the suburbs or possibly rent. In doing whatever to give their children better schools to attend. But nothing is for sure in quickly selling houses these days and you should be thinking about alternative solutions to the school dilemma. Your grades may not be up to par, but that does not mean you don’t have the smarts to make your dreams come true. You have the smarts, find a school that believes homework with textbooks are important primers (home study) in helping to make dreams become reality.

Seven years ago Suzan, I wrote about another girl in a public school (not LWHS) where officials did little in making her feel like a good student. She was not achieving academically and some teachers and the principal felt Nicole would do better if she were transferred into special classes for slow learners.

Throughout Nicole’s whole experience, Lisa the mother knew something was very, very wrong about her daughter’s schooling after many visits with teachers and the principal. It was the principal especially through acting superior by talking down to Lisa as if to say, "just listen!’ She made Lisa feel like a parent who needed parenting classes. But Lisa’s faith in her daughter’s ability to achieve beyond expectations of these leaders placed Nicole in a charter school nearest home. Lisa’s constant faith in her daughter over the next few years proved to be right on target. Nicole was bringing home, beside HOMEWORK and TEXTBOOKS, so many awards they just about covered one bedroom wall.

I said this before and it’s worth saying it again, Suzan your options are open, wither it be in a suburban public school or a charter here, who knows, just before graduation time, you may be getting letters like Nicole did from universities that included grants and invitations to visit the campuses. Nicole could have finished covering her bedroom wall with them. And that’s not all, another plus came Nicole’s way when she was acknowledged in the 2004-5 edition of the book " Whose Who Among American High School Students. "

And now for the plus that put a big smile on Nicole’s face where it stayed all the way to Europe and back. She was chosen to participate in the Washington D.C. based People to People Student Ambassador Programs.

And like every article I write and litters written the PD gets copies. Now of course they remained silent concerning Nicole’s achievements. Silent because they would rather put out articles on the public schools that can be used as image boosters. It would be nice if they did the same for charter and private schools but these centers are not hurting from the lack of media attention.

About the time Lisa was preparing her daughter for the trip, the PD was coming out with article after article trashing the owner of the charter school Nicole attended. Trashing the owner it seemed was more important than shedding light on achievers in any of the charter schools. Citizens are privileged to read about charter schools, which are not making the grade, or going under, but not centering equal attention on public schools that were doing the same thing for much longer. Why, why all the PR print for the public schools and PU print for the charter schools? The answer is not difficult to understand. MONEY. The public schools have lost millions of dollars to the charters thus far and that brings frowns to the faces of the power elite (not all) who like to drive fancy cars. Why do you think Jackson is invited to dine with people who have money signs for eyes? It’s not because services to students are up to citizen satisfaction. So the beat goes on also at LWHS, where more students will not be going back to the school in the fall. And that is really sad, sad from the point of officials in the school district, sad from the point of politicians, ALL OF THEM who are not getting the message year after year. They expect students to learn their lessons but did the leaders; did any of them learn anything from the charter school movement? Lesson up, there are plenty of them in all those marvelous academic plans the district received over the years. So get into the lessons, do your HOMEWORK than act and get back to the basics, start bringing in the money for the sake of the teachers, the good among them do not deserve layoff notices.

No, Nicole did not read anything about her achievements at a charter school from the PD, But she did read a letter from Sir Andrew Bowdeng, M.B.A
Member of Parliament and 1970 – 1997, Member of the Council of Europe, 1987 – 1997, that made her feel so very proud. I included the letter in the following article. Click…

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Election 2013: "A Betrayal of the Public Trust"...will be titled again if...

  Information voters should know before casting votes in the next election.

Index of All Open Letter Topics for 2010 & 11

2011 Rotten Tomato Award: goes to Councilman Joe Cimperman  

2011 Community Hero Award: Maryanne Petranek 

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