Watch Karen Gleason propose cutting $200K more from the schools

As mentioned in a previous post, during the tentative budget meeting last week, Councilor Karen Gleason called for cutting an additional $200,000 from the Portsmouth School Department budget based on comments by Dr. Lusi about savings realizable through "shared service." After I questioned her about this during the public comments, she called me up to speak with her at the end of the meeting, and vehemently denied that she was referring to cutting the librarian, guidance counselor, and nurse from the elementary schools. Watch her proposing the cut:

However. Unless Gleason has forgotten her own questioning of Lusi from a Council meeting two weeks earlier, she cannot have been ignorant of the nature of these cuts. In the May 16 school budget meeting, Dr. Lusi described, in response to a question from Councilor West, the early budget draft containing these cuts:

Lusi: Not because the Committee or the administration wanted to, but in order to maintain flexibility, we did displace guidance counselors, librarians, and school nurses at the elementary level, and then we laid off the most junior person in each of these categories, which would have given us the option of sharing guidance counselors across two elementary schools, for example. I spoke with the Committee last night, that the elementary principals came forward with a very persuasive presentation to the Finance Subcommittee about all the reasons why we really need these people in the schools, and that was when the schools were still proposed to be K through 4. So with moving the 5th grade, and given all the needs that they put forward, my recommendation to the committee is that we recall the nurses, guidance counselors, and librarians so there would be one in every school.

[Brief off-topic comment by Councilor West redacted]

Canario: Quickly, Mrs. Gleason.

Gleason: Go back just a few seconds ago talking about flexibility. What was your initial cost savings that you projected, had you kept the 5th grad where they were, and shared the teachers, staff positions, that you were thinking?

Lusi: Trying to think. I don't have it costed out including benefits, but if we assume the librarian, the most junior librarian I think is around a step 5 teacher, the most junior nurse, I can't recall if she's a 7...

Gleason: How about a rough estimate, with salary and benefits. Would that have been three positions?

Lusi: Yeah, it would have been three positions and it would have been greater than the 75 thousand dollars.

Gleason: Roughly 150-200 thousand? So you could have probably saved between 150 to 200 thousand dollars, had you left the 5th grade where they were and shared those positions amongst the elementary staff. But it would not have impacted the teachers, as far as the number of teachers teaching the kids.

Lusi: But it would have an enormous impact, as the principals reviewed with the Committee, on the services provided to kids.

Gleason: But not teaching, academic...

Lusi: Actually, guidance counselors and nurses both teach part of the health curriculum at the elemntary schools, and the librarian...

Gleason: (unintelligible)

Lusi: I was getting to that. The librarian is very actively involved in the literacy program and also teaches the technology program.

Gleason: Thank you.

Transcribed at Portsmouth Town Hall, 6/8/07, from Tape TCM Budget - schools, May 16, 2007, Tape 2, Side B, approximately 40 minutes in.

Pretty clear from the above that we're talking about a nurse, guidance counselor, and librarian, no?

Just to be complete, here is the transcript, which you can check against the YouTube clip above, taken from the Cox video of the May 30th meeting, in which Gleason refers specifically to the cuts. The 'alternative B' she refers to is a reduced-fee plan for transfer station stickers:

Gleason: Well I can take a stab at it. I don't really want to do this Mr. Driscoll. I guess I would ask both of you to reconsider, over the next couple hours we're going to be here, don't know if you have another creative way to come up with some money. I will make a motion that we go with Alternative B tentatively, to give you guys an opportunity to rethink this, and passing the elderly, take that right out of the picture for those that are 70 years old and older on the condition that we look at the school department budget and find that 200-thousand dollars cost savings there.

Katzman: (off camera) Second for discussion.

Canario: (off camera) Mr. Katzman?

Katzman: So you're proposing, Ms. Gleason, to approve the revenue page as presented with Alternative B and you plan to cut another 200 thousand dollars from the school department budget after we've already cut them 700 thousand dollars this evening?

Gleason: Mr. Canario can I respond to that?

Canario: Yes you can.

Gleason: Well as you recall we had Dr. Lusi come before us, I asked her [what?] her initial savings cost for um and I don't know how many people understood that dialog, but she had an original plan, a savings, between 150, she said she couldn't remember the number, didn't have her figures with her, but it was between 150 thousand to 250 thousand dollars, that she found herself. She had a plan where she could share services at the elementary level, but what she did was she scratched that plan, and then made the plan to move the fifth grade down to the elementary and it went from there and snowballed and snowballed and snowballed. So if she did in fact go back to her original plan, she's not here in the audience, there could be a potential savings of 200 thousand dollars.

Did you have any difficulty understanding the dialog Gleason had with Lusi two weeks ago? No?

And look at this fascinating rhetorical strategy, eh? It makes Dr. Lusi sound like she's cooked up a scheme, moved the fifth grade as a diversion, created some unstoppable juggernaut bent on screwing the taxpayers out of $200K. No mention of the persuasive presentation by the principals, which proves the decision was not dependent on the 5th grade move; that has just evaporated.

I said to the Council at the meeting, and I'll say it again: school nurses protect medically fragile children (and are our first line of defense against potentially dangerous diseases), guidance counselors ensure behavioral issues and emotional challenges are addressed, and school librarians are the only ones left in our elementary schools who teach technology. There is no doubt in my mind that these were exactly the cuts that Gleason was referring to, and her denial does not square with her comments on the public record. You can go to Town Hall and ask to hear the tapes. (Or you can file a FOIA request for Larry's basement, but that's another story...)

November 2008 is not all that far away, Ms. Gleason. And there are enough elementary school parents to vote out of office people who propose measures which put their kids at risk.


Caveat: I am not a professional transcriptionist. The reproductions above are as faithful as the audio quality permitted.

Comments

John-
Let's run through the math here. Say Ms. Gleason was Queen of Portsmouth and able to dictate to the School Committee that they must follow the "shared services" scheme to save $200K, which was then passed on to the taxpayer in the form of reduced property taxes (I think that's her point, isn't it?).
Each penny of the tax rate generates approximately $35K in revenue to the Town. $200K divided by $35K equals 5.71 cents off the tax rate. So, all things being equal, the tax rate would be reduced from $10.95 per thousand to $10.89 per thousand. The average assessed value for a single-family home (land & buildings) last year was $289K, which generated tax revenue of about $3165. The new Gleason-reduced tax bill would be $3147.
So if I understand this correctly, Councilor Gleason appears to be totally prepared to gut nurse, guidance counselor, and librarian/technology services in our elementary schools in order to save $18 bucks off of the average tax bill? $18 buck a year? Huh? What?
b. banzai

Frankly, Councilor Gleason appears to be totally prepared to get outraged about anything she cares to, regardless of the irrationality, inconsistency, or lack of basis for her outrage.

Speaking of irrationality, inconsistency and lack of basis for outrage, look at Ms. Melvin's rant in todays Daily snooze, under the headline: "Moving fifth-graders to the middle school won't be worth the costs!" She cites the school department's stated savings of $74,693, but posits data (of unknown source or reliability) that it will cost "$2,000 to move a computerized blackboard, and $25,000 to move the administrative offices." She concludes with a ungrammatic "Any savings accomplished by making this decision are just too expensive."

At this juncture, unabashed PCC supporters have zero credibility when it comes to complaining about cost-cutting decisions. Should Ms. Melvin or any PCC supporter - including elected officials - care to suggest a specific cost-cutting line item, Portsmouth COPS would welcome the opportunity to have a civil debate about the propriety of that specific cut. Until then it is CRYSTAL CLEAR that the PCC offers only gripes and accustations, and that their rhetoric is devoid of helpful specific suggestions. They are quick to claim (as did Kathy Melvin in a letter to the editor earlier this year) that "This school administration is well-known for the wastefull size of its middle management" - but neither she nor the PCC ever provides a specific example of a position that could be cut. If pressed on this they maintain that "That's not their job" or "not there role" - a position which is perfactly legal, though not civically responsible. Furthermore, useful cost-cutting suggestions are never offered by those elected officials who are the PCC's their erstwhile supports. ["Erstwhile" includes not only those who are clearly PCC supporters, like Peter McIntyre, but also those elected officials who will on occasion pander to the PCC].

Incidently, I don't really believe that Kathy actually writes all her letters and public comments, so given her age and all, I don't hold any personal animosity to her, just to the wrong-headedness that she represents.

I thought you would have the video of when Katzman missed his chair and fell on his ass. Ouch! Maybe he could be the next America's funniest home video star?

Hi, Delilah...
I realize that pratfalls are much more common TV fare than substantive discussion, a point Al Gore drives home in his excellent book The Assault on Reason, which I'm currently reading.

Maybe we could salvage this somehow. Perhaps a Fox-style reality-clip show, "When Councilors Attack (the schools)." Larry has a basement full of tape to choose from.

Cheers.
-j

p.s. I take, from your indifference to the actual *content* of the post, that you find Ms. Gleason's comments and behavior acceptable. Your defense of her actions by celebrating an accident that happened to a member of the Council whose position differs from hers is sad.

to listen to, and believe Ms. Gleason, since she served on the school comittee, and has inside,first hand,accurate information,and knowledge, of what is going on.
I'am not celebrating an accident, however...I'am willing to bet the wad that if she had fallen, it would have made your headline. Lets face it...we are on opposite sides of the fence, and of different opinions. I guess you are the only one to judge what is funny,and depending on who it happens to.
I'am not here to argue with you. I would like to debate issues,and occasionally interject a sense of humor, to keep it light. My real wish is for the beautiful town of Portsmouth,and its people, to come together,and work out solutions to the problems. After wracking my brain, the only solution as I see it, is to have our taxes, income based. I don't see how it can be that millionaires in the town can pay the same, and in some cases less taxes, than someone who's income is 20k or less(disability). I wish it would be addressed,and worked out...it almost seems as if some don't want to hear about any practical solutions,or ideas.
They will put out millions of dollars to build low income housing(which is fine) but refuse to even consider helping someone who cannot pay their taxes in order to stay in their home of 40 years?,So... I guess their solution is for those people to move into the low income housing,when it becomes a reality,which in all probability will be after they are dead anyway,considering how long everything takes to get done.
I have lived here my entire life,and I have never seen such a mess,but I will remain positive,and hopeful, I have to, I LOVE Portsmouth!

I am gratified to find that I have some things in common with Delilah. Appearently, we both love Portsmouth, and we both feel that the truely wealthy are not paying their fare share. Hopefully, loving Portsmouth can help us keep our disagreements civil. With regard to the wealthy not paying their fare share that, unfortunately, is a problem that we are not likely to solve at the local level. I have no idea how one lonely individual can possibly effect something like that on a national level, but I am encouraged that it is within the realm of possibility for people like me to make a difference right here in our own home town. Hurray Portsmouth!

and ditto-Viking! It always feels good to me to agree on something,and also to agree to disagree, in a civil manner. Hopefully through thick,and thin, we are all thinking with our own minds,and feeling with our own hearts,in an effort to keep our town a beautiful place to live.

English

We often take our students to Trinity to see plays. Many years ago we saw a particularly disturbing play by RI-er Paula Vogel (and a Pulitzer Prize winner) called "How I Learned to Drive". In the Q&A that followed the play, a student asked Timothy Crowe how he could play the pedophilic uncle. Crowe responded that he had to look for his motives and that Crowe believes that everyone, even an individual we see as sick or wrong, usually acts on what he/she sees as doing the right thing. Getting to the right thing might take a bit of rationalizing on the individual's part, but he/she usually finds the "rightness" behind the action. In the case of Portsmouth politics, "most" people are acting from good motives, even when those motives are what we see as selfish. It is really, really hard to see that sometimes when we are caught up in our own "right" point of view. Unfortunately, not everyone believes that the other side is acting on behalf of "good" and we get the finger-pointing and blame-shifting in full force.

On a different note, as far as assuming that Gleason has "inside info" b/c she was on the school committee, be skeptical with your trust. She often seemed oppositional just to be oppositional - I often have trouble figuring out what her "good" is. I wish I could provide concret examples here, but I can't. I do know that I often read accounts of her "facts" and wonder where this info comes from. You can do with this what you wish, Delilah, but she's not necessarily in possession of the perspective we might assume she should have after serving on both sides of Middle Rd. Heaney also seems to have some sort of bone to pick. Having "known him when" [he was a PHS student], I seem to recall the school providing lots of opportunities and support for him. I am often puzzled by his anti-school rhetoric, especially when it comes to the educators.

Just some thoughts on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon - one of those that makes me glad I live here.

Hi...
Thank you, English and Delilah, for spending part of your Sunday afternoon here; I think this conversation has been very productive.

I agree with you, Delilah, that property taxes are a blunt instrument when it comes to ensuring that people pay proportionally. And while buckaroo bonzai has posted in another thread about the problem of conflating assessed value with tax rate, I agree that this problem is something that we need to address in the ways we have at the local level. We really do have common ground here, and I thank you for helping us find it.

I do have to take issue with some of your other assertions. First, "I'm willing to bet the wad that if she had fallen, it would have made your headline." While it's possible it might, I would like to point out my record of focusing on facts. I don't spotlight accidental things like what people are wearing, or who they are married to. If people behave in ways that illustrate or complement an understanding of their motives, then yes, I might run with something like that. I believe strongly in the Method that English refers to above, and see the way we present ourselves as something that can be reverse-engineered to get at the essence of character. And I believe that most of the folks with whom I disagree are fundamentally coming from a desire for right action.

But that brings me to "It would only make perfect sense to listen to, and believe Mrs. Gleason, since she served on the school committee." Taking only this specific example, it is not possible to sustain the kind of trust you suggest. Read the transcripts again: Ms. Gleason is either unaware of the role that nurses, guidance counselors, and librarians play in delivering the curriculum, or she is disregarding it. That, to me, is evidence that her time on the School Committee does not seem to have given her the facts or frameworks you suggest.

Delilah -- we had a serious encephalitis/meningitis scare in this state, just six months ago. We had a fatal motorcyle/school bus accident this year. We have a population with medically fragile children on Personal Health Plans. And she is seriously proposing rotating nurses among the elementary schools? When early detection or intervention might make a difference in outcome? Did she really base that proposal on knowledge gained on the School Committee?

Cheers.
-j

Aren't YOU aware of the FACT that Ms. Gleason's sister is a Portsmouth school nurse, her name is Nancy. So...to answer your question, she is very much AWARE. Tho' I realize and I'am quite AWARE of the latest things,scares,and accident, (i'am up to date on everything, thank you.) 98.8% of the time the school nurses are dealing with very minor things,such as bandaids,and tummy aches,for which the parent is called.
Just ask nurse Nancy!

One more thing, have you ever considered adding a chatroom? Just a thought. I'm not sure if that is a good thing,or a bad thing.

Howdy, Delilah...
As I said, Delilah, I don't point out who people are related to; I think that's none of my business since they are not, in fact, public figures. Okay, assume ad arguendum Gleason has a sister who is a nurse. I thought your original point was about her time on the School Committee?

Also, how does this address her insight into the roles of guidance counselor and librarian? In her questioning of Dr. Lusi, she clearly says the cuts "would not have impacted the teachers, as far as the number of teachers teaching the kids." Maybe she needs two more sisters?

Good thought about a chat room. I'll look into what it would take to add that functionality, but my sense is that to be successful, chats require a critical mass of readers online at the same time. And while this blog has respectable cumulative numbers (anyone can click on the stats link at the bottom of the page to see for themselves) I'm just not sure there's a big enough group online all at once. But I'll take as a to-do to look into it.

Cheers.
-j

"I thought your original point was about her time on the School Committee?"

Yes, it was my point, and I stick to it, was just making another point that she has more knowledge through her sister being a school nurse in Portsmouth also.

I have to say, Delilah, that I WISH Ms. Gleason would draw upon her experience on the school committee or even her sister, Nurse Nancy. I would love to hear her say, "Based on my experience, here are some areas where there are budget excesses..." and then get into a debate on the merits. Unfortunately, what prompted this original post is that Ms. Gleason feigns ignorance all too often for someone with her level of experience. She says, "I'm new at this..." or "I know this has been explained before, but..." so often at public meetings, we're thinking of making it into a drinking game.

In this particular instance, she's not making the argument that having a nurse, librarian, and and guidance counselor at every school is wasteful (I'd suggest that she knows this would be political suicide, but that's just speculation on my part). She's simply referring to Dr. Luci's "Plan B," while conveniently forgetting what "Plan B" entailed or why it was abandoned in the first place. There are two possible reasons for this -- either she's so stupid that she has forgotten the conversation she had two weeks prior, despite the notes on that conversation to which she refers -OR- she's playing politics, suggesting that Dr. Luci is intentionally avoiding saving taxpayers $200K for no apparent reason. In either case, it doesn't add much to the discussion.

I'd love to see Ms. Gleason step it up and start drawing on the knowledge she should have gained in office.

One last comment -- suggesting that school nurses spend "98.8% of the time the school nurses are dealing with very minor things" is a lot like saying that firefighters spend 98.8% of their time hanging around the fire house.

PS Re: John as pie. Take it from me, he's a little crusty on the outside (but never flaky!) but sweet on the inside.

when I saw you John on channel 18 during the meeting,at break time, with camera rolling,everyone up from their seats talking to eachother,and there you were standing alone, with pen and paper in hand with no-one to talk to,you did a few circles, it was sad to see, poor Mclonelyman. It brought tears to my eyes, no man should be so alone. Hopefully this blog will help in finding some friends.

Hey, not for nothing but I guess none of you have had the pleasure of seeing Delilah in the flesh? What a knock out, WOOF! long dark hair,and jade green eyes. A fitting name for the ultimate enchantress! (hope my wife isn't watching).
big wink to you delilah.

John I sure hope you get more attention at home than you do at the meetings.

Peace~

Do I know you? Thank you...I think, LOL.

I really thought this thread was going somewhere, sorry, my mistake.
It's really sad that civil discourse has to devolve to personal attack, again and again.
John, you are a saint to even respond.
chat room indeed.......... Maybe we could all get cute little icons.
bb

English

Yep, for a few moments this afternoon, I actually thought we were getting somewhere. To quote Emily Dickinson, "Hope is a thing with feathers" - and there's the guy with the shotgun...

Yay, English...
The shotgun made me laugh out loud. And it's a good thing, too, since I have such a sad life.

But please don't cry for me, realman. I know I'm totally hopeless, going to Town Council meetings to find friends.

If only I could get into the PCC, then I could sit with all the cool kids. I guess that's really why I want to join. I'm so terribly, terribly lonely. And if only I had a friend like Larry, a stern, strong daddy to tell me what to do, maybe he could take away the agony of choice, the unbearable pain of existence. I would happily believe anything he tells me, just to have people like me.

If I could just throw away the paper, and the pen, and the illusion of connection, the sham of community that is blogging. I could drink the Kool-Aid and walk hand in hand, happy, and loved, and lonely no more, "and live like animals or angels in the happy land that needs no heroes."

Two words, realman: Bite me.

Cheers.
-j

p.s. As Woody Allen said, "Hope is the thing with feathers? No. That is my uncle. We must take him to a specialist in Zurich."

It is interesting that Delilah took my googling of her name to somehow be a negative thing. Actually, Delilah is a beautiful name, and the Biblical Delilah surely was a beautiful woman. And, no doubt, a seductress. Truth be told though, I am both leery of and strangely drawn to the those who tempt me with their seductive personalities.

The “Delilah” commenting herein may not be aware that humor and sarcasm are very easily misunderstood in the absence of voice and inflection. That’s why the gen-xers use “LOL” after a joke – to make sure you know they really are just joking.

I sense in Delilah (and I could be wrong) a certain anger and distrust that seems endemic among PCC supporters. And if you could see my face and hear my voice right now you would know that I am neither joking, nor particularly angry. From my perspective I am simply making an honest observation.

I still wish Delilah would go back to some of my earlier more detailed comments and respond to them more directly. Again, with no response, I have no alternative than to believe that may comments were too rational to bear criticism.

I don't bite. I'am not a member of the PCC, for anyone who wants to know. I'm just someone who believes in what they stand for. My pc fried so I'am on a friends laptop(briefly), until my new one comes in. When I'am up and running on my own again, I will be back. Sorry Viking if my "seductive personality" makes you uncomfy...I really don't mean to come across that way. You seem like a nice person to me.

I have a fried pc, and now after only a few days without it, withdrawl, since I have to wait for the new one to come in...
don't know when that will be,so... OK I'am in a bad mood,it won't last long.
I don't see any reply to what I wrote about Patrick Kennedy either Viking, Am I to assume that is because you agree with me? Even if I do go back Viking and reply, will anyone even read it again?

Actually, the reason I did not respond to your comment about Patrick Kennedy was that I didn't read any of the comments, or the blog, because - even though I voted for him! - I just didn't feel the like reading anything else about him. I can be moody that way.

As to your being a supporter of the PCC because you agree with what they stand for - in all sincerity, I'm not sure what it is that they really stand for. I know I have my own opinions, but I would rather learn what it is that you personally think they stand for. Who knows, we might even find common ground.

I suspect that many people think that the PCC is on "their" side because many indivicuals believe in things like keeping the line on taxes, cutting wasteful spending, and getting the unions to cut a fair deal. Who could disagree with things like that?

I do not respect the leadership of the PCC leadership; to be blunt - they lie with alactrity. I really don't know what they stand for. As I said earlier, I think they are somehow tied in to the Tax-Cut-For-The-Wealthy crowd, though that is just an educated guess.

I could write am evidenced-filled treatise based on the Lies and Deceptions of Mr. Fitzmorris, but I don't have the time, and neither he nor any of his "supporters" would ever actually address the evidence point-by-point - they would just Harumph in outrage, change the subject, and call me names. Instead, I'll cite just one example of the type harmful rhetoric the PCC puts forth, a random example that just occurs to me now because it happened last night.

At yesterday's Town Council meeting Mr. McIntyre tried to block an open-space bonding issue on the grounds that money should not be spent to protect from development land that cannot be built on any way (like wetlands). Yet, he could not state a single time that this has ever really happened. It would not be logical; neither the town nor the Aquidneck Land Trust has the money to waste buying development rights on unbuildable property. This does not happen here. There are laws and enginerring studies that prevent this from happening. Maybe that's how they do business in other town or states, but this is not how things work in Portsmouth, a town made up overwhelmingly of good, honest, hardworking law-abiding people.

Mr. McIntyre was fear mongering, making baseless accusations, and spouting consperacy theories and backroom plotting. This sort of behavior is worse than just nonsense; it is dangerous. Not to over-inflate the significance of the drama of our little town of Portsmouth, but the reason I speak out about this is that "evil pervails when good people silent."

Viking- you disappoint me, your statement that you don't really know what the PCC stands for just goes to show that you haven't done yur homework,and have made judgements,and accusations,without the proper knowledge to do so.

PCC=Portsmouth Concerned Citizens, made up of people who have lived here in most cases all of their lives(and some,most of), People like Mrs. Melvin...How do you figure they are for the rich? Couldn't be further from the truth. Hence the tent meeting...to get the taxes back to where they should be. John keeps saying "they forced, the tent meeting",another huge untruth. The town councel forced the people to take action, it was legal, and it was done...sorry that some cannot deal with the outcome, and results. But...it was those people of this good town who wanted it, not justs one man named Larry. John would like me to believe that this man forced people, that he some how brain-washed all of these people into it, that is crazy! and simply not the truth. John ,and anyone else has the right to speak out, and give his opinions, but it dioesn't mean that everything he says is accurate either, I don't know how long John has lived in this town, but I do know he is a transplant, I have nothing against him, or his opinions, but I don't think he is fair to say that Larry, and the pcc are liars,and to imply that these highly intelligent people don't have a clue as to what they are talking about. Does anyone really believe that is possible? I do know that Larry does his homework,has for years, he works very hard at this, and at informing as to what is up, and what is really going on in this town, maybe the reality check for some is just to painful to hear, the truth hurts as they say...These pcc members,(remember now), are just other decent, hard working citizens of this town,there is no other motive on their part ,but to see that things are kept honest,and open to all.
If John,or anyone else wants to see it in another way, that is his right, to disagree, but I hardly think he has been fair, and open minded about it.
Again...this is my opinion, and I'am sticking with it.. You made mention of me not reading your other replies to this blog, and wished that I would, yet you refuse to read what I wrote about Kennedy...isn't that a double standard? Honestly? It doesn't matter if you read it or not,but I find it hard to believe that you would miss anything in this blog at all.
"evil pervails when good people silent." I guess this means that the pcc are not good people in your mind? why else would you want them to shut up? exacly my point...good people have decided not to remain silent any longer ,they have organized in order to speak out,and defend what they feel is right,for the people of this town.
Another thought...why don't You,and John, start your own "organization",would be interesting to say the least to see how many would sign up for that.

p.s. I'am not an angry person at all, anyone who knows me can tell you...I smile alot,and have a good sense of humor.

Hi, Delilah...

"I don't know how long John has lived in this town, but I do know he is a transplant"

There is one thing that I will not take any of your shit about, and this is it. My grandfather moved to Portsmouth in the 1930s, and my mother walked across the Mt. Hope Bridge the day it opened and survived the Hurricane of '38 in Island Park. I live in the house my mother grew up in.

Dot Kirkwood was a nurse at Newport Hospital and would have lived here for the rest of her life, but she had to go to New York after the end of WWII to take care of her Silver-Star war-hero husband who was dying in a Naval Hospital.

Did I grow up in New York, yes. My mom had to find a job, and did what she had to to take care of her mother-in-law who lived with us even after she married my father, years later. I spent my summers in this town — this house — as a child, and as soon as I was able to pry my mother out of a job she loved — taking care of premature infants in a City Hospital in New York — we brought her back, where she was able to enjoy her final years in her home, Portsmouth.

If I am a "transplant," it is only because of the commitment to service my mother showed. If I can do a fraction of what she did, I shall consider myself lucky. But I will not take any crap about it from anonymous posters.

-j

Hi, Delilah.

You said, "I don't know how long John has lived in this town, but I do know he is a transplant."

I don't know exactly what you are implying by calling John a transplant since you don't elaborate, but, speaking of transplants...

The Vice President of the PCC, Mr. Joseph Lorenz, is a very recent transplant. He purchased over an acre of waterfront land at the foot of Prospect Farm Road in 2004 for $662,500 and then proceeded to build a 4,100 square foot McMansion on it, bringing the total appraisal of his new-transplant home to $1,298,500. All this is public information on the property appraisal website, at http://data.visionappraisal.com/PortsmouthRI/DEFAULT.asp .

So, what does he do after moving in to his 1.3 million dollar house? He starts complaining his taxes are too high and he advocates cutting the school budget. Of course, it goes without saying he has no kids in the local schools.

And I'm supposed to think this transplant has any knowledge of what life in Portsmouth is all about?

If you are implying with your comment that us life-long Portsmouth folks should look askance at the motivations or knowledge of "transplants", then rather than look at John McDaid I point you in the direction of the VP of the PCC.

Let's take a look at the reasons some folks have found John's opinions suspect.
- Onlineboy says it's because he's married to a teacher (just like Mr. Fitzmorris), which must mean he's only interested in the "bloated salary and gold-plated benefits" that entails.
- Realman (I think he's overcompensating) says it's because he's so lonely. No comment.
- Now Delilah says it's because he hasn't lived here his ENTIRE life, just like Mr. Lorenz.

No wonder John's always asking for facts. So far, the accuracy of John's reporting and his account of any number of meetings have gone unchallenged. When they resort to personal attacks, it means you've already won the argument.

I apologize for all the typo's...I was going to go back to correct but it tells me I cannot log back on, now it will only let me post??? This blog gives me problems with signing in,and out. But usually lets me reply. lol.

Delilah,
As Ben Franklin said, "There are lies, damned lies, and statistics." I think this is what the PCC does best - manipulate statistics to justify their positions and to alarm the people who assume/believe they are doing their homework. Here's an example. I spoke with several people around town last summer who had the petition clipboards. One was at the shop where I was having my car inspected. This man started off with the typical "statistics" about teachers - getting a 9.18% raise (I think that was the figure - it was over 9%) and they don't pay for health care. I was glad I resisted the impulse to take my car elsewhere and began to talk to him. He wasn't anti-teacher or against our being paid according to our contract but he did believe these figures, both of which are erroneous yet based on "Larry's homework". We do pay a portion of our healthcare and were among the first unions in the state to do so. We pay more each year and it pretty much offsets the raise for those of us at top step. That raise is not 9%. Instead, Larry's homework answer is based on a lower-step teacher who receives a step increase each year - their salaries start out lower and raise more quickly over the first ten years. Step increases are part of state law - our union doesn't negotiate these.

I will grant you that many members of the PCC are good people - I've talked to many of them, and one on one they are reasonable and willing to listen. They often admit they don't believe the PCC's party line in total but that they think it keeps the elected leadership honest. They may be right about that - it has made things more transparent in Portsmouth. But I would urge you not to believe all the answers to Larry's homework and to do your own, in the same way that I use blogs and newspapers and other media reports as a way to "begin" formulating my own opinion.

Peace.
English

I should have said "virtually all" the PCC members are good people.

English

I should correct one misimpression that I must have given by saying “I don’t really know what the PCC stands for.” Delilah though this meant that I hadn’t done my homework. In fact, I’ve read every newsletter and public statement they’ve put out, and haved attended nearly every town council meeting (and most school committee meetings) for the past year. What I meant to say was “I know what the PCC SAYS they stand for, but based on what they say at meetings and in their public statements, I see a disconnect between what they say they stand for and what they advocate. Let’s not argue theory or “feelings.” Lets talk specifics. For example, standing for “Lower school costs” does not excuse the ignorant (or duplicitous) statement made by Ms. Melvin in her letter to the Newport Daily News in which she states “It is well known that the Portsmouth Schools are overloaded with middle management” when this is absolutely false and without any evidence or merit. I’m not making this up or guessing – I’ve read the state and town documents that show exactly how many non-teachers and administrators there are in our school system (and where), and we are clearly at bare-bones administrative staffing. I invite anyone who doubts this to check out the evidence themselves. I would be happy to provide guidance as to how to obtain copies of the applicable documents to anyone who would like this information.

Delilah, the only responses to a questioning of Melvin’s allegation about bloated middle management that I have ever heard from any PCC leader is either rude and can’t be repeated, or a statement to the effect of “That’s not our job so say.” This is why I don’t respect Mr. Fitzmorris or Ms. Melvin. If anyone is going to make these kind of specific allegations they should at least have some evidence to back them up. The PCC (in this example) offers only complaints and invective. I do not think this is helpful to the process of running our town. I think it is hurtful to the community.

This is why, Delilah, you and I may actually share those goals that you believe the PCC stands for. I just have seen too much evidence of PCC duplicitousness and lack of veracity to trust that they actually believe in what they say they believe in.

I am frustrated because every time I make a specific evidence-based point (like "the only responses to a questioning of Melvin’s allegation about bloated middle management that I have ever heard from any PCC leader is either rude and can’t be repeated, or a statement to the effect of “That’s not our job so say.” This is why I don’t respect Mr. Fitzmorris or Ms. Melvin. If anyone is going to make these kind of specific allegations they should at least have some evidence to back them up. The PCC (in this example) offers only complaints and invective. I do not think this is helpful to the process of running our town. I think it is hurtful to the community") - I get no response. I guess it's becasue there is no response other than "You are right. I was wrong." And so I get no response. I'll bet, however, if I said something stupid, or made a pointless personal attack (criticizing a women's makeup or a gentleman's weight) I'd get plenty of replies. But I won't go there.