Showing posts with label Jack Fisher. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jack Fisher. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 30
Friday, June 12
Friday, June 5
Tie is broken: Fisher will appear on Rep ballot
The tie between Jack Fisher and Ed Silverstone for the last spot on the Republican ticket for 4-year school board term was broken today in Fisher's favor.
Fisher’s proxy, Bill Greenlaw, drew the number from a hat, placing Fisher on the general election ballot as both a Democrat and Republican. Silverstone will not appear on the ballot this fall.In accordance with state policy, the Pike County commissioners oversaw a “cast of lots” at noon on the second Friday after the tie was declared. The cast of lots involved random chance to break the tie, which remained after the votes were recounted and provisional ballots were counted.
Fisher chose not to participate in the cast of lots because of his opposition to gambling. Because the cast of lots would legally happen whether or not Fisher participated, Greenlaw offered to take his place.
| General election ballot this fall |
| 4 Year Term (vote for not more than four) |
| Jack Fisher - D/R |
| Bob Goldsack - R |
| Bill Greenlaw - D |
| Pam Lutfy - D/R |
| Sue Schor -D/R |
| 2 Year Term |
| Chuck Pike - D/R |
Greenlaw asked Silverstone to pick the straw first since he was an actual candidate participating. Silverstone pulled the shorter straw, so Greenlaw chose the first number. Keeping his fist closed until Silverstone selected his number, Greenlaw had selected number one (1), and so Fisher was declared the winner of the cast of lots.
In attendance were many members of the local press, Pam Lutfy, Sue Schor, Silverstone’s wife and a few members of the public. The cast of lots happened at noon in the commissioners’ office at the county administrative building.
LIVE: Cast of lots coverage
12:02 p.m.
Greenlaw picks number 1. Fisher will be placed on ballot.
12:01 p.m.
Silverstone picks first straw. Greenlaw has longer straw.
12:01 p.m.
Meeting called to order. Draw of straws to happen. Larger straw pulls from hat. Two numbers: 1 or 2. 1 is the winner.
11:59 a.m.
At the commisioners office, a baseball cap is placed on the table at the front of the room. Plenty of press, the commissioners, Bill Greenlaw, Ed Silverstone and family, Sue Schor and Pam Lutfy are in attendance.
11:25 a.m.
Stay tuned for live updates about the cast of lots taking place at noon today to break the tie between Jack Fisher and Ed Silverstone for the fourth spot on the Republican ticket for 4-year school board term.
Greenlaw picks number 1. Fisher will be placed on ballot.
12:01 p.m.
Silverstone picks first straw. Greenlaw has longer straw.
12:01 p.m.
Meeting called to order. Draw of straws to happen. Larger straw pulls from hat. Two numbers: 1 or 2. 1 is the winner.
11:59 a.m.
At the commisioners office, a baseball cap is placed on the table at the front of the room. Plenty of press, the commissioners, Bill Greenlaw, Ed Silverstone and family, Sue Schor and Pam Lutfy are in attendance.
11:25 a.m.
Stay tuned for live updates about the cast of lots taking place at noon today to break the tie between Jack Fisher and Ed Silverstone for the fourth spot on the Republican ticket for 4-year school board term.
Thursday, May 28
Tie remains for spot on Republican ballot
Cast of lots to happen next Friday
The final remaining overseas military ballot did not arrive in time to be counted, and lots will be cast June 5 to break the tie between school board candidates Jack Fisher and Ed Silverstone, according to chief clerk Gary Orben.
The election will not be certified until after the cast of lots.
The remaining military ballot remained to U.S. Navy sailor Ashley Lamac, whose father Bill Lamac read a statement at the commissioners' meeting, an attendee said in an email. Her vote was not cast before Election Day because she was in the Persian Gulf and didn't get back to port in time, sources said.
As previously reported, the final ballot would have given Fisher one extra vote over Silverstone, breaking the time 639-638.
Fisher initially expressed hesitation about casting lots, saying he was morally opposed to gambling of any form. But, he said in an email, "I ran as a team. I am a team player. I am going to take one for the team."
Fisher will have one of his running mates, Bill Greenlaw, participate in the cast of lots by proxy.
"It is shameful that a military members absentee vote was disallowed," Fisher said. "Mr. Silverstone can right this wrong by conceding and withdrawing. That would be the honorable thing to do and I call upon him to [do] such."
Update (2:26 p.m.)
The military ballot was received May 28th at 11:15 a.m., according to Orben. The cast of lots will still take place as scheduled.
The election will not be certified until after the cast of lots.
The remaining military ballot remained to U.S. Navy sailor Ashley Lamac, whose father Bill Lamac read a statement at the commissioners' meeting, an attendee said in an email. Her vote was not cast before Election Day because she was in the Persian Gulf and didn't get back to port in time, sources said.
As previously reported, the final ballot would have given Fisher one extra vote over Silverstone, breaking the time 639-638.
Fisher initially expressed hesitation about casting lots, saying he was morally opposed to gambling of any form. But, he said in an email, "I ran as a team. I am a team player. I am going to take one for the team."
Fisher will have one of his running mates, Bill Greenlaw, participate in the cast of lots by proxy.
"It is shameful that a military members absentee vote was disallowed," Fisher said. "Mr. Silverstone can right this wrong by conceding and withdrawing. That would be the honorable thing to do and I call upon him to [do] such."
Update (2:26 p.m.)
The military ballot was received May 28th at 11:15 a.m., according to Orben. The cast of lots will still take place as scheduled.
Tuesday, May 26
BREAKING NEWS: Military ballot that would give Fisher a Republican edge will not arrive today
The sole remaining overseas military ballot will not arrive today, according to an email from Future of Pike County PAC volunteer Nick Troiano. The ballot would break the tie between Jack Fisher and Ed Silverstone for the last spot for school board on the Republican ballot.
The sailor who received the ballot voted for Fisher and not Silverstone, according to the sailor's family, Troiano said in the email last night. If counted, it would place Fisher on the Republican ballot. Silverstone would not appear on the general election ballot this fall.
In order for the ballot to count, it needed to be postmarked by May 18 and arrive at the Board of Elections office by the end of business today, May 26, according to election officials.
The ballot was not received by the sailor until May 22, according to Troiano, and it was not mailed back until today.
Board of Elections director Yolanda Goldsack declined in an email to comment on any questions pertaining to the tie.
The sailor who received the ballot voted for Fisher and not Silverstone, according to the sailor's family, Troiano said in the email last night. If counted, it would place Fisher on the Republican ballot. Silverstone would not appear on the general election ballot this fall.
In order for the ballot to count, it needed to be postmarked by May 18 and arrive at the Board of Elections office by the end of business today, May 26, according to election officials.
The ballot was not received by the sailor until May 22, according to Troiano, and it was not mailed back until today.
Board of Elections director Yolanda Goldsack declined in an email to comment on any questions pertaining to the tie.
Saturday, May 23
It's all down to one vote; After canvass, Fisher/Silverstone tie remains
One overseas military ballot may determine the outcome of the tie between Jack Fisher and Ed Silverstone. The tie at 638 votes each from Tuesday’s election remains after county officials recounted votes and certified the election in a canvass of votes Friday.Neither of the two provisional ballots accepted in the Delaware Valley School District affected the Fisher/Silverstone tie for the fourth spot of four for the Republican 4-year term. The provisional ballots were counted for the first time on Friday, but they were both Democratic ballots.
One other opportunity to break the tie arose in the Matamoras Borough 2 precinct, where absentee ballots had been incorrectly tallied. The mistake only affected the Democratic totals, so the 638-638 tie remained.
The Republican totals were unchanged by the canvass of votes.
Only one ballot remains to be potentially counted. The county can accept overseas military ballots up until May 26. One ballot was mailed to a female Republican serving aboard a ship at an APO address. If she postmarked the ballot by May 18, one day before the primary election, and it arrives by the end of the business day on May 26, it will be counted. And if she voted for Fisher or Silverstone – just one of them – her ballot will break the tie.
Should the ballot not arrive, state election law says the candidates must “cast lots,” leaving the spot to random chance.
The information in this report is from firsthand observation or according to officials at the canvass of the votes on Friday.
See also...
UPDATE: Who said one vote doesn’t count? (Pike County Courier)
Canvass slightly widens Democratic lead for Fisher, Greenlaw, Lutfy, Pike, Schor
Three Democratic ballots were counted for the first time at Friday’s canvass of the votes, widening the Democratic leads for Jack Fisher, Bill Greenlaw, Pam Lutfy, Chuck Pike and Sue Schor.Two provisional ballots were accepted by the Board of Elections and counted on Friday. One provisional ballot was in Delaware Township 2 and one was in Dingman Township 1. Fisher, Lutfy, Greenlaw and Schor’s Democratic totals increased by two votes, and Pike’s by one.
An error in tallying absentee ballots at Matamoras Borough 2 resulted in one more Democratic vote for Fisher, Greenlaw, Pike, Schor and Ed Silverstone. The error was made because the original counters did not realize the school board races appeared on the back of the paper absentee ballot.
The certified totals are:
4 Year Term (D)
| Pam Lutfy* | 600 |
| Susan Schor* | 560 |
| Jack Fisher* | 497 |
| Bill Greenlaw* | 479 |
| Ed Silverstone | 337 |
| Benny Marasa | 243 (unchanged) |
4 Year Term (R) – ALL UNCHANGED
| Pam Lutfy* | 739 |
| Susan Schor* | 712 |
| Robert Goldsack* | 674 |
| Jack Fisher* | 638 |
| Ed Silverstone* | 638 |
| Bill Greenlaw | 630 |
| Benny Marasa | 593 |
2 Year Term (D)
| Charles Pike* | 510 |
| Patty Wright | 268 (UNCHANGED) |
2 Year Term (R) – BOTH UNCHANGED
| Charles Pike* | 732 |
| Patty Wright | 545 |
The canvass started at 9 a.m., and by 3:30 p.m. officials had only counted votes for the precincts in the Delaware Valley School District. Six people assisted in the canvass of the votes, including Taxpayers United supporter DeAnna Margiore, who was one of two people recording votes in books.
Candidates present for part of the canvass were Greenlaw, Lutfy, Schor and Silverstone. Fisher said in an email he was not able to attend because of a personal obligation. Also present for part of the canvass were school board solicitor Mike Weinstein, members of the Support Professionals union and reporters from the Pike County Courier and Pike County Dispatch.
Board of Elections head Yolanda Goldsack and the county commissioners were not present for the canvass.
All of the information in this report is from firsthand observation or according to officials at the canvass of the votes on Friday.
Friday, May 22
LIVE: Coverage of the canvass of the votes
Here are the live updates from all today, at the canvass of the votes, which started at 9 a.m. and was held at the Pike County Administration Building. Stay tuned for a full report.
3:31 p.m.
No changes in the Fisher/Silverstone tie. The tie remains. All Republican votes remain unchanged.
3:09 p.m.
Only Westfall remains to be counted.
Tie still remains after all precincts but Westfall have been counted.
⇒ SEE MORE OF THE LIVE COVERAGE
1:42 p.m.
The back of the lone Republican absentee ballot for Matamoras 2 was properly counted on Tuesday night. The Republican totals stay the same. The tie still remains between Fisher and Silverstone for the last 4-year Republican spot.
1:30 p.m.
Still canvassing after a lunch break. Now on Matamoras 2.
Backs of absentee ballots were not properly counted in Matamoras 2. As a result, Silverstone, Schor, Fisher, Greenlaw, Pike each received one additional Dem vote.
Republican ticket at Matamoras 2 and the remaining precincts of Milford Borough, Milford Township. Shohola and Westfall to follow.
11:41 a.m.
Military ballot is a Republican ballot. If that person votes for either Fisher or Silverstone, the tie will be broken. The ballot is due by May 26.
No other provisional ballots were accepted in the school district. The rest of the results will likely stay the same.
11:26 a.m.
Provisional ballot in Dingman 1 added one vote each to Fisher, Lutfy, Greenlaw, Pike, Schor on the Dem ticket.
Bob Goldsack got the following write ins for Dem 4 yr term:
Delaware 1 - 13
Delaware 2 -18
Dingman 1 - 25
Total 56 write in votes for Goldsack from those three precincts.
Of trivial note: Chuck Pike and Goldsack have each had write ins for sheriff. Our good friend Anthony Splendora had a Dem write in for 4-yr school board.
11:03 a.m.
Delaware 1 and 2 are done. Only changes to results: +1 Dem vote each for Schor, Fisher, Lutfy, Greenlaw.
The second provisional ballot is a Dem for Dingman 1. Won't affect the tie.
There is ONE (1) overseas/military ballot out. It can be accepted up until May 26. No word on whether it is D or R.
10:44 a.m.
First provisional ballot was a Dem ballot. Does not affect the Rep tie between Fisher and Silverstone.
10:43 a.m.
At the canvass of votes. Two provisional ballots were accepted in the DVSD.
3:31 p.m.
No changes in the Fisher/Silverstone tie. The tie remains. All Republican votes remain unchanged.
3:09 p.m.
Only Westfall remains to be counted.
Tie still remains after all precincts but Westfall have been counted.
⇒ SEE MORE OF THE LIVE COVERAGE
1:42 p.m.
The back of the lone Republican absentee ballot for Matamoras 2 was properly counted on Tuesday night. The Republican totals stay the same. The tie still remains between Fisher and Silverstone for the last 4-year Republican spot.
2 COMMENTS:
MAY 22, 2009 3:12 PM - Bill Greenlaw said...
Thanks for providing the only source for these election results. The final results will be posted on the county site, but now we know why some of the numbers changed.
Fisher and Silverstone remain a tie.
I wonder where that military ballot is now, and how we ill know if it is received and counted.
MAY 22, 2009 4:26 PM - Sue Schor said...
Bill, According to Mr. Orben the military ballot must be post marked by May 18th and in by the end of the day May 26th.
1:30 p.m.
Still canvassing after a lunch break. Now on Matamoras 2.
Backs of absentee ballots were not properly counted in Matamoras 2. As a result, Silverstone, Schor, Fisher, Greenlaw, Pike each received one additional Dem vote.
Republican ticket at Matamoras 2 and the remaining precincts of Milford Borough, Milford Township. Shohola and Westfall to follow.
11:41 a.m.
Military ballot is a Republican ballot. If that person votes for either Fisher or Silverstone, the tie will be broken. The ballot is due by May 26.
No other provisional ballots were accepted in the school district. The rest of the results will likely stay the same.
11:26 a.m.
Provisional ballot in Dingman 1 added one vote each to Fisher, Lutfy, Greenlaw, Pike, Schor on the Dem ticket.
Bob Goldsack got the following write ins for Dem 4 yr term:
Delaware 1 - 13
Delaware 2 -18
Dingman 1 - 25
Total 56 write in votes for Goldsack from those three precincts.
Of trivial note: Chuck Pike and Goldsack have each had write ins for sheriff. Our good friend Anthony Splendora had a Dem write in for 4-yr school board.
11:03 a.m.
Delaware 1 and 2 are done. Only changes to results: +1 Dem vote each for Schor, Fisher, Lutfy, Greenlaw.
The second provisional ballot is a Dem for Dingman 1. Won't affect the tie.
There is ONE (1) overseas/military ballot out. It can be accepted up until May 26. No word on whether it is D or R.
10:44 a.m.
First provisional ballot was a Dem ballot. Does not affect the Rep tie between Fisher and Silverstone.
10:43 a.m.
At the canvass of votes. Two provisional ballots were accepted in the DVSD.
Wednesday, May 20
JUST IN: "Canvas of the votes" to take place Friday, determine outcome of Fisher/Silverstone tie
A "canvas of the votes" will happen in the Pike County Commissioners Office on Friday at 9 a.m., according to an e-mail from board candidate Jack Fisher. The event will be open to the public. The tie between Fisher and Ed Silverstone is the biggest issue from Tuesday's election that has the potential to be settled on Friday.
All absentee ballots have been counted, according to the e-mail. Fisher received the information from the director of the Board of Elections, Yolanda Goldsack, he said. Mrs. Goldsack has not returned an e-mail from RB for DV.
See also:
All absentee ballots have been counted, according to the e-mail. Fisher received the information from the director of the Board of Elections, Yolanda Goldsack, he said. Mrs. Goldsack has not returned an e-mail from RB for DV.
See also:
Goldsack the only TU member to appear on ballot in fall; Fisher and Silverstone tie for 4th spot on GOP ticket; Pike sweeps 2 year term
Bob Goldsack, current school board president, will be the only Taxpayers United member to appear on the general election ballot this fall, as a Republican. His running mates Benny Marasa and Patty Wright took major losses to their opponents, and will not appear on the general election ballot.
Jack Fisher, Bill Greenlaw, Pam Lutfy and Sue Schor swept the Democratic ticket for the 4 year term. Lutfy and Schor won on the Republican side, with Goldsack taking the third most Republican votes.
Fisher and Ed Silverstone are in a tie for the fourth spot of four on the Republican ticket. The Board of Elections will recount votes to certify the election later this week to determine if one of the candidates garnered more votes than the other, according to Elizabeth Forrest, Pike Democratic party committeewoman. Both candidates can also demand recounts.
Chuck Pike swept both parties over Wright for the 2 year term. His name will appear on the general election ballot unopposed this fall.
Stay tuned to RB for DV for the latest developments over the Fisher/Silverstone tie.
Additional coverage
Jack Fisher, Bill Greenlaw, Pam Lutfy and Sue Schor swept the Democratic ticket for the 4 year term. Lutfy and Schor won on the Republican side, with Goldsack taking the third most Republican votes.
Fisher and Ed Silverstone are in a tie for the fourth spot of four on the Republican ticket. The Board of Elections will recount votes to certify the election later this week to determine if one of the candidates garnered more votes than the other, according to Elizabeth Forrest, Pike Democratic party committeewoman. Both candidates can also demand recounts.
Chuck Pike swept both parties over Wright for the 2 year term. His name will appear on the general election ballot unopposed this fall.
Stay tuned to RB for DV for the latest developments over the Fisher/Silverstone tie.
Additional coverage
Sunday, May 17
Future of Pike asks for poll sitters
The Future of Pike County PAC is looking for people to poll sit on Tuesday and show support for its endorsed candidates: Jack Fisher, Bill Greenlaw, Pam Lutfy, Chuck Pike and Sue Schor.
To sign up, fill out and submit this form online.
"We're going to get information made up to pass out," said PAC volunteer Nick Troiano in an email Sunday evening. "We have 10 polling places to cover. We have about half that many student volunteers so far."
Participants can also RSVP on Facebook.
To sign up, fill out and submit this form online.
"We're going to get information made up to pass out," said PAC volunteer Nick Troiano in an email Sunday evening. "We have 10 polling places to cover. We have about half that many student volunteers so far."
Participants can also RSVP on Facebook.
Fisher, Greenlaw, Lutfy, Pike, Schor release election materials
Pamphlets from "Leadership for Education and Economic Balance" were mailed out to voters in the school district late this past week. The double-sided sheet has information from the candidates Jack Fisher, Bill Greenlaw, Pam Lutfy, Chuck Pike and Sue Schor.
⇒ VIEW THE OTHER SIDE
⇒ VIEW THE OTHER SIDE
Friday, May 15
Opinion: Fisher says plan A budget lacks fiscal discipline
To the editor:
Fiscal discipline is unpopular!
Stimulants make a human or corporate body feel good temporarily, although easy to swallow they blur reality. They also lead to massive hangovers.
⇒ KEEP READING
The inclusion in the Plan A of the 2009/10 Delaware Valley School District budget of federal stimulants at first made everyone on the DV school board giddy with "hope." Millions of dollars to spend without consequence or pain. Last night we witnessed board members in the depths of despair, an almost depression like response, to the news that less stimulant was coming.
The hangover is next. Parents be prepared! Everyone has locked unbreakable contracts except your children. Board member John Wroblewski constantly reminded the audience that full day kindergarten is not state mandated. Taxpayers United candidates in the past have railed against athletic programs all of which are not state mandated. Many other programs like transportation to and from school is not totally state funded or mandated.
A true fiscal conservative, as I am, would never have allowed the stimulant into the budgetary system. Artificial stimulants like steroids look good in the short run but kill your vital components rapidly. A good looking corpse is still not alive.
The need for a long term multi-year approach to budgeting has never been more clear at the Delaware Valley School District. Removal of the stimulant and hard choices about what is necessary in the budget would have shown more clearly the financial situation at DV.
Instead the DV School Board drank the kool-aid and are asking all the taxpayers to do the same.
I say resist.
Best regards,
Jack Fisher
Candidate for Delaware Valley School Board
Fiscal discipline is unpopular!
Stimulants make a human or corporate body feel good temporarily, although easy to swallow they blur reality. They also lead to massive hangovers.
⇒ KEEP READING
The inclusion in the Plan A of the 2009/10 Delaware Valley School District budget of federal stimulants at first made everyone on the DV school board giddy with "hope." Millions of dollars to spend without consequence or pain. Last night we witnessed board members in the depths of despair, an almost depression like response, to the news that less stimulant was coming.
The hangover is next. Parents be prepared! Everyone has locked unbreakable contracts except your children. Board member John Wroblewski constantly reminded the audience that full day kindergarten is not state mandated. Taxpayers United candidates in the past have railed against athletic programs all of which are not state mandated. Many other programs like transportation to and from school is not totally state funded or mandated.
A true fiscal conservative, as I am, would never have allowed the stimulant into the budgetary system. Artificial stimulants like steroids look good in the short run but kill your vital components rapidly. A good looking corpse is still not alive.
The need for a long term multi-year approach to budgeting has never been more clear at the Delaware Valley School District. Removal of the stimulant and hard choices about what is necessary in the budget would have shown more clearly the financial situation at DV.
Instead the DV School Board drank the kool-aid and are asking all the taxpayers to do the same.
I say resist.
Best regards,
Jack Fisher
Candidate for Delaware Valley School Board
Thursday, May 14
Courier roundup: Meet the candidates
News
Opinion
- Primary candidates’ positions Inside
- Primary candidates for Delaware Valley Schools (a meet the candidates feature with ALL of the school board candidates)
- HONOR ROLL: Delaware Valley High School Third marking period
- Jazz legend Bob Dorough to perform
Opinion
- Rebuttal to TU school board attacks (a slightly revised version of my letter posted earlier)
Tuesday, May 12
Watch Future of Pike town hall meeting on demand
Watch Jack Fisher, Bill Greenlaw, Pam Lutfy, Chuck Pike and Sue Schor answer questions and explain their positions at the Future of Pike County PAC's Town Hall meeting from Tuesday night.
⇒ WATCH IT ON DEMAND
Monday, May 11
Opinion: Let's restore integrity and vision to our school board
To the editor:
On May 19 our community has the chance to restore integrity to the Delaware Valley School Board with five caring and passionate candidates: Jack Fisher, Bill Greenlaw, Pam Lutfy, Chuck Pike and Sue Schor.
⇒ KEEP READING
These five independent thinkers stand strong after months of Taxpayers United bullying.
TU's Goldsack, Marasa, Wright refused to meet with you, the taxpayers, at two Meet the Candidates events, one hosted by the hardworking volunteers in our PTAs. They refused to answer questionnaires posed by our students and by the union employees who keep our schools running. We voters haven't been worthy of any introduction from Marasa or Wright, yet they expect our votes.
All of the candidates in this election favor fiscal responsibility. Everyone feels the pain of the economic crisis.
The difference from TU is that Fisher, Greenlaw, Lutfy, Pike, Schor show they are much more in touch with the needs of taxpayers, students, teachers, parents – everyone in our community. They've volunteered for decades in our schools and community, with our PTAs, with special needs children, with Odyssey of the Mind, with our Warrior athletics, with the Rotary Club. They all have children attending or graduated from DV. They've been endorsed by the Future of Pike County and the DV Education Support Professionals.
Fisher, Greenlaw, Lutfy, Pike, Schor will keep your taxes low, but unlike TU, they will do so responsibly, with integrity, with accountability, with transparency, with careful attention to the facts, and with sensitivity to the many stakeholders the school board represents.
Instead of educating voters, TU thought it was a better use of their time to launch personal attacks on their opponents and, more sadly, on graduates from the school district they supposedly lead.
Their attacks have ashamed and hurt me. I am embarrassed at the circus TU has made of the school district I attended for 13 years.
But more importantly, their attacks have encouraged me.
They've encouraged me to major in education policy at the Maxwell School of Public Affairs. They encouraged me to intern at a New York City public school as a Participation in Government teacher this spring. The eye-opening experience of teaching in a high school where per-pupil costs exceed DV’s by thousands yet whose graduation rate is 50 percent, reinforced my position to always support educational leaders with integrity and vision.
The TU smear club has tried silencing me because I do not personally pay school taxes. They don't mention that my family proudly pays our taxes, in gratitude, to the school district that raised my brother and me. Through the tough financial times our family is also experiencing with college tuition bills and costly unexpected medical expenses, we realize the importance of good leadership for the future of Delaware Valley.
May 19 is our day to come together as a community and stop the madness. Please, let's restore virtue and vision to our school board by voting Fisher, Greenlaw, Lutfy, Pike, Schor.
Respectfully,
Ryan Balton
Milford, PA
On May 19 our community has the chance to restore integrity to the Delaware Valley School Board with five caring and passionate candidates: Jack Fisher, Bill Greenlaw, Pam Lutfy, Chuck Pike and Sue Schor.
⇒ KEEP READING
These five independent thinkers stand strong after months of Taxpayers United bullying.
TU's Goldsack, Marasa, Wright refused to meet with you, the taxpayers, at two Meet the Candidates events, one hosted by the hardworking volunteers in our PTAs. They refused to answer questionnaires posed by our students and by the union employees who keep our schools running. We voters haven't been worthy of any introduction from Marasa or Wright, yet they expect our votes.
All of the candidates in this election favor fiscal responsibility. Everyone feels the pain of the economic crisis.
The difference from TU is that Fisher, Greenlaw, Lutfy, Pike, Schor show they are much more in touch with the needs of taxpayers, students, teachers, parents – everyone in our community. They've volunteered for decades in our schools and community, with our PTAs, with special needs children, with Odyssey of the Mind, with our Warrior athletics, with the Rotary Club. They all have children attending or graduated from DV. They've been endorsed by the Future of Pike County and the DV Education Support Professionals.
Fisher, Greenlaw, Lutfy, Pike, Schor will keep your taxes low, but unlike TU, they will do so responsibly, with integrity, with accountability, with transparency, with careful attention to the facts, and with sensitivity to the many stakeholders the school board represents.
Instead of educating voters, TU thought it was a better use of their time to launch personal attacks on their opponents and, more sadly, on graduates from the school district they supposedly lead.
Their attacks have ashamed and hurt me. I am embarrassed at the circus TU has made of the school district I attended for 13 years.
But more importantly, their attacks have encouraged me.
They've encouraged me to major in education policy at the Maxwell School of Public Affairs. They encouraged me to intern at a New York City public school as a Participation in Government teacher this spring. The eye-opening experience of teaching in a high school where per-pupil costs exceed DV’s by thousands yet whose graduation rate is 50 percent, reinforced my position to always support educational leaders with integrity and vision.
The TU smear club has tried silencing me because I do not personally pay school taxes. They don't mention that my family proudly pays our taxes, in gratitude, to the school district that raised my brother and me. Through the tough financial times our family is also experiencing with college tuition bills and costly unexpected medical expenses, we realize the importance of good leadership for the future of Delaware Valley.
May 19 is our day to come together as a community and stop the madness. Please, let's restore virtue and vision to our school board by voting Fisher, Greenlaw, Lutfy, Pike, Schor.
Respectfully,
Ryan Balton
Milford, PA
Saturday, May 9
Opinion: All that glitters is not Goldsack
To the editor:
I am supporting Jack Fisher, Bill Greenlaw, Pam Lutfy, Chuck Pike and Sue Schor in the May 19 primary election for Directors of the Delaware Valley School District. These candidates, while varied in their experiences and priorities, will bring vision and transparency to a Board I’m embarrassed to sit on in this my 14th year of volunteer service.
Bob Goldsack says he and I have a “Love-Hate relationship." I told Bob that I don’t hate anyone, but I dislike many things that he does.
⇒ KEEP READING
I dislike that Bob removed me from the Negotiations Committee on the teachers' contract and then inadvertently increased starting teachers' pay by $15,000, matching what a teacher with five years of experience would earn. The Board as a whole didn’t learn of this until after the teachers' union voted to approve the proposed contract.
I dislike that Bob asked the Board to hire four school security officers at a cost of $250,000 per year, expecting that there would be Safe Schools money to offset the cost. We hired the staff – didn’t get the money.
I dislike that Bob ran for and won an election and held a position on the Pike County Republican Committee while holding the elected office of School Director, which violates the Pennsylvania School Code.
I dislike that Bob filed a petition to remove Pam Lutfy and Sue Schor from the 2009 primary ballot and then had his lawyer withdraw the petition. Noticeably Bob’s petitions had the same uncrossed T’s and un-dotted I’s as his opponents petitions.
I dislike that Bob said in a public meeting that, “It would be the happiest day of my life,” if I would resign from the Board. Imagine that, happier than the day he was married or the birth of his children.
I dislike that Bob repeatedly held meetings in violation of the Sunshine Law by either not announcing committee meetings or allowing Board business to be discussed with five or more Board members present.
I dislike that Bob told parents of students at DVES that he would not support moving the new elementary school off the campus, but would continue work on building a new school on the existing site. Then, Bob announced that Long Range Planning would not work on a plan to rebuild the school at all, due to the economy. To further offend these parents, Bob allowed the money borrowed to build the school to be spent on capital construction projects and the new water delivery system at the Dingman-Delaware campus.
I dislike that Bob boasts of the new $900,000 water delivery system as providing cleaner water at Dingmans. The water is no cleaner after the system went on-line than before. In fact, the pristine water that was delivered to the primary school now has chemicals added to it. How do the parents at the primary school like that change?
I dislike that Bob likes to take credit for bringing the NO-Bullying program to the District when the way he treats people, in my opinion, makes him the biggest bully in the county, to which Bob replied publicly, “If I have to be a bully to get what I think is right, then I guess I’ll be the bully.”
I dislike that Bob defended an outside contractor over the concerns of district employees and when the facts came into light, failed to tell the public himself the outcome.
Bob and I don’t always have to agree. It’s fine to agree to disagree. I have a right to hear what other Board members are hearing and I have a right to be heard.
I agree with Diane French’s letter to the editor, “It’s All About Character.” Bob Goldsack is a character alright. Not a character that should be re-elected.
I’d appreciate your support on May 19 for Fisher, Greenlaw, Lutfy, Pike and Schor.
Thank you,
Sue Casey
DV School Board director
I am supporting Jack Fisher, Bill Greenlaw, Pam Lutfy, Chuck Pike and Sue Schor in the May 19 primary election for Directors of the Delaware Valley School District. These candidates, while varied in their experiences and priorities, will bring vision and transparency to a Board I’m embarrassed to sit on in this my 14th year of volunteer service.
Bob Goldsack says he and I have a “Love-Hate relationship." I told Bob that I don’t hate anyone, but I dislike many things that he does.
⇒ KEEP READING
I dislike that Bob removed me from the Negotiations Committee on the teachers' contract and then inadvertently increased starting teachers' pay by $15,000, matching what a teacher with five years of experience would earn. The Board as a whole didn’t learn of this until after the teachers' union voted to approve the proposed contract.
I dislike that Bob asked the Board to hire four school security officers at a cost of $250,000 per year, expecting that there would be Safe Schools money to offset the cost. We hired the staff – didn’t get the money.
I dislike that Bob ran for and won an election and held a position on the Pike County Republican Committee while holding the elected office of School Director, which violates the Pennsylvania School Code.
I dislike that Bob filed a petition to remove Pam Lutfy and Sue Schor from the 2009 primary ballot and then had his lawyer withdraw the petition. Noticeably Bob’s petitions had the same uncrossed T’s and un-dotted I’s as his opponents petitions.
I dislike that Bob said in a public meeting that, “It would be the happiest day of my life,” if I would resign from the Board. Imagine that, happier than the day he was married or the birth of his children.
I dislike that Bob repeatedly held meetings in violation of the Sunshine Law by either not announcing committee meetings or allowing Board business to be discussed with five or more Board members present.
I dislike that Bob told parents of students at DVES that he would not support moving the new elementary school off the campus, but would continue work on building a new school on the existing site. Then, Bob announced that Long Range Planning would not work on a plan to rebuild the school at all, due to the economy. To further offend these parents, Bob allowed the money borrowed to build the school to be spent on capital construction projects and the new water delivery system at the Dingman-Delaware campus.
I dislike that Bob boasts of the new $900,000 water delivery system as providing cleaner water at Dingmans. The water is no cleaner after the system went on-line than before. In fact, the pristine water that was delivered to the primary school now has chemicals added to it. How do the parents at the primary school like that change?
I dislike that Bob likes to take credit for bringing the NO-Bullying program to the District when the way he treats people, in my opinion, makes him the biggest bully in the county, to which Bob replied publicly, “If I have to be a bully to get what I think is right, then I guess I’ll be the bully.”
I dislike that Bob defended an outside contractor over the concerns of district employees and when the facts came into light, failed to tell the public himself the outcome.
Bob and I don’t always have to agree. It’s fine to agree to disagree. I have a right to hear what other Board members are hearing and I have a right to be heard.
I agree with Diane French’s letter to the editor, “It’s All About Character.” Bob Goldsack is a character alright. Not a character that should be re-elected.
I’d appreciate your support on May 19 for Fisher, Greenlaw, Lutfy, Pike and Schor.
Thank you,
Sue Casey
DV School Board director
Tuesday, May 5
Opinion: Vote for leaders, not old school politicans
To the Editor:
Fiscal discipline is hard medicine. Fiscal discipline is unpopular. Fiscal discipline has no short cuts.
However, once fiscal discipline is exercised over a period of time it leads to financial good health, stability and lean financial muscle.
⇒ KEEP READING
Politicians seeking office and the power it brings to them have long loathed fiscal discipline. These power seekers have overspent (creating huge deficits), under invested (leading to failing infrastructure and wiping out long-term reserves) and made promises of future monies without proper funding sources in place (unfunded liabilities left to our children and grandchildren).
This lust for power is evidenced at the federal and state level. Massive new debt, trillions in new deficits. Lack of transparency and accountability.
Now the lust for power has come to the Delaware Valley School District.
DV School Board President Bob Goldsack has reduced reserve funding nearly 80 percent over his four year term. Reserves are the lean body mass needed for financial well being. Such unbalanced long term planning is seriously shortsighted. Bob Goldsack refuses to address the pension problem he helped cause when he voted to massively increase salaries. Ed Silverstone, Chairman of the Budget, Finance and Audit committee, recently commented on the "over 41 percent starting salary increase" at the Matamoras Meet the Candidates night held by my fellow Republicans. Pensions are a mathematical function of salaries. They too are a reserve. Increasing salaries increases the need for pension reserve funding increases. The pension funding issue is awaiting the next school board due to the Goldsack miscalculations and lack of understanding of the role of reserves.
The good folks who support Mr. Goldsack need to ask themselves: Why is spending overall increasing at the same time Mr. Goldsack is touting a single year level tax rate of 100.87 mils? How did the rate of the millage remain the same from the prior year, which by the way Goldsack voted against, when spending went up and student population went down? The answer is that years of fiscal discipline went into setting the rate at 100.87 mils. It did not happen by luck. Why would Mr. Goldsack vote against it in year one and then vote for it in year two?
Answer: He is an old school politician.
I ask the citizens of the DV School District to vote for "Directors" on May 19. Directors are leaders. We do not need more politicians.
Vote for leaders.
Vote for FISHER, GREENLAW, LUTFY, PIKE and SCHOR.
Best regards,
Jack Fisher
Candidate for Delaware Valley School Board
Fiscal discipline is hard medicine. Fiscal discipline is unpopular. Fiscal discipline has no short cuts.
However, once fiscal discipline is exercised over a period of time it leads to financial good health, stability and lean financial muscle.
⇒ KEEP READING
Politicians seeking office and the power it brings to them have long loathed fiscal discipline. These power seekers have overspent (creating huge deficits), under invested (leading to failing infrastructure and wiping out long-term reserves) and made promises of future monies without proper funding sources in place (unfunded liabilities left to our children and grandchildren).
This lust for power is evidenced at the federal and state level. Massive new debt, trillions in new deficits. Lack of transparency and accountability.
Now the lust for power has come to the Delaware Valley School District.
DV School Board President Bob Goldsack has reduced reserve funding nearly 80 percent over his four year term. Reserves are the lean body mass needed for financial well being. Such unbalanced long term planning is seriously shortsighted. Bob Goldsack refuses to address the pension problem he helped cause when he voted to massively increase salaries. Ed Silverstone, Chairman of the Budget, Finance and Audit committee, recently commented on the "over 41 percent starting salary increase" at the Matamoras Meet the Candidates night held by my fellow Republicans. Pensions are a mathematical function of salaries. They too are a reserve. Increasing salaries increases the need for pension reserve funding increases. The pension funding issue is awaiting the next school board due to the Goldsack miscalculations and lack of understanding of the role of reserves.
The good folks who support Mr. Goldsack need to ask themselves: Why is spending overall increasing at the same time Mr. Goldsack is touting a single year level tax rate of 100.87 mils? How did the rate of the millage remain the same from the prior year, which by the way Goldsack voted against, when spending went up and student population went down? The answer is that years of fiscal discipline went into setting the rate at 100.87 mils. It did not happen by luck. Why would Mr. Goldsack vote against it in year one and then vote for it in year two?
Answer: He is an old school politician.
I ask the citizens of the DV School District to vote for "Directors" on May 19. Directors are leaders. We do not need more politicians.
Vote for leaders.
Vote for FISHER, GREENLAW, LUTFY, PIKE and SCHOR.
Best regards,
Jack Fisher
Candidate for Delaware Valley School Board
PAC plans "online town hall meeting" and phone banking
The Future of Pike County PAC will host an online town hall meeting at Sunshine Station on Tuesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. with its endorsed candidates, Jack Fisher, Bill Greenlaw, Pam Lutfy, Chuck Pike and Sue Schor, according to the PAC's blog.
The meeting will be accessible online at futureofpikecounty.org, where members of the public can ask questions and watch a webcast. It can also be attended in person at Sunshine Station on Route 6 and 209, according to the blog.
The PAC will also host a phone banking event at Sunshine Station on Monday, May 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. Anyone interested can RSVP to the Facebook event.
The meeting will be accessible online at futureofpikecounty.org, where members of the public can ask questions and watch a webcast. It can also be attended in person at Sunshine Station on Route 6 and 209, according to the blog.
The PAC will also host a phone banking event at Sunshine Station on Monday, May 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. Anyone interested can RSVP to the Facebook event.
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