In recent match-ups Atlanta has consistently placed last amongst regional competition. The fundamental problem is that "Team Atlanta" will bid and play only in spades. To be fair, if distribution points necessary to open include a void in spades, TA might open a club but if any spades are found across the table, then spades it is.
It gets worse. Whenever a competitor sees 150 points in spade honors in their hand and they double the inevitable spade contract, TA never "corrects to lower suit" but instead will often re-double. It is as if TA believe they are playing poker where bluffing can be a successful tactic. It is unclear if they even understand the significance of "all the cards have been dealt".
It would be nice to report that TA's card play is far superior to their bidding, but given they have narrowed their opportunities to spade contracts which they have often overbid and consequently are doomed from the outset, it is difficult to assess their skills. How does one measure the merits of down two versus down three? Doubled. Re-doubled.
This is not the first time Team Atlanta has exhibited single suit mania, but in the past, when it was diamonds, the same mania afflicted all teams in the region. This created a level playing field, where all competitors were equally stupid. As it became clear this approach could not long endure all the other teams learned to make the best bid for the cards they were dealt and became quite skilled at bringing those contracts home. TA on the other hand simply switched from diamonds to spades, continuing a process doomed to failure.
Increasingly many of the best competitions are invitational and unless Team Atlanta abandons their spades only strategy they risk becoming so non-competitive that they will be dropped from the list. They must become adept at bidding and winning non-spade contracts and aspire to one day compete in the more lucrative and difficult no-trump bids. Team Atlanta is already far behind their competition and each delay is another step towards unrecoverable failure.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
Lowering Higher Education
Georgia is making headway in dismantling the integrity of the university system and its institutes of higher learning. The proposals for integrity disintegration will roll up into what our esteemed Guv refers to as "Complete College Georgia" and he intends to see that Georgia colleges and universities print out 250,000 diplomas by 2020.
Lest you think this is much ado about nothing, we have published reports about how students who never liked school have "succeeded" nonetheless. In this sad tale our budding diploma wielder habitually overslept, missing classes that he himself had signed up for. This prompted a call from the professor. And not during office hours or other down time, as apparently this professor shut down class for all other students (presuming any of them showed up) to call the groggy genius. As he relates the story, upon telling her he would make it next time she stated:
Back in the day, a college diploma even in a field not directly related to the job at hand indicated the applicant was self-motivated, capable of managing their own time and when given a goal, achieving it. Through hard work. An employer knew this was not a person requiring daily supervision but someone who can be presented with a challenge that they will take on. And succeed.
But we as a society have decided "if it ain't FUN it don't git DUN" as the new educational paradigm. And none of our overpaid "educators" object. None are pointing out that many things worth learning require work. Work that often is not fun. Work that is almost always hard. They are no longer accepting only those prepared for college--in intellect, in education or in maturity. Asses in classes means raises in paychecks. Since any ass counts, even a "tardy" one, nothing else even matters.
So what is next for college professors? Will they hold Wee Willee Winkee for every student who raises their hand to excuse themselves in hopes they can assist with a shy bladder? And what about the disruption to the rest of the class? Does anybody in any part of the Georgia educational system give one hair off a rodent's backside about students who are prepared, responsible and ready to learn?
Is that the new koolaid? Are parents demonstrably incapable of potty-training their Kinder now going to be encouraged to abdicate the remaining shreds of parental responsibility? Apparently so. And we seem so enamored of the relatively worthless spawn of this state that we'll toss the baby so we can sip the bathwater.
But expect those babies of merit to land in a state that does care about academic excellence while we mindlessly chase an arbitrary number of diplomas. We will succeed in doing little but proving to the world that a college degree from Georgia means the graduate has endured another four years of "adult high school" and has learned little more than how to drink.
And it can't be stopped. It looks like the Guv and Board of Regents are hell-bent on giving the on-line diploma mills a run for their money as they race to the bottom of the academic barrel.
Lest you think this is much ado about nothing, we have published reports about how students who never liked school have "succeeded" nonetheless. In this sad tale our budding diploma wielder habitually overslept, missing classes that he himself had signed up for. This prompted a call from the professor. And not during office hours or other down time, as apparently this professor shut down class for all other students (presuming any of them showed up) to call the groggy genius. As he relates the story, upon telling her he would make it next time she stated:
"No, you'll be here in twenty minutes."Wow. Did she really delay class almost a half hour awaiting that "tardy" arrival?
Back in the day, a college diploma even in a field not directly related to the job at hand indicated the applicant was self-motivated, capable of managing their own time and when given a goal, achieving it. Through hard work. An employer knew this was not a person requiring daily supervision but someone who can be presented with a challenge that they will take on. And succeed.
But we as a society have decided "if it ain't FUN it don't git DUN" as the new educational paradigm. And none of our overpaid "educators" object. None are pointing out that many things worth learning require work. Work that often is not fun. Work that is almost always hard. They are no longer accepting only those prepared for college--in intellect, in education or in maturity. Asses in classes means raises in paychecks. Since any ass counts, even a "tardy" one, nothing else even matters.
So what is next for college professors? Will they hold Wee Willee Winkee for every student who raises their hand to excuse themselves in hopes they can assist with a shy bladder? And what about the disruption to the rest of the class? Does anybody in any part of the Georgia educational system give one hair off a rodent's backside about students who are prepared, responsible and ready to learn?
Is that the new koolaid? Are parents demonstrably incapable of potty-training their Kinder now going to be encouraged to abdicate the remaining shreds of parental responsibility? Apparently so. And we seem so enamored of the relatively worthless spawn of this state that we'll toss the baby so we can sip the bathwater.
But expect those babies of merit to land in a state that does care about academic excellence while we mindlessly chase an arbitrary number of diplomas. We will succeed in doing little but proving to the world that a college degree from Georgia means the graduate has endured another four years of "adult high school" and has learned little more than how to drink.
And it can't be stopped. It looks like the Guv and Board of Regents are hell-bent on giving the on-line diploma mills a run for their money as they race to the bottom of the academic barrel.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Teachers Debunk Tenure Myth
We won't quibble over semantics, but it is well known that public school teachers in Georgia have job and salary protection commonly known as tenure. Unlike the system for college professors, public school tenure applies to all teachers who manage to hang on for three years, no extra work required, no questions asked. While it is claimed that even tenured teachers can be fired for several reasons, it is expensive, burdensome and requires years. And even though the reasons are alleged to include "incompetence" it is painfully clear from the educators' abysmal performance that what constitutes "competent" in their cloistered world is "abject failure" in any other domain.
For decades teachers and their so called "non-union" lobbying organizations have claimed that this tenure, this job protection program, is necessary to shield classroom teachers from system politics and capricious principles and administrators. But as we all know, actions speak louder than words, and teachers themselves have acted.
We have on display a cadre of "Cheater Teachers", many of whom confessed to their crimes, using their tenure to delay termination and further milk the taxpayer for all they can. What they offer as justification for their actions drives a stake through the heart of tenure justification: they claim that principals and administrators made them cheat by threatening them with retribution if they did not.
Clearly tenure does not work.
It did not create a climate safe for whistle blowers. It did not provide any of these teachers a moral crutch for the spina bifada of their character. In fact, it protects only the incompetent, as those, the few, that are competent need no such protection.
The only sane and reasonable option is to end public school tenure now, by eliminating it for all teachers including those who currently ride this gravy train.
For decades teachers and their so called "non-union" lobbying organizations have claimed that this tenure, this job protection program, is necessary to shield classroom teachers from system politics and capricious principles and administrators. But as we all know, actions speak louder than words, and teachers themselves have acted.
We have on display a cadre of "Cheater Teachers", many of whom confessed to their crimes, using their tenure to delay termination and further milk the taxpayer for all they can. What they offer as justification for their actions drives a stake through the heart of tenure justification: they claim that principals and administrators made them cheat by threatening them with retribution if they did not.
Clearly tenure does not work.
It did not create a climate safe for whistle blowers. It did not provide any of these teachers a moral crutch for the spina bifada of their character. In fact, it protects only the incompetent, as those, the few, that are competent need no such protection.
The only sane and reasonable option is to end public school tenure now, by eliminating it for all teachers including those who currently ride this gravy train.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Al's Park: A Shocking Betrayal
The City has done a dramatic about face, canceling plans for Al's Park and turning it over to a developer who will build housing on the former park site. While still under construction, this is obviously not a park and the outcome is now all but certain.
The City proper is characteristically unhelpful, but those who know those in the know say they know what is really going on and it is not at all what it seems. And this is all on a need to know basis: off the record, on the QT, and very hush-hush.
First, the City learned that Al had no intention of spending his golden years "aging in place" to find eternal rest amongst the City's Founding Fathers in the soon to be acquired City of Dunwoody Cemetery. Al also seems to have lost interest in swimming, much like his flirtation with minor league ball during his midlife crisis twenty years ago. On the upside, the City Elite are pleased they never pursued plans to build Al's Ballpark.
But there is also some suggestion the City had other reasons to alter the Al's Park Plan. Apparently the financing for Al's Park was, shall we say, creative. As it turns out, the City never actually purchased the property. You know, as in the vernacular where the purchasing party, the buyer, pays the current owner, the seller, an agreed upon amount of "cash" at which time the seller transfers title, deed and ownership to the buyer. In fact, the City did not attempt to acquire the property through the more common avenue of a "mortgage", instead relying on a commitment from a third party to purchase the property and lease it to the City. One can only conclude that the City's credit rating sucks. Taking this deal to completion relied upon a "Parks Bond" that was surprisingly but soundly rejected by an unruly electorate.
It seems shady financing had as much to do with this turn of events as Al's fickleness.
On another positive note, the happy builder seems to have escaped a rather nasty process, known as a competitive bid, that while common in other cities does not encumber real estate transactions with our Smart City. While reluctant to discuss the process, this builder shows great pride in his workmanship. When asked about the wisdom of building a house on top of what had been a swimming pool he indicated that many homes in this area are sitting on potential swimming pools. Apparently the difference between a basement and a swimming pool is how the water gets in.
It should go without saying, but won't, that Al is a bit miffed. It is common knowledge that he came here to make his fortune, but like many an opportunist he arrived with no intention of spending is final years in a place like this. He rather doubts that those who sit in judgment plan to either.
Many also know that a recent trip back home reminded him of what he left behind and rekindled a desire to get it back. To return to a place where "blue collar" is not a put down, where local pubs sell local beer and barkeeps may "talk funny" but not with a trumped up British accent. A place where folks read, play euchre, and are proud of their bowling league. Where kids play afternoon basketball at the local school's outdoor court--because they can, because it is safe. Where baseball is a pick-up, empty lot, lazy summer afternoon activity, not a cause célèbre. Where the cemetery has been there for generations.
He realized he had given up so much of real value for so little--just to be a winning rat in a race it turns out no one was watching.
But the City is not done playing around with Al. In the event Al unloads his house in Dunwoody before he can "make the big move", the City has informally committed to turn a blind eye to a nearby zoning violation allowing Al and his family to live in a "step down" facility.
Unlike their formal commitments, this may stick. But Al is not so sure, viewing this as just another reason for Springtime in Sebewaing.
The City proper is characteristically unhelpful, but those who know those in the know say they know what is really going on and it is not at all what it seems. And this is all on a need to know basis: off the record, on the QT, and very hush-hush.
First, the City learned that Al had no intention of spending his golden years "aging in place" to find eternal rest amongst the City's Founding Fathers in the soon to be acquired City of Dunwoody Cemetery. Al also seems to have lost interest in swimming, much like his flirtation with minor league ball during his midlife crisis twenty years ago. On the upside, the City Elite are pleased they never pursued plans to build Al's Ballpark.
But there is also some suggestion the City had other reasons to alter the Al's Park Plan. Apparently the financing for Al's Park was, shall we say, creative. As it turns out, the City never actually purchased the property. You know, as in the vernacular where the purchasing party, the buyer, pays the current owner, the seller, an agreed upon amount of "cash" at which time the seller transfers title, deed and ownership to the buyer. In fact, the City did not attempt to acquire the property through the more common avenue of a "mortgage", instead relying on a commitment from a third party to purchase the property and lease it to the City. One can only conclude that the City's credit rating sucks. Taking this deal to completion relied upon a "Parks Bond" that was surprisingly but soundly rejected by an unruly electorate.
It seems shady financing had as much to do with this turn of events as Al's fickleness.
On another positive note, the happy builder seems to have escaped a rather nasty process, known as a competitive bid, that while common in other cities does not encumber real estate transactions with our Smart City. While reluctant to discuss the process, this builder shows great pride in his workmanship. When asked about the wisdom of building a house on top of what had been a swimming pool he indicated that many homes in this area are sitting on potential swimming pools. Apparently the difference between a basement and a swimming pool is how the water gets in.
It should go without saying, but won't, that Al is a bit miffed. It is common knowledge that he came here to make his fortune, but like many an opportunist he arrived with no intention of spending is final years in a place like this. He rather doubts that those who sit in judgment plan to either.
Many also know that a recent trip back home reminded him of what he left behind and rekindled a desire to get it back. To return to a place where "blue collar" is not a put down, where local pubs sell local beer and barkeeps may "talk funny" but not with a trumped up British accent. A place where folks read, play euchre, and are proud of their bowling league. Where kids play afternoon basketball at the local school's outdoor court--because they can, because it is safe. Where baseball is a pick-up, empty lot, lazy summer afternoon activity, not a cause célèbre. Where the cemetery has been there for generations.
He realized he had given up so much of real value for so little--just to be a winning rat in a race it turns out no one was watching.
But the City is not done playing around with Al. In the event Al unloads his house in Dunwoody before he can "make the big move", the City has informally committed to turn a blind eye to a nearby zoning violation allowing Al and his family to live in a "step down" facility.
Unlike their formal commitments, this may stick. But Al is not so sure, viewing this as just another reason for Springtime in Sebewaing.
Monday, February 27, 2012
No Hope University
Every semester approximately half-a-dozen messages like the following are sent to instructors at No Hope University:
There are so many ways to respond to these emails...all of which would get you fired. Here are a couple ideas for responses:
Even MORE sad is the fact that having only this type and this level of parental contact makes your life "easy." Many in academia receive letters from parents pleading to change final grades because otherwise a student will lose the HOPE scholarship and be unable to attend No Hope University. Many people at No Hope University have been threatened by parents. Specifically, the parents have threatened to tell their golfing buddy over in administration, Dr. OverPaid, that the grade should be revoked and will be challenged if left unchanged.
The one suffering the most is the professor in a given department who is in charge of transfer credits; he gets phone calls about twice a month from parents wanting to know why their child got a 3 on the AP exam but managed to fail the department's placement exam. Now in these cases, the law is literally on the academics' side. Thanks to FERPA, it is illegal for a professor to post grades outside his door, or email students about a grade on an assignment, or even talk about a grade over the telephone. It is illegal to discuss with anyone but the student (unless you have a signed document from the student regarding the class, the clearance, and the particular individual who is cleared) the grades of the student. So, a professor legally cannot respond to any emails from Mommy and Daddy about Junior's English paper. A professor legally cannot discuss the particular transfer or lack-of-transfer of a student's AP credits with an "alleged" parent. Naturally, this just frustrates the parents even more, but it does in many ways make these conversations go more "smoothly". At least these conversations are shorter as a result.
What makes this whole topic even more sensitive is that we all probably know people in our personal lives who are these parents. Who call professors to ask about extensions or transfers or incompletes or letter grade changes. Who blame everything from genetics to roommates to other relatives for the failures and irresponsible behaviors of their own children.
This needs to stop.
If parents continue to coddle their children through college; if parents do not let their children fail; if parents continue to blame everyone else for their children's failures; if parents continue to threaten professors and instructors; if parents continue to act entitled when it comes to access to their adult-children's lives and academics, what sort of society will develop? To quote The Lion in Winter, "What kind of spindly, ricket-ridden, milky, wizened, dim-eyed, gammy-handed, limpy line of things will [we] beget?"
Dear Instructor,or even better:
Our son is a freshman at No Hope University and is struggling somewhat with CLASS-2012. I believe meeting with a tutor once or twice a week would be enough to get him on track. Would you be able to help us with this?
Thanks,
(Name of Parent)
Dear Instructor-Tutor,[ed: Yes dear readers, with the exception of protected name changes, these emails, verbatim, were sent by real flesh and blood parents to real flesh and blood instructors early February, this year. The name of the institution has been changed because while this sad tale is incredible, it is also believable that this could happen at any college or university in Georgia.]
I am looking for a tutor in EASYA-2012 for my daughter Amanda, a freshman at No Hope University. If you are available please contact her directly at amandabanana47(at)nohope.edu. If you could let her know your rate that would be great.
Thanks,
(Name of Parent)
There are so many ways to respond to these emails...all of which would get you fired. Here are a couple ideas for responses:
- The hardest thing for students to "deal with" upon entering college is personal responsibility. If the student is so irresponsible that he not only is failing a class but also needs his PARENT to help him find a tutor, this does not bode well. The fact that a particular instructor is willing to tutor students in EASYA-2012 and CLASS-2012 is not secret; all tutors for a given department have easy-to-find contact information. This information can be found on numerous non-password-protected websites run by the individual departments at No Hope University. If the STUDENT is concerned about the STUDENT'S grade, he can easily find this information (hell, his parents could!) and email the tutor directly. But unless the student takes the initiative and the student takes the time to help himself, more than likely this is never going to work.
- From a general tutor's perspective, this has "BAD IDEA" written all over it. Why? If the parent is contracting you to help a (legal adult, but apparently still a) child, the parent is the "client/parent/boss." Moreover, the student/child has zero responsibility in the eyes of the client/parent/boss. For if the student did have responsibility, the parent would be having the child find himself a tutor, or would be having the child pay for the tutor himself. But, the student/child has no responsibility. It's not his fault he's failing. It's the homework system that's confusing, or the instructor who's draconian, or the "system" that made him ill-prepared. So, what's going to happen if the tutor meets twice a week with the student/child, and the student/child continues to struggle with the material and the student/child doesn't magically turn an "F" into an "A"? That boss/parent/client is going to chew the tutor out because "clearly" the tutor is not doing what they're paid to do! Clearly, the tutor doesn't know the subject, or how to tutor, or what specific needs the student/child has that must be met. It is ALL the tutor's fault, and tutor is disappointing their client/parent/boss.
Even MORE sad is the fact that having only this type and this level of parental contact makes your life "easy." Many in academia receive letters from parents pleading to change final grades because otherwise a student will lose the HOPE scholarship and be unable to attend No Hope University. Many people at No Hope University have been threatened by parents. Specifically, the parents have threatened to tell their golfing buddy over in administration, Dr. OverPaid, that the grade should be revoked and will be challenged if left unchanged.
The one suffering the most is the professor in a given department who is in charge of transfer credits; he gets phone calls about twice a month from parents wanting to know why their child got a 3 on the AP exam but managed to fail the department's placement exam. Now in these cases, the law is literally on the academics' side. Thanks to FERPA, it is illegal for a professor to post grades outside his door, or email students about a grade on an assignment, or even talk about a grade over the telephone. It is illegal to discuss with anyone but the student (unless you have a signed document from the student regarding the class, the clearance, and the particular individual who is cleared) the grades of the student. So, a professor legally cannot respond to any emails from Mommy and Daddy about Junior's English paper. A professor legally cannot discuss the particular transfer or lack-of-transfer of a student's AP credits with an "alleged" parent. Naturally, this just frustrates the parents even more, but it does in many ways make these conversations go more "smoothly". At least these conversations are shorter as a result.
What makes this whole topic even more sensitive is that we all probably know people in our personal lives who are these parents. Who call professors to ask about extensions or transfers or incompletes or letter grade changes. Who blame everything from genetics to roommates to other relatives for the failures and irresponsible behaviors of their own children.
This needs to stop.
If parents continue to coddle their children through college; if parents do not let their children fail; if parents continue to blame everyone else for their children's failures; if parents continue to threaten professors and instructors; if parents continue to act entitled when it comes to access to their adult-children's lives and academics, what sort of society will develop? To quote The Lion in Winter, "What kind of spindly, ricket-ridden, milky, wizened, dim-eyed, gammy-handed, limpy line of things will [we] beget?"
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Nancy Jester Unmasked
This late breaking news comes directly from Dunwoody Rumor Central, the unhappy campers who brought you the inside scoop on Dunwoody's Executive Session Kerfuffle. Now lighting up the blogosphere is shocking information alleging Nancy Jester, the DeKalb County Board of Education member shown below is not at all who she claims to be.
And just who is it that they claim is masquerading as "Nancy Jester"?
As it turns out they allege that Mary Steenburgen, shown below, is now playing the part of a DeKalb County Board of Education member whose character's name is none other than "Nancy Jester".
In support of this claim our local rumor mongers offer this:
And demand it we will as we are entitled to know just who is running our schools. We must be certain that our schools are directed by a full-time board members and not just a Hollywood star using this as a part-time acting lesson. As this is a most serious matter, a birth certificate, marriage license or any other easily forged document is woefully inadequate. If "Ms. Jester" denies these charges, then we demand exactly what has been lacking to date, Nancy Jester and Mary Steenburgen at a public venue, in person, at the same time.
If this proof is forthcoming, and is accepted as convincing and incontrovertible, then it has been suggested this become a charity event with photo ops, autograph sessions and an open bar. Finally, as an act of contrition, made even greater by the fact that Dunwoody is a "chicken free City", all proceeds will go to Heifer International. Which is not a chicken free charity.
And just who is it that they claim is masquerading as "Nancy Jester"?
As it turns out they allege that Mary Steenburgen, shown below, is now playing the part of a DeKalb County Board of Education member whose character's name is none other than "Nancy Jester".
In support of this claim our local rumor mongers offer this:
- The striking physical resemblance as demonstrated in the preceding photos.
- The fact that, were it necessary, and it appears not, Mary Steenburgen has access to award-winning makeup artists.
- Never have Mary Steenburgen and "Ms. Jester" been seen together in public. NEVER!
- Mary Steenburgen's mother was a school-board secretary giving rise to speculation that she knows exactly how to infiltrate a school board.
- The selection of the name "Jester" appears to be a purposeful clue intended to mock the intelligence of our community and Mary Steenburgen is known for playing comedic roles.
And demand it we will as we are entitled to know just who is running our schools. We must be certain that our schools are directed by a full-time board members and not just a Hollywood star using this as a part-time acting lesson. As this is a most serious matter, a birth certificate, marriage license or any other easily forged document is woefully inadequate. If "Ms. Jester" denies these charges, then we demand exactly what has been lacking to date, Nancy Jester and Mary Steenburgen at a public venue, in person, at the same time.
If this proof is forthcoming, and is accepted as convincing and incontrovertible, then it has been suggested this become a charity event with photo ops, autograph sessions and an open bar. Finally, as an act of contrition, made even greater by the fact that Dunwoody is a "chicken free City", all proceeds will go to Heifer International. Which is not a chicken free charity.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Dunwoody Chicken Coup
In Dunwoody, sheltering and nurturing "chickens" is an executive privilege reserved for the Smart folks down at City Hall.
The facts are not in dispute: Council met in executive session and one or more perpetrators leaked information that by law must be kept secret. Given their now obvious character flaws it comes as no surprise that cowardice compels them to silence and they have none of the honesty or integrity required to openly confess and face their punishment. They would rather heap insult upon injury, in the hopes they will not be caught, or if caught will receive little more than a slap on the wrist. But by not coming forward these cowards will cost the rest of us $150/hr for an investigator to break open the Cabal and identify at least some of the traitors. Hopefully this investigation will also reveal those who are protecting them as well.
By refusing to confess, by denying their actions, they cast a dark shadow on the governance of the entire city. How many, if any, members of Council or staff are complicit and to what extent? Are others now guilty of obstruction or participating in a cover-up? If, as many suggest, "this has been going on since day one", is this the tip of a very large iceberg? Just how deep and wide does the corruption extend?
There is some merit to the argument that the City Cabal has played fast and loose with the sanctity of executive session for some time, as it is clear now that the "chickens" have taken over the city and are now protected by a self-imposed and seemingly impenetrable cone of silence. The only secret this City seems capable of keeping is just who has been leaking secrets.
Perhaps the Council should hear no new business, act on no other agenda item except investigation progress reports until the investigation is complete and the guilty suffer the maximum penalty afforded under the law. Perhaps this would restore what is left of the crumbling confidence the electorate has in their City's staff and Council. Perhaps not.
The facts are not in dispute: Council met in executive session and one or more perpetrators leaked information that by law must be kept secret. Given their now obvious character flaws it comes as no surprise that cowardice compels them to silence and they have none of the honesty or integrity required to openly confess and face their punishment. They would rather heap insult upon injury, in the hopes they will not be caught, or if caught will receive little more than a slap on the wrist. But by not coming forward these cowards will cost the rest of us $150/hr for an investigator to break open the Cabal and identify at least some of the traitors. Hopefully this investigation will also reveal those who are protecting them as well.
By refusing to confess, by denying their actions, they cast a dark shadow on the governance of the entire city. How many, if any, members of Council or staff are complicit and to what extent? Are others now guilty of obstruction or participating in a cover-up? If, as many suggest, "this has been going on since day one", is this the tip of a very large iceberg? Just how deep and wide does the corruption extend?
There is some merit to the argument that the City Cabal has played fast and loose with the sanctity of executive session for some time, as it is clear now that the "chickens" have taken over the city and are now protected by a self-imposed and seemingly impenetrable cone of silence. The only secret this City seems capable of keeping is just who has been leaking secrets.
Perhaps the Council should hear no new business, act on no other agenda item except investigation progress reports until the investigation is complete and the guilty suffer the maximum penalty afforded under the law. Perhaps this would restore what is left of the crumbling confidence the electorate has in their City's staff and Council. Perhaps not.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Al's Park Gets Natatorium
As has been detailed here, Al's Park is a "planned City park" to include luxurious landscaping, a modern water feature cascading into a swimming pool and a pool house. Now the City plans an upgrade. A natatorium. And construction is well underway.
Though it has been difficult to obtain an official reason for the upgrade, sources "in the know" have suggested this is directly related to Al being overheard saying "I can't wait for Speedo weather". This comment sent shudders down the spine of all who heard it, or heard of it, and caused quite a stir amongst parents of small children. A rather catty remark regarding "muffin tops" is grinding its way through the rumor mill.
While not denying the allegation, an unnamed city official reportedly explained that the city was powerless to regulate male swimwear, even in a City park. In fact, unless Al appears with "man-boobs" or stark naked there is absolutely nothing the city can do. Consequently a substantial structure is required as a "swimsuit cover up". And make no mistake about it, the City is committed to THIS park.
As for Al, he will neither confirm nor deny that he owns or would wear a Speedo, but did observe that "every day I wake up Al's Park just gets better and I can't wait to see what's next."
Though it has been difficult to obtain an official reason for the upgrade, sources "in the know" have suggested this is directly related to Al being overheard saying "I can't wait for Speedo weather". This comment sent shudders down the spine of all who heard it, or heard of it, and caused quite a stir amongst parents of small children. A rather catty remark regarding "muffin tops" is grinding its way through the rumor mill.
While not denying the allegation, an unnamed city official reportedly explained that the city was powerless to regulate male swimwear, even in a City park. In fact, unless Al appears with "man-boobs" or stark naked there is absolutely nothing the city can do. Consequently a substantial structure is required as a "swimsuit cover up". And make no mistake about it, the City is committed to THIS park.
As for Al, he will neither confirm nor deny that he owns or would wear a Speedo, but did observe that "every day I wake up Al's Park just gets better and I can't wait to see what's next."
Friday, February 17, 2012
Orwellian Education
Georgia "educators" have won their battle against accountability and will do better than merely return to the opacity of the former status quo. The will begin by replacing the NCLB Pass/Fail designations with a system that institutionalizes their self-congratulatory inclinations.
Some have described the new labeling system as "warm and fuzzy" and the enthusiastic embrace by "educators" is sickeningly sweet:
But since the new labels are not only malleable but intentionally obfuscating, let's ensure we have a clear set of "taxpayer" definitions that not only speak the truth, but expose the hypocrisy of a system that takes credit for others' hard work while hiding their own failures. These are the "educators'" new school labels:
Some have described the new labeling system as "warm and fuzzy" and the enthusiastic embrace by "educators" is sickeningly sweet:
"These new labels, I think, are going to be great"Really?!? YOU think? But this is followed by:
"they're going to get us away from pass or fail"Well, you certainly got that right, because what "educators" want to see is a system of "pass" and "pass", where "pass" means whatever the hell they want it to mean.
But since the new labels are not only malleable but intentionally obfuscating, let's ensure we have a clear set of "taxpayer" definitions that not only speak the truth, but expose the hypocrisy of a system that takes credit for others' hard work while hiding their own failures. These are the "educators'" new school labels:
- REWARD (Educators take all the credit) -- This signifies a school with a statistically unlikely aggregation of "Teacher-Proof" students often correlating with a large concentration of Asian families. Teachers and principals rejoice as they will burnish their reputations on the accomplishments of hardworking students and the parents that motivate them. Only the toadiest of sycophants are allowed to work in these increasingly rare schools.
- FOCUS (Educators take credit where it makes them look good, avoiding responsibility where it doesn't) -- These are often associated with what few middle class neighborhoods remain that can still offer "student outliers" for the "educators" to trot out at the appropriate times and places so as to take credit for their hard work. These schools are often the proving ground for aspiring toadies and the well connected "educators".
- PRIORITY (Educators blame parent(s)) -- These are schools formerly labeled as FAILING. These are your regular run of the mill, prison preparatory programs littering the landscape of Georgia education. This is where disenfranchised "educators", often with the wrong friends and from an undesirable family, are sent to retire on the job.
- ALERT (Educators blame society, parents and government) -- FAILED. Simple, abject, complete failure. No dead-cat bounce. No hope of recovery. This is what makes many a Georgian look forward to the day they can proudly proclaim to be from Georgia. "Educators" found in these schools are on the system's "de-hire" career path.
Keep this handy so you can translate from the finely crafted orwellian blather about to spew from the mouths of "educators" into what this really means for you, your child and your taxes.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Dunwoody Talking Out of School
On a recent Friday the Dunwoody Mayor and Council held, on short notice, a meeting for the purpose of going into executive session. As we all learned from the Dekalk County School Superintendent search these executive sessions are not held in public and discussions are not made public. In the vernacular, what happens in executive session stays in executive session.
Those are the rules. And as we also learned from DCSS, some folks hold themselves above the rules, to wit, someone is alleged to have leaked information regarding the topics of discussion in the Dunwoody executive session. Naughty boy(s) or girl(s).
Condemnation has already rained down from others in the blogosphere and that is not the purpose of this rant. It will be left to others to ensure guilty staffers are fired and guilty politicians will be pilloried.
There are items of equal if not greater concern. At first blush there is the matter rumored to have been discussed: the sale of all or almost all of the "PVC Pipe Farm" to a developer who will build housing though probably not as high density as the original developer intended. To make up for this reduction in traffic on our roads the rumored proposal includes "mixed use", generally thought to include retail and restaurants. Perhaps a Chick-fil-a?
Some really important questions are raised here. How enduring is a "master plan"? Is the master plan so riddled with loop holes and vague language and therefore so open to manipulation and interpretation that the city can buy property under the guise of "much needed green space" and hardly a year later do a one eighty and propose to sell the property back to developers? Can this city create a plan that will endure one election cycle or is every election to become yet another set of mandates for sweeping change?
And the original financing for the purchase seems so sketch it would make Bernie Madoff blush. Did we really buy the property, as reports indicate we are simply leasing it from the Georgia Municipal Association? And since when did this lobbying organization get into the business of second hand financing? Just who approached whom in setting up this house of cards? How much of this fragile setup was based on the now dispelled confidence that the sheep of Dunwoody would approve the City's "parks bonds"? We were told this property was bought for "parks" and now it is just a speculative real estate deal relying on shaky financing. How many other pre-emptive spending programs were executed based on "Parks Bonds Anticipation"? The property for the Peachford Road to Nowhere? And how did this influence the negotiations? Clearly we paid too much for the Peachford property. That or no citizen should ever have complained about County property tax as it appears property in the area is undervalued by half. Was the overpayment because the negotiator was sure the City would soon be flush with cash? Did they "go shopping" too soon?
And who are these people? We need names. If there be consequences, firings and recalls, then let it be for the staffers, the managers and the elected officials behind these speculative land deals and public deceptions. And let it be NOW.
Those are the rules. And as we also learned from DCSS, some folks hold themselves above the rules, to wit, someone is alleged to have leaked information regarding the topics of discussion in the Dunwoody executive session. Naughty boy(s) or girl(s).
Condemnation has already rained down from others in the blogosphere and that is not the purpose of this rant. It will be left to others to ensure guilty staffers are fired and guilty politicians will be pilloried.
There are items of equal if not greater concern. At first blush there is the matter rumored to have been discussed: the sale of all or almost all of the "PVC Pipe Farm" to a developer who will build housing though probably not as high density as the original developer intended. To make up for this reduction in traffic on our roads the rumored proposal includes "mixed use", generally thought to include retail and restaurants. Perhaps a Chick-fil-a?
Some really important questions are raised here. How enduring is a "master plan"? Is the master plan so riddled with loop holes and vague language and therefore so open to manipulation and interpretation that the city can buy property under the guise of "much needed green space" and hardly a year later do a one eighty and propose to sell the property back to developers? Can this city create a plan that will endure one election cycle or is every election to become yet another set of mandates for sweeping change?
And the original financing for the purchase seems so sketch it would make Bernie Madoff blush. Did we really buy the property, as reports indicate we are simply leasing it from the Georgia Municipal Association? And since when did this lobbying organization get into the business of second hand financing? Just who approached whom in setting up this house of cards? How much of this fragile setup was based on the now dispelled confidence that the sheep of Dunwoody would approve the City's "parks bonds"? We were told this property was bought for "parks" and now it is just a speculative real estate deal relying on shaky financing. How many other pre-emptive spending programs were executed based on "Parks Bonds Anticipation"? The property for the Peachford Road to Nowhere? And how did this influence the negotiations? Clearly we paid too much for the Peachford property. That or no citizen should ever have complained about County property tax as it appears property in the area is undervalued by half. Was the overpayment because the negotiator was sure the City would soon be flush with cash? Did they "go shopping" too soon?
And who are these people? We need names. If there be consequences, firings and recalls, then let it be for the staffers, the managers and the elected officials behind these speculative land deals and public deceptions. And let it be NOW.
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