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Letters: 2009 2007

Letter/News Archives: 2009

Burton focus on academic success

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

To the Editor:

Election Day is fast approaching, and I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank all of my supporters. I will join all of you at the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 3 as we seek to earn a seat on the Wissahickon School Board.

I say we, because my voice is your voice, and together we will put forth the issues that impact our schools, families, and community. As I have said before, I am not a politician. I am still just Val, your friend, neighbor, customer, volunteer, and John and Tori’s mom. It is because of all of you that I have this opportunity to be elected as one of the school directors on the Wissahickon School Board. I am humbled by your trust and loyalty, and I can assure you that I will always be guided by the knowledge that I represent your interests.

My approach to excellence in school starts with a basic premise; every child, regardless of circumstances, has the capacity to learn and enjoy a successful school career. Each child that walks through the doors of one our schools holds the key to our success as a community; and they must be aware of that promise. Without thriving, exceptional public schools anchoring our neighborhoods, and developing successful students, we all lose. If, as we proclaim, are a “Community of Learners,” we must live up to that claim. Community, by definition, means common good. To that end, all of us, especially the students, must understand that the success of one student, at the expense of another student’s failure, does not benefit the community.

Our teachers must have the freedom to depart from the prescribed lesson plans, so that they are allowed to reach each and every child in the room, and reveal his or her potential. The act of focusing on a student who is struggling, takes nothing away from the classroom. I would suggest it adds an element of cohesiveness among classmates when they are allowed to become a part of the process, as opposed to spectators viewing a distracting sideshow.

One of my team’s key objectives is safety in our schools. My concept of safety goes far beyond protecting students from the physical harm of one another. It means ensuring an environment where every student is free from ridicule, embarrassment, and disrespect. There should be no preferential treatment in academics because of extracurricular activities. Every student should be valued for his or her abilities and accomplishments. All decisions made in the schools should be for the benefit of students.

We will continue to stand together, as we seek academic success for our children, fiscally responsible decisions for our schools and community, a demand for transparency from the school board and excellence from our educators. Thank you again for your continued support, I have thoroughly enjoyed this experience. I have met some really wonderful people, and I look forward to meeting even more of you. I’ll see you at the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 3, where I will be asking for your vote for myself and the other members of my team, Teresa Williams, and Ron Stoloff.

Val Burton
Wissahickon School Board
candidate

Original letter.
 
© 2009 MontgomeryNews.com, a Journal Register Property

Stoloff will bring education experience
Tuesday, October 20, 2009

To the Editor:

On Nov. 3, 2009 the people of Ambler, Lower Gwynedd and Whitpain who make up the Wissahickon School District will have the opportunity to elect our school board. In the last nine months Teresa Williams, Val Burton and I have gone throughout the school district. We have heard many questions, but one of the most common is, “Why should we be concerned since we have no children in the district?” In answer, we usually point out that they will always pay taxes to our district and the property values are dependant on the quality of education our schools provide. If the schools are seen as defective or deteriorating then few potential home buyers will be interested in looking here and our property values will plummet. Yet we don’t want to have to raise taxes to such a degree that we drive people out of Wissahickon. That is the delicate balancing act every school board faces and one that we, candidates for the school director position will consider most carefully.

Many of you know Teresa Williams from her two terms on the board and her strong sense of responsibility to her family, students, teachers, taxpayers and administrators in the district.

Val Burton has been an active volunteer as a parent almost from the moment her children started school. Many of you probably saw her at the Back to School Night at Wissahickon High School as she sold raffle tickets for the highly coveted student parking spaces.

I was a teacher for 35 years and while attending Wissahickon School Board meetings was flabbergasted to see that not one person on the board was a career educator and that became the driving force in my campaign. Being in a class with young minds is at the same instant one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences one can have. Throughout my career I was involved in many projects that sought to find and implement strategies so that our students could learn skills and methods of approaching problems that will not only help them in any particular class but in their entire lives.

If elected, I hope to be able to share my experiences and insight as we, as a board, together, seek to make our schools even stronger and ensure that our children — who are at the root of everything we will do — are successful.

I suggest you check out our Website: www.GreatSchoolTeam.org for more information.

Ron Stoloff
Candidate for Wissahickon School
Board Director

Original Letter.

© 2009 MontgomeryNews.com, a Journal Register Property

PIT issue needs to be set straight

To the Editor:

I find somewhat amazing that Al DeGennaro and Brian Miles continue to create an issue where there is none or, is this just another ploy to scare our seniors and uninformed voters.

Let’s set the record straight: My running mates and I are totally against the Personal Income Tax (PIT). Yes, I did serve on the Local Tax Study Commission, which was charged to do the fact-finding concerning the EIT & PIT. However, I must say that once all the facts were in and after careful consideration, I am totally 110 percent against the PIT.

Mr. Wes Shirk in his letter to the Editor on June 3 was correct. We currently have an Earned Income Tax (EIT), which is based on salary and other similar earnings. The PIT issue was dealt with two years ago by Gov. Rendell and has been removed for consideration at this time.

Prior to the May 19 primary there were letters published to the editor and posted on the Republican Web site which stated that under Republican leadership the Wissahickon School Board has had an outstanding record. Well, let’s take a minute and evaluate this. For the last eight years I sat on the Wissahickon School Board as a Republican and during that tenure the Republicans have always had the majority. In fact, the Republican majority voted for the Democratic leadership. None of the Republican’s listed accomplishments would have been possible without the Democrats exercising sound fiscal spending during their time in leadership. The board is now reaping the rewards from the surplus amassed during that period. In addition, some Republicans who expressed reservations about going forward with the Technology Infrastructure now are applauding it as their accomplishment.

My first full term I ran unopposed as a Republican. Prior to the end of my first term, I was approached by Mr. Al DeGennaro and asked to run on the ticket with the endorsed Republican candidates. Brian Miles supported that decision.

I believe that the nine board members should be independent minds collectively working together for the advancement and betterment of the Wissahickon Students and Community.

Partisan politics has no place on the Wissahickon School Board.

Teresa Williams
Wissahickon School Board Director

Ambler Gazette, July 1, 2009, Page 6

Fears about PIT rumors confirmed

To the Editor,

I read the letter from Wes Shirk, “No WSB candidates are in favor of PIT,” in the June 6 Ambler Gazette with dismay [see below]. As a candidate for the Wissahickon School Board I had heard rumors the Republican candidates were spreading statements that we were going to raise the taxes on the retired yet seeing the rumor supported by someone who was actually there confirms my worst fears: the Republican candidates are not interested in an election that discusses issues vital to the entire Wissahickon community but are only in striking fear in the hearts of our most vulnerable citizens.

The question quickly rises, “Why are they so afraid of the opposition?” Is it that they have nothing to say to attract voters without bringing up an issue that has been dead for at least 2 years?

On election day I spoke to many folks from Normandy Farms as they came off the bus and were about to enter the polling place and most had heard that the Democrats were for the Personal Income Tax (PIT). I told the voters that, “A steak had been driven into the ‘heart’ of that idea and no one is foolish enough to pull it out to give the question new life.”

Many were surprised, though others said that they thought it was already dead and were additionally surprised that only Republicans had been invited to speak to the residents and Democrats had not been offered the opportunity.

I hope that in the months leading up to November we all have a chance to speak to our neighbors in Normandy Farms – and other communities as well – so everyone can make an informed decision that impacts so much of our life in Wissahickon.

Ron Stoloff,
Candidate for Wissahickon
School Board

Ambler Gazette, June 10, 2009, p. 6

No WSB candidates are in favor of PIT 

To the Editor: 

The Tuesday before the primary I attended a meeting at Normandy Farms, where we heard from three of the four Republican candidates that are running for the Wissahickon School Board. The candidates present were Barb Moyer, Dawn Roberts and Marjorie Brown. During the course of their presentation, all of the candidates, as well as a letter written by the fourth candidate, Dick Stanton, implied that the Democratic candidates running for school board were in favor of the Personal Income Tax (PIT). 

This tax would have been based on all income. We currently have an Earned Income Tax (EIT), which is based on salary and other similar earnings (I subsequently discovered that the PIT issue was dealt with two years ago by Gov. Rendell and had been removed from consideration at that time). 

After hearing that the Democratic candidates were supposedly in favor of the PIT, I was so concerned I made it a point to contact the Democratic candidates who stated in no uncertain terms that they had no interest in even considering a PIT. 

I'm not sure if this was just a misunderstanding on the part of the whole audience or if this was a case of "telling the truth in a manner calculated to deceive." Just so everyone is clear about this issue, none of the candidates who were running for the Wissahickon School Board are in favor of changing the way we pay school taxes. 

Wes Shirk,
Gwynedd 

Ambler Gazette, June 3, 2009, p. 8

WSB victory an appreciated honor

To the Editor:

I wanted to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of the people who voted for me on May 19. I really appreciated all the help and support I received during the campaign process. It meant a lot to me to hear your words of encouragement especially after the grueling hours of that day.

As a Wissachickon School director, I have served as/on:

  • North Montco Technical Career Center Representative
  • Policy Committee
  • Curriculum/Technology Committee
  • Facilities/Transportation Committee (in which I chaired 2007-2008)
    •

As an Ambler resident, I am especially grateful for the approval you have in my past performance, so that I may continue my service to our town. For me, the past eight years have gone by very quickly. However, with confidence, I say the experience has been very rewarding and a growing one. However, the primary is just the beginning and we have unfinished business to take care of to ensure victory in November.

As always, my goal has been to ensure the safety and security of our students in addition to making sure all our students receive the quality education they deserve.

To those who voted for me in the election I will strive to continue to meet your expectations. However, for those who didn’t I will work very hard to gain your confidence and support.

Teresa Williams,
Wissahickon School Board director

Ambler Gazette, May 27, 2009, p. 8

The following letter was submitted but not published in the
Ambler Gazette for May 27, 2009

To the Editor

Thanks to many of you, I will be moving on to the ballot in November to run for a position on the Wissahickon School Board. I would like to congratulate all the candidates that were successful on Election Day, but particularly the other endorsed Democrats for the Wissahickon School Board, Teresa Williams, Ron Stoloff, and Chris Cormier. There are many people I would like to personally thank, but today there is a more pressing matter I would like to address.

A very disturbing event that was designed to negatively impact the election, and undoubtedly did, has disturbed me. It was brought to the attention of the Democratic Candidates running for the Wissahickon School Board one week prior to the election, that our opponents on the Endorsed Republican ticket paid a visit to the residents of Normandy Farm Estates. Under the leadership of Barb Moyer, our current Vice-President on the Wissahickon School Board, Dawn Roberts and Marjorie Brown arranged a meeting with these senior residents. They brought with them a letter in support of their efforts from current board member Dick Stanton. The purpose of the visit was to put forth a message to these residents that the candidates running on the Democratic ticket would impose a Personal Income Tax, which would severely impact anyone on a pension. 

Nothing could be farther from the truth and I find it reprehensible that anyone, for any purpose, and in particular, political gain, would dare to frighten seniors. The Democrats were denied equal access to these residents, to set the record straight. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to speak with many of these seniors on Election Day, as these loyal voters streamed steadily to the polls. They all wanted to know if I would vote for imposing a Personal Income Tax on their Social Security or pensions. I looked them in the eyes and assured them that I would not, and I apologized for the outrageous behavior of my opponents. I am very passionate about the protection and respect extended to our seniors, and I will go to great lengths to ensure that no one exploits this demographic in our district.

The Wissahickon School Board is supposed to be a bipartisan board of directors that operates in the best interests of students, educators, and residents in the community. In light of this political tactic, it is my position that Barb Moyer and Dick Stanton should apologize, and I respectfully ask that the Republican Party reconsider its endorsement. I further feel that Marjorie Brown and Dawn Roberts have rendered themselves ineligible to represent the best interests of this community and should withdraw their candidacy. Integrity is the least that we can ask of those who represent our interests and our children’s interests. These candidates have shown both a lack of integrity and a blatant disregard for the concerns of some of our most vulnerable constituents. This behavior must be dealt with immediately and deliberately; we must not allow these candidates to blemish our district any further.

Val Burton
Candidate for Wissahickon School Board

To the Editor:

On May 19th voters in the Wissahickon School District will be able to vote for four positions on the Board. I am running for one of them and would like you to know who I am and what I offer you and the students in the District.

First, I was a teacher in public school for 35 years and throughout those years was heavily involved in developing several successful reform movements – attempts to make the educational experience better for students. I think it is an excellent idea that someone on the Board know what life is like after the classroom door is closed where theory gives way to reality as only students and teachers are left to interact. No Board member, without this experience, can meet and make judgments about the future of our schools and I plan to share my experiences as we wrestle with all the problems that face modern education.

While attending a recent Board meeting I was startled to discover that the Wissahickon School District is investigating the use of Small Learning Communities (SLCs). I found this fascinating: This is what I was involved in for the last 15 years of my carrier. I was one of the founding members of an SLC – then called a Charter. Following that I was a member and then chair of the Restructuring Council in my school as we heard and decided which SLC proposals would be accepted as we moved into Career Centered SLC’s – the very same path Wissahickon is pursuing now.

Because of this I feel that I would be an excellent resource for the Board if I am elected.

I attended Temple University and received a Masters from Beaver/Arcadia University and was involved in writing and testing curricula for high school. I made many presentations at numerous conferences on the implementation of technology in the classroom and was the technology coordinator at my school.

Since my retirement I’ve been involved in a program that recycles computers and offers them at low cost or gives them away for free and have arranged for over 150 students at my former school to get these life changing tools.

I loved getting up each morning and heading out to teach and hope that part of my responsibility on the new Board will be to help support that passion in our teachers and lift burdens that come between the teacher and the student so that we can look forward to our students making us all proud of their achievements in the Wissahickon School District.

Finally, check out our web site, The Great School Team at www.GreatSchoolTeam.org for more information about me and the others running with me: Theresa Williams, incumbent, Val Burton and Chris Cormier. All three have, had, or soon will have, children in the District.

Ron Stoloff,
Blue Bell

Unpublished but submitted to Ambler Gazette, May 10, 2009

Burton promises fresh approach

To the Editor:

My name is Val Burton; I am an endorsed Democratic candidate for the Wissahickon School Board.

I am not a politician; I am a parent, friend, neighbor, volunteer, and consumer. I have lived in the Wissahickon School District for 16 years. I have a junior at the high school and a seventh-grader at the middle school. I have volunteered extensively in the district for the past 12 years, and I hope to continue my volunteer work for many years to come.

I served on the Home and School Association executive board for three years at Shady Grove Elementary. I have chaired the Executive Board Nominating Committee, Excess Funds Committee, and co-chaired Kids C.A.R.E. Community Service Program, and Grant Writing Committee on behalf of the H&SA.

The Wissahickon School District is an intricate mosaic of rich cultural diversity, tasked with improving the discrepancies in achievement, and thereby alleviating the economic disparity that is directly linked to an unsuccessful school career. If this is not tackled head on, its negative effects will reverberate throughout our community.

I believe members of the Wissahickon School Board are charged with balancing the success of the schools in the district, committing to transparency and making fiscally responsible decisions on behalf of our students, staff and community. I am mindful of the challenge before me to guard the interests of all parties, and keenly aware of the inherent struggle that can sometimes ensue. However, I believe a healthy and thriving community begins with, and is sustained by, a successful public school system. It is the bedrock from which all subsequent value in the district is measured.

It is not without passionate opposition that I adamantly proclaim that every child has the capacity to learn and be a successful student. However, this can only be achieved if we ensure that our curriculum allows for purposeful, diversified, effective teaching. We must also have a commitment from families and community leaders, to donate time and resources, so that students are on a level playing field. I am firmly against continuing processes that have proven to be ineffective or find any student at a disadvantage.

I am vehemently opposed to wasteful spending. Fiscal responsibility must be adhered to for the benefit of all constituents. Every financial decision must be an ethical investment that is statistically sound, with measurable profitability that is viewable to the naked eye. To that end, I would seek to employ the most sensible, cost effective methods available to fund any necessary expenditures. Please join me in my effort to ensure transparency throughout the district. I want you seated at the table offering input into the decisions that will affect your family and livelihood.

I am appreciative and humbled by the bipartisan support I have received throughout the district. So, it is with great humility that I ask the students, educators, staff, residents, and business owners in the Wissahickon School District to allow me to represent your interests as a member of the Wissahickon School Board.

Vote for Val Burton on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, it’s time for a fresh voice and a new approach.

Val Burton
Democratic candidate for Wissahickon School Board

Ambler Gazette, May 6, 2009, p. 6

Burton will bring tireless dedication

To the Editor:

As past co-president of the Home & School Association of Shady Grove elementary, I have had the pleasure of working with Val Burton for more than five years. Val is a woman with a tireless dedication to serving the needs of children in our area. She has actively volunteered her time throughout the district in a variety of capacities. As such, she has a thorough understanding of the needs of our students and faculty. Val is committed to being directly engaged in the activities of the district.

Her core belief that every student has the ability to achieve success will be a strong basis for setting policy and standards for the district. As an advocate for our children, she will closely listen and represent all members of the community regardless of party affiliation.

She is an independent, free thinker who can bring valuable new perspectives to the issues facing our community.

She has earned my respect and admiration and if given the opportunity, I’m sure she’ll earn yours too. Please vote for Val Burton as a candidate for the Wissahickon School Board on May 19.

Michele Minnick
Blue Bell

Ambler Gazette, May 6, 2009, p. 6
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Letter Archives: 2007

From the Montgomery County Democratic Committee
21 East Airy St., Norristown, PA 19401
610-272-2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
September 27, 2007
Contact: Marcel Groen
(215-918-3557)

MONTCO DEMOCRATIC CHAIR CALLS FOR CASTOR’S RESIGNATION

Norristown, PA (September 27, 2007) – Montgomery County Democratic Chairman Marcel Groen today issued the following statement:

Today I am calling for the immediate resignation of District Attorney Bruce Castor for abuse of his office and prosecutorial misconduct. As the top law enforcement office in the County, the district attorney’s office is supposed to be used to impartially protect the people of this county. It is not intended to be used as a public relations tool for private political gain. It is not supposed to be used for self-serving press conference after self-serving press conference.  It is supposed to be used for trying to keep our citizens safe from criminals who do us harm. 

Mr. Castor has used his office in a manner similar to how the Bush administration and Alberto Gonzalez have used the U.S. Justice Department. The District Attorney's office has become a place where only Republicans need apply;  a place where staffers are used for political activity; a breeding ground for political ambition, where your status is measured not by the work you do, but by your political aspirations; a place where you have assistant district attorney, after assistant district attorney running for office. 

In addition, there are the Rovian actions of the office.  Investigations are routinely leaked to the press for political advantage.  Mr. Castor destroys the reputations of good people for political gain.  Mr. Castor is not satisfied with winning, but must have the kill.  

In the most recent case, Mr. Castor doesn’t have the search warrants sealed, because he realizes that if you make it public you can embarrass and hurt without naming names, and you can make political headlines and destroy a political opponent.  KYW is leaked the story before there is an arrest, or you hold a press conference to detail the charges. The Matthews Castor political website links to the KYW story hours before Mr. Castor holds his press conference.   

When the press called and asked if this investigation was politically motivated, I danced around the question, because I did not want there to be retribution against anyone.  That is not the way our legal system is supposed to work, where people are afraid of retribution for speaking out. 

We know Mr. Castor and his political supporters have been gloating about “getting” a Democrat for weeks, and have held the results of the investigation for the “right time.”  It is curious that the right time was the day after a deluge of press stories criticizing Castor’s running mate, Jim Matthews, for taking tens of thousands of campaign funds from a person convicted of political corruption.  

Let me make a few things clear. Joanne Olszewski is one of the finest people I have ever met.  The attempt to destroy such a person for pure political gain is criminal. As jury commissioner she has done more to upgrade that office than anyone in history. She has fought hard for the comfort of the jurors, appeared in numerous court rooms to ensure the system was working properly and has made us all proud.  In a short time, she has gained the respect of all of the people in the courthouse, mostly Republicans, with whom she works. 

As a person she has given tirelessly to civic causes.  She has been a leader,  not just politically, but also in a variety of civic endeavors in the Flourtown area where her bar is located, and has given to so many causes it's impossible to list them all. Most of her charitable giving has been done quietly and anonymously.  

The Democrats in this County are not perfect. We make mistakes, but I believe the people of this County share our values.  Let me share some of them with you. 

We stand by our friends.  

We don't try to destroy good people for political gain. I can assure you that during my term as chairman I have received numerous bits of information that I could have used to embarrass and destroyed a good person’s reputation for political gain.  I have chosen not to follow that path. To have done otherwise would have been unfair, inappropriate and would have sent a chilling effect on our political system.  

A perfect example is when a prominent Republican elected official in the county became involved in an ugly situation in which a court issued a protection from abuse order against him.  Democrats said nothing. 

Democrats did not use the situation for personal political gain.  Your running mate, Jim Matthews, publicly commended the Democratic party of Montgomery County for respecting the situation.   

We run as a team and stand with each other. I couldn't imagine running two people for County Commissioner who need two separate campaigns.

We don't think we're above the law. We don’t make no-bid, sweetheart deals with vendors, and then take over $40,000 in political contributions from the CEO of that company.  If the law requires us to bid contracts over $10,000, we do so. 

I could go on, but the message is clear. Mr. Castor's personifies politics at its worst.  Since he can't be trusted in this political season not to use the DA's office for political gain, he MUST resign today.  It is imperative that our law enforcement agencies be impartial and non-political.  It sets us apart from the Irans and North Koreas of this world. This is Montgomery County, not Teheran. The voters will speak. They will recognize political shenanigans for what they are. 

Letters to the Editor

To the Editor: [2007]

In response to the article appearing in the May 2nd Ambler Gazette, I wanted to offer some additional context to the statement accurately attributed to me. In lauding the debt approved by the voters in Upper Dublin for the construction of a new high school, I was not suggesting that the Wissahickon School District needed to do the same.

I was, in fact, expressing my respect for those voters in having not deferred a future financial obligation to a later generation. It should be noted that the Upper Dublin referendum represented the first consequential Act 1 initiative to date, and was approved by 62% of the electorate.

The Wissahickon School Board seems to have far less faith in the electorate. In its tiresome and played out pledge of “No New Taxes”, the District has quietly paid for expenditures by eroding away its fund balance. In effect, they are paying for expenditures from past savings. Ultimately, when the savings well runs dry, they will be forced to do what they have shamelessly vowed no to do.

In the 2007 proposed budget, the Board projects revenue increases at $2.6 million, and expenditures increases at $ 3.1 million. This reflects an expenditure increase of 3.86% over the 2006 budget, and increased deficit spending of over a half a million dollars. Some history: in the budget years 2001-2005, no fund balance amount was used to balance the revenue and expenditures.

In the 2005/2006 budget, $700,000 was used to balance the revenue and expenditures. In the 2006/2007 budget, $550,000 was used to balance the revenue and expenditures. And in the 2007/2008 budget $1,043,000 is used to balance the revenue and expenditures. Yet as recently as last week, the incumbent board members declared their worthiness for re-election on the transparent claim of no increases in taxes.

While no one would wish for $120 million debt for any school district, Upper Dublin was up front and honest with its constituents. Their board trusted their community with pertinent financial information and encouraged them to vote on the tax increase as informed persons. One final fact on the budget: in its Five Year Capital Improvement Plan for 2006 to 2011, the Wissahickon Board has projected capital spending for their own refurbished offices at $ 2.13 million, but only appropriated $1.72 for the middle school altogether.

Ironically, all of the fiscal considerations surrounding the budget draw us all away from what is most important in this election: identifying the most promising curriculum guidelines and related programs to advance all of our children in the modern age. My continued faith in the wisdom of the voters assures me that education will never be sacrificed for what is fiscally expedient. My entire candidacy for school board membership is based on ensuring that I will gain the entire community’s insights and experiences, in order to make informed decisions around teaching and budgeting. I consider myself lucky to have access to such a diverse and educated community, and their tremendous insights into the current issues surrounding our school district.

Patrick Hennessy, Candidate, Wissahickon School District

In their coverage of the September 10th Wissahickon School Board meeting, the Ambler Gazette reported on the Wissahickon School District’s Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). As reported, Shady Grove Elementary and Wissahickon High School have been placed on Warning Status, as they failed to satisfy one of three mandated indicators directly linked to No Child Left Behind legislation. As a resident and parent of two children currently enrolled in the district, I was alarmed by these facts and inclined to do some additional research.

The AYP measures include 

  1. graduation rate 
  2. academic performance 
  3. test attendance or participation

Both Shady Grove and Wissahickon failed to meet academic performance goals. A closer look at the data reveals two immediate concerns: at Wissahickon High School, black students are at a modest 30.8% proficiency in math, and students overall are at 71.3% , which is 3.6% lower than the previous year. At Shady Grove, reading proficiency scores for children in the Economically Disadvantaged category had a failing percentage of 42.6%, which was an alarming 20.6% decline from the previous year. In the aggregate, students overall at both Wissahickon High School and Shady Grove passed in math and reading. But Wissahickon High witnessed percentage declines in both Math (-3.6%) and Reading (-1.3%) from the previous year.

Ironically, concerned parents with children currently attending Blue Bell Elementary appeared before the School Board at the same September 10th meeting, and expressed their concerns at the expanding class sizes in place. Their rhetorical questions remain important and unanswered: can students expect to achieve academically when class sizes extend to the upper maximum limit? Can teachers give the instruction and guidance that they genuinely desire to give when the numbers are that large?

Reading comprehension and math proficiency are the cornerstones of functional literacy. They are the disciplines from which elegant thought and abstract discipline reside. They are also the fundamental tools for the future work force in an age where global competition is our economic reality. It is imperative that the district address these deficiencies, not only for the good of our children, but for the preservation of what is best in our community.

Patrick Hennessy, Candidate, Wissahickon School District

Support Burunda
and Patrick for WSB

To the Editor:

While serving on the Wissahickon School Board for 5 years I developed a good appreciation of what it takes to be an effective Board Member. Board Members need to be team players, be willing to listen and really hear the opinions of other board members, be willing to voice dissent while still supporting the consensus, and be willing to have their views challenged in an open forum. Most importantly they must be advocates for our schools and our system of public education. Board members should support our children, our schools, our teachers, our administrators, and at the same time consider the needs and will of our community. They are our elected representatives and our voice. By definition they will not make everyone happy with their decisions. We all have different values and priorities. No matter what the decision, someone will not like it. But board members should make sure community members are heard and understood. This is the nature of representative governance.
Two candidates running for election fit these criteria. Burunda Prince-Jones and Patrick Hennessey have both the educational background and real world corporate experience to become effective board members and advocates for our schools. Both will be open minded, base decisions on facts not personal agendas or party affiliation, and will work hard to keep our schools strong. Will they be fiscally responsible? Of course they will. Fiscal responsibility is an individual trait, not a political party trait. Does this mean that they will support the positions of the teachers and the administration without question? Of course not. They will consider all the facts and make in- formed decisions. Does this mean they support the views of their political party without question? Of course not. They are freethinking, reasoning, proven professionals. They will collect as much information as possible about issues before making decisions. They will weigh all the facts, not just those that sup- port their positions. In the November election we will be electing five members to the board. I for one am not interested in a party slate of candidates based on their party affiliation, be it Republican or Democrat.. You may note that party affiliation was not listed above as a characteristic of an effective board member. I want strong effective leaders, not followers.
I urge you to keep the board diverse and freethinking. The two strongest candidates are Burunda and Patrick. The have my support. Please give them yours.

Paul Reiback, Ph.D.
Former Wissahickon Board President

Your concerns matter to Sellman

To the Editor:

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all who have supported me in the Borough Council race for Ward 3. I appreciate you opening your doors and opening up dialogue about the real issues on your minds that we face in our town. We have had heated, important conversations about absentee landlords and the declination of some our neighborhoods due to a several year span of code enforcement neglect.

We agree that there are good codes already on the books and that a crack down and then diligent monitoring is expected going forward. We have brainstormed about civic involvement to see our streets and sidewalks improved for the safety of especially our disabled and older neighbors, but also for the re-beautification of once enviable areas of the borough.

I heard many times the call for a full-time Borough Manager with credentials. I will work hard to see this appointment through. The revitalization efforts depend on the works from this position. (continued)

We have discussed the great need for maintained and updated communication channels to provide greater transparency for taxpayers wishing to be informed, updated and involved in I their local government. I would like to propose a part time position be created to update and maintain our website and resurrect a quarterly newsletter. Those were your most common concerns. But, of course, we've talked about baseball.

I suggest we work toward good, clean government for our town. You deserve it. Ambler deserves it.

PS: I want to thank AJB for the face to face discussion initiated by Lou Silverblank and Mark Wenckus last week. We appreciate your promise to remain neutral in all aspects regarding the upcoming election and for being candid with your questions and openness to ours. I look forward to improved relations whether from my front porch or from Borough Council.

Dee Sellman,
Ambler

A good leader must be well informed - 10/31/2007

To the Editor:

In 1994 the newly elected mayor of New York City, Rudy Guiliani, hosted a series of conferences aimed at addressing the city's poor record in advancing economic development and containing the spread of violent crime. Guiliani concluded that these problems were highly complex, and that a broad base of expert opinion was needed to realize viable solutions. To his credit, Guiliani actively asked many people what they thought and what they proposed.

Seeking out the opinions of others is one of the common traits of great leaders. Recognizing the importance of timely data is another. In May 2007, the Pittsburgh Business Times published its annual list of the state's best performing public school districts. Here are the highlights: Lower Moreland (7), Lower Merion (10), Upper Dublin (11), Methacton (29), Abington (34), Jenkintown (40), and HatborolHorsham (41).

Wissahickon School District? How does 46 grab you? All of the schools mentioned ahead of Wissahickon are within a 20 mile radius of Ambler, Whitpain, and Lower Gwynedd. As a result, it's relatively easy for us to contact and learn from neighboring districts with proven track records of success. In almost all instances, commitment to class sizes under 15 students per Full Time Employee has been the key. Wissahickon, conversely, is approaching 17.

There are other important issues to address. Presently, Wissahickon faces specific consequences inherent in No Child Left Behind legislation if it does not remedy the failures documented in two of its seven schools currently in Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Warning status. After two successive years at AYP Warning status, districts must provide a choice of another public school to attend for those affected students at the district's cost. After the third successive year, the introduction of supplemental educational services is mandated, as well as the provision of private tutoring.

As taxpayers and concerned citizens, we have a moral responsibility to these students, and a fiduciary responsibility to do better. We can start on the road to victory if we humble ourselves and ask (a) What has been proven to work and (b) what has been the best use of money to support the best approaches.

Since the May primary, it has been my pleasure to have spoken to so many of you on the topic of public education. It is clear to me that our community is fortunate to have decent, well-informed citizens that value education and strive for excellence in all of our schools. Please vote on Nov. 6, and remember my pledge to keep you informed, and to bring you back into the discussion.

Patrick Hennessy, Candidate, Wissahickon School District

Choose effective leaders for WSB - 10/31/2007

To the Editor:

The Center for Public Education has published a document that highlights 5 characteristics of an effective school board. They are the following: 1) Effective boards focus on student achievement,
2) Effective boards allocate resources to needs, 
3) Effective boards watch the return on investment, 
4) Effective boards use data, and 
5) Effective boards engage the community ties they serve. 

These five attributes are clearly five simple factors that can measure success or failure.

During the next four years, the Wissahickon School Board will have to effectively develop strategic plan mandated by the state that focuses on quality leadership, artful use of infrastructure, quality teaching, and a continuous learning ethic. The next set of school board directors will have to effectively determine who will be our next Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent to lead our students to become global 21st century thinkers. The next five school board directors will have to effectively work together to continue to raise the standards for academic achievement for all students by recognizing that all stakeholders must playa part in achieving success.

On Tuesday Nov.6, you have a choice to vote for five effective people that should stand for one school community, one school district and one Wissahickon! Your vote has the power to truly represent your voice! Local elections can make an impact in local communities. Stand up and make a difference! I would be honored to represent you and your interests and your concerns.

Carmina Taylor,
Candidate for Wissahickon School Board

Ambler's issues can be addressed - 10/31/2007

To the Editor:

I am writing to the residents of Ambler's Third Ward to respectfully ask for your vote on Tuesday Nov. 6. My family and I have lived in this friendly little town for 18 years. We love it here and we would not trade those years for anything! That is why I decided to run for Borough Council.
After serving for six years on Ambler's Planning Commission, and being involved in many of the issues Ambler currently faces, I feel that I bring unique qualifications to the position of council member. My career as a systems analyst has taught me to examine proposed change from many different angles, placing special emphasis on avoiding unintended consequences.

Many important issues are facing Ambler, and I hope to shed some light on how I will deal with these issues. For example, Ambler has been operating without a full time professional borough manager for several years. A town that is undergoing the kind of revitalization that we all want, requires a manager who is well versed in writing grant proposals, dealing with many potential development projects, dealing with lawyers, engineers and residents alike. Code enforcement has also been lacking in Ambler for many years. From the unacceptable condition of the ACME market, to the deteriorating conditions in the row home neighborhoods, code enforcement must be a priority if we wish to attract new businesses and new homeowners

The conditions in the row home neighborhoods have been deteriorating for years now. Up until a couple of months ago council paid little attention to this situation. We have too many rentals in these neighborhoods, with too many unrelated occupants in some of these rental units. Neighborhoods where young families could buy affordable homes, are now facing the loss of many good, stable families. We must hold absentee landlords accountable for the maintenance and proper rental of their properties, while encouraging the transition back to owner occupied housing.
The cleanup and possible reuse of contaminated asbestos sites must be of highest priority to this town. We cannot continue to ignore the ongoing risk to health and safety from exposure to asbestos. I will work with Sharon McCormick and Mary Maxion, council candidates in the first and second wards respectively, to finally get the attention these sites deserve from the federal government.
There are some who are attempting to frame this election into a single issue: Ambler Junior Baseball's use of Pickering Field. For the record, I will do whatever I can to ensure that Am continues to run its program, while keeping the Pickering neighbors involved in all decisions that affect their neighborhood. I will encourage open dialog between Am and the neighbors, and will seek consensus from all parties. By working together, we will see this issue finally resolved to everyone's satisfaction.

My hope is for Ambler to continue to grow while preserving the small town qualities that make Ambler such a special town. We must ensure that Ambler does not become just another suburb, but rather a destination for the residents of the surrounding suburbs. We must restore the neighbor- hoods that are faltering, making them a place where young families can own their homes. And we must encourage the redevelopment of the rail corridor in a manner that
.is safe and in keeping with the spirit of Ambler. To that end, I will make decisions only after careful consideration of all points of view and give special consideration to insuring that those decisions are consistent with our long-term vision for Ambler. I will bring a lifetime of problem solving skills and a high level of professionalism to council. I ask for your support in the upcoming election, and look forward to serving all the residents of Ambler.

Louis Silverblank, Ambler

This letter appeared in the June 15th, 2007 Philadelphia Inquirer and was in reply to a letter from Kate Harper (R-Montgomery 61st District)

SEPTA needs help, not a lecture

In a letter June 3, Pennsylvania State Rep. Kate Harper (R., Montgomery), suggests the state is doing a wonderful job in support of SEPTA. She accuses SEPTA Chairman Pasquale T. Deon of "trying to threaten [or] cajole the General Assembly" for more money.

Yet she is against permanent, stable and predictable funding for SEPTA and other transportation systems. She would rather have the yearly "game" of SEPTA's coming hat in hand to the legislature, begging for funding to keep going for another year, and then do it again the next year. This is foolish. No organization can plan effectively without predictable funding.

I am not wedded to any particular funding method; that is for the legislature, SEPTA and the counties SEPTA serves to work out. But to continue the current system is wasteful of time, resources and good will.

To those who don't use SEPTA and are saying, "Why should this interest me?" I say it should. The vitality of southeastern Pennsylvania depends on a dependable mass transit system to move people both into Philadelphia and out to the suburbs.

Already, businesses must pay a premium in salary to get workers because of the time and expense of commuting. This will get worse as the demand for workers increases and the cost of gas for those who drive increases. The suburbs need SEPTA to thrive.

Ron Stoloff
Blue Bell
The writer, a Democrat, ran against Harper in 2006.

This letter appeared in the January 24th, 2007 Ambler Gazette, page 7.

Local Democrats oppose troop surge

To the Editor:

We stand categorically opposed to President Bush's plan to increase troop strength in the Iraq War. Furthermore, we strongly urge Congress to oppose it by any means that the Constitution will permit. The Iraq Study Group, Congress and, overwhelmingly, the American people believe that inserting more troops would be a tragic mistake.

For four years this president has been telling the American public to trust him and his judgment on the most grave of national issues: War. Time after time that trust has been betrayed. Time after time his judgment has proven not only wrong, but also downright negligent. The result has been a calamitous loss of precious life and waste of resources.

Through a series of incorrect assumptions, incoherent reasoning and plain bad decisions, President Bush has placed us in a predicament that has made us less safe and offers no truly good options. The president may be correct in claiming that a withdrawal from Iraq would mean short-term disaster for that country - perhaps for the entire region. Unfortunately, though, adding more troops will not change that. President Bush's war in Iraq is already a total and practically irreversible disaster. And no matter whether we escalate, de-escalate or stand pat, it promises to remain the same or get worse. So we ask: Why squander more lives of our brave soldiers, sailors and Marines? Why waste more taxpayer money? Why dig a deeper hole?

The president ignored his generals in 2003 when they advised that it would take more troops to secure an area as vast as Iraq. And now he ignores his generals when they insist that more troops would do no good - that it is simply too late.

Nevertheless, we are asked to believe - after all of the president's gross miscalculations - that he knows best. This is simply intolerable.

At this stage the best we can hope for is to mitigate the damage done. More troops, more aggression and more disregard of advice will make things worse, not better. The answer - to the extent there is one - lies in prudent, gradual withdrawal coupled with lots of sincere global diplomacy.

The stakes are too high this time to let the president have his way again.

The Wissahickon Democratic Committee Co-Area Leaders,

Shelly Waldman,
Sibby Phiambolis

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