So, after discovering 77% of a community disagrees with your most critical decision in several years, it's always a good idea to have a Board Meeting and to congratulate each other on what great jobs you're doing and then pretend the vote on ideas you suggested never happened.

Following is an overview of the first D41 board meeting after the crushing referendum vote:

1. Pledge of Allegiance is said.

2. Outgoing board member Mcelvain talks about how quickly the time has flown during her term and that she feels people she meets in the grocery store need to offer up solutions rather than just voting against the board's ideas. She insists people are just "stone throwing".

3. Outgoing board member Marcheschi mentions he came in with a chip on his shoulder but now realizes how the system works. He also states the the completely closed system that existed when he joined the board has been corrected and is now balanced (I took this to mean that public opinion is appreciated and used in decision making by the D41 board). John also mentions that Vivoda "has been an excellent president" and taken lots of heat - most of which was not deserved.

4. Outgoing board member Hoffman states that hiring Ann Riebock "was wonderful" and that D41 music and art programs have been improved tremendously.

5. Vivoda nominates Deb Hoffman as Pro-temp President of D41 Board. Hoffman then moves to the big chair and nominates Terra Costa Howard as president and the prearranged move passes uncontested.

6. Howard nominates Kenwood as board VP. This prearranged move also passes uncontested.

7. Howard makes her first presidential statement that she will work hard at president and that she wants to thank Vivoda for his many years of hard work. She fights to hold back tears (she was mostly successful but still scared me) as she states that Vivoda did not deserve the criticism and heat he faced during his tenure as president.

8. Ann Riebock orchestrates all logistics of meeting even rearranging everyone's seating and name tags after the prearranged board positions are passed out to Howard, Kenwood and Nelson.

9. Board votes to end meeting. NOT A SINGLE WORD IS SAID ABOUT THE FAILED REFERENDUM OR FUTURE D41 PLANS. It was almost as if there was no referendum in April.

People, let's hope Vondrak and Solak can bring some glimpse of realty to the remaining D41 board members. I assure you, they just don't get it - the fact that nearly 8 of 10 of their fellow D41 residents think they have failed completely in their best attempts to resolve long standing educational problems does not register with the remaining D41 board members in any way.

After tonight's meeting, I fear that D41 residents will ultimately see yet another D41 referendum with very few differences suggested or any new and insightful ideas to improve our schools offered. This board seems incapable of introspection and certainly does not understand the concept of accountability.

PS: Can someone clarify for me when the public actually IS asked for input by the D41 board? I'm having difficulty understanding where constructive ideas and help can actually be offered to the D41 board and then discussed in a mature manner,,,

Vu2

Does this mean V man is no longer EVERYTHING ?

I don't know about that, Arten. We do know that EVERYTHING, probably includes master puppeteer.

Thanks for the excellent summary of the meeting, Vu2. Could you please clarify something for me? From the summary you give, it sounds like the "old board" (with the outgoing members) had some vote in the re-organization. Did that really happen and, if so, it doesn't seem proper.

I am surprised that no words were uttered about the referendum. Cosgrove had called it the biggest day in the history of D41. Shouldn't it have merited a mention. And, no honor to GrowingD41 members? Perhaps there is another private party planned at a downtown location.

Hi ohma:

When each person was nominated, there was a vote. However, I do not recall whether outgoing board members participated in the vote. There was no discussion of any of the candidates at the meeting.

Also, I forgot to mention in my previous post that Erica Nelson was elected to the position of D41 Board Secretary.

It does seem to me that if the situation were as dire as suggested, requiring a $40 million fix, then it would be appropriate to lose no time from aggressively seeking solutions on an ongoing basis.

It never ceases to amaze me how these fiscal "crises" seem to burst fully-formed upon the scene shortly before elections, only to disappear from view until the months prior to the next election.

quote:

Originally posted by Vu2:

After tonight's meeting, I fear that D41 residents will ultimately see yet another D41 referendum with very few differences suggested or any new and insightful ideas to improve our schools offered. This board seems incapable of introspection and certainly does not understand the concept of accountability.

I hope that fear is unfounded, but I too, wonder about what will come next. We still have three of the "yes" votes from the board that decided to put forth to the voters the concept of the 5-8 grade configuration. Add to the "yes" column Erica Nelson. In the unknown category is Cosgrove, whose bet hedging did not yield the board presidency. We still have a majority of the board who were in the minority of the public ultimate survey.

I had to laugh out loud when I read the comment about "stone throwing." Perhaps the former board member would be more comfortable shopping where people don't know that she campaigned for her former position on a platform stating that moving 5th graders out of the elementary schools was "developmentally inappropriate." Maybe she should add "reality check" to her grocery list.

Stone throwing is only stone throwing when the thrower disagrees with your position.

I hope that makes sense.

Speaking of stone throwers, our esteemed opponents have sent the campaign finance police to our door. I guess they can't figure out how they lost to an organization of concerned citizens who walked the streets, talked to their neighbors, and had less than $3,000 to work with.

Interestingly, a concrete contractor gave the pro referendum committee a donation of $3,000. More than we collected or spent.

Best money I've spent in GE in quite some time.

Do you have a link to the site that shows their contributions?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Clamato,

quote:

Originally posted by ronkas:
Speaking of stone throwers, our esteemed opponents have sent the campaign finance police to our door. I guess they can't figure out how they lost to an organization of concerned citizens who walked the streets, talked to their neighbors, and had less than $3,000 to work with.

Interestingly, a concrete contractor gave the pro referendum committee a donation of $3,000. More than we collected or spent.

Ron, you know how I kinda told you about always taking the high road....throw that out the window; let's take the gloves off and fight!!!! This kind of behavior only emboldens my inner being. This is bull and they know it. They are simply trying to scare Preserve 41. Makes me think there is something there on their end that they are hiding so in order to defend they are now taking the offensive to keep you busy. Whatever you need, just say the word and I will help with all my might.

quote:

Originally posted by Clamato:
Best money I've spent in GE in quite some time.

Wait....a concrete contractor? ZOINKS!!!

Do you have a link to the site that shows their contributions?

Money, what money?

quote:

Originally posted by ronkas:
Speaking of stone throwers, our esteemed opponents have sent the campaign finance police to our door. I guess they can't figure out how they lost to an organization of concerned citizens who walked the streets, talked to their neighbors, and had less than $3,000 to work with.

Interestingly, a concrete contractor gave the pro referendum committee a donation of $3,000. More than we collected or spent.

Just what do the folks with GrowingD41 think they will get out of this type of witch hunt? I just don't get it. Are they looking for names to cross off the list of potential PTA presidents or to disinvite to the next social gathering. Spare me.

Funny. I was called and asked to run for Hadley PTA President. I turned it down - way too busy. I'm sure there are some others with a little more time....

I can't imagine what it is they are worked up about. Those who opposed the referendum had the facts and the needs of our kids on our side...it isn't expensive to convince people to vote no when you have that much in your favor.

The Growing D41 people are looking to discredit Preserve 41 and to then cry foul. By wiping out the credibility of Preserve 41, they could quickly stamp out opposition to future referendums and D41 board initiatives. I would guess that there is a guiding hand hidden somewhere that is directing their efforts.

quote:

Originally posted by Amy:
Funny. I was called and asked to run for Hadley PTA President. I turned it down - way too busy. I'm sure there are some others with a little more time....

....More time or possibly possessing the right "education." My understanding is that the person chosen to be next year's PTA president is the woman from the League of Women Voters who wrote a letter to the paper endorsing the referendum. Another PTA officer for next year, is the woman who hosted the traffic meeting/referendum pep rally at the district office less than a week before the election. There were other viable candidates for the PTA, they just happened to be part of the known "no" votes.

I guess the PTA leaders want to be sure that there won't be any dissent from within the ranks when the question arises again of how much money to give the next referendum campaign.

I agree with what you say, Vu2. It all adds up that way. Those who pushed this referendum want to see names of those who opposed it. Why?

quote:

Originally posted by Vu2:

5. Vivoda nominates Deb Hoffman as Pro-temp President of D41 Board. Hoffman then moves to the big chair and nominates Terra Costa Howard as president and the prearranged move passes uncontested.

Oh well, there goes my big campaign speech where I was going to announce I was running...

Take this to the press. This could be very, very bad for Growing 41. They are already seen as an evil ogre amongst many of my neighbors and this is going to help them any. If anything, it will gain sympathy for P41 and further its cause.

quote:

Originally posted by ronkas:
Speaking of stone throwers, our esteemed opponents have sent the campaign finance police to our door.

Just curious - who/what exactly is the "campaign finance police" and how do you know what led to them appearing at your door?

Just saying - let's deal with facts, and leave the innuendo and half-truths to the other side.

quote:

Originally posted by Dinsdale:

quote:

Originally posted by ronkas:
Speaking of stone throwers, our esteemed opponents have sent the campaign finance police to our door.

Just curious - who/what exactly is the "campaign finance police" and how do you know what led to them appearing at your door?

Just saying - let's deal with facts, and leave the innuendo and half-truths to the other side.

Fair enough, Dinsdale. See below the email received at Preserve41. I don't think Blago pays enough for auditors to pick on little organizations. These things are done by request for inquiry, as with attorneys.
__________

The Campaign Financing Division of the Illinois State Board of
Elections administers and monitors compliance with the requirements of
the disclosure laws of our state. A mjaor responsibility of our staff
is to assure that individuals or entities that qualify under statute,
file required documents. Please be advised that a Local or State
"political committee" means the candidate himself or any individual,
trust, partnership, committee, association, corporation, or any other
organization or group of persons which - (b) accepts contributions or
makes expenditures during any 12-month period in an aggregate amount
exceeding $3,000 in support of or in opposition to any question of
public policy to be submitted to the electors of an area encompassing no
more than one county (local political committee), more than one county
(state political committee).

The Campaign Finance Division has received information which
would indicate your participation in the April 17th, 2007 election. A
review of our indexes does not reflect an active political committee
established in accordance with the Illinois Election Code for your
organization. In order to clarify the status of Preserve 41, I would
request an individual knowledgeable in the organizations activities
contact my office for discussion.

Your cooperation in this matter is requested.

TONY MORGANDO JR.
Deputy Director
(312) 814-6456
_______

Maybe an attempt to unmask you nattering naybobs of negativism and conspiracy theorists. All kidding aside, it's not a last ditch effort. They will continue to whine that we hide behind our postings. The rules about disclosure don't mean much to them.