Democracy In Albany

I noticed that there were no comments on DIA followings the Mayor's Radio
 Show, especially in light of Mark Mishler's comments on the School Board
 race. The T/U Blog commented on the talk show regarding the school board
 race and the Mayor's candidate.

 I also was at the 'meet the candidate night' at Albany High and there were  no contest between the two candidates. I am a supporter of Melissa Mackey's  because I have worked with her for over a year, she is honest and looking  out for the best interest of all the children. And, until now have not been involved in any politics. I did not vote for the school budget either and until I can find out what the "mystery budget" consist of and where it is going I will continue to vote no on the budget. When the taxpayers money begin to reach the children in the classroom then, come to the taxpayers with a meaningful budget. My family members go to the public schools and no one has ever given them any supplies. And, just to give you a heads up on the race and the under handed politics:

 Lolisa ran last year and lost, when she was not a supporter of the  superintendant and now she is a carbon copy of the board president and the superintendant.

 Yes, LoLisa volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club because her aunt is on  the board.

Lolisa signed Melissa's petition to support Melissa for the school board race and then decided to run against her.

 LoLisa condemns City Hall when her Aunt Carolyn is the Majority Leader on the Council and Lolisa is an appointed committee person in the 2nd Ward.

Lolisa family members all go to the Charter Schools (age appropriate) and her aunts (Sisters in Action) has tutoring classrooms in some of the Charter Schools.

Lolisa family and friends are pulling down Melissa's signs even when they are posted on private property.

Every chance LoLisa gets she makes snide comments about her opponent's work in the community and yet LoLisa is not visible in the community.
 


I could go on and on but you get the idea. The children need the support of a committed person that will work in their favor and support a quality education. Let's all pray that the taxpayers support new ideas on the school board and not just the status quo and the McLaughlin name. The education system needs to start changing for the future.
 


Stopthemadness

Melissa spoke to real challenges she will deal with in a straightforward way.  She also explained why.

It's the best thing we can hope for.

Also, speaking in a personal way, we have to go for diversity and not anointing families to represent us.  The only single thing I know about the other candidate is she's the niece of a politician.   That's not enough.  I don't even think that's an asset IF it shuts out diverse experiences.  

We must and can do better.  Melissa Mackey's positions are just that, fresh ideas to find best practices and know how to bring everyone who care about "all our children" on board. Ms. Mackey has had a consistent message since announcing the campaign in July. Long term planning, district wide curriculum and collective decision making are at the center of her platform.  Melissa has been walking our community to get her message directly to the voters.

Unlike Ms. Mackey,  Ms McLaughlin has no real ideas for improvement and can't seem to make up her mind on where she stands on many issues as she has changed her position many times.  For example, in her responses to the APSTA (the teacher's union) Ms. McLaughlin stated she wanted to "develop a rapport with the Mayor" yet in the Times Union Ms. McLaughlin stated "I don't want the support of the Mayor and I don't need it".  Also in a piece of literature sent out this past weekend and during the debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters Ms. McLaughlin attacked Melissa as being the Mayor's candidate. Unfortunately, I am unable to have attached a copy of  ASPTA questionnaire which substantiates McLaughlin's changed position, due to the limits of this blog. So, which is it? Does she think the Mayor's support is worth seeking, or not?  Or, does it just depend upon the audience she addresses at the time?

Ms McLaughlin and her camp have sent out e-mails directly and anonymously lambasting Ms. Mackey as being negative and divisive while sending signals out in the supposedly "white progressive" outer wards that Ms. Mackey's primary purpose for running is to not renew Eva Joseph `s contract. This small faction of close minded "fake progressives" gives the rest of the Truly Progressives throughout Albany a very bad name.  Ms. Mackey has said early and often that this election is about more then EVA JOSEPH, it about everyone coming together to fashion credible solutions to our problems in the school district in a proactive manner.  It cannot be about ONE PERSON, but MUST BE ABOUT WHAT IS BEST FOR ALL THE CHILDREN IN ALBANY CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT.  What is so ironically is that it is common knowledge in the African-American community that the main reason Ms Mc Laughlin  removed herself from Ed Brown's campaign last year was because Ms. Mc Laughlin didn't support his decision to extend the Superintendent's contract.  However, now that she is the "chosen" candidate for the African American community (chosen by Judy Doesschate, Mark Barth and their follower Tenekea Frost) Ms. Mclaughin has told ASPTA that she support all the Superintendent's decisions. Rather convenient, wouldn't you say?  But then again...when "white progressives" in their paternal mode feel they must help the blacks find their leaders this is what you get.  

Finally, Ms. McLaughlin says she believes "politics should stay outside the school door", however, she is supported by three elected city council members. And, I might add recruited by three sitting board member primarily to thwart the efforts of Ms. Mackey because she didn't answer Judy Doesschate's questions correctly last July.  This from a candidate who seems to say whatever is politically expedient given the audience before her.

Another fact that voters should know is that, Ms Laughlin signed Melissa's petition (unfortunaltely can't attached Mackey Petition due to the limits of blog but a copy is at the Albany County Board of elections - see Line 4 of the petition with Ms. McLaughin's name on it) supporting Melissa's candidacy for the School Board in August 3, 2007 and she specifically told Ms. Mackey that she'd be happy to carry her petition to collect signature for her.  So...What happened to change Ms. Mc Laughlin's mind between August 3rd and August 16th when Ms Laughlin submitted her own petitions to the Albany County Board of Elections?  Could it be that those who recruited Ms Laughlin, the very same current school board member that came to Melissa Mackey and asked for reassurances that she would not work against the Superintendent in return for their support?  Could it be Ms. Mackey's response that her candidacy was about more than whether EVA JOSEPH kept her job, but must be about finding viable solutions to the complex problems facing all students in the school district?

So, whose really independent here?

One undeniable fact of Lolisa McLaughlin entering the race after Melissa had that conversation with Judy Doesschate back is July is that the African American vote would be split and it would be much more difficult for Melissa to win her race.  

However, I wouldn't unestimate the African American community, we truly are independent, critical thinkers and we don't need someone else to find our leaders for us.  We want intelligent, fresh ideas from a candidate who will put the CHILDREN FIRST, and not the job of Eva Joseph.  

Finally, Ms. Mackey has reached out to all segments of the community to garner support for her candidacy.  As a testament to the quality of her skill as collaborator, many segments of the community have acknowledged the quality of her ideas and ability to develop viable solutions to the complex issues facing our schools.  Some of these organizations are Community United for Quality Education, Citizen Action, PEF and the NAACP, oh yes, the Mayor said in the TU the other day that he supports her too.  

Could it be that for once the needs of our children are being considered first, rather than political viability, and the need to protect political turf.  That's what a skilled collaborator does, they get all sides to work together for the betterment of the whole.

Don't you think it time we started working together for all our children and get along?

If you agree, then PLEASE vote for MELISSA MACKEY on Tuesday, November 6th.

The truly INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE, and the REAL VOICE OF REASON IN THE WILDERNESS OF POLITICAL MACHINATION!

I've been living in Albany for 17 years, and not far away before that in Guilderland and visiting family in Albany in the same neighborhood.  

I noticed it is RARE for a school board candidate to reach out to the WHOLE city.

Dear Friends,

I am e-mailing you to let you know how important tomorrow's school board election is and to encourage you to vote on Tuesday, November 6th.

I am asking that when you go to vote tomorrow that you vote for Melissa Mackey for the Albany City School Board.  Melissa is a leader in the community with a vision to make sure that every child gets a quality education.  I have worked with Melissa in the grassroots organization Community United for Quality Education since February, 2006. Community United has made it possible for people of color, whose children are the majority of the students in Albany's schools, to have a real voice in the direction of the Albany school district.  

I am supporting Melissa because we need a critical thinker of sound reason to bring a fresh approach to address the problems in our schools.  Melissa believes that every one of our schools can and should provide the type of quality education that will keep all our families committed to the district's schools.  As a school board member she will identify successful programs, promote them publicly and work to implement them districtwide so that all of our schools become excellent models of achievement and so that all of our students are academically successful, graduate from high school, and are equipped to pursue higher education.

Melissa will

ü    Work to create safer schools

ü    Develop measurable outcomes to ensure 100% graduation rates.

ü     Promote collaborative decision making to advance the bold and creative ideas needed to provide a quality education for all our children.

ü    Identify and invest in effective programs.

ü Include taxpayers in the school budget process from beginning to  end.

ü    Increase oversight of administrative spending to accomplish these goals.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6 - this election will be very close and, without a statewide race, turnout will be low so - more than ever - every vote counts.  

Look for Melissa Mackey on Line 15B.

IF YOU DO NOT LIVE IN ALBANY PLEASE FORWARD THIS
E-MAIL TO YOUR FRIENDS THAT DO.  THANK YOU.

Sincerely yours,