Take a look at the recent blog posts made by BCCT columnist Kate Fratti. We talked about the Insults instead of answers entry [STS] [BCCT] previously. Now, she has two new entries, one complete with tin foil hat. I'm ruthlessly appropriating the photo because it's too good to pass up. I hope Kate, Mr. Fratti [possiprobably?], and the feline will approve. The furry one looks ticked off. Who would want to known as Le Chat Au Chapeau?
Kate: Thanks for keeping up with this. Morrisville really needs a change from the politics of fear.
Call me crazy: I’ve been at this job a very long time and I’ve been called a lot of names, accused of a lot of things. But never wide ranging conspiracy. Until now. Weird. Very weird.
Morrisville Councilman Stephen Worob first used this Web site to mock my full figure last week, (hey, I’m big boned!) and now claims in a post on this blog that this columnist was presented by him information and documents pertaining to questionable bond issues related to several school districts including Morrisville. AND that I’ve not reported on them because the banks, the newspaper, a beat reporter, a judge, lawyers, state and federal officials and the state school board association and I were in cahoots. The ultimate corruption. His theory is that we all risked our reputations, our careers, our personal integrity and credibility to block information Mr. Worob had about financing that was bad for schools and for kids.
Say what? How do you have a rational conversation about change in the borough with guys like this at the helm? No wonder regular people are so discouraged. Speak out and you can find yourself mocked (really, seriously I am big boned) or in the middle of a fictional book outline. I can speak about that now, first hand.
Posted by Kate Fratti at 3:20 pm |
Can’t get anything past this guy: Morrisville Councilman Stephen Worob, husband to school board director Brenda Worob professes to loathe this newspaper, but reads it and its phillyburbs.com bloggers faithfully, even contributes regularly to its op-ed pages.
His latest contribution was to its electronic pages in which he comments on my figure. This counts for discourse these days.
“Chubby cheeks” he calls me. Doesn’t mention which cheeks, but I have to concede, alas, that all of them fit the description. Guess his weight watching is easier than addressing issues that plague the school board and the borough. Not the least of which are gatherings of school officials at the Worobs’ home out of the eye of voters.
Worob accuses me and my chubby cheeks of digging up dirt in the borough. I haven’t really. The dirt I’ve reported on was surface dirt or dirt called in. But now he’s made me curious. What’s he so afraid I’ll find that he tries to embarrass me out of school board meetings? I’ll think more about it over my next cookie.
Posted by Kate Fratti at 4:05 pm |
8 comments:
...why do you gloss over the childish insults...???? did I read that right? Seriously!!!!!!!!!! If the comments weren't made, they wouldn't be glossed over!
I think someone should stop while they "think" they are ahead.
This is about the school, the education of the children, NOT about you Steve. If you aren't part of the solution you are part of the problem! Get a flippin grip!
"Never pick a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel." Mark Twain
"It is better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." Benjamin Franklin
Article from yesterday's (4/29) Philadelphia Inquirer. I guess state takeover isn't necessarily the cure-all (or panacea if you will), it's cracked up to be:
Editorial: Chester Upland Schools
State failed students
Chester Upland schools have been failing for years, producing some of the worst state test scores in the region.
But the bigger failure has been the state's takeover of the district, which since 1994 has done little to turn around the troubled Delaware County school system.
For years, a Republican control board appointed by former Gov. Schweiker made decisions that seemed designed to siphon off millions of district funds for charter schools.
Gov. Rendell finally gained control of the board last year and brought in his education team to correct years of neglect and mismanagement. But today, Chester Upland remains a poster child for all that is wrong in urban public education.
Good wishes go to the 2,700 students who fled the academically failing schools for charter schools.
Without drastic changes, prayer may be the only hope for the 4,000 classmates they left behind.
Where was the state oversight when Chester Upland was amassing $85 million in bond indebtedness, largely to pay operational costs?
The system's aging, crumbling schools need repair. The last new buildings went up in 1974. The elementary school playgrounds have no equipment.
At Stetser Elementary, students play softball on a grass field with orange cones to mark the bases.
That's only slightly better than at Columbus Elementary School, where children have only an asphalt lot to run around on during recess.
State test scores in the district are abysmal. At Chester High, only 3 percent of the 11th graders last year met state proficiency standards for math; only 9 percent met the language arts benchmark.
No wonder only 14 percent of the district's seniors last year enrolled in a four-year college.
The Inquirer's latest Report Card on the Schools says Chester Upland annually spends $18,894 per student. That would mean only Lower Merion spends more in the region - $21,313 per student. But Chester Upland officials contend their actual figure is $11,008 per student, because one-third of the district's $94 million budget goes to three charter schools.
Whichever amount is being spent, Chester Upland students are being shortchanged. For the rest of their lives, they will suffer consequences from the poor educations they are receiving.
The district is making progress with its empowerment board and new Superintendent Gregory Thornton. The state, too, is trying to be more supportive. But they must do more, faster, if they expect to stop the exodus of children and dollars to the charter schools.
Check out Mr Worob's "Common People" comment on Kate's blog. Nice.
That's what he thinks of us Morrisville...we are nothing but serfs to Mr Worob.
Let's get rid of him first chance we get...isn't his council spot up for election in 2009?
It's time to send a message that he is not a feudal lord and we are not some unwashed masses who need his beneficent rule.
That sounds like what a high elected official would say. I say a lot of stupid things while I'm high.
It's time to start looking for someone to run in Ward 4 and Ward 3. Jack Buckman lost his seat in Ward 4 in the last election, not the his replacement is any better than he is, but obviously the people in Ward 4 were ready for some new people. Let's try to find someone who would actually be a better replacement, someone capable of working for the betterment of this town. Also, Jane Burger is up for re-election in Ward 3. She is truly the main reason that nothing positive is allowed to happen in this town. She is quiet about it, but truly runs the town with an iron fist. If she goes, everything will get better. Start talking with people you know who live in these wards and fundraising can begin imediately to pay for signs and literature. We can't let this opportunity to get the worst/least productive two members of council far away from any decision-making.
Feudal Lord? Steve is the self-proclaimed, "KING of Morrisville." What does he care for the peasantry? mean serfs and villeins?
Believe me, I am no Steve Worob fan, but I kind of think that the safest place for Steve Worob is in his little powerless seat on the council.
If he is defeated in the next election, he will be free to rant and rave at the microphones of TWO different public meetings.
As it is now, we can count on him to nod off quietly during council meetings and vote along with Jane Burger rather than doing anything constructive(destructive) and can grandstand at board meetings but has little say (if any) in public education policy making. (He obviously differs in opinion from his wife, so he has no persuasion there.)
No, let the man keep his meaningless, oh I meant to say "high public official" position where he can do no greater harm than he is now doing.
[However, I am in favor of ousting Jane Burger, though it seems that her influence is waning.]
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