It seems like things were Morrisville-style quiet last night. Does anyone else want to chime in?
To all readers of the blog,
During the public comment portion of the special school board meeting, a particularly vocal board supporter decided to not address his comments to us but rather to turn towards those he disagreed with (myself included) and address us. I found this disappointing and infuriating since none of the comments I made during my three minutes addressed him or board supporters, only the board and Mr. Hellmann. I interrupted his public comments to insist that he address the board, not us.
He didn't like this, and neither did a woman who thought video-taping my displeasure might have a shaming or calming effect. It had neither. I gave her video camera the DeNiro "two fingers from my eyes to yours" hoping she'd stop filming me. This didn't happen. I flipped her the middle finger.
Unfortunately, this was seen by one of the board members who publicly chastised me.
I'm sorry if my behavior embarrassed anyone who would consider me friend. I crossed a line that shouldn't be crossed. I'm sorry.
I'm not sure how I'll respond when someone decides to videotape me without my permission but I won't do that again.
John Ceneviva Jr.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
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8 comments:
I earned a special reprimand from Marlys Mihok. When I called them a bunch of sheep, she objected to the personal attack. She wasn't even embarassed when I pointed out she was the one handing out stuffed frogs to the "toadies" on the previous board.
Speaking of sheep, I sheepishly have to agree with Hellmann. When Robin complained that Hellmann was holding on to the bids, he responded that anyone who wanted to see them should have asked for them. Partially true. The sheep would allow Hellmann to do the work. The ones who really want to be independent would ask for the information.
Hellmann is wrong thinking the other board members should have to ask for this informaiton. He should provide it routinely. Hiding information leads to the question of what else you're hiding.
I objected to the way the heating RFP was handled. Hellmann changed the scope of the RFP without approval and contacted the few selected companies to rework their estimate based on not handling Reiter's problems. This is bad business and can leave the door open again to the question of what else is being hidden. Pretty soon, companies will stop bidding for Morrisville work while Hellmann is the gatekeeper.
Marlys Mihok also objected to my story about Reiter's heating problems from ten years ago when my children were students there. She complained that I never showed up at board meetings to complain. Very true. I worked rotating shifts from 1988-2000 and was home days to make sure the children were taken care of. During board meetings, I was either asleep at home or at work. Ask around. I bet my children's teachers remember me being around.
Notice that she did not respond to the actual question. She felt she needed to attack the messenger.
I give credit to Gloria Heater and Brenda Worob for pressing to have some sort of action taken on the Reiter heating problems. The motion to have the same contractor look into the Reiter heating issue was passed unanimously. Robin accurately pointed out that board resolutions from the past have been mysteriously lost or ignored. It's up to Worob and Heater to make sure that progress is made.
I also give credit to Robin Reithmeyer for the principled way she conducts her board duties. I took Hellmann's advice that he was not my daddy literally, and I do the information digging myself. Most times I find Robin was there before me doing her own digging.
As Marlys pointed out, she actually handed out stuffed ducks - with bandaids on them, symbolizing the "lame duck" status of outgoing board members. She claimed that the children enjoyed them. I didn't ask around to check the enjoyment level of every child who received one. But my own 5 year old who received one was curious why she handed them out and why they had bandaids on them. When we explained to her that it was a somewhat mean attempt at a joke, she really didn't want it anymore. Her estimated enjoyment level on a scale of 1 to 10 = 1.
Mr. Ceneviva,
Everyone is human. We try to stay above the pack of wolves and behave in a civilized manner, giving everyone respect.
But when others constantly undermine our good behavior, when they act out in ways that challenge our civility, we sometimes lower ourselves to their level.
I do not fault you one bit for your actions, and I must say that I myself might not have been so restrained.
The difference between yourself and those animals, is that you recognize your faults, apologize for them, and take corrective action. That is called 'accountability'.
Bravo sir. Salut!
~Borows~
John C., I applaud your courage and honesty. I'm sorry you had that experience and understand your frustration. It is disconcerting to be addressed in such a confrontational manner for simply having a different viewpoint. This type of vilification tactic, along with videotaping, photographing people at the polls or while handing out campaign literature, spreading rumors and insinuation, adds up to intimidation. Sometimes it succeeds, either by driving people away, hushing our voices, or making us respond in a way we otherwise wouldn't. The bitter and angry atmosphere can also lead to widespread smearing of those who don't deserve it, false accusations, etc. Everyone becomes more caught up in their "side", rather than in seeking truth and doing what is right. There is fallout - people are damaged. I can attest to that. Thanks for owning up to your own reactions- and shedding light on the circumstances. That's one step towards a healthier community. But remember that they were REactions, and the responsibility does not rest solely on your shoulders. I am proud to count you among my friends, Friend!!
If I understand this properly, the board voted to award an engineering services contract to Vitetta for $29,000 (+ reimbursible expenses at a 1.1 multiplier), with any additional scope at a $/hr rate (I didn't hear that rate specified, anyone know what it is?). This is to evaluate the boiler situation at the Middle-High School and 2 burners at Grandview. Sounds like total costs could cap out at $79,000.
Hopefully this will result in some engineering specifications, and some reliable cost estimates, for the M-H School boilers. It could also result in identification of lots of other possible issues (i.e. "you're going to need a new house to go with this doorknob"). Time will tell if Pandora's box opens or stays closed. This haphazard, piecemeal approach is why many commenters are clamoring for "a plan", like getting a reputable architect and engineering experts to take a comprehensive look at the situation, rather than having board non-experts decree which pieces are allowed to be looked at. I respect that some board members (e.g. Mr. Farrell) have some experiences with Boilers and Heaters (not just Gloria), but I submit that still doesn't make you an expert, and it definitely doesn't make you an expert on "the process" that a school board should follow.
As Robin mentioned last night, because the board went off the board (so to speak) and didn't follow the PlanCon RFP/bidding process started by Reba Dunford, there is no chance of any state reimbursement for this engineering study work or any of the more-expensive work that springs from it. The moral of the story is that not following "the process" and thinking things through, while it may seem bold and decisive in the short run, has consequences that hit us all in the wallets.
It was nice to see the board step up and restore MR Reiter to the scope (as unilaterally dropped by Mr. Hellmann) by passing a second motion for similar engineering studies there. However, it would be even nicer to have it not feel like such a struggle for the board to simply do the right thing and follow "the process".
I have to wonder if the record button was even pressed, when Sharon panned "the other side" If so, she would of noticed LONG before Brenda said anything. A scare tactic perhaps?
I find that it is sometimes very hard to restain myself, but I have never threatened to break off someones finger and shove it where the sun don't shine (as said by the speaker when all this was going on)
It's just really sad, I think, that the mention of the children never seem to come up.
Thanks Brenda and Gloria! I was VERY glad to see that you pushed to ahve Reiter added.
Little bird,
Released in anger,
Would you have me take you back?
John-
Everybody makes mistakes. It gets very frustrating when others act out of line, and it is tempting to respond in the same way. Public session is not a time for individuals to address the public, it is a time for individuals to address the school board, and there was no purpose for videotaping the audience on a particular side of the room. I applaud you for recognizing how your actions could result in negative reactions. Very few people have come out and done such a thing. Thank you for your apology.
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