“When school children start paying union dues, that’s when I’ll start representing the interests of school children.” . . . Albert Shanker (dec) former president (1974-1997) of the American Federation of Teachers
A week ago today the elections for school board were held in Iowa. We previously commented on the Davenport race and further on the regrettable somnolence of the Scott County Republican leadership as regards them in spite of entire sections of the platform devoted to education issues. Of course that they are doing anything about the “non-partisan” city elections seems more talk for Central Committee consumption than substantive. They have the power to raise issues and affect these races more than any single issue group but they do not.
Arguably the Davenport School race was between the teacher union backed candidates and the Quad City Federation of Labor backed candidates. A lose lose situation for taxpayers, parents and children. Each one maneuvers for the best seat at the taxpayer provided buffet table. The teachers’ union backed candidates elbowed out the others.
Richard Clewell, Jamie Snyder and Maria Dickman prevailed (teacher’s union endorsed) over Patricia Zamora and Elaine Kresse (QC Fed endorsed). Ms Dickman was endorsed by both which really means she must be a big spending tool.
These people win with as little as 1150 people voting from 36 precincts. The number of people voting last Tuesday was under 3% of those eligible. That is a vote turnout of about 32 people on average per precinct. Parties are necessary to wake people up about the variety of important issues at stake. The long term impact from the Scott County Republican Party actually doing so would be wonderful. R Mall
I voted….. But had the feeling that I did not know anything about the candidates.
It would be helpful in the future if the Scott County Republicans put out some guidence……….
On candidates, positions, and who might try and reduce our high taxes.
Yep. At the very least form a committee to develop a questionnaire consistent woith the platform and publish the results and make a real effort to turn out the vote. An average of seventeen dedicated votes per precinct would have controlled. If it resulted in more intense Democrat activity so what, we can still win. Should not lose by default. R Mall