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No Tax Increase

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Bill View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 29 2010 at 9:24pm
Smartman, yep you're income is fixed...if by that you mean endless teacher raises as far as the eye can see until a cushy pension-soaked retirement at the age of 54.
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VietVet View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VietVet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 30 2010 at 7:13am
Ahh Smartman- as usual, your timing is impeccable when delivering a jab or two. Ain't nobody whining, just stating how it is for them as to income, aren't they?

On another note---there has been a lot of high rollin' power doggies just a writin' away in the Journal, endorsing the different levies. Has the city council gone on record to endorse the school/library levies as yet? Must have missed it if they have. Would be very unusual for them not to support the schools/library. Individual rollers have made endorsements. I would think that, with council's unquestioned credibility and influence in the community, the schools/library would welcome the endorsement as many people respect the integrity that is engrained in our city leaders!
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acclaro View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acclaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 30 2010 at 8:30am
Vet, I wouldn't be too concerned about a union VP at MUM endorsing a levy; American Association of University Women’s Union advocating passage for benefitting union members. I think that causes more harm than good. No one in Middletown has enough stature or clout it would make a difference. For those who want the cost spread around, it will pass, for those who see Middletown a disgraceful town falling apart, it will fail. For those who are in the assisted living homes, the target of the fire and police when the levies come about, they will vote yes for the visit to the facility, and they don't pay taxes. The key will be how many get out to vote. You can't control the numbers who have children in school. For he few hundred of the Manchester Ball Club, they aren't enough to make a difference.
 
Memo to Dr. Rasmussen on housing: it took the retired principal on Central about 3 years or longer to ell his 100KK house. If you buy, better be putting up a For Sale sign as soon as you cloe, as you need to allocate about 5 years to sell your house in Middletown. The principal's house was on the right side by the school, and it sat for many years. Better to lease, unless the school says they will buy it, maybe written into the contract. Or the city will withhold enough Obama money to help you out..   
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Hermes View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hermes Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 30 2010 at 9:19am
Originally posted by Smartman Smartman wrote:

Hey!!! I'm on a fixed income!!! My employer only gives so many dollars to live on! So what are you bitching about Hermes?
 
 
Smartman...I wasn't b******* about my income, I was explaining my usage of the term "fixed income".
No more democrats no more republicans,vote Constitution Party !!
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Hermes View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hermes Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 30 2010 at 9:24am

Good points acclaro. I'll almost bet that Rasmussen won't even live in Middeltown. Why should he ? No one else does.

Must be nice to be a cop,fireman,teacher, politician and live somewhere thats better than the mess they created here.
No more democrats no more republicans,vote Constitution Party !!
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Bill View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 30 2010 at 10:16am
I'm wondering if he may try to buy on land contract so that if he bolts after 2 or 3 years he simply loses out on his payments and, in effect, has rented his house.
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LoveToTeach View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote LoveToTeach Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 30 2010 at 2:55pm
Bill- if you think a teacher can retire at age 54 these days, you are living in a dream world! 

And what does it matter to you where the superintendent lives?  As long as he is good at his job, that should be irrelevant.  And I doubt seriously he is worried about the resell on his house that he hasn't even bought yet.  Have you met him?  Have you taken time to talk to him?  If not, I encourage that you do.  His staff in Kansas did not want him to leave.  They loved him!  So, please don't judge someone before they have had the chance to show you that they can deliver.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote LoveToTeach Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 30 2010 at 2:59pm
Oh, and Bill- if you think that teachers have a such a cushy job, then why not give it a try?  Take out student loans, go back to school and get your education degree.  My apologies when you figure out it isn't as cushy as you once thought.
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Bill View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 30 2010 at 3:28pm
the job isn't cushy but the benefits and retiring by mid-50's are pretty cushy
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Smartman View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Smartman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 30 2010 at 6:47pm
Oh Bill Bill! If you stay with any company for 30 years you can retire. Why do you complain about people retiring? You claim taxpayer dollars. Well if you work in an industry where folks purchase goods, then you are retiring on the money you make from them! Seems like the same thing to me! Postal workers retire off the money you spend on postage. AK folks retire retire off the profits they make on steel sales to auto makers. Auto makers retire off the profits they make on cars. Seems to me these folks retire in the comfort zone! So sir please explain your logic.
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Smartman View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Smartman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 30 2010 at 6:59pm
By the way Bill, I am a manager for a big box retailer. Mt retirement is based on the profits we make. Other wise know as the money you spend in my store. Oh I guess that makes me crooked an and a theif as well!!! Thumbs%20Up
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Bill View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 30 2010 at 8:18pm
Smartman, who the heck stays with any company for 30 years anymore?  You can't!  my point was that there is something inherently wrong with the level of retirement pay and medical bennies afforded to teachers when they retire after 30 (or now I believe 32) years.  Especially considering that lack of accountability. 
Remember, most people don't actually retire after 30 years -- most people can't afford to and most work for a hodge podge of different employers.  So they work from 18 (or 22, 23) to at least 65. 
 
And don't forget the teachers' unions are padding their teachers retirement annuity by contributing 14% of every paycheck on top of the teacher's 10%.  Whose money is that 14%?  The taxpayers!  That is unheard of in any industry.  Most companies don't even have pensions anymore.  Your comparisons to AK or GM retirees is beside the point as they are private businesses, not the public-financed behemoth that is the teachers union.
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acclaro View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acclaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 30 2010 at 11:40pm
When the AK strike started, that put the community in a mess which would have taken a decade to dig out from. Then, the collapse of September 2008 put thecity two decades behind. Theeare so many homes in foreclosure in Middletown, there is enoug houing stock for decades. Middletown is in a nightmarish situation. Companies left, no more burden is placed on those whom can't get out. Its disgusting, fustrating, and really nauseating.
 
So, the passage of the levy doesn't do anything fo th proprety values. People are avoiding Middleto like a plaque and have for th past 7-8 years. Now, its not even possible to get out. Wht makes Miletown such a mess is there were mny, like me, who was ready to sell out during th strike but thought, what the hell, let it stabilize. And its just goten worse.
 
My final point: the public servants are vastly overpaid and provide too great in benefits. The levy just protects the empire. There were be more lower demographics: $200,000. buy a very nice home in Middletown. With the excess housing stock, it ju wil be a continued influx of renters and such. I wasn't een going to bother voting as i am so disgute wth this city's decay until I thought how much time I wasted for Middletow to rbuild, clean up itsact, and it just doesn't get better. And pssing thelvy sure won't mae it so.                          
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VietVet View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VietVet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 01 2010 at 9:13am
I see the Journal had a story yesterday about the teacher's union bravely suggesting a year's pay freeze as their fair share of sacrifice. Nice timing for the announcement right before the levy. Don't think it was designed that way to sway voter opinion do you? (he said, knowing the answer) Hasn't been finalized as yet as the vote awaits. Wonder what the high salary admin. portion of the school system will sacrifice in pay? They haven't offered as yet. Might not either. Negotiations between the school board and the teacher's union will occur soon. As discussed, Ms. Andrew, will your school board allow the union to "have it's way" or will your school board represent the taxpayer for once? Time to put up some resistance to their demands isn't it? We're watching.

Also noticed yesterday, that the Journal stopped allowing comments on Ms. Andrew's article as well as other pro-levy responses. Must have a policy to cut off all negative, anti-levy talk prior to the election, repeating the censorship that was evident on their blog a year ago. Wouldn't want a newspaper to report fair and objective viewpoints, would we? What a sad newspaper it has become.
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acclaro View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acclaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 01 2010 at 9:41am
Vet, I had a minor virus which was impacting my keyboard, so my last thread was rather unreadable. I would not be concerned about the Journal and its impact. It has none. 90% of what's in it is the crime public record data, "Do You Know If Yur Neighbor Is In Jail", See Who Committed What Crime Today." They simply troll for the crime public record data. On the vast majority of cases, anything the Journal endorses, it fails. I told you how this will come down. Those like Smartman who enjoy going to Myrtle Beach with his top 10% group will vote ys, better to spred expense over many people---the companies have left, so now its mainly the residents. The thinking group with objective fact, will vote no, realizing this simply motivates and serves as a catalyst to those who want to keep overhead in place, not disrupt the 8-4 routine, while property values plummet. Then, if they have some infrastructure in place, will vote YES, by going to the assisted living and nursing homes, getting those votes as they pay no taxes. And by raising these taxes capped at 4%, Middletown will just continue its decline because you can't give a house away, and no one wants anything to do with Middletown.  
 
It isn't worth getting upset over anything the Journal does or doesn't do, it has been irrelevant for years. If it passes, it will only be because more parents got out to keep the status quo, and spread costs out, not because anyone is not aware the needle on CI is stuck, and it won't be going anywhere soon. Just watch how many houses spring up and people dump their houses if this passes. Middletown is not worth gtting upset. Its a city in free fall, and has been for 30 years. But. Springboro is made up of some rather intelligent people, so maybe enough will say, "this levy does nothing to raise schools performance; what it does do i assure my taxes are raised, when my value is heading south."
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Pacman View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pacman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 01 2010 at 9:28pm
Interesting show with Rasmussen http://www.blip.tv/file/3554435
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tomahawk35 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 01 2010 at 10:57pm
Can anyone figure out how one can understand the workings of Middletown in just three weeks when most of us who has lived here for twenty or more years haven't figure out the the system and thinking yet. This guy is amazingClap
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VietVet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2010 at 7:46am
Kevin Aldridge, at the beginning of the show, "This is Voices Of Color where we discuss a variety of topics and a variety of opinions". This is not true Aldridge. You may discuss a variety of topics, but you are certainly not open to discuss a variety of opinions. This show, IMO, from beginning to end, showcases the levy support and is designed to offer one side of the ledger. The content of this show offered the expected responses and canned rhetoric heard from the pro-levy faction. TV Middletown, to my knowledge, has never offered an opportunity for anyone to present a case for opposition to what the city leaders want for the city (or schools). The shows that I have watched always feature some prominent leader of an organization or a city official, that offers only one side of the coin on discussion. If they truely wanted this show to discuss all opinions, they would have set it up as a debate and allowed the no voters to express their opinions (and to have asked Mr. Rasmussen questions) in a format that presented both sides. Apparently, there is no equal representation policy offered by TV Middletown, which, by the way, is funded by ALL citizens on both sides of the fence.
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Bill View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2010 at 8:07am
I think Rasmussen has made abundantly clear that he is not taking any action yet and is just listening and learning.  If I had to bet at this early stage I have a feeling that he will not be a success here -- wrong fit for wrong situation.  This district needs a strong turnaround specialist who can run MCSD as as business and butt some heads to get things done.  Bob Sommers may have been a good one.  I think the new guy would have been good for a successful district who maybe had some in-fighting or needed to tweak a few things.  Plus I doubt bringing in a guy from another state is going to work when we need some dramatic action.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pacman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2010 at 9:12am
Bill exactly what would you like to see with 3-4 weeks of school left, a total upheaval of the school system.  I don't think anyone would be well served by that.  Rasmussen now has about 4 months to formulate a plan to hopefully start in August of this year.  Hopefully he is a walk softly, my impression as of now, and carry a big stick type in the Middle and High school and will get a grip on the discipline issues before the start of the next school year.  Some say that new discipline plans have already been started yet no one can produce them when asked on here.  The School Districts website also does not reflect any new Discipline Policy, when I last looked at it. 
 
As far as the above interview goes.  I think Rasmussen was straight forward with his thoughts and answers and did not get pulled into the Diversity trap when the question was asked.  He also mentioned that if the voters were still dissatisfied with the schools performance and if the permanent levy passed the voters could always attempt to overturn the levy by getting it put back on ballot at a later date.   Granted this is a long shot and the state puts obstacles in the way of attempting this in the state law but it could be done.
 
Overall I found the interview interesting and Rasmussen's goals and ideas of how matters should be handled a far cry from the old Price Doctrine.  Only time will tell who is right.Thumbs%20Up
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Bill View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bill Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2010 at 9:52am
I hope you're right Pacman.  I just hope people aren't overly optimistic about him just because he comes off as a different personality than Price.  I wish him the best but am not expected too much.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pacman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2010 at 10:42am
Just some Stats on the Cities:
 
                                               Wichita                                          Middletown
 
Population                              358,772 and growing                   48,000+/- and declining by Census estimates
Poverty Rate                          14.3%                                           22%
Section 8 Vouchers                2500                                             1662
Section 8 Vouchers/capita      1 for every 143 Residents            1 for every 29 Residents  
Free and Reduced lunch        70%+/-    2008-2009                     67%=+/-      2008-2009    
When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

Thomas Jefferson
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pacman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2010 at 10:50am
Bill all we can do is wait and see at this point.  I find it hard to compare a district with 45,000+ students and 84  schools, as listed on the Kansas Education site, in Wichita to what can be expected here, a district with 6500 students and what 9-10 schools.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VietVet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2010 at 2:56pm
Ms. Andrew- was that you with the kids out walking in the rain on Sunday afternoon? Thought I saw you on Rachel Lane passing out "vote for the school levy" flyers door to door. Question for you- are the flyers paid for by private "pro-levy" donations or does the funding come from the school coffers? One of the kids asked me to vote for the levy. I promised him that I would vote. I applaud your group efforts in poor weather even though we disagree on the purpose.
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Smartman View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Smartman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May 02 2010 at 3:32pm
Vet, the flyers are paid for by donations to Invest in Tomorrow. The district does not pay for campaign material.
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