See Part 1 here and Part 2 here

“A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it is but a prologue to Farce or Tragedy or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own Governors must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives.” James Madison 1788
I want to go back to the mayor’s address to the school board and suggest one more thing the mayor should do: PUSH FOR A PARTIALLY-APPOINTED SCHOOL BOARD!!! I know this is controversial, but I’ve lost my hope and trust in the voting electorate to select school board members who are qualified (or even smart).
Recent turmoil on the school board bears that out. For further proof…note Roseland’s town council. I believe in Democracy, but in local elections for school board candidates, the voting public has no clue what the candidate stands for or if they are even qualified to lead the city’s school system. Whenever forums are offered to meet the candidate about a dozen people or less show up. The candidates don’t have the finances for commercial spots, mass mailings, or other means to get their message out.

David Snyder
So…a voter enters the booth and chooses a name that rings most familiar (and hopefully the name isn’t familiar because of the charges that were filed against them) or one that sounds nice. ”Spivey…that sounds nice.” ”Stephanie Spivey…oooo…two ‘s’ words. I like it. I’ll vote for her!“
And then…we get what we get. Except, it usually means inept leadership.
If the city’s well-being is intertwined with the school system’s well-being (which I believe that it is) than the Mayor has a huge stake in what happens within our school system. All of his attempts at city growth will be undermined by a defunct school system. There should be at least 2-3 school board members who are directly appointed by, and are accountable to, the mayor. I know this places a lot of trust and control in the hands of the mayor. But he has a vested interest and his voice (via his appointees) are critical. Further, it expedites communication between the mayor’s office and the school board. And I don’t mean just communication that occurs at their Monday night board meetings, but probably more important, the communication that goes on outside of it.



If you ever wanted to know what the “heart beat” of the



build a faith on having a picture of the Bible like a balloon that if it has one single prick to it – the whole thing blows up. And when I see Bible answer men (and women), or people who get very nervous at the idea that there is something in the Bible that can’t be explained or reconciled or clearly understood I think they are promoting a balloon-kind-of-faith.