Congrats to Brad Benson and Neil Wetherbee for their wins for town councilors!
Congrats to Mark Grabowski and Wendy Smith for their wins on the School Board!
This was a telling election and I wish to thank all those that participated in the process.
I will post numbers as I get them.
The 4A question was basically a wash. With 2516 people voting. The No vote beat the Yes vote by 100 votes. This tells me it was very close. Not a mandate at all. ( keep in mind this was also a non-binding initiative). More discussion will follow I'm sure.
To the 2516 out of 19,000 registered voters who turned out-- A BIG THANK YOU FOR CARING!!!
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40 comments:
I my math is correct... 7.5% of people in Derry care enough to vote. I wish I could think of a way to get more people to vote. All this says to me is that the residents don't care if their taxes go up or if services are cut! Very depressing.
I think the Tax Payers Team can both blame Kevin Coyle and Brent Carney for not winnig thier campaigns. Their endorsments came around the same time that these Councilors attacked the Derry Fire Union with false accusations. It just shows that this town didnt want more councilors like Coyle and Carny to come in and do more damage. Hopefully these two councilors publicly appologize for these Lie's, and if they dont members of the public should ask for them to both resign. Sorry Doug and Tom your buddy kevin and Brent help sink your ship!
anon 1:26,
I do not believe your political analysis is correct. But then perhaps everyone reading your statement has just misread it, just as multiple people (including witnesses) are accused of mis-hearing the same foolish statement made by a firefighter after that council meeting. How many people are needed to witness the truth? Your blog comment and the refusal of the union chief to offer a simple apology damages the union case far more than Coyle and Carney could ever do. A firefighter said something stupid, we all do it, the solution is an apology and move on.
Nick Arancio ... again ;-)
Neil worked hard and his message resonated with the active Derry voters.
I had an awesome experience. It was a roller coaster ride of emotions for me.
And, I have a lot more respect for the Councilors (present and past). I stated that in my first debate, but I feel I owe it to all to repeat my comments.
Nick
Hey DJN,
Welcome back.
How 'bout this for analysis:
Neil W. outworked you and he better demonstrated that he was more than one issue candidate.
Your thoughts?
anon 7:06 Yes I believe he did outwork me in the campaign. We all do what we can given the limitations of our personal situations.
Neil certainly did not focus his campaign on an issue.
Sorry but this was a brief blog visit... got businesses to run. Bye.
Doug, who are you fooling... you know you sit at your desk checking this blog every day like the rest of us :)
Hello,
I voted for the first time in Derry this year at West Running Brook and noticed the children's ballot.
Can someone explain to me what that was all about?
When I arrived I saw a couple of kids standing in line taking things very seriously. It was just the cutest thing. :)
djn... How many people ARE needed to witness the truth? Let's see. We have 3 people who say they "thought" they heard something and we have 20+ people who say that what those 3 people heard was incorrect. So, you expect the union president to apologize for something that never happened? Where you there? Did you hear something that was inappropriate? No, you weren't there so you can only base your observations on the first thing you saw in the paper. Oftentimes Mr. Newell, there are 2 sides to every story. You have to look at both sides, listen to what's being said, understand the problem, and then make a decision based on that. THAT'S how you get to the truth. And the truth is, these councilors made a bold and disrespectful remark to the media about something they "thought" they heard before making any reasonable attempt to find out EXACTLY what was said. If anyone deserves an apology, it's the union members who were villified in the media for something they never said.
"When I tell any truth, it is not for the sake of convincing those who do not know it, but for the sake of defending those that do." ~William Blake
I’D LIKE TO COMMEND MR NEWELL FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH HE CONDUCTED HIMSELF AND HIS CAMPAIGN. OUTSIDE OF A LETTERS FROM TWO PARTISAN, ILL-INFORMED LUNITICS (DIMMOCK AND FAIRBANKS), THE THING HELD THE HIGH GROUND.
GOOD JOB, BOTH SIDES.
anon 2:16,
You say there are 2 sides to every story but actually there are 3: your version, the opponents version, and somewhere in between which is usually the correct story.
I didn't vote for Mr. Wetherbee. His website "Citizens for a better Derry" seemed very divisive. He claimed to only want to increase the dialog and want to improve the town by not taking sides on important issues, but like any politician immediately advocated positions that took sides to spend more and more money. I live in District 3 and hope that his current rhetoric is real. People are hurting in this town Neal be careful when you spend our money. I can't afford much more and soon won't be able to sell my house to get out because my tax bill is so high. I hope you represent the citizens of Distict 3 as you say and not your own interests as posted on the web site you put up.
I'll keep an open mind, but am certainly worried.
anon 11:41
The town cannot increase you tax rate by more than 25 cents (I think) because of the tax cap. However, the school board put forward a budget that the papers said may increase your tax rate by $1.50. This budget was approved by the voters. People complain about the town spending but it is the school spending that is far exceeding town spending. Yet, nothing is said about the schools. Why?
Anon 9:32,
Your statement is flawed. You say "Yet, nothing is said about the schools."
1320 voters had plenty to say about the school budget --- they got off the butts, got in their cars and voted in favor of it.
My question is this --- why do you apparently give far more weight to the people who you say "complain" than to the vast majority of people who care enough to vote?
I cringed when Al Dimock 'welcomed' the new members to the Board last night. His 'better behave as I will be watching you' threat was priceless. Al means well but is out of touch with reality. I commend his intentions but question his methods.
Anon 11:29
My comment was addressed to people who complain about town spending. I don't understand these people complaining about town spending when school spending is historically much higher. They show up at council hearings complaining yet do not show up at school hearings complaining. If they think the school spending is reasonable then I would think that town spending is reasonable as well for the services provided.
To anonymous 12:55PM
Re: Al Dimmock's 'welcomed' the new members to the Board last night....
I cringe EVERY council meeting and especially during the public forums...We should call it Al's forum. I find him to be more of a nuisance than credibale.
The town needs to control all the spending. Showing up at a school board meeting to disagree with how much the school is spending will get you instantly branded as anti kids. Its a nice game played by liberals but thats how it works. Even if we did show up and face the anti-children scartlet letter would it really have prevented Pinkerton from building yet another $30M building because somehow the freshmen after 100's of years need their own building? The answer is NO, the town needs to stand up to these crazy expenditures. Nice try though trying to make all of us that are getting taxed out of our homes as lunatics cause we don't show up at the schoolboard meeting and complain....
Brian I think this would make a good topic, school funding versus town funding and how much influence the town has over the school budget?
IF THE QUESTION IS HOW MUCH INFLUENCE DO WE HAVE OVER THE SCHOOL BUDGET?
THE ANSWER IS ----- ALL OF THE INFLUENCE --- WE, THE VOTERS, ARE THE DECISION MAKERS ON THE SCHOOL BUDGET.
Those who turned out to vote made it clear that education is important enough for additional spending.
3:43 PM That is simply not true except in the long run. Yes, if over three years the voters became furious enough with the school board to replace the members of the board in 3 different elections, something could be done about the school budget. That of course assumes that you find candidates willing to go into the lion's den facing teachers, unions, hostile administration, fellow board members and parents who think that any questioning of school budgets equals direct assaults on their children.
The vote on the annual budget would be an amusing joke if the right to vote had not been bought with so much blood. This year we got to either say yes to the budget or choose a default that was 99%+ of the budget. In Cuba you can vote for "the Party" or "the Party".
Anon 6:50 You assume some relationship between additional spending and quality. Show me that in the test results. What is the price for 10% higher "proficiency"?
APPARENTLY YOU REQUIRE SOME EDUCATION.
YOU NEED NOT REPLACE ONE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER TO DECREASE THE SCHOOL BUDGET; JUST START VOTING "NO" ON THE EXPENDITURES.
YOU ARE ANGRY BECAUSE THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO INDICATION THAT THE VOTERS WANT TO DO SO - YOU ARE ANGRY BECAUSE YOU ARE IN THE MINORITY.
AS YOU DO CORRECTLY POINT OUT, THERE IS A DEFAULT BUDGET THAT TYPICALLY IS VERY CLOSE TO THE ACTUAL BUDGET - BUT GUESS WHAT? THE VOTERS THIS YEAR VOTED TO INCREASE NEXT YEARS DEFAULT BUDGET BY VOTING IN FAVOR OF A LABOR CONTRACT.
SO IT IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE THAT THE VOTERS HAVE THE FINAL SAY ON SCHOOL EXPENDITURES - NO AMOUNT OF TWISTING OF REALITY CAN CHANGE THAT FACT.
On a differant note.....Brian can you clarify why Mr. Stenhouse is not attending the Planning Board Meetings? Since a vote of the council was taken and,per our charter he is required to attend...
From an outsider's point of view he does not come across to have the best interest (or much interest) in Derry!Please enlighten us!!!
anon 9:53,
I'm not sure, he may of had a prior commitment. This is the first meeting since the vote requiring his presents at planning. I'm sure he'll be at future meetings.
Mr. Stenhouse does not seem interested in Derry at all. He is riding out the string until his retirement. he is ill prepared for meetings, talks over Councilors, and does not return calls or emails. He is a disappointment in my book. I cannot believe a professional search could not come up with a better candidate.
anon 3:54 I could educate you on the realities of politics or discuss the unrealistic nature of expecting the voters to digest the complexities of a labor contract, but I think we should just wait and see the voter's reaction when their tax bills increase 20%+ in the next 3 years and their wages and social security payments stay nearly flat. Any thoughts on where the money should come from to pay those tax bills? What would you like them to cut back on?
The price per student in Derry continues to skyrocket while the test scores show us to have a mediocre educational product. The newly elected councilor who claimed during the election that we have the best schools in the state should be asked to take a drug test.
Thank you for answering my question Brian.27/3/08 9:53 PM
Annon 8:35,
Corrections:
1. The voters are not stupid.
2. The cost per student in Derry is low compared to state average.
3. We do have dam fine schools.
Anon 11:33
1. I suggested that the voters might not be willing or able to analyze a labor contract. Such analysis would require labor relations, law and accounting experience. I did not suggest that the voters were stupid. (Some voters are stupid, some are very bright.)
2. That is both correct and irrelevant. Most NH school systems do not have the economies of scale that Derry enjoys. If you compare Derry's cost to similar sized communities a whole different picture emerges. Our schools are no bargain.
3. The correct spelling of that word in that context is "damn". If we have “damn fine schools” why do test results say something different year after year after year?
10:26,
i see now you are saying that only some of derry voters are stupid, but as a lot, they are lazy.
derry's relationship with pinkerton offers ZERO economies that you speak of. in fact, that relationship acts against most economies other districts share. even in light of that, the cost per student is lower than state average. that is very relavent.
you'll have to site specific examples of the bad test scores you speak of....do you mean the math scores for special needs students at one elemenary school that caused the school to be labeled under no child left behind? or are you thinking virtually the entire rest of the scores that show above average perfoemance and tremdous progress?
you offer no facts, or better yet, solutions...you just complain about the will of the vast majority of voters.
Yes 9:55, basic statistics will tell you that in any fairly random population of over 19,000 individuals such as the Derry voting population some will be very smart and some will lack intelligence. I would expect it to have a “normal distribution”.
I'm not sure that I would characterize failure to take courses in Labor Relations, not acquiring a law degree or not passing a CPA test to be "lazy". These are some of the skills I suggested voters might need to fully evaluate proposed teachers' contracts.
Pinkerton's costs have historically made Derry Cooperative School District look better than it is. Pinkerton does not negate Derry's economies of scale.
"Relavent" is spelled relevant.
"Tremdous" is spelled tremendous. (By the way, I can’t spell worth a damn either… I run all my blog entries through spell-check.)
Please examine the State of NH Dept of Education website for data before jumping into discussions of school costs or test scores. Arm yourself with facts. It's no fun dueling with an unarmed man.
you are very wrong about pinkertons numbers making derry look good. that has never, ever, been the case.
dig into the numbers...we pay a very high premium for a premium high school...the voters are ok with that.
When does Mr. Stenhouse's review come up? With all the negative press, and the lack of leadership I only hope that the council protects Derry from another Rochester situation. I can still remember the quote from his first newspaper interview..'you get what you see'. I haven't been impressed since day one, and I'm obviously not alone!
Anon 12:04, Since you are pulling "facts" from thin air (making this stuff up) I took the time to dig out some numbers for you. Haven't found Pinkerton numbers yet (working on that) but here are some from 2005-2006 (latest available):
Derry Elementary Schools $10,537/ student
Nashua Elementary Schools $8965/ student
Manchester Elem. $8626/student
Salem Elem $8,326/student
Shall I get into middle school numbers? Or how about test scores?
No bargain. Take the time, learn the facts.
your source is wrong.
i would never accuse you of "pulling it from thin air" because that crosses into personal characterizations that are very unbecoming and very unhelpful to the debate...but i'd like to help you discover why your source is wrong; you, however, didn't provide your source.
hmmmm?
NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Division of Program Support, Bureau of Data Management
101 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301-3860
TEL 603-271-2778 FAX 603-271-3875
COST PER PUPIL BY DISTRICT, 2005-2006
take it up with them.
I win/you lose. (as do Derry's taxpayers and children but that's a different matter.)
Hey Dude,
Why not paint the whole picture, rather than just providing the numbers that only support the conclusion you want – for 2005-2006 – from the NH Dept of Ed Website:
Rochester
Elem: $10,731
Middle: $7,985
Concord
Elem: $10,479
Middle: $8,827
Londonderry
Elem: $10,128
Middle: $8,607
Portsmouth
Elem: $14,111
Middle: $13, 109
We also know that the Derry School spending has gone up very little in the past two years (not firm about exact numbers), but most other town have shown much larger % increases in spending. And I agree with the other anon that Pinkerton certainly does not help drive the numbers down – that’s a foolish thought.
Comparing against Manchester and Nashua is also foolish. Who whould want to send their kids to those schools? They are a mess!
You lose.
You must look at spending on a per student basis. Unfortunately I have no idea how many children are currently in Derry's rapidly declining school population. The administration forgot to put that little fact in their annual report so no one can calculate per student expenditures.
The towns 5:03 lists are wealthier than Derry (some of them much wealthier). If we had Portsmouth's tax base we could throw around money too. By the way did you notice that Derry Elem is more expensive than 2 of the 4 towns you site in your defense? With friends like you the school admin doesn't need enemies!
Regarding your condescending remarks concerning Nashua schools, I looked at the test scores of one random Derry elementary vs one random Nashua elementary school. Guess who had the higher test results? No not Derry, guess again.
Foolish as you believe my comments regarding Pinkerton may be, bring forth facts. Your opinion counts for nothing with me.
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