Queens Chronicle - Deacy, Ulrich Early Leaders
Early returns from polling stations in South Queens at the end of Primary Day reveal that Republicans want the local party to head in a new direction.
According to unofficial Board of Elections figures, Jane Deacy and Eric Ulrich hold a comfortable lead over Denise Walsh and John Calcagnile for the positions of Republican State Committee members in the 23rd Assembly District. The male and female State Committee members, more commonly known as district leaders, work to organize the party locally and push its candidates in city and state elections.
Current Republican District Leaders Terry Ariola and Ed O’Hare endorsed Walsh and Calcagnile. Both Walsh and Calcagnile volunteered several times for the Ariola/O’Hare campaign.
When polls closed on Tuesday, Deacy had 614 votes to Walsh’s 376. Ulrich had 611 votes to Calcagnile’s 410.
Affidavit ballots, absentee ballots and special ballots still need counting and the machines’ counts will be reviewed a second time.
the results will not be certified for at least a week and a half.
Ulrich, a 22-year-old graduate student at St. John’s University, lost in a bid for a district leader position in 2005.
He credited his running mate and the support of Ozone Park, his neighborhood, with pushing his ticket ahead this year.
“It’s reassuring that people appreciate my hard work,” Ulrich said. “I’m humbled.”
Deacy, a former teacher and police officer who resides in Rockaway, said: “I want to commend the Republicans in the 23rd Assembly District for their response.”
—Joseph Wendelken
[where: Ozone Park, NY 11417]
Monday, September 24, 2007
Queens Ledger - Letter to the Editor - Why Aren't You In Iraq?..
Queens Ledger:
Dear Editor:
I am writing to share an experience I recently witnessed at a local civic association meeting.
On August 29, I attended “Candidate’s Night” at the Ozone Park Residents Block Association held at Nativity BVM church.
In past years I have had the opportunity to meet, greet and question many of our local politicians at this event.
With this being an off-year politically with no major elections being held, only two candidates attended and participated. They were Jane Deacy and Eric Ulrich, the male and female candidates for Republican District 23 AD Leader.
Since District Leader is a local political position, I expected to hear their vision on how they would register new voters, man the polls during elections and how they planned to reinvigorate their party locally - amid an ever widening demographical shift, detrimental to the Republican party - in their district.
During their stump speeches, Ms. Deacy and Mr. Ulrich both spent the majority of their time lauding the Bush Administration, highlighting the great job that the national Republican party is doing and robotically voicing their unwavering and support for President George W. Bush and his war in Iraq.
Mr. Ulrich also shared that he tries to model his life after his two role models, Ronald W. Reagan and Pope John Paul II.
I found their unceasing blind loyalty to President Bush and his failed policies to be delusional, quixotical and somewhat psychotic.
During the question and answer period, I was fortunate enough to be able to ask both candidates a few questions.
I confirmed that both candidates are completely and utterly committed to the present situation in Iraq and feel it’s in our country’s best interest.
I asked Mr. Ulrich his age, to which he responded with a glowing smile, “22.”
I then asked Mr. Ulrich that since he looked physically fit, why he hasn’t enlisted to serve in Iraq, especially since it is evident that he is so fanatically supportive of President Bush’s preemptive, illegal, immoral and criminal war.
I informed him that there was a military recruiting office in downtown Jamaica, I also offered to get an application for him.
Additionally, I informed him that our military recruiters have been hard-pressed to meet their quotas and that it would be a patriotic thing to do.
Mr. Ulrich responded in a Romney-esque manner, informing me that he was very happy that America has a volunteer military and that he didn’t feel the need to volunteer to fight in this war right now.
For the record, Mitt Romney recently explained that his five military aged sons were serving their country by working on his presidential campaign, as if their service was commensurate with serving our nation in Iraq.
I think it would be accurate to say Mr. Ulrich felt that his services and talents could be put to better and safer use here in the neighborhood, rather than serving with our brave troops in Iraq. To his credit, this at least confirms Mr. Ulrich’s sanity.
When I went home that evening, I got to thinking about Mr. Ulrich’s response and attitude. I actually found it to be very consistent with the ethos exhibited by his party’s present standard bearers, George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.
Remembering, that when it was their turn to serve their nation in the Viet-Nam war they chose to either through political connections hide out in the Texas Air National Guard or sought numerous exemptions to the draft because they had “other priorities”.
Anyone who knows me knows that I voiced my adamant opposition to this war prior to Mr. Bush committing troops in March 2003, including writing against the war in these very pages.
Being a registered Democrat, I have no horse in this local Republican race, but I felt it was important to bring this to the attention of the public.
I find it to be so illustrative of a wider prevailing attitude of the Republican party, particularly it’s radical right-wing and how it is adversely affecting the morals and morale of our country. It’s a — Do as I say, Not as I do — logic .
I long for the day when we again have people seeking public office who not only talk the talk but walk the walk. True leaders don’t let others fight their countries battles for them.
Bring the Troops Home..!
Sincerely,
David M. Quintana
Ozone Park
[where: Ozone Park, NY 11417]
Dear Editor:
I am writing to share an experience I recently witnessed at a local civic association meeting.
On August 29, I attended “Candidate’s Night” at the Ozone Park Residents Block Association held at Nativity BVM church.
In past years I have had the opportunity to meet, greet and question many of our local politicians at this event.
With this being an off-year politically with no major elections being held, only two candidates attended and participated. They were Jane Deacy and Eric Ulrich, the male and female candidates for Republican District 23 AD Leader.
Since District Leader is a local political position, I expected to hear their vision on how they would register new voters, man the polls during elections and how they planned to reinvigorate their party locally - amid an ever widening demographical shift, detrimental to the Republican party - in their district.
During their stump speeches, Ms. Deacy and Mr. Ulrich both spent the majority of their time lauding the Bush Administration, highlighting the great job that the national Republican party is doing and robotically voicing their unwavering and support for President George W. Bush and his war in Iraq.
Mr. Ulrich also shared that he tries to model his life after his two role models, Ronald W. Reagan and Pope John Paul II.
I found their unceasing blind loyalty to President Bush and his failed policies to be delusional, quixotical and somewhat psychotic.
During the question and answer period, I was fortunate enough to be able to ask both candidates a few questions.
I confirmed that both candidates are completely and utterly committed to the present situation in Iraq and feel it’s in our country’s best interest.
I asked Mr. Ulrich his age, to which he responded with a glowing smile, “22.”
I then asked Mr. Ulrich that since he looked physically fit, why he hasn’t enlisted to serve in Iraq, especially since it is evident that he is so fanatically supportive of President Bush’s preemptive, illegal, immoral and criminal war.
I informed him that there was a military recruiting office in downtown Jamaica, I also offered to get an application for him.
Additionally, I informed him that our military recruiters have been hard-pressed to meet their quotas and that it would be a patriotic thing to do.
Mr. Ulrich responded in a Romney-esque manner, informing me that he was very happy that America has a volunteer military and that he didn’t feel the need to volunteer to fight in this war right now.
For the record, Mitt Romney recently explained that his five military aged sons were serving their country by working on his presidential campaign, as if their service was commensurate with serving our nation in Iraq.
I think it would be accurate to say Mr. Ulrich felt that his services and talents could be put to better and safer use here in the neighborhood, rather than serving with our brave troops in Iraq. To his credit, this at least confirms Mr. Ulrich’s sanity.
When I went home that evening, I got to thinking about Mr. Ulrich’s response and attitude. I actually found it to be very consistent with the ethos exhibited by his party’s present standard bearers, George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.
Remembering, that when it was their turn to serve their nation in the Viet-Nam war they chose to either through political connections hide out in the Texas Air National Guard or sought numerous exemptions to the draft because they had “other priorities”.
Anyone who knows me knows that I voiced my adamant opposition to this war prior to Mr. Bush committing troops in March 2003, including writing against the war in these very pages.
Being a registered Democrat, I have no horse in this local Republican race, but I felt it was important to bring this to the attention of the public.
I find it to be so illustrative of a wider prevailing attitude of the Republican party, particularly it’s radical right-wing and how it is adversely affecting the morals and morale of our country. It’s a — Do as I say, Not as I do — logic .
I long for the day when we again have people seeking public office who not only talk the talk but walk the walk. True leaders don’t let others fight their countries battles for them.
Bring the Troops Home..!
Sincerely,
David M. Quintana
Ozone Park
[where: Ozone Park, NY 11417]
Queens Chronicle - School System Overlooking Special-Ed Pupils: Gotbaum
Queens Chronicle - School System Overlooking Special-Ed Pupils: Gotbaum:
While the majority of city students were returning for their second week of school last Monday, many disabled children were still at home, waiting to find out where they were supposed to go to class.
Now, three weeks into the new academic calendar, the city remains unaccessible to parents calling for help with their special-needs students, asserted Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum in a report last week.
After conducting a brief survey the week before school started, Gotbaum’s office found that about half of the calls made by investigators to the Committees on Special Education went unreturned or unanswered.
Twenty-two of their 45 calls to the city’s 15 special education offices resulted in non-working phones or unreturned messages, she said. In Queens, investigators could not reach a representative in the committees’ Jamaica and Ozone Park offices — which, together, oversee five districts.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said last Friday that “the problem has been solved,” assuring that all committee phone numbers had been updated on the agency’s Web site. She did not respond to a request for follow-up comments.
Gotbaum says this lack of communication has become all too typical for some parents. “The start of school is always a hectic time for families,” she said. “But the DOE is making things more stressful by failing to do the very basics, such as picking up their phone.
“The bottom line: Queens parents need access and answers, not the run-around.”
Middle Village mom Elizabeth Sager agrees. Her physically-impaired son went more than a week without class this year while local officials scrambled to find an appropriate placement for him.
Earlier in the summer, the same officials had told Sager that her 6-year-old son, who is partially paralyzed, would enter first grade at a new site this fall, after he had struggled to learn in another larger, integrated classroom the previous year.
But in late August, Sager learned that there would be no room for him in the new program. Furious, she drove to her district office in Long Island City, only to find a waiting room full of other angry parents.
Schools officials later sent Sager home with a new phone number — which she says she called every two days until finally getting notice that her son would be starting school at a new location last Wednesday.
“It’s rough trying to get information,” she said. “They (the special education committees) don’t answer phones, and when you get the voice machine, it’s full, so you just keep getting bounced around the system.
“I’m glad my son finally ended up in the right place, but no parent should have to deal with that kind of frustration.”
According to the most recent Mayor’s Management Report, there are 180,890 children in New York City receiving special education services. More than 147,000 of those students are taught in the city’s public school system.
[where: New York, NY]
©Queens Chronicle 2007
While the majority of city students were returning for their second week of school last Monday, many disabled children were still at home, waiting to find out where they were supposed to go to class.
Now, three weeks into the new academic calendar, the city remains unaccessible to parents calling for help with their special-needs students, asserted Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum in a report last week.
After conducting a brief survey the week before school started, Gotbaum’s office found that about half of the calls made by investigators to the Committees on Special Education went unreturned or unanswered.
Twenty-two of their 45 calls to the city’s 15 special education offices resulted in non-working phones or unreturned messages, she said. In Queens, investigators could not reach a representative in the committees’ Jamaica and Ozone Park offices — which, together, oversee five districts.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said last Friday that “the problem has been solved,” assuring that all committee phone numbers had been updated on the agency’s Web site. She did not respond to a request for follow-up comments.
Gotbaum says this lack of communication has become all too typical for some parents. “The start of school is always a hectic time for families,” she said. “But the DOE is making things more stressful by failing to do the very basics, such as picking up their phone.
“The bottom line: Queens parents need access and answers, not the run-around.”
Middle Village mom Elizabeth Sager agrees. Her physically-impaired son went more than a week without class this year while local officials scrambled to find an appropriate placement for him.
Earlier in the summer, the same officials had told Sager that her 6-year-old son, who is partially paralyzed, would enter first grade at a new site this fall, after he had struggled to learn in another larger, integrated classroom the previous year.
But in late August, Sager learned that there would be no room for him in the new program. Furious, she drove to her district office in Long Island City, only to find a waiting room full of other angry parents.
Schools officials later sent Sager home with a new phone number — which she says she called every two days until finally getting notice that her son would be starting school at a new location last Wednesday.
“It’s rough trying to get information,” she said. “They (the special education committees) don’t answer phones, and when you get the voice machine, it’s full, so you just keep getting bounced around the system.
“I’m glad my son finally ended up in the right place, but no parent should have to deal with that kind of frustration.”
According to the most recent Mayor’s Management Report, there are 180,890 children in New York City receiving special education services. More than 147,000 of those students are taught in the city’s public school system.
[where: New York, NY]
Queens Chronicle - NYC Schools Most Improved In Nation, Still Not Perfect by Colin Gustafson...
Queens Chronicle - NYC Schools ‘Most Improved’ In Nation, Still Not Perfect
New York City’s public school system won $500,000 in scholarship funding this week for topping a philanthropist’s nationwide list of school districts that showed the most progress in achievement this year.
Still, advocates and schools officials both say the system has a long way to go before it becomes a true success story.
New York City’s public school system won $500,000 in scholarship funding this week for topping a philanthropist’s nationwide list of school districts that showed the most progress in achievement this year.
Still, advocates and schools officials both say the system has a long way to go before it becomes a true success story.
At a Tuesday ceremony in Washington, D.C., Mayor Michael Bloomberg accepted the Eli Broad Foundation’s annual award on behalf of the city’s Department of Education, which will steer the money toward scholarships for college-bound graduates.
In granting top honors to New York City’s first self-professed “education mayor,” the Broad Foundation cited strides in reading and math over the last three years, as well as progress closing the achievement gap for low-income students of color.
According to the foundation’s research, the city’s black and Hispanic pupils — who comprise 32 percent and 39 percent of the total student population, respectively — outperformed their peers in comparable large urban school districts.
“If it can be done in New York City, it can be done anywhere,” said Eli Broad, the organization’s founder and philanthropist, who has donated millions of dollars to school systems nationwide.
“The strong leadership by the mayor, the chancellor and a progressive teachers union has allowed a school system the size of New York City to dramatically improve student achievement in a relatively short period of time.”
However, critics asserted that it was way too early for the mayor to pat himself on the back for reforming the school system.
Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum noted that despite modest increases last year, the on-time graduation rate lingers at just around half of all high schoolers.
“Here’s the reality: New York City still maintains dismally low graduation rates, especially for black and Latino students, and the DOE has failed to engage parents,” she wrote in a statement. “If we are No. 1 in terms of achievement, it’s pretty sad news for the rest of the country.”
Adding to the criticism was Ozone Park dad David Quintana, who served on a focus group for the Broad Foundation in its efforts to evaluate the school system.
He believes the foundation’s award this week did not reflect a raft of concerns from fellow parents about class size, the mayor’s cell phone ban, last year’s school bus fiasco and the reorganization of the school system.
“I feel that the DOE is totally dismissive of parents’ views,” he asserted in an e-mail.
The foundation also awarded four other finalist school districts $125,000 each in scholarships. They are in Bridgeport, Conn., Long Beach, Calif., Miami-Dade County, Fla., and San Antonio, Texas.
[where: 52 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007]
[where: Queens, NY]
[where: Ozone Park, NY 11417]
©Queens Chronicle 2007
In granting top honors to New York City’s first self-professed “education mayor,” the Broad Foundation cited strides in reading and math over the last three years, as well as progress closing the achievement gap for low-income students of color.
According to the foundation’s research, the city’s black and Hispanic pupils — who comprise 32 percent and 39 percent of the total student population, respectively — outperformed their peers in comparable large urban school districts.
“If it can be done in New York City, it can be done anywhere,” said Eli Broad, the organization’s founder and philanthropist, who has donated millions of dollars to school systems nationwide.
“The strong leadership by the mayor, the chancellor and a progressive teachers union has allowed a school system the size of New York City to dramatically improve student achievement in a relatively short period of time.”
However, critics asserted that it was way too early for the mayor to pat himself on the back for reforming the school system.
Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum noted that despite modest increases last year, the on-time graduation rate lingers at just around half of all high schoolers.
“Here’s the reality: New York City still maintains dismally low graduation rates, especially for black and Latino students, and the DOE has failed to engage parents,” she wrote in a statement. “If we are No. 1 in terms of achievement, it’s pretty sad news for the rest of the country.”
Adding to the criticism was Ozone Park dad David Quintana, who served on a focus group for the Broad Foundation in its efforts to evaluate the school system.
He believes the foundation’s award this week did not reflect a raft of concerns from fellow parents about class size, the mayor’s cell phone ban, last year’s school bus fiasco and the reorganization of the school system.
“I feel that the DOE is totally dismissive of parents’ views,” he asserted in an e-mail.
The foundation also awarded four other finalist school districts $125,000 each in scholarships. They are in Bridgeport, Conn., Long Beach, Calif., Miami-Dade County, Fla., and San Antonio, Texas.
[where: 52 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007]
[where: Queens, NY]
[where: Ozone Park, NY 11417]
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Progress at City Schools Earns $500,000 Award - September 19, 2007 - The New York Sun
Progress at City Schools Earns $500,000 Award - September 19, 2007 - The New York Sun:
New York City will accept $500,000 in scholarship funding after receiving the nation's most prestigious prize awarded for improvement in urban education, the Broad Prize.
Secretary of Education Spellings made the announcement in Washington, D.C., yesterday on behalf of the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation. Mayor Bloomberg, whose stated goal when he took control of the public schools in 2002 was to become New York City's "education mayor," accepted on behalf of the city.
The Broad Foundation painted a picture of great progress being made between 2003 and 2006, with reading and math scores in the city improving more than in statewide districts with similar income levels, and gaps between white and Hispanic and between white and black students narrowing by 14 and 13 percentage points, respectively.
"If it can be done in New York City, it can be done anywhere," Mr. Broad said in a statement praising Mr. Bloomberg's leadership. Mr. Broad has donated millions of dollars to the city's schools funding five different program areas, a Department of Education spokesman, David Cantor, said.
Critics of Mr. Bloomberg's changes in the school system greeted the honor with skepticism.
A parent who had been part of a group interviewed by Broad Prize officials about impressions of the city schools, David Quintana, said the decision seemed to ignore his comments, which were mostly complaints.
The city's public advocate, Betsy Gotbaum, said that recent reports in The New York Sun and the Daily News about the changing difficulty of state tests call the apparent gains into question.
"Here's the reality: New York City still maintains dismally low graduation rates, especially for black and Latino students, and the DOE has failed to engage parents," she said, referring to the Department of Education. "If we are no. 1 in terms of achievement, it's pretty sad news for the rest of the country."
[52 chambers street, new york, ny 10007]
New York Times: New York Schools Win Award for Improvement by Jennifer Medina...
New York Schools Win Award for Improvement - New York Times:
New York City’s public school system, the largest in the country, yesterday won the Broad Prize, given each year to an urban school district that has made great improvements in student achievement, particularly in closing gaps between white and minority students.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, who took control of the schools in 2002 and has made education a cornerstone of his time in office, accepted the award yesterday in Washington along with Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein.
The two were flanked by high-ranking officials from both parties, including Education Secretary Margaret Spellings and the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California. The prize is awarded each year by Eli Broad, a Los Angeles philanthropist and head of the Broad Foundation, which works to improve large school districts nationwide.
“I guess three times is the charm,” said Mayor Bloomberg, who had been striving for this prize since its inception in 2002. The city was a finalist the past two years.
After the ceremony, Mr. Klein said many cities saw New York as a model. “For so long in American education it has been stuck and stymied,” he said. “Under the mayor’s efforts, we’ve changed that.”
Although the prize will give the city a boost of attention, it is not quieting critics of the mayor and Mr. Klein. Before the award was announced, dozens of parents signed a letter to the foundation asking it not to give the prize to New York. The letter said that the administration was “scornful” about parents’ concerns.
Since 2000, the Broad Foundation has given nearly $15 million to the city’s schools to finance principal training programs, systems to track student data and other projects. It also gave the teachers’ union $1 million to start a charter school in Brooklyn.
Foundation officials noted that it did not pick the winner, relying instead on a panel of experts, including two former secretaries of education, Rod Paige and Richard W. Riley.
In choosing New York for the $500,000 prize, the panel noted that the city outperformed other large urban districts in the state on math and reading tests and showed greater improvement at all grade levels. Low-income, black and Latino students also showed more improvement than their peers in other cities in the state, the foundation said.
“The strong leadership by the mayor, the chancellor and a progressive teachers’ union has allowed a school system the size of New York City to dramatically improve student achievement in a relatively short period of time,” Mr. Broad said in a statement.
In a show of unity, the mayor and chancellor traveled with a large delegation, including Randi Weingarten, the president of the city teachers’ union, and Ernest A. Logan, the president of the principals’ union, who are often at odds with the mayor.
Representative George Miller, the California Democrat who leads the House education committee, praised the city for making changes in the schools quickly and being willing to “break a little china to get ahead.”
But back in New York City, David M. Quintana, a Queens parent who was consulted by officials judging the system, said he was “disappointed” that the city had received the award.
“They were asking how our voices were heard,” Mr. Quintana said, “and across the board we told them that the city didn’t listen to our views.”
And Betsy Gotbaum, the city’s public advocate, who has been a vocal critic of Mr. Klein, said the award ignored many problems. “If we are No. 1 in terms of achievement, it’s pretty sad news for the rest of the nation,” Ms. Gotbaum said in a statement.
Other finalists this year were Miami; Long Beach, Calif.; Bridgeport, Conn.; and San Antonio.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
LiveLeak.com - Sally Fields UNCENSORED Speech
LiveLeak.com - Sally Fields UNCENSORED Speech
Canadian broadcaster CTV did not censor Sally Fields...
Canadian broadcaster CTV did not censor Sally Fields...
NY1: City Recognized As Nation's Most Improved Urban School District by Michael Meehan...
NY1: Education
View video...
Mayor Michael Bloomberg was in Washington Tuesday morning to accept the Broad Prize for Urban Education, which recognizes New York City as the nation's most improved urban school district.
The annual prize is the largest education award in the country. It is given to the urban school district that demonstrates the greatest improvement in student achievement.
The city's school district was selected based on its overall performance, as well as gains in reducing achievement gaps between poor and minority students.
In his acceptance speech, Bloomberg said that mayoral control of this city's schools is getting really good results.
"Since 2002, our graduation rates have gone up some 20 percent and I think it's fair to say that when I came into office nobody thought that was possible,” said the mayor.
Schools Chancellor Joel Klein was also in D.C. to accept the prize. Klein told NY1 that the city still has lots of work to do to improve the schools. In his speech at the ceremony, with the heads of the teachers and principals unions at his side, Klein said there's agreement everyone must work together to improve the schools – even when there's disagreement about how to do that.
"It does take a city coming together,” said Klein. “And while it always hasn't been sweet and nice, laughter, we have pulled together; we have pulled together, for the kids of the City of New York."
Not every city official might agree with that. Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, a frequent Klein critic, said in a written statement about the city winning the prize: "If we are number one in terms of achievement, it's pretty sad news for the rest of the nation."
Klein responded by saying, "it's unfortunate anyone would denigrate the accomplishments of our students."
New York City was one of five finalists for the prize. The others are Bridgeport Public Schools, the Long Beach Unified School District, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio.
As the winner, the city's education department receives $500,000 in college scholarships for high school seniors. The runner-up districts will each receive $125,000.
The Broad Prize was named for billionaire California businessman and education advocate, Eli Broad.
[52 chambers street, ny ny 10007]
View video...
Mayor Michael Bloomberg was in Washington Tuesday morning to accept the Broad Prize for Urban Education, which recognizes New York City as the nation's most improved urban school district.
The annual prize is the largest education award in the country. It is given to the urban school district that demonstrates the greatest improvement in student achievement.
The city's school district was selected based on its overall performance, as well as gains in reducing achievement gaps between poor and minority students.
In his acceptance speech, Bloomberg said that mayoral control of this city's schools is getting really good results.
"Since 2002, our graduation rates have gone up some 20 percent and I think it's fair to say that when I came into office nobody thought that was possible,” said the mayor.
Schools Chancellor Joel Klein was also in D.C. to accept the prize. Klein told NY1 that the city still has lots of work to do to improve the schools. In his speech at the ceremony, with the heads of the teachers and principals unions at his side, Klein said there's agreement everyone must work together to improve the schools – even when there's disagreement about how to do that.
"It does take a city coming together,” said Klein. “And while it always hasn't been sweet and nice, laughter, we have pulled together; we have pulled together, for the kids of the City of New York."
Not every city official might agree with that. Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, a frequent Klein critic, said in a written statement about the city winning the prize: "If we are number one in terms of achievement, it's pretty sad news for the rest of the nation."
Klein responded by saying, "it's unfortunate anyone would denigrate the accomplishments of our students."
New York City was one of five finalists for the prize. The others are Bridgeport Public Schools, the Long Beach Unified School District, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio.
As the winner, the city's education department receives $500,000 in college scholarships for high school seniors. The runner-up districts will each receive $125,000.
The Broad Prize was named for billionaire California businessman and education advocate, Eli Broad.
[52 chambers street, ny ny 10007]
Spirits Alive! Maple Grove Cemetery Walking Tour - Richmond Hill Historical Society....
The Richmond Hill Historical Society presents it's fourth production of Spirits Alive! at Maple Grove Cemetery.
View Slide Shows of Past Spirits Alive!
2006 (PowerPoint Slide Show)
2005 (Web Page Slide Show)
2004 (Web Page Slide Show)
A history of Maple Grove Cemetary at "A Picture History of Kew Gardens" web-site...
Maple Grove Cemetery - News & Events Calendar...
Purchase a book "Images of America - Maple Grove Cemetery" here...
[richmond hill, ny 11418]
New York Times Blog: New York City Wins Broad Prize for Urban Education by Jennifer Medina...
In June, Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein, center, toured the EBC High School for Public Service in Bushwick with officials from the Broad Foundation. (Photo: Andrea Mohin/The New York Times)
New York City Wins Broad Prize for Urban Education - City Room - Metro - New York Times Blog:
New York City’s Department of Education, the largest public school system in the country, won this year’s Broad Prize for Urban Education, a $500,000 award given to an urban school district that has made the greatest improvements in student achievement.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, who has made education reform a cornerstone of his time in office, accepted the award today at a ceremony at the Library of Congress in Washington. The prize is awarded each year by Eli Broad, a Los Angeles philanthropist and founder of the Broad Foundation, which works to improve large school districts across the country.
“Today’s result demonstrates that New York City’s school reforms are raising achievement among our students, particularly minority students, to levels that weren’t considered possible just a few years ago,” Mayor Bloomberg said in a statement. “This award recognizes the hard work of the teachers, students and parents and acknowledges that we are heading in the right direction.”
The Broad Foundation has given millions of dollars in the last several years to the city’s school system to fund projects such as new charter schools, principal training programs and new systems to track student data.
The foundation cited the fact that New York City outperformed other large urban districts in the state on math and reading tests and showed greater improvement at all grade levels. Low-income, black and Latino students also showed more improvement than their peers, according to the foundation.
“If it can be done in New York City, it can be done anywhere,” Mr. Broad said. “The strong leadership by the mayor, the chancellor and a progressive teachers union has allowed a school system the size of New York City to dramatically improve student achievement in a relatively short period of time.”
But the prize will likely do little to quiet critics of the mayor and Chancellor Joel I. Klein. Just minutes after the prize was announced, Betsy Gotbaum, the public advocate, put out this statement:
Here’s the reality: New York City still maintains dismally low graduation rates, especially for black and Latino students, and the D.O.E. has failed to engage parents. If we are number one in terms of achievement, it’s pretty sad news for the rest of the nation.
New York City was a finalist for the prize in 2005 and 2006 and finally won this year. The city’s Department of Education will receive $500,000 in college scholarships. The four finalists this year — the Bridgeport Public Schools in Connecticut, the Long Beach Unified School District in California, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio — will each receive $125,000 in college scholarships.
[52 chambers street, ny ny 10007]
Parent Participant View on Broad Foundation Award to NYC DOE...
Statement:
As one of the four (4) parent participants in a focus group held at
This group of parents, handpicked by Martine Guerrier of the Department of Education (DOE), expressed uniform disappointment with the various changes put into place by DOE, the lack of transparency and accountability, and the lack of consideration given the views of parents about what their children really need to succeed.
Clearly the Broad Foundation did not take parents views into consideration when awarding this prize to NYC today.
I feel that the DOE is totally dismissive of parents views and makes short shrift of our concerns for our children (i.e. - class size reduction, cell phone ban, school bus fiasco, numerous reorganizations of the DOE, et al).
Thank you.
David M. Quintana
District 27 Presidents Council - Recording Secretary;
District 27 Representive to Chancellors Parents Advisory Council;
Queens Community Board 10 - Education Committee Member; and
Queens Borough President's Parents Advisory Council Member
[ozone park, ny 11417]
[52 chambers street, ny ny 10007]
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Forum South - Letter to the Editor - Re: 23rd AD District Leader Race...
September 11, 2007
Dear Editor;
I am writing to share an experience I recently witnessed at a local civic association meeting.
On August 29, I attended “Candidate's Night” at the Ozone Park Residents Block Association held at Nativity BVM church.
In past years I have gotten to meet, greet and question many of our local politicians at this event.
With this being an off-year politically with no major elections being held, only two candidates attended and participated. They were Jane Deacy and Eric Ulrich, the male and female candidates for Republican District 23 AD Leader.
Since District Leader is a local political position, I expected to hear their vision on how they would register new voters, man the polls during elections and how they planned to reinvigorate their party locally - amid an ever widening demographical shift, detrimental to the Republican party - in their district.
During their stump speeches, Ms. Deacy and Mr. Ulrich both spent the majority of their time lauding the Bush Administration, highlighting the great job that the national Republican party is doing and robotically voicing their unwavering support for President George W. Bush and his war in Iraq.
Mr. Ulrich also shared that he tries to model his life after his two role models, Ronald W. Reagan and Pope John Paul II.
I found their unceasing blind loyalty to President Bush and his failed policies to be delusional, quixotical and somewhat psychotic.
During the question and answer period, I was fortunate enough to be able to ask both candidates a few questions.
I confirmed that both candidates are completely and utterly committed to the present situation in Iraq and feel it's in our country's best interest.
I asked Mr. Ulrich his age, to which he responded with a glowing smile, “22.”
I then asked Mr. Ulrich that since he looked physically fit, why he hasn't enlisted to serve in Iraq, especially since it is evident that he is so fanatically supportive of President Bush's preemptive, illegal, immoral and criminal war.
I informed him that there was a military recruiting office in downtown Jamaica, I also offered to get an application for him.
Additionally, I informed him that our military recruiters have been hard-pressed to meet their quotas and that it would be a patriotic thing to do.
Mr. Ulrich responded in a Romney-esque manner, informing me that he was very happy that America has a volunteer military and that he didn't feel the need to volunteer to fight in this war right now.
For the record, Mitt Romney recently explained that his five military aged sons were serving their country by working on his presidential campaign, as if their service was commensurate with serving our nation in Iraq.
I think it would be accurate to say Mr. Ulrich felt that his services and talents could be put to better and safer use here in the neighborhood, rather than serving with our brave troops in Iraq. To his credit, this at least confirms Mr. Ulrich's sanity.
When I went home that evening, I got to thinking about Mr. Ulrich's response and attitude. I actually found it to be very consistent with the ethos exhibited by his party's present standard bearers, George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.
Remembering, that when it was their turn to serve their nation in the Viet-Nam war they chose to either through political connections to hide out in the Texas Air National Guard or sought numerous exemptions to the draft because they had “other priorities”.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I voiced my adamant opposition to this war prior to Mr. Bush committing troops in March 2003, including writing against the war in these very pages.
Being a registered Democrat, I have no horse in this local Republican race, but I felt it was important to bring this to the attention of the public.
I find it to be so illustrative of a wider prevailing attitude of the Republican party, particularly it's radical right-wing and how it is adversely affecting the morals and morale of our country. It's a -- Do as I say, Not as I do -- logic .
I long for the day when we again have people seeking public office who not only talk the talk but walk the walk. True leaders don't let others fight their countries battles for them.
Bring the Troops Home..!
Thank you.
Sincerely,
David M. Quintana
[ozone park, ny 11417]
Friday, September 14, 2007
Times Newsweekly: CANDIDATES’ NIGHT AT CIVIC
An exciting night at the Ozone Park Residents Block Association meeting...
CANDIDATES’ NIGHT AT CIVIC
Locals Prepare For Primary, Address Issues
story and photos by Ralph Mancini
Candidates’ Night at the Ozone Park Residents Block Association, held Wednesday, Aug. 29, saw two area hopefuls state their case as to why they should be elected to party posts in the 23rd Assembly District in the upcoming Republican primaries on Sept. 18.
Eric Ulrich and Jane Deacy—who have joined forces to run in tandem for the titles of male and female Republican district leaders—introduced themselves to Ozone Park residents at Nativity BVM’s Salvatore Conte III School Hall and touched on their goals of strengthening their political party on a local level.
Their Republican primary opponents, John Calcagnile and Denise Walsh, were not in attendance.
Looking to make a difference
While Deacy recognized the fact that the local political landscape is largely Democratic and has been for several years, she promised to take it upon herself to “rock the boat” and ensure that Republicans make their voices heard.
 |
| Republican State Committee candidates Jane Deacy (at left) and Eric Ulrich (at right) pose with Ozone Park Residents Block Association President Lucille Fostel following their respective presentations. |
“I was a cheerleader and this is a cheerleading position,” said the former police officer. “My job would be to go listen to the grassroots. I expect to go to different Republican clubs to hear what the issues are.”
Deacy highlighted supporting the troops and bringing additional services to the Rockaways as two of her goals upon entering office.
On the national front, Deacy told community members of her disenchantment with those opposing the war in Iraq and chastising President George W. Bush.
 |
| Community Board 10 member and local activist David M. Quintana (with beard) debates the candidates on their support of President George W. Bush. |
“Monday morning quarterbacking is a great thing when you have the rest of your life to look back on it,” she said, “but we need to stay behind this president.”
Deacy was challenged by Community Board 10 member and local activist David M. Quintana on her opinion of the war by stating that “blind support for this president is ignorance.”
Following a reminder to Quintana from OPRBA President Lucille Fostel to give the candidate a chance to speak, Deacy reiterated that she will continue supporting the troops and the president going forward regardless of his or her political affiliations and also added that the country’s lack of unity on the war sends a poor message to the rest of the world.
Reaching out to newcomers
Fellow candidate Eric Ulrich focused on the waning influence of the Republican Party in the 23rd Assembly District (which covers Ozone Park, Howard Beach, Broad Channel and the Rockaway Peninsula) and attributed the problem to an influx of diverse races and ethnicities which have replaced the old guard.
“I think what we’re witnessing are changing demographics in the area,” he explained. “Twenty years ago, we had predominantly Italian, German, Irish and some Jewish families. Now we have a lot of Guyanese ... we have a lot of Hispanic and Chinese families.
“Even in Rockaway Park, Ridgewood and Ozone Park, these neighborhoods are really changing in terms of what they look like. If the Republican Party can’t change with the times, then we’re going to be extinct like the dinosaurs.”
The Ozone Park native pledged that he would welcome all new residents to the community and encourage them to take part in the political process.
By getting people to vote, said Ulrich, citizens will be able to hold elected officials accountable for their actions.
In advocating family values and condemning abortion, the devout Catholic made no apologies for his beliefs. “Before I decided to get into politics, I was going to be a Catholic priest. [I’m] not looking to cop any votes; it’s about who I am and I’m proud of that.”
When asked by the Times Newsweekly to comment on why younger generations of voters appear to be turning away from the Republican Party, the 22-year-old offered that people in his age group are angry at the president and a war to which they don’t feel any connection.
“That’s why I’m trying to restore people’s faith in the Republican Party to show them that not all Republicans are evil,” he said. “You have good and bad in both parties. You vote for the person and not the party.”
Ulrich briefly addressed opponents John Calcagnile and Denise Walsh—both of whom declined Fostel’s invitation to attend the meeting—but refused to participate in any “mudslinging.”
Local gripes
After the presentations, the locals in attendance voiced their complaints over faulty catch basins.
Quintana made specific mention of one malfunctioning basin on the northeast corner of 94th Street and 103rd Avenue.
He informed Fostel that he has been unsuccessfully airing his grievances about the location for the past six months to the city’s 311 hotline.
Quintana added that mild rains are causing nearby drainage systems to well while bad storms are causing floods.
State Sen. Serphin Maltese’s representative, Mitchell Udowitch, suggested that he report the issue by describing the troubled area as a “seepage basin” in order to elicit a different response.
The Ozone Park Residents Block Association regularly meets on the last Wednesday of the month at Nativity BVM’s Salvatore Conte III School Hall on Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park.
[ozone park, ny 11417]
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