Posted on 11/12/2005 2:22:09 PM PST by freepatriot32
He wasn't able to get out to vote for himself, but lots of others did. And a prison inmate was elected to a school board Tuesday in southern California.
Randy Hale received 831 votes, earning one of three open seats on the Romoland School Board, even though he's behind bars. Hale violated his parole after being convicted of spousal abuse and drug possession.
He was returned to prison in September, and isn't due to be released until mid-February. His wife Penny says "this is wild." The district's superintendent says he's consulting lawyers to figure out how to handle the situation.
A political scientist at the University of California-Riverside says the fact that Hale's name was at the top of the ballot may have helped him get votes.
That applies more to things like park district or water district. For school district, our candidates write a quarter-page statement, so voters can get a feeling about at least some of the candidates.
Last year, for three seats, there were two teachers' union-supported incumbents and another union-supported flunkie who said the schools were great and they would keep the schools great, etc.; one candidate said the schools needed improvement according to the standard test scores (so don't vote for the status quo teachers' union people); and one candidate said he supported family values and the Boy Scouts.
The BSA supporter won, along with the two incumbents. Unfortunately, the BSA supporter seems to be the only boardmember who listens to parents while the other four boardmembers follow the liberal teachers' union ideas against the wishes of parents, so essentially there's been no change in board policies.
Why? It's not that bad to have an inmate in the board, since he won't be available to do any harm. Besides, the reason for a board (instead of a single administrator) is that other members are part of the decision process, too, unless they're all in jail. The recall process is available to the voters, too, just in case.
It's also possible that some voters disliked the other candidates and voted for someone they didn't know.
This past special election, the Unions spent around $150 million to defeat a few propositions. CA had 15,891,482 registered voters. That's $10/voter.
Great roll model. Politically correct and very admirable of a group of degenerates who think it is cute. Sick bastards.
Yes, but it costs you more than 5 yards.
If someone votes for someone they don't know they should proudly let everyone know, how smart they are.
It is no secrete that others have died to allow us the freedom to vote.
Elected officials have roll call votes, and they get their power from the people, the people should have roll call votes to set the example of accountability for those elected.
Secrete elections and black balling candidates are fine for social clubs and fraternities, but the bar should be higher for our form of self government.
I thought it was common nowadays.
A person in jail often does not have the right to vote, nor should he have the right to be elected. You give up your freedoms at that time.
Remember though, he didn't elect the guy, the voters did. I hope that the super can deal with the situation well. I wonder what the guy would do with truants.
I am glad that at least my small city elections are nonpartisan. I would hate for them to become political brouhahas over issues that have nothing to do with my city at all like it is in the bigger cities and counties around here. I am grateful to live in a city where most of the officials have at least some integrity. Politicians with integrity are becoming an endangered species in these parts.
"The names of every voter who voted for the inmate should be published, so they can proudly explain their wise choice."
The excuse will be that they didn't see or read the material about the guy. It's kind of like that woman a year ago who made a left turn and hit the bus I was riding on--"But, but, I didn't see the bus officer..."
He must be a "short timer"!
LoL!
Test scores don't always say everything about a school for me--too many factors to be the single source of it all.
We had some political agenda anti-education cantidates elected to our state school board. My local school board respresentative is a good one though. He is very involved in the community and a great person.
I just read an article from the newspaper back home where the superintendent meets with parents once a week at a local restaurant and people are free to ask any questions they want to. The idea has been well-received.
As a teacher, I've learned that it is impossible to satisfy EVERY one and that sometimes you are darned if you do and darned if you don't. Nonetheless, I still try to do the best I can. Those little smiles each day are what keep me going as well as the many excellent parents I come into contact with.
There was a guy named John F. Kennedy who had been a school janitor who was elected Treasurer of the Great Commonwealth in the 1960's, IIRC.
Yeah, I wonder whatever happened to him. He was good at plugging up the toilets and depositing crap in them.
This past special election, the Unions spent around $150 million to defeat a few propositions. CA had 15,891,482 registered voters. That's $10/voter.
Kudos to your math teacher:)
He must be a "short timer"!
I wonder if he supports "term" limits.
They should have restrooms for those who need to secrete a lot. Blackballing canditates is a common practice. It happens here all the time, even with members of the same party.
Wouldn't you if you walked just a mile in his shoes? ; )
A learning experience that makes for a well founded and healthy look on life.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.