Topics relative to the week of April 15, 2001

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2001

Answers

After a sleepless night, I have put together the candidates' web site. I happen to think it looks cool but do not take my word for it. It is posted at http://onteora.net/unapproved for now. Once I get the go ahead from Carol and Jim, I will replace the "coming soon" page with the presently unapproved pages. The only feature that is still unimplemented is the "Ask the Candidates" form (which I hope will be complete later tonight). I figured I would put up what I have done for your perusal and scrutiny. Keep an eye out for misspellings, bugs, etc. Any comments regarding the design or content are welcome. If you have information that you would like posted, please send me an email message.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2001

Looks nice, haven't had time to do a more thorough look at this very moment!

Just to note when making a link to pages like this, do without the slash after the "unapproved," as it made the rest of the link live, which I was able to go in and fix.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2001

I think the disclaimer should be more prominent...How about putting it first... Then keeping it small (but not THAT small) on each additional page.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2001

Carol: Thank you for fixing the link.
Tobe: Concerning the disclaimer, I do not think it needs to be more prominent. My understanding is that it just needs to exist and be reasonable legible for us to be legally protected (sort of like "Batteries not included" at the bottom of toy advertisements). We should really ask someone who knows (maybe Marino). I want to make sure we are doing what is necessary to protect ourselves, but at the same time, I am hesitant to have a disclaimer invade my design.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2001

It's an OK size, and stands out by virtue of being black after the red.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2001

OK by my if it's Ok with Carol.

Tobe

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2001

Erik, Carol, Ted, et al.: standing ovation!!!!

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2001

I'm back from being away...visiting my son in Philadelphia. I'm so impressed with your site, Erik! It's fabulous!! I agree about the disclaimer. If anyone is scrutinizing it they have to be a jerk to miss it. Hope all had an enjoyable holiday.

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2001

Make it so! Let's get that great-looking website active.

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2001

Eric,

It looks great!! Let's get it up and going.

The signs are due in this week and the brochures by Friday if all goes well. The postcards have not yet been ordered but I will see that it gets done soon. I will be out of town (working) from Tuesday pm until Thursday am. If urgently needed I can be reached at 917-951-6863 and you can leave a message.

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2001

BOE meeting at Phoenicia school this Wednesday...7PM

Some items of interest: Budget needs to be passed ...no objections to the one that was presented, as far as we know...but they will probably try to get the transportation budget down...fireworks? Maybe!

Randy Collins asking for a year's leave of absence...any other out there itching to get awy from the current hostile climate?

Marty Millman sking for a referendum on the mascot issue to be placed on the same vote as the June building proposition. Bad idea... Bennett parents in particular should be enraged that they would bring out this divisive issue and muddle the building vote with it...Is it a way of sabotaging the building project to "save taxpayers' money??" Also, with no education ever done in the district around this issue(no real education, just expressions of feelings and political rhetoric...)it's a sham to have this kind of vote. It's meant to "insulate" the board from taking meaningful leadership...allowing them to say, the public weants it, who are we to disagree! Phony stuff.

We need to think carefully about this, use measured tones before the elction...

Our slides are up at Tinker St...got cheers when we were there.

I am also eagerly awaiting the web site (Yay Erik, etc.)...even if the candidate's corner isn't ready yet...let's get it up, so I can alert people and press.

Ballot placement (decided by a random drawing...) Line 1: Chris Johannsen Line 2: Meg Line 3: Tom Line 4: Michael Goodman Line 5: Freddie

No kathy hochman this year.

-- Anonymous, April 17, 2001

alert: At Wednesday's BOE meeting Millman is proposing the following: "RESOLVED: that the Onteora Indian remain the title of all school sports teams, and all other student athletic activities." This would be a referendum item to be on the school board vote and budget vote ballot on May 15. An attempt to rally the pro-mascot forces and affect the ballot...think hard about how to counter this bald attempt to sow dissension.

-- Anonymous, April 17, 2001

The site has been launched! Tell your friends (and your enemies) to visit http://onteora.net/.

Question to the candidates will be sent to sosocs@yahoo.com. Meg and Tom, please check your folders regularly.

I moved the old site (calendar and all) to http://onteora.net/sos/. This helps to keep my server organized. There are no links from the public pages to this so it is still semi-private. If this is a major problem, I can move it back.

Keep the content flowing; I will post new material as soon as possible.

-- Anonymous, April 17, 2001

I'll bite my tongue in public and won't say that I think our next ad should read:

"Take that advice and shove it up your ass." Signed, Board Majority Tobe

Anyone for ridicule as an election strategy?

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2001

here's a press release i'd like to send out...please let me know of any comments, criticisms, etc. before long, so i can get it out in a timely manner. Tobe

S.O.S. Support Onteora Schools www.onteora.net sosocs@yahoo.com

Immediate Release April 18, 2001

S.O.S. Support Onteora Schools announces the availability of its web site on the internet at www.onteora.net. The web site features biographical materials and statements by candidates for the Onteora Board of Education, Meg Carey and Tom Rosato.

The site also features an "Ask the Candidates" section, where questions can be posed to either or both candidates. Answers will be posted online.

Additional sections will highlight a recent history of the Board of Education and a recap of promotional materials from our FOCUS on EDUCATION series carried in the local press.

We invite all voters in the Onteora District to visit our web site at www.onteora.net for relevant information on issues and candidates to help them decide how to cast their vote on election day, May 15th.

-30-

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2001

Tobe,

I'm not sure if the history of the the Onteora board is the document you had at the last meeting. If so, I would like the opportunity to look it over once more before it is submitted to the SOS site. I felt it was strongly editorialized and may need some adjusting. So let's wait until we have a consensus at tghe next meeting before publicizing that aspect of the site.

NEXT SOS MEETING Saturday at Judy's Kitchen, 10am

Erik - Again, great work and fast too. (and cheap!) You know there is an old joke in the labor movement for hourly workers, we work good, fast or cheap, pick two.

Somehow you managed all three. Thanks again.

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2001

THE SIGNS ARE IN!! THE SIGNS ARE IN!! THE SIGNS ARE IN!!

They look great!!!! Special Thanks to Ted for a great design and great patience for all of us with 2 cents. Thanks Ted!!!

Call Jim at 657-2099 to pick up a bundle and distribute.

We now have 500 signs that needed to go up yesterday!! Please help today!! Call your friends and neighbors especially on Rt. 28 or busy intersections!!

Remember, no signs on telephone poles or on state or NYC reservoir property. They will be picked up by the authorities and destroyed. Please use your signs wisely. Thanks.

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2001

Jim: yes editorializing...that's what this site is for...unless you can write a history without any opinions...hard to do...go for it... Tobe

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2001

No, the site is to present our candidate's point of view and win the support of the ever-so-critical middle of the road voter. The site is to win votes, not have a debate.

Until they both agree on the substance of the material, I would wait until we can all discuss it on Saturday or they chime in here. I just want time to edit it a bit. Nothing drastic, just adjust the tone. I feel it is important that we take the high road and demonstrate our resolve to stay focused on education.

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2001

I thought it was time for me to "Chime In" regarding the link to the past history of the Board; I think we need to be very careful here. First verification of facts will be labor intensive and time consuming. Second I don't believe we will get much mileage out of such a page. I don't want to muddy the waters with too much or give anyone any ammunition to use against us. Reference to past board activities or lack there of can be made when we answer the questions posed to us on the Q&A page. I think that the Q&A page will attract more participants and/or lurkers and it is here that we can set the tone and temperament by how we deliver our answers.

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2001

Arthur Kahn called me this am to enlist my support to file a complaint with Comissioner Mills to block the mascot referendum. I said yes, of course. Arthur said he'd come to our meeting on sat, and maybe bring news about the FP order of protection.......

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2001

Tom: Sounds fine to me..let's drop the history idea. Hope we get some questions soon, so we can supply answers...

Everyone should be reminded that Tom and Meg will be on Ruth Simpson's Channel 3 show in Woodstock tomorrow night (Friday) at 7PM... Tune in, call with good questions. etc. 679-7777.

Tobe

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2001

I received a response to the "Ask a Question" form from Deborah Osherow who asked: "Dear Tom, where here may I send donations for your campaign?"

If only all questions were this easy.

Tom, I sorted the message to your box, please login and respond.

This question brings up a good point; nowhere on our site does this information exist. I could create a page if someone sends me the information (to whom should checks be made out, where should they be sent, not tax deductible, etc.).

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2001

This is the letter i am circulating to my email list.. USE THE POWER OF EMAIL, don't discount it.. its a powerful tool. lets use it.. her ei the body of my letter... These are the candidates I am endorsing.. Focus on Education: Elect Meg Carey & Tom Rosato please take the moment to read this , and please tell your friends and your neighbors, and anyone else in the ONTEORA VOTING DISTRICT, that we have a dysfunctional board,. and WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.. let us put in a board that concentrates on issues of education, and not petty acts of vindictiveness.

We cannot change the world, and cannot complain about it.. if we do not take care of what is in our own backyards.. lets use the power of email to do more than pass around jokes, coupons and petitons that are unusable.. LET'S SHOW THIS COMMUNITY and the present board... that this behavior is unacceptable... the exponential growth of email lists are amazing.. lets use it NOW.. valerie Focus on Education: Elect Meg Carey & Tom Rosato

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

With the signs, let's think about the pass-along value. Who can we get to display them that will automatically have their credibility or contacts enhance their value? Can we get Dan Leader to put them up at Bread Alone, for example?

I'll call School of the New Moon, where my kids went to pre-school, see if Chris would be willing to put one up at the end of her driveway. There are other pre-schools where we have parents who may not be aware of the public-school politics yet. Do some of the rest of you have pre-school or private school ties in the area that can be utilized? Ask them to do the right thing as citizens, for the sake of the kids in the public school system. Same with any home-schooling networkers you know.

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

Who is Arthur Kahn?

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

Arthur Kahn is the attorney for the Town of Woodstock, and a parent with children in the Woodstock school. Tobe

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

Just returned froma terrific cable show that Meg and Tom did with Ruth Simpson on Channel 3 in Woodstock, Excellent, articulate presentations....positive, upbeat knowledgable answers and effective attitudes...Hit all the notes just right...They'll return for another show on the last Friday before election day.

Bravo to them both! Everyone would be most proud. Tobe

PS I taped it and we hope top get it replayed on Woodstock and played on Olive cable.

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

I've placed a letter in the "letters" section here, will send it tonight at 9 to the Woodstock Times and the Ulster Townsman if no-one has any objections or corrections. Those who are writing letters to those papers (all of you, I hope) should note that the Woodstock Times is now pleading for 300 words maximum, and the Townsman may have changed their contact information. Get the letters in much earlier than the stated deadlines, as this time of year they may fill up their allotted space quickly.

I read Pat D'Errico's letter in the Woodstock Times, why is it that now every time I hear someone from CARE using the word "screws" I flinch?

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001

here are two "calling scripts". Plase send me additions, corrections, changes, etc... Thanks, Tobe PS I need to distribute the final scripts before the mid week mark...

2001 School election calling script #1…this is to gauge who our supporters are from the lists that we have.

Hi, I'm _______________, a voter in the Onteora School District. I'm calling to see if you are considering supporting Meg Carey and Tom Rosato for election to the Board of education in May?

If yes: Remind them that the vote is 2-9 PM , May 15th at local elementary schools.

If they want to help, ask them to please call ALL their friends and remind them to vote for Meg and Tom. If they want to help more, we need donations. Any donations can be made out to Meg Carey or Tom Rosato and sent to: PO Box 194 Glenford, NY 12433.

If they would like to help in doing poll watching on election day for two hours or so, please call Morty Schiff at: 657-5758.

If no: Thank them for their time and say good bye. There is no need to debate issues unless you feel there is a real chance that their mind can be changed with facts. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

2001 School election calling script # 2…this is to urge our supporters to get out and vote.

Hi, I'm _______________, a voter in the Onteora School District, urging you to vote on May 15th in the Board of Education election. Please vote for Meg Carey and Tom Rosato. Polls are open 2-9 PM at the elementary schools.

Meg is running for re-election for a three-year term. Tom has been an appointed member and is now seeking a three-year term.

People vote in the district school that is located in the township where they reside. For instance, since Glenford is in the township of Hurley, residents vote at the West Hurley School, even though students living in Glenford, attend the Woodstock School.

Restore civility and respect to the Onteora Board. Vote for Meg Carey and Tom Rosato.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001

Arthur Kahn is now a member of the bbs.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001

It was wonderful to see so many people at the meeting yesterday. People are putting in many hours to accomplish our goals. Let's make sure we are sensitive to this when we work as a group. In the next few weeks it will be critical to jump in and take the initiative (sp?) to call around and ask for things to do. There is a wide range of choices to pick from! Ted's work on brochures & signs is terrific.

Barbara Shapiro could not come to the meeting Sat but asked for things to do...Morty..I will give her my call list and direct her to the script and also unload a few signs. Please contact me or email me another list for me to call (town of Olive).

Adds--i like the idea of the fact/fiction/myth/whatever. Or how about something clever about litigation costing us mucho bucks and not getting us anywhere. I would like to stay away from caustic tones. I think there is a way to get the point across without making people flinch.

I challenge everyone to ask 5 of thier friends for money to help support this effort. I would be willing to go pick up this money if need be...if you are close to any teachers, even if they are not living in the district...ask them..they have to spend every working day under this present rule! This way they can help and remain anon. Have a great weekend all...to unload money call 657-6315!

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2001