>>
This is candidate free air time a chance for candidates to
present a straightforward up edited message to voters.-
This program features candidates from the Rochester city school
board.-
The Rochester city school board is a seven member board
overseeing operations of the Rochester school district.-
They each serve four-year terms the participating free air time
candidates are Craig Lefeber, Ivan Ramos, Ivonne Martinez,
Shirley J. Thompson, Glenny A. Williams, Willa Powell, Woodrow
Hammond, malik D. Evans, John Bliss, and David R. Atias.-
The order of the candidates' appearance was determined by
lottery.-
John Bliss is the independent party candidate currently directs
an after-school program.-
He is 44 years old.-
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>> I love this place.-
Those are the words carved that the back of the wooden paper
holder.-
A student gave it to me on the last day of school.-
She was crying because she would be leaving my class for ever.-
My name is John Bliss and I'm running for a position on the
Rochester city school board.-
I'm a husband, father, homeowner and former city school teacher
that refuses to accept things as they are.-
I have seen too many families move out of the city because
their children have reached middle school agement I see too
many city children waiting for buses that will take them to
private schools.-
I have spoken with too many parents that gave up on supporting
the school system that steps on your dignity.-
And I hear too few students use the words "I love this
place."-
When they talk about their school.-
Most students succeed or fail in school because they choose
to.-
We can either inspire them or bore them.-
Should they work hard?-
Of course they should.-
Is discipline important?-
It is essential.-
But kids bring many other problems with tell before they walk
in the door.-
I know they do.-
We cannot look at children only as numbers.-
There's time for all the families in Rochester regardless of
political affiliation to say enough is enough.-
It has never been so important.-
It is is our city and the schools are our schools.-
It is time to take them back.-
I love this place.-
That is what kids should say about the school.-
My name is John Bliss, and I'm running for city school board.-
You can find out more by going to electjohnbliss.com.-
Thank you.-
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>> Craig Lefeber is a Republican independent and citizens
for
change party candidate a financial consultant and is 34 years
old.-
-
>> May name is Craig Lefeber I'm a candidate for city
school
board.-
I'm fortunate enough to be ebb doorsed by the citizens for
change, Republican and independent party.-
I received my bachelor from U. of R. and wind to Indiana
University and got a Ms. masters in public affairs.-
Moved to the West Coast am I was a municipal bond analyst.-
Returned to western New York two years ago and currently a
financial consultant.-
Concerning this election and why you should vote for me and
others on my line.-
Listen to the spot of each candidate and I think you will hear
many common themes all is for balanced budget.-
Students before politics and accountability are examples.-
These similarities how does a voter decide?-
Important for you to focus on one thing.-
Democrats had over 20 years to implement these ideas.-
That's as long as they crod the school board.-
Our Opponents wish the best for kids but it has been the same
ideas and party 20 years and they have not gotten the job
done.-
The city and schools are in poor shape.-
Property values are dropping and young families are fleeing.-
A change this leadership can't wait.-
I know it is hard, but you are not alone this walking T.
walking the treats, knocking on doors, people are ready for
a
change.-
Especially considering events in the last few years I feel you
owe it to yourself and kids to consider other alternatives.-
Fortunately the alternatives are good.-
If you look at the lines I'm on you will find candidates with
strong financial backgrounds and close ties to our community.-
Candidates worthy of a shot in what the Democrats have failed
to do.-
I thank WXXI for this opportunity and thank you for listening.-
Remember, you are the only opportunity you have to voice your
opinion on the direction of our schools.-
Change is hard but it is needed.-
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>> Malik D. Evans is a democratic party candidate.-
He is a manager at M. and T. bank corporation, 23 years old.-
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>> Hello I'm malik D. Evans I'm a candidate for the Rochester
city school board.-
I believe that we must have strong schools in order for our
city to be a place where people want to live, work and raise
a
family.-
This is why I'm running for the Rochester city school board.-
I want to ensure that all students have access to the same
opportunities that I had.-
Education opens the doors of opportunity and is the great
equalizer.-
I call my platform the K.F.C., kids, finances and community.-
We must give back to the business of putting kids first,
working to ensure they have the necessary tools to meet the
demand of the 21st century.-
The finances of the district must be monitored to ensure that
the resources are present to carry out the basic functions of
education.-
Lastly, the community must be brought that the schools to play
key role in guiding the district.-
Feel free to visit my site at www.malekevans.org.-
I hope that I can earn your vote on Tuesday November 4.-
It is time to give back to the business of putting children
first.-
-
>> Ivonne Martinez eve is the Republican and citizens
for
change party candidate, a service coordinator for life pan and
is 32 years old.-
-
>> Hello ladies and gentlemen.-
My name is Ivonne Martinez and I'm running for Rochester city
school board.-
I feel that a 30% graduation rate is not acceptable to this
community.-
I'm dedicated to seeing that each and every student in our
district receives a good education and finish high school.-
While receiving that education I want to have a safe
environment for each of our students to learn and grow.-
I want to work with parents and the community as a whole to
keep me accountable to this community.-
These are to remind you to vote for Ivonne Martinez for
Rochester city school board.-
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[speaking in Spanish]-
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>> Willa Powell is a democratic party candidate a contract
programmer and appointee to the school board, 41 years old.-
-
>> Hello.-
I'm Willa Powell and I'm one of four democratic party
candidates for Rochester city school board.-
I served on the board once before in 1998 to 2001.-
In the time I have been off the board I have come to see how
important it is for the board to have the kind of leadership
that I offer.-
For instance, I did the research that convinced the school
board and the district administration that state funding was
available to pay for full day kindergarten at all of our
schools.-
I also chaired the committee that developed the parent
preference manage replacement party by turning insight into
action over the next four years I would like to implement that
system which will allow the schools it operate more
efficiently, increase parent satisfaction and participation,
and respond to the competition of charter around private
schools in ways that will ultimately increase academic
achievement.-
The school board is going to be challenged mightily in the
upcoming years.-
Funding will be difficult.-
The state will threaten to cult the funding that allows us to
provide programs like universal prek and full day
kindergarten.-
We must have a pa board willing to take a stance and make its
case.-
Finally, the board needs to keep its priorities straight.-
It cannot allow itself to quarrel over matters that have
nothing to do with improving the quality of Rochester's
education.-
I intend to put our children first in all matters that come
before the board.-
Please cast your four votes for me and the other three
democratic party candidates for school board on November 4.-
Thank you.-
-
>> Shirley J. Thompson is a democratic party candidate.-
The uncum bent for the Rochester city district and is 52 years
old.-
-
>> Hi, I'm Shirley J. Thompson.-
I'm running for re-election to the Rochester city school
district board of zwreags and I have some good news and bad
news for you.-
The bad news is that we are not the school district we are
capable of being.-
Too many children start contingent fwarn unprepared, lose
ground over the years, then drop out long before graduation.-
Our black and Latino students are especially struggling.-
Too many of our staff feel undersupported and overwhelmed.-
Two few -- too few parents are helping children to succeed.-
Too many of them feel disconnected from the district.-
Too little money means that every year we have to reduce or
eliminate valuable programs and staff that are vital to student
success.-
In the name of accountability, too many people spend too much
time playing the blame game.-
The good news is that we know more about what works and we are
applying that knowledge in every building, every classroom,
and
in the community.-
Through prekindergarten programs, through extra support for
students, family and staff and building partnerships across
our
community.-
We are working hard to bring more money into our district even
as we continue putting our financial health in better order.-
We are being more accountable by making sure everyone is clear
about what they are responsible for, the board, the
superintendent, staff and community, and seeing to it that the
people have the tools to do their job.-
The good news is that despite all of our challenges our
community has solutions.-
I have been an active part of the solutions for nearly four
years and I'm asking for your support to continue finding
solutions, to continue making good news.-
I'm asking that on November 4 you vote for me, Shirley J.
Thompson for the school board.-
Thank you.-
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>> Woodrow Hammond is an independent party candidate.-
He is an independent educational consultant and is 56.-
-
>> From the beginning of my career with the Rochester
city
school district in 1969 to my retirement in August of 2002,
I
have always continued to have educational of all children at
the core of my mission.-
I have superior qualifications.-
Nationally board certified grant writers who wrote grants up
to
$50 million annually developed budgets for submission and
approval of up to $90 million annually.-
Developed and implemented improvement and planning process,
designed and implemented a district after-school program,
opened districtwide centers in 1992.-
Designed and implemented a district summer enrichment program
for elementary schools.-
Grants for Wilson magnet high and grant for international
middle school programs for James Madison school of excellence.-
During my years I was fortunate to be responsible for the
following.-
Director of the title one program, director of the office of
branch development, director of the office of parent and
community development.-
Director of magnet school program, state and federal, I also
served as the co-chair of academic enter investigation services
committee, New York state title one committee of practitioners
and president of the Ralph Bunche scholarship committee.-
I'm now a volunteer in one of the districts elementary
schools.-
As an independent educational consultant also.-
Remember, on Tuesday November 4, vote for Woodrow Hammond
independent party candidate, row c, lever 12 b.-
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>> Glenny A. Williams is a working party family candidate,
54
years old.-
-
>> Hello, my name is Glenny A. Williams.-
I'm the working family's party candidate for school board.-
Today I'm requesting that you push down lever 10 e for me on
November 4.-
Why this because four years ago the politically correct school
board team promised to improve student achievement.-
Yet our student scores remain near the bottom.-
The so-called school board team promised to to a better job
around the budget.-
Yet there's been budget crisis after budget crisis.-
The so-called school board team promised to stop infighting,
yet they had a long public fight over the presidency.-
The so-called school board team promised to increase parental
involvement.-
Yet they ended most of the processes that parents had to engage
the school board.-
And eliminated the parent negotiator, a position that had given
parents the only input into the budget process.-
Three years ago I found out that lead poisoning was destroying
many children's opportunities to succeed in school.-
I began working with a group of civic leaders and we helped
to
cause over $7 million to be allocated to the goal of ending
childhood lead pining by 2010.-
I offer you a choice November 4 between more politically
correct promises and a commitment to begin improving student
achievement now.-
Please go over to column 10, down to row e and push the lever
down for me, Glenny A. Williams.-
Thank you.-
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>> David R. Atias is a green and working family parties
candidate, an adjunct faculty member at ntid and is 37 years
old.-
-
>> My name is David R. Atias and I'm running for city
school
board on the green party and working family party line.-
I'm Rochester native, graduated from Franklin high this 1984.-
I work with children for 14 years, 11 as an educator.-
I'm running for school board because as an educator I'm
frustrated at what is being forced to happen in our
classrooms.-
Every idea I have to improve the district will have a positive
impact upon learning in the classroom.-
I will work with my fellow board members and the community to
make our schools places where our children's creativity and
curiosity are fostered.-
Community involvement is key to any improvement in school.-
I propose the following to increase community specially parent
involvement.-
First, the school board must hold at least one meeting a week
in the community.-
General or committee meeting.-
The schedule of meetings should be widely publicized.-
Second, the district should provide resources necessary to make
each school parent friendly.-
In addition to this, I propose a districtwide alumni
association.-
It will be independently run by graduates of the Rochester city
school district and would exist to support efforts to supply
all schools to I will prove education.-
The backbone of improved learning is I will -- elimination of
high stakes testing.-
Our children shouldn't be defined by test scores.-
The no child left behind has institutional liesed child abuse
and we should work to get Albany and Washington out of
classrooms and stop extorting us with our own tax dollars.-
Once we minimize standard iced testing teachers can do what
they have been trained to do, teach them to read, write and
think in the manner that children learn.-
I have ran extensive platform designed to make the schools
safe, healthy and environmentally friend limplet I encourage
you to read it at after seeing my platform you will know my
vision is the most comprehensive plan Rochester has.-
Thank you.-
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>> Ivan Ramos is a Republican, independent and conservative
party candidate currently a real estate broker and is 44 years
old.-
-
>> My name Ivan Ramos.-
I am a candidate for the city school board.-
Why should you consider me?-
Last year whale budgets were overspent and students who were
bringing weapons to school were not properly suspended the
current school board was busy arguing about who should be its
president.-
Are those your priorities?-
Rochester's public schools are spending over a half billion
dollars a year and yet families seek alternatives, accept
second best or move away.-
Have you stopped to think how the quality of Rochester schools
impacts the value of your home?-
It does.-
Add in a big way.-
Unanimity is defined by some as doing the same thing repeatedly
while expecting different results.-
Yet each time we elect board with no checks and balances we
need to consider a major change in attitude if our schools will
ever imparagraph.-
My goals are simple.-
One, smaller classes mean better learning, better teaching.-
Two, the chronically misbehaved shouldn'ting tolerated.-
Teachers should be respected as professionals while being
accountable.-
Four, the teacher bureaucrats who populate central office with
bloated salaries should be sent back to the classroom.-
Favor, parent involvement, yes.-
But parents must take greater responsibility for their kids'
education.-
Lastly, there's no room for the political posturing and
politics as usual in the current board.-
Our kids deserved a our city deserve much better.-
I'm a parent in the city.-
I graduated from the city schools.-
I live and work in the city and I expect great things from our
students and school.-
That is my vision.-
Make it yours on election day when you cast your vote for Ivan
Ramos.-
Now go to Ivanforeducation.org.-
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>> For the undecided voter and there are many of them
that
could sway the outcome of this election, what is the one most
critical thing voters understand about you and your platform?-
That sets you apart from your opponent.-
The one thing that you want them to take in with them to the
polling place as they get ready to vote?-
-
>> It would look at me as a person who has a record of
progressive experience in all of my 31 years in this community
it has been in the area of public service.-
They will see a person who has worked against tremendous odds,
working with people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds,
working with people from different political backgrounds.-
Look at my record at the urban league of Rochester where we
worked with a county administration that was Republican, a city
administration that was Democrat.-
I was able to work with both the chief elected officials.-
We worked with the rich and poor.-
We served the interests of the poor.-
We have taken a city and brought people together who were alien
United Statesed from government -- alienated and got them
involved and reached beyond the boundaries of Monroe county
to
bring resources into the county.-
We worked with a governor and a state legislature which is a
Bipartisan group to bring millions of dollars national
community.-
I'm talking about a record.-
I'm not talking about a promise.-
I'm talking about performance.-
I'm not talking about a promise.-
I'm talking about what has been done.-
Against tremendous odds.-
And I just say this to the voters who are undecided.-
You need to weigh.-
Is this a situation that calls for on-the-job training or will
they put their faith in the hands of someone who has
demonstrated their record.-
-
>> I'm hoping that the undecided voters do examine the
record
because I think I have a clear advantage when they do that.-
I have worked since 1997 as the Monroe county clerk.-
I have operated a 54 million dollar business.-
Each year we returned a record surplus to the county's general
fund and that is the fund that is used to maintain the
commitment to hold property taxes stable.-
It is the fund that is used to finance areas of county
government that may not otherwise be financed if we didn't have
toes surplus dollars.-
People have had a Unique opportunity to watch me at work very
publicly since 1977 when I joined the media here in Rochester.-
So they know what I'm about.-
They know what my work ethic is and they know that I can get
the job done and have gotten the job done in every avenue that
I have pursued as career.-
I have taken the most bureaucratic branch of county government
and made it work and people appreciate that and know that I
have done it because I have been innovative, able to think out
of the works I have worked very much in the bipartisan way with
different levels of government.-
So I have that ability to bring people to the table to move
us
forward as a community.-
We desperately need change and I think when undecided voters
look at the record they will see that I'm the candidate who
can
facilitate that change in our community at this time.-
-
>> We will now allow each candidate a minute for closing
remarks.-
Mr. Johnson will go first.-
-
>> I think that this debate has done very, been very powerful
and positive.-
I think it demonstrated clearly the different approaches that
each of us would take.-
What we did not get to is beyond the rhetoric from Mrs. brooks
in providing specific responses.-
I think we "Need to Know" if she is not going to raise
taxes,
she is not going to cut services, then how is she going to
close a $50 million gap?-
This is not -- this is voodoo economics at its height.-
This is strange business and I think the voters can't allow
themselves to be durped like they were in the 2002
gubernatorial campaign when neither candidate discussed the
real problems that faced New York.-
And now here we are stuck with a $12 billion deficit.-
Look at the record and decide whose hands you want to place
the
fate of this county in.-
-
>> This campaign is about leadership and about change.-
We have mentioned that many times.-
I represent the individual who can bring everybody to the table
and facilitate change.-
What you have seen in this community in the past few days,
Democrats fighting Republicans, the mayor fighting the county
executive, competing news conferences, politics as usual has
got to change.-
It is absolutely crazy.-
We can in the move forward as a community without change.-
I have clearly talked about my platform, economic development,
creating jobs, stream lining government.-
Rochester business alliance has endorsed my economic
development and jobs creation plan.-
The greater Rochester association of realtors has endorsed my
plan for stable property taxes.-
Clearly I am the candidate for change and I am the leader that
we need at this time in our county's history.-
I hope the voters will agree on November 4.-
-
>> Thafpk you very much.-
Our county executive debate is complete.-
Now it is up to you as employers to have a say in which of
these two people will be hired.-
To hear more candidate members tune into W.X. ext I. TV 21 or
cable channel 11 Sunday October 26 at 12:30 p.m.-
We will profile the races for Monroe county executive, Monroe
family court judge, district attorney, and Rochester city court
judge.-
Supervisor and Penfield supervisor and tune into W.X.XI.A.M.
1370 October 23 as free air time spots will be aired during
morning edition at 9:28 and repeated in all things considered.-
For a transcript of this program you can visit
www.wxxi.org/fat.-
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