It looks more likely every day Mayor Joe Ganim will fill a school board vacancy because the Board of Education did not act within 30 days of Republican Kevin McSpirit’s resignation. In a letter to Ganim, OIB reader Joseph Sokolovic implores the mayor to select someone who “is not a politician.”
Mr. Mayor good day.
My name is Joseph Sokolovic. I am writing you today in regards to the next appointment you are about to make to the BBOE. On Nov, 1 2016 I appeared before the board for the second time to interview for an open seat on the board. At least this time I got to make my case to the board. It is doubtful however, that the board will come together in time to choose a replacement on their own. The ball, so to speak is once again in your court.
I implore you to consider somebody who, unlike your last two appointees,
1. Has applied for the position through proper channels.
2. Is not a politician.
3. Has attended enough meetings prior to the appointment to be ready to vote on the issues rather than playing catch-up and abstaining.
4. Is not a politician.
5. Is able to attend regular meetings rather than regular boycotts.
6. Is not a politician.
7. Willing to attend committee meetings.
8. Is not a politician.
9. Will understand Robert’s Rules of Order enough to intelligently be able to debate and bring a motion.
10. Is not a politician.
I would like to have an opportunity to at the very least to interview for this position before any appointment is made.
Thank you.
Joseph Sokolovic
If Ganim wishes to avoid the appearance of the three C’s–Conspiracy, Collusion and Corruption = Abuse of Power,
Ganim would appoint non-political INTERIM appointees until the positions could be filled in the correct, proper and ethical manner. Otherwise it would be yet another indicator of other agendas in the works. After all, the Chief of Police is an interim position, correct?
Definition of a “politician,” please?
LIAR.
Haha.
If it looks like a politician;
If it feels like a politician;
If it smells like a politician;
It’s a politician, Bob.
So are you a politician, Bob? Maybe that can better answer my question.
You get an “F” from Father Cafarelli on this one.
Of course I’m a politician.
I served 17 years on the City Council; an elected position.
I served somewhere between 10 – 15 years on the Democratic Town Committee.
I was appointed to various boards and commissions in the city of Bridgeport.
I would like to think I served honestly and forthrightly in these various positions but that does not allow me to call myself something other than a politician.
You’re also a Troll.
Well then you were taught well by Fr. Cafarelli in “Problems of Democracy (POD) NDHS (of Bridgeport)!
You kill me, Lennie.
Just this week a powerful and affluent individual asked me if I would describe myself as a politician. I answered that although I was not a politician in 2009 I would consider myself a politician today.
He said you’re not a politician. I looked at him puzzled. He then stated politicians are liars and you don’t lie, therefore you’re not a politician.
I found his perspective interesting.
Politician–a former Democrat city councilman who served on Joe Ganim’s Transition team who changed party affiliations less than five months ago who puts in a hand-written resume at the last minute for a board seat to which if appointed he would likely boycott. Someone who only shows up for board meetings on interview day. Someone who cuts a deal for favors.
I wonder what a politician would promise the mayor for the seat?
All wrong. Not a bit of truth other than I switched parties and I served on the council and the education committee of the transition team, all of which makes me more qualified. You would do nothing but make the board even more acrimonious. You seem to like to infer things and spin things. Why don’t you come plain out and be open about what you are accusing me of?
You shouldn’t shoot off your mouth like that.
So you would not support the boycott?
You are not on the mayor’s short list?
Do you find your response to Sokolovic to be acrimonious?
You did not submit a handwritten resume?
What education professionals have you met extensively with in the last year?
You have been to board of ed meetings in the last year?
I would attend meetings and would see how it goes before supporting a boycott. Like I said in the interview, I would keep an open mind.
Not on a mayor’s short list. I haven’t met with him since the elections.
I handed the board a typed resume. It has a lot of substance.
I’ve not been to board meetings but watched them on TV, have met extensively with Bridgeport educational professionals in the past year, have read and cut out all the education articles the past two years.
Thank you for answering my questions, sir. But your first answer leaves a little to be desired. The current boycott has our kindergarten children going to class with no support from paraprofessionals. Yes or no question. The next regular board meeting is on Nov 14th. Will you attend to break the boycott and get our children and teachers the help they deserve?
Yes, I would go to that meeting.
Bob, either commit to attending ALL meetings or withdraw your interest in filling this vacancy.
You were the least qualified candidate and interviewed quite poorly. I mean really poorly. It was almost painful.
Bob, I was open to your interest, however when you stated you would consider joining the boycott you looked ridiculous.
Your answers to additional questions were really bad, Bob. I assure you,Bob, there wasn’t a single BOE member who felt you were the best candidate after all the interviews were said and done.
Please give me one important agenda item you introduced as co-chair of the education committee that was introduced to the full body and passed. Just one.
A fascist??? Really, Bob?
No Bob, you have not made a “huge commitment.” In fact, you have not made a commitment at all. “Devotion” is in no way demonstrated by boycotting or abdicating your responsibility to those you have a statutory obligation to serve.
You publicly stated at your interview and on this blog you would consider joining Bradley, Larcheveque, Negron and Fonseca in “boycotting” meetings.
Well Bob, some of us have a long record of standing up for our 21,000 students and many of us don’t. I think most on this blog know which category you fall into.
Oh BTW what Republican platforms do you support? Trump really sucks but I won’t be changing parties.
Bob, you should be completely embarrassed and ashamed of yourself for seeking to fill a vacancy on the most important board in this city and take a position that you are considering joining this boycott that is hurting 21,000 students.
Please withdraw your interest in filling this vacancy. Allow a qualified public school educator or an active public school parent to be considered. And I am definitely NOT referring to charter $chool staff/teachers.
Bob, this board has only had 14 taped board meetings, but I think we both know you did not watch 14 regular meetings; you didn’t even watch half of them.
There were also over 40 committee and special meetings that were not broadcast at all.
Maria. Your perspective does not surprise me. What are you so worried about with my application? Your body language toward me was spiteful and hateful. I got good vibes from at least a few others with my answers to their questions. You obviously had a closed mind and a fascist attitude.
No, I did not watch all the Board of Ed meetings on TV. I am not making posts on this blog at 1am either. The Maria Pereira show gets pretty tiring.
I’m sorry, but what does the time of my postings have to do with our exchange or the issues at hand?
You were the only candidate who stated you would consider joining the boycott. You want to be placed on the BOE so you can boycott critical meetings???
You should be embarrassed and feel ashamed, Bob. Our over 21,000 students deserve intelligent, articulate, knowledgeable and COMMITTED board members, not another Bradley, Larcheveque, Fonseca and Negron who think the well-being of our students is a joke.
I don’t support Trump.
For the record: I am making a huge commitment for providing my time and devotion. I also get tired of hearing the self-righteous mantra: “It’s all for the kids.”
Don’t you mean: for the record if appointed you will make a huge commitment? Sort of sounds like you think you already are appointed. If so you should get that mantra into your vocabulary and heart. Nothing wrong with self-righteousness if it is truly righteous.