Thank you, Soap Box Hero, for the compliments on my speeches during Candidates Night last week.
You needn?’t worry about my seriousness regarding the Board member position. I am quite serious about overcoming the divisiveness on the Board. And, I don?’t think Board divisiveness can be overcome simply by electing to the majority one faction or another. I am committed to constructive dialog to achieve a better solution and a consensus borne of informed debate, not destructive attacks or perfunctory actions by the majority, irrespective of whether I happen to agree or disagree with that majority view. Our community has diverse views on how to approach the education of our children, and those views will not change as a result of this election.
To move forward, we need a Board that can compromise and reach a unity of purpose. That compromise must accommodate diverse views so that everyone in the community can buy into the educational approach selected by the Board. The Board must not be seen as a group that ?“rubber stamps?” the administration nor as a group where minority views are ignored. When minority views are ignored, the effect is indistinguishable from tyranny, no matter how well intentioned.
Violet, I respectfully disagree with your view that a ?“vote for the others?” is a wasted vote. Earlier this year (2001), Mrs. Oakes approached me after a meeting and said, ?“I don?’t know whether you agree with me or not, but we need people like you on the Board. We need people who think. You ought to consider running for the Board.?” I considered her request for months. I concluded that my experience and skill in dealing with situations such as those our Board faces would have enabled better outcomes. My desire to help our community overcame my reluctance to ?“become a politician.?” So I threw my hat into the ring.
To be clear, I don?’t agree with everything Mrs. Oakes says or does, and we have discussed these differences. However, mutual respect, professional courtesy and effective communication can enable us to reach a consensus that is good for the whole community. It is important to remember that constructive debate and dialog is the wellspring of progress and new ideas. My interest is in helping the Board reach a place where such debate is truly constructive and the end result positive for the community.
I urge you to caste one vote for me, and not waste a vote by casting only two.
My credentials and views are documented on my campaign Web site at www.JimBrink.org. If the credentials there are insufficient, please let me know what else you would like to know. I?’ll add the information.
Please visit my Web site, and review my positions. Whether you agree or disagree, please let me know. Facts and logic, not emotional appeals or recourse to rumor, influence my position on the issues
You needn?’t worry about my seriousness regarding the Board member position. I am quite serious about overcoming the divisiveness on the Board. And, I don?’t think Board divisiveness can be overcome simply by electing to the majority one faction or another. I am committed to constructive dialog to achieve a better solution and a consensus borne of informed debate, not destructive attacks or perfunctory actions by the majority, irrespective of whether I happen to agree or disagree with that majority view. Our community has diverse views on how to approach the education of our children, and those views will not change as a result of this election.
To move forward, we need a Board that can compromise and reach a unity of purpose. That compromise must accommodate diverse views so that everyone in the community can buy into the educational approach selected by the Board. The Board must not be seen as a group that ?“rubber stamps?” the administration nor as a group where minority views are ignored. When minority views are ignored, the effect is indistinguishable from tyranny, no matter how well intentioned.
Violet, I respectfully disagree with your view that a ?“vote for the others?” is a wasted vote. Earlier this year (2001), Mrs. Oakes approached me after a meeting and said, ?“I don?’t know whether you agree with me or not, but we need people like you on the Board. We need people who think. You ought to consider running for the Board.?” I considered her request for months. I concluded that my experience and skill in dealing with situations such as those our Board faces would have enabled better outcomes. My desire to help our community overcame my reluctance to ?“become a politician.?” So I threw my hat into the ring.
To be clear, I don?’t agree with everything Mrs. Oakes says or does, and we have discussed these differences. However, mutual respect, professional courtesy and effective communication can enable us to reach a consensus that is good for the whole community. It is important to remember that constructive debate and dialog is the wellspring of progress and new ideas. My interest is in helping the Board reach a place where such debate is truly constructive and the end result positive for the community.
I urge you to caste one vote for me, and not waste a vote by casting only two.
My credentials and views are documented on my campaign Web site at www.JimBrink.org. If the credentials there are insufficient, please let me know what else you would like to know. I?’ll add the information.
Please visit my Web site, and review my positions. Whether you agree or disagree, please let me know. Facts and logic, not emotional appeals or recourse to rumor, influence my position on the issues
