So, <3,000 people are going to decide whether $93M is being well spent in a city of 250,000. That is just sad. I wonder why the school board election is not held during a normal election day in November when more people would be voting. Quote:

"The public question was confusing, i think thats why so many people voted YES. I voted NO. I understand it as raising the money spent therefore using more of our taxes."

Most people voted yes?! Jesus, they really ought to make sure that people can read before they are allowed to vote.

I wrote a blog about Connors winning, he managed to get the most votes I'm happy about that.

http://jerseychronicles.blogspot.com

As for the other two, I have never even heard of em. Its a shame that Goldsmith, Wilen, or Gonzalez didn't win. At least one of them would have been a good addition to the board of ed.

I hoped to see the Thomas the Tank associate producer lady (Skinner I think) run for the board of education

Very good point CubaLibre.
B/T/W
I don't think there is another person in Jersey City that has dedicated his time and effort to the City like Sean Connors.
The people have spoken.
YAY Sean!!!!

I think it's a good thing that BrightMoments posted information on the candidates even the ones he wasn't supporting. It's called transparency. One of the main reasons School Board elections have abysmal turnout is because of the lack of information about candidates, and any attempt to get people more info empowers them to get off their lazy butts and vote.

And why call BrightMoments out on posting the emails but not call out Steve Fulop for sending the emails to his lists?

Knowledge is power.

Despite the depressing results of this election we now have a clear understanding of the effort required to overcome the ability of the current School Board and the teachers Union from serving their own needs and not the needs of the community.

I am embarassed by the school board that currently represents our district.

How Pat Sebron received 13% of the vote is mind boggling.

From the Hudson County Board of Elections

Board of Education Jersey City
12/13 92.31%

Vote Count Percent
- Tom Wilen 1,109 7.73%
- Abdul J. Malik 664 4.63%
- Khaled Dardir 416 2.90%
- Mario Gonzalez 908 6.33%
- Charles W. Johnson 607 4.23%
- William DeRosa 2,276 15.86%
- Patricia Sebron 1,868 13.02%
- Moshe Rozenblit 727 5.07%
- Azam A. Riaz 306 2.13%
- Eric J. Goldsmith 752 5.24%
- Anthony R. Cucci 1,689 11.77%
- Sean Connors 2,998 20.89%
Personal Choice 29 0.20%

Total 14,349 100.00%

By Jon Whiten ? Apr 21st, 2009
Jersey City Independent

While one precinct has yet to report, and absentee and provisional ballots still have to be counted tomorrow, it looks like school board president William DeRosa was reelected, and he will be joined by two newcomers ? Sean Connors and Patricia Sebron. Incumbent and former mayor Anthony Cucci fell just short of winning reelection. All three winners were backed by the Hudson County Democratic Organization.

Jersey City voters also have voted for the local tax levy that funds the school district ? at this point the vote is at 59.8 to 40.2 percent.

Turnout was low for a city of nearly 250,000 residents but higher than in the previous school board election. A total of 14,349 votes for school board candidates have been tabulated so far, already 3,804 more than last year. However, only 2,738 votes have been cast on the tax levy question at this point.

Check back for an update in the morning.

http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/ ... in-school-board-election/

Voters boot veterans off ed boards

Wednesday, April 22, 2009
By KEN THORBOURNE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

A few Hudson County school board veterans were apparently sent packing yesterday ...

(snip)

With 92.3 percent of the vote counted in Jersey City, it appeared former mayor and current board member Anthony Cucci was heading out the classroom. Booted from the teachers union slate, Cucci trailed union-backed Patricia Sebron 1,686 to 1,861 for the third of three school board slots.

Comfortably winning in Jersey City were current board chair William DeRosa and Sean Connors, a newcomer. Connors led the 11-candidate field with nearly 3,000 votes, or 21 percent of the vote.

(snip)

I really wanted Tom Wilen

I did Tom Wilen, Moshe Rozenblit, Eric J. Goldsmith

Too bad.

The public question was confusing, i think thats why so many people voted YES. I voted NO. I understand it as raising the money spent therefore using more of our taxes.

Quote:

I'm not so sure. With 3 votes per voter that works out to less than 5,000 voters. Also telling is that less than 3,000 people voted on the budget question. I don't think the discrepancy would be that large (11,000 voters choosing not to vote on the budget?). I think this was a typical BOE election that was carried by the teacher's union and the HCDO.

I did Connors, Gonzalez, and Goldsmith, only got one of my choices up there. That blasted HCDO is to strong!

Quote:

Good points Brewster. Each of the candidates I posted who I do not agree with, personally sent an email directly to me not as part of a broadcast email, but because I either know that candidate personally(such as Sean Connors), or know some of the other candidates through past interactions with Steven Fulop who I posted the info here as part of the Steven Fulop Campaign to inform voters of their choice of candidates and what they had to say for themselves. If you read the bottom of several of the emails it states as such whereof they came.

I disagree that "posting for them is the same as campaigning for them." I've never felt that I need to discourage what the opposition states, as I firmly believe in discourse as the way to shine a light on what the voter's should know from the candidates own voice, or their campaign, and that the electorate is smart enough to make their own decision, and hopefully one I might agree with in their choice.

Sadly, today I was wrong by a landslide, but at least we had twice as many people voting which is in itself cause for optimism.

How much does my property tax bill go up???

From the elections board at 92.31%
Board of Education Jersey City
12/13 92.31%
Vote Count Percent
- Tom Wilen 1,109 7.73%
- Abdul J. Malik 664 4.63%
- Khaled Dardir 416 2.90%
- Mario Gonzalez 908 6.33%
- Charles W. Johnson 607 4.23%
- William DeRosa 2,276 15.86%
- Patricia Sebron 1,868 13.02%
- Moshe Rozenblit 727 5.07%
- Azam A. Riaz 306 2.13%
- Eric J. Goldsmith 752 5.24%
- Anthony R. Cucci 1,689 11.77%
- Sean Connors 2,998 20.89%
Personal Choice 29 0.20%
Total 14,349 100.00%

question
Jersey City Question
12/13 92.31%
Vote Count Percent
- Yes 1,638 59.82%
- No 1,100 40.18%
Total 2,738 100.00%

Yvonne

That's enough reason for me to not vote for them. Of course members of the teachers' union will turn out in this low turnout election and vote themselves money.

FWIW, I will never vote for a school budget until parents at least have a choice of public schools or vouchers redeemable at a private school of their choice.

Quote:

Looks like Connors, DeRosa and Sebron with 92% of vote counted.
http://www.hudsoncountyclerk.org/cgi-bin/election.pl

Looks like Connors and DeRosa are winners. 3rd place up for grabs

BM, can you explain to me why you feel compelled to forward campaign material from candidates you don't support, who are apparently too uninterested in JCList readers, or too technically illiterate, to post for themselves?

I don't understand what purpose this serves other than amplifying the voice of people you disagree with. This is not a broadcast station, their right to post is equal to anyone else's, why do you assume an obligation to make sure the readers here have heard from all candidates. Posting for them is the same as campaigning for them, in my opinion.

I've cast my vote and stated here my support for specific candidates. However, in fairness to all I've posted ALL candidate emails I've personally received.

So below is the email I received from Sean Connors today at around 3PM, and just have time now to post. Pam and I both agree about Sean Connors, that he is a nice guy, active in the community, and there are many reasons one might support his candidacy. However, both Pam and I agree on who we're supporting and I only hope more than 7000 show up out of the 26k registered to vote.

Decide for yourself and read below as you have till 9PM:

Tuesday, April 21st is an important day for the future of our children in Jersey City. Please join me in casting your vote for school board candidates William DeRosa -- 6A, Patricia Sebron -- 7A, and Sean Connors -- 12A.

VOTE your commitment to our children's future:

William DeRosa 6A

Patricia Sebron 7A

Sean Connors 12A

More about these three life-long members of the Jersey City Community:

William DeRosa taught for over 34 years at Lincoln High School, and he continues to be a member of the National Education Association. Bill is a product of the Jersey City public schools who constantly gives back to his community.

Patricia Sebron is a product of the Jersey City Public School system, and she was the first African American woman to graduate from St. Peter's College in Jersey City. Patricia owns and operates a local business, and she is committed to our children's future.

Sean Connors was born and raised in Jersey City, and he has served over 20 years on our city's police force where he is now a detective. Sean is a dedicated community leader who spends his nights and weekends working with youth recreational programs and civic groups.

Tuesday, April 21st, Vote 6A, 7A, 12A for our children's future.


Paid for by Elect Sean Connors '09


27 Thorne St
Jersey City, NJ 07307


To unsubscribe from this mailing list, click here
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Quote:

+1

On the sample ballot:
Public Question#1
(there's only one)
RESOLVED, that there should be raised for General Funds
$93,012,049.00 for the ensuing school year (2009-2010)
Yes or no.



Does anyone want to translate?

Quote:

Not good enough for me. Those are HCDO endorsed incumbents. (and Connors is a young cop, how does that qualify him?)

With the possibility of Chris Christie becoming our next governor, I'm expecting huge aid cuts to JC and huge tax increases ahead for us. I want people competent enough to handle the difficult times ahead and I am not impressed with any of the incumbents.

I'm for the new guys, Tom Wilen, Moshe Rozenblit, and Eric Goldsmith.

The JCEA supports Connors, Sebron and DeRosa.
Good enough for me.

Quote:

I was just coming here to post this, BrightMoment, thank you for putting it up.

I really hope these guys make it to the BOE. I met Tom Wilen at The Embankment a few weeks back as he was waiting for his daughter to finish a class and we started casually chatting. Before I even knew his background in business, I was very impressed with his knowledge of the KPMG audit report that was done on the JCPS and specific ideas he had to begin a smart overhaul of the district financials. I've been extremely disappointed in the current Board in that they have not taken that gold mine of an audit and used it to initiate change.

Please vote today, everyone!

The Jersey City Chronicles has an article on their pick for School board...

http://jerseychronicles.blogspot.com/ ... -board-election-2009.html

I like how they use the Ken doll as a picture for Sean Connors lol.

Dear friends and neighbors,

Tomorrow (Tues, 4/21) is the Board of Education Elections. This extremely important election typically has very low turnout and winners have been decided by just a single vote in recent history. Given that the school budget is about one and a half times the size of the city budget, this election is very important not only for JC children's future, but also for our property taxes and quality of life with decent public schools. PLEASE go out and vote tomorrow.

I will be voting for a slate of three VERY QUALIFIED DADS who themselves have children in our public schools. See below for more details, but their names are Tom Wilen, Moshe Rozenblit, and Eric Goldsmith. These men are not politicians. They are experienced business leaders, current and former educators, and most importantly, parents whose own children's educational future depends on a quality public school system. Join me in initiating positive change for Jersey City's public schools simply by voting. And, if like me you agree with what you read below, vote for Tom Wilen (A1), Moshe Rozenblit (A8), and Eric Goldsmith (A10) .


Polls are open from 2pm to 9pm. VOTE VOTE VOTE!


Thanks for reading,
Jen Greely

From Steven Fulop

In my hope that more people vote in tomorrow's crucial board of education election and that constituents are aware of the candidates I am passing along info on those candidates that have asked me to do so. Below is some brief info on Anthony Cucci in addition to the other e-mails you received from other candidates. This election has a huge impact on the city so please make sure to vote
---

Anthony R. Cucci - 11A

School board elections are important to all of us, whether or not we have children in the public school system. Members of the school board make critical decisions that shape the type of education our city provides as well as has a major affect on our city's municipal tax structure. For the first time this year since the late 1980's, the Jersey City school system will be returned to local control from the state. As a serving Board of Education member for the past 9 years, I had a crucial part in making the return to local control a reality.

Among the candidates running in tomorrow's election, I have the longest history of dedicating himself to the good of our community. I have served as Ward "E" Councilman, as Councilman-At -Large, and as Mayor of Jersey City in addition to my time dedicated on the school board in support of the children of Jersey City. I bring to the board experience in both the executive branch of government as well as the legislative body which is invaluable at these times.

Tomorrow, Polls are open from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM and I hope to have your support to continue my work for the children of Jersey City.

Anthony R Cucci - 11A


This message was sent by: Fulop for Jersey City, Ward "E", Jersey City, NJ 07302

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I received the following email last night at 8PM:

Mario Gonzalez candidate for Jersey City Board of Education

Mario Gonzaleze - A4 - Mario is a trained musician and educator with over thirty eight years of experience in the arts. A product of the NYC public school system, he founded the Hope Center for the Visual and Performing Arts. The Hope Center is a faith-based, non-profit organization that utilizes the visual and performing arts to service an increasingly auditory and visual inner city populace. The Hope Center has conducted the largest art shows in the history of Jersey City and has been featured on NBC, Fox, UPN, POZ magazine, and countless other media sources for it?s outstanding contribution to the community it serves.

Why You Should Vote A4...

Based on published standardized test results, if graded on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being a perfect score and 1 being the bottom of the barrel), Jersey City?s elementary schools rank 1.4, our middle schools rank 2.6, and our high schools rank a 2.3. Based on these (HSPA) results, it is evident that Jersey City?s public schools rank at the bottom of the state academically. A perpetuation of this pattern of performance will not only irrevocably affect the future success of our children, but it negatively impacts property values and detracts from the general attractiveness of our city. Beyond this, the gang and drug related violence, both within and outside of the classroom makes proper teaching extremely difficult, as maintaining discipline is key in a proper teaching environment.

My proposed solutions to the aforementioned issues involve a five-step emphasis as follows:


a. To do everything possible to better the academic performance of our kids in the classroom. This will involve a deep scrutiny of curriculum, teacher performance, and environmental conditions (facilities, equipment, etc.) affecting instruction.

b. To restore an emphasis on arts education system wide. This will help to instill discipline in the kids which many graduate studies have shown transfers over to their academic performance,

c. To give teachers control over their classrooms. A teacher cannot teach if she/he cannot establish control in their classroom. This is an absolute must if we are to get out of the academic quagmire into which we have slipped. We need to isolate disruptive behavior so that our teachers are allowed to actually teach.

d. To actively market to parents in order to gain parental participation in both the education of their children, and the administration of our schools.

e. To review and revise the budget in order to drastically reduce the enormous waste in the system and simultaneously promote private corporate investment in the education of our children for new, cutting edge academic projects aimed at creating an appropriate global learning environment.

f. I would support moving the School Board Elections so that they occur at the same time as municipal elections guaranteeing the maximum participation of the electorate.

Though we, for the most part, have good teachers within our system that need our support, our support must extend beyond merely throwing money at the problem. We have done this for years with dismal results. True change in our system necessitates a grass-roots effort to reconnect with parents and deal with systemic inconsistencies that affect a teacher's ability to teach. The community at large must partner with our educators in the rearing and education of our children. I really believe in a "village" approach to education.

Vote A4 - Mario Gonzalez for Board of Edcucation


This message was sent by: Fulop for Jersey City, Ward "E", Jersey City, NJ 07302