I was actually stunned to find this response in my email this morning. Once again it was copied to everyone.
Jack,
You stated in your below email the following: “As to discussing district spending with you, I am sure those reading your reply to me, have no doubt why that is not an option for me.” come on now Jack, we have a public finance meeting once a month at Brandywine Springs. I have been on the committee for almost three years now and have never seen you attend one meeting. These meetings are open to the public and we all sit around a table and questions are constantly asked to Jill during our meeting and Jill answers all questions very freely and openly. We have a 20 million dollar carry over balance, it so easy for all of us to sit behind our computer and fire off questions, I am guilty of it. Please attend one of our meetings and ask your questions, the meeting is very open, friendly, and informative.
Thank you,
Kim Williams
Red Clay Board of Education
I’m having trouble with Ms. William’s focus on how Mr. Wells didn’t attend a meeting. Is that really the point? I get that it’s a favorite strawman of all organizations. Try and discredit the individual by pointing out that the individual didn’t meet the organization’s expectations for them, while ignoring what the individual actually said.
No one has to attend a meeting to be heard, and to imply that a citizen’s voice only really counts if they go to a meeting (whose date, time and location the citizen has no control over), or that the person doesn’t really care because they didn’t attend a meeting, is merely an attempt to raise the bar on how concerns be addressed and detract from the citizen’s point. Fact: Emailing, writing a letter, phone calling and/or attending a meeting are all equally acceptable options.
My advice to Red Clay… perhaps you shouldn’t continue this discussion online… because you aren’t coming off looking so great. And if you feel you simply must respond, perhaps you could start by addressing Mr. Wells’ data and explain why the figures the public has access to are wrong. Just sayin’