Forum: Why CMS should extend Ann Clark’s term

Why CMS should extend Clark’s term

The writer is a co-chair of Project LIFT.

CMS Superintendent Ann Clark was at the table with us from the beginning as we formed and launched Project LIFT. She brought the data to us that drove us to focus our attention on West Charlotte High School and the schools that feed West Charlotte. Ann also introduced us to innovative programs around the country that were having great impact in low-resourced schools. When we needed strong advocacy before the board of education or the state legislature, we could always count on Ann Clark to be there with us. Most important to us is the fact that she has been an extraordinary mentor and help to Denise Watts, the Project LIFT zone superintendent.

Ann has been a great partner to all involved in Project LIFT. I, for one, support extending her contract.

As a mere candidate, I’m privy to nothing

The writer is a candidate for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board.

As an employment attorney, I know negotiations with senior executives need confidentiality for success. I am privy to nothing as a mere candidate, nor am I “lobbying” anyone in secret. Colette Forrest disserves the process by taking a personnel matter into the media, or the ballot box.

Why shouldn’t all get in on slush funds?

We Americans believe in equality. Thus it was shocking to learn that the N.C. legislature has passed a bill which only allows the Speaker of the House, the Senate President Pro Tempore and the two minority leaders of each chamber to benefit from unrestricted slush funds over which they have unregulated control. How unfair! Surely Gov. Pat McCrory will see that the benefits of such legislation should be shared equally among all members of the legislature.

Perhaps the governor will also notice the legislation does not apply to the office of the Governor.

I’m crying with you, Speaker Boehner

Why is John Boehner crying so much? Is it because he is so touched by the presence of Pope Francis, or is it that his resignation as the speaker of the House is so overwhelming for him? Perhaps it is because Republican billionaires play such a huge part in buying the presidency, while tenacious Democrats retain their political power by keeping poor people dependent rather than independent? In either case, rarely does anything in Congress gets accomplished. Makes me want to cry too, Mr. Boehner.

Obama haters need to glance at the facts

Almost daily I read letters and buzzes in the Observer from people who state that President Obama has “brought the country to its knees” or is “destroying America.” I invite these people to remove themselves from the right-wing echo chamber and learn that the deficit has been dropping along with unemployment, while the GDP, the stock market and the rolls of the insured have been going up. Our country was on its knees in 2008 and everyone should be thanking our president for helping us get back on our feet, not vilifying him.

Job-seeking should be full-time job

The writer is president of The Employers Association, a Charlotte consulting firm.

If you have ever attended a help group for job seekers, there is a saying that is repeated at practically every meeting: “It is a full time job to find a job.” If you follow this philosophy, there should not be a problem in applying for five jobs in a week.

Don’t compare Trump to 7th graders

I must object to Forum writer Catherine Stout’s comparison of Donald Trump to “... another smack-talking seventh grader...” Madam, as a teacher of sixth graders, I can assure you that you do a disservice to seventh graders everywhere. Please choose your words more carefully!

This story was originally published September 28, 2015 at 6:44 PM with the headline "Forum: Why CMS should extend Ann Clark’s term."