Whitlow Newsletter - 10 - Leadership Matters

[April 8, 2005/verbatim]Point Of Order: Education is the great equalizer. Students, parents, teachers, and administrators must not fall victim to the subtle racism of “low expectations.” Increasing achievement in education is a must to prepare all our youth for competition in a global economy. The No Child Left Behind Act, although in its early stages is a vehicle to help us reach that goal. Lives were lost to ensure that educational opportunity is available to everyone. A populace that is educated and skilled will aid economic development, increase individual earning power, and improve the overall quality of life in the City of Jackson. We must reclaim a time in thought when being “smart” was a good thing.

Leadership Matters: It has been quite a busy week on the campaign trail. Not having a primary opponent has afforded me the luxury of being able to focus completely on the June 7th general election, which includes day by day, door to door campaigning, and getting our message out at every opportunity. On several occasions this effort has included impromptu campaign speeches while standing in line at grocery stores, restaurants, and other non-traditional locations. Of course we are still making frequent public scheduled appearances at schools, neighborhood centers, and other venues. There is no need to seek media attention at every stop. A conversation between me and the people is consistent with our philosophy of taking our message directly to the voters whenever and wherever possible. Individuals are eager to share their concerns and recommendations for solutions. We are winning supporters one voter at a time! I am excited and honored to be in this race for Mayor. We'll see you along the way. The next knock on your door will probably be me. “Leadership Matters”

Support: Many of you are answering the call every day. Thank you! We need your continued support and the generous financial support of others to be prepared for the general election campaign. You can make a secure donation online at www.rickwhitlowformayor.com or by mail to Post Office Box 1202, Jackson, MS 39215. Checks should be made payable to the Committee to Elect Rick Whitlow.

Don’t forget to write a letter to the editor or call a radio talk show to show your support for Rick’s candidacy. It is critical to keep the campaign message before the voters during this time when the focus is on the Democrat primary.

Trailbits:

Rick is working hard on the campaign trail, so if you see him out and about, don’t hesitate to talk to him, share your concerns, your ideas for solutions or just say hello.

Details are still being worked for several debates. We’ll keep you informed.

April 30th – Deadline for voting absentee in the Municipal Clerk’s office for the primary. (Miss. Code Ann. § 23-15-653 and § 23-15-715 )

May 2nd – Deadline for receipt of mailed absentee ballots in the Municipal Clerks office for the primary. (Miss Code Ann. § 23- 15-631)

Website: Individuals can learn more about the candidate and sign up for future newsletters or to volunteer on the website at www.Rickwhitlowformayor.com

“Defeat is not an option.”
-An American Soldier -

COMMENTS

UmmmÖ Is he actually saying anything here?

Education is the great equalizer. Students, parents, teachers, and administrators must not fall victim to the subtle racism of ìlow expectations.î Increasing achievement in education is a must to prepare all our youth for competition in a global economy.

Nice platitude followed by some subtle race card and an almost clichÈd maxim.

The No Child Left Behind Act, although in its early stages is a vehicle to help us reach that goal.

What? Early stages? Help us reach the goal of increased achievement? NCLB is now under a second Secretary of Education and they are revamping the requirements because they didnít have the foresight to see that individual district circumstances and lumping exceptional education students into one catchall program just doesnít work! (Or did they purposely set districts up for failure?)
And ìhelping us reach that goalî doesnít wash when there are no funds (federal OR now state) for the materials and personnel needed to meet the requirements of NCLB, let alone the goals of improved student achievement. That is why Connecticut and other states are preparing a lawsuit against the US Department of Education unconstitutionally implementing requirements without sufficient and realistic funding.

Lives were lost to ensure that educational opportunity is available to everyone.

And resources fled the public system to maintain educational opportunity as an elite reserve.

A populace that is educated and skilled will aid economic development, increase individual earning power, and improve the overall quality of life in the City of Jackson.

More platitudes.

We must reclaim a time in thought when being ìsmartî was a good thing.

Ok Rick, agreed. How do we accomplish THAT goal? What would you as mayor do? Remember folks, the mayor does not run the school district. Nor does the city council. The appoint school board members who are independent of the city administration. Are we going to have a school board litmus test like we do with appointed federal judges now?

  Posted by: GDIModerate on Apr 11, 05 | 10:04 am

I concur with you, GDI, that the newsletter is painstakingly vague. I asked Whitlow about his plans for helping education and he noted his membership in the JPS Strategic Core Planning Team and that he would listen to JPS to hear what they needed. Again, not very specific, leastways not at this point.

By the way, your "revamping the requirements" link goes to the same C-L editorial that the "lawsuit" link does.

  Posted by: Walker Sampson on Apr 12, 05 | 3:57 pm

My bad!
Try this one.

  Posted by: GDIModerate on Apr 12, 05 | 4:04 pm