I just read a “Snooze Press” editorial about how great it was for His Dishonorableness II, Eric “Phony” Feichthaler to host a community forum for citizens to air their concerns. It’s nice to know that the local media pay attention to what’s going on in Cape Coral….NOT! Where have they been? Gloria Tate did that for years for those people in her district. She did it in order to gather information. Phony did it to make himself look important. It didn’t work. Apparently, the only people he fooled with his grandstanding are the Snooze Press editorial writers. Rocket scientists they’re not.
PAGE TWO
I read that Phony’s good buddy, Terry “Tight Lips” Stewart was taken to task by one of his bosses, Tim “Make My” Day, over an email Stewart sent to Cape Charter School’s head honcho, Patrick Mark. Apparently, Tight Lips second in command sent an email to Mark with suggestions on how to increase charter school enrollment. Mark’s response is what apparently set Stewart off. Mark said, “While your ideas are welcomed and will be utilized, your support at an earlier time would have better served our circumstances.” Wee doggies. Take that Tight Lips!
Stewart’s response clearly indicates that he is worried about the low enrollment. He said, “However, when it comes to protecting this City's rather significant capital investment in the system, my professional respect for your position will not override my obligation to take a more direct and assertive role if it appears to be necessary. We have deemed it to be necessary. Instead of wasting time in finger pointing, I suggest we invest our respective energies on getting the job done.” Right back at ya, Dr. Mark. Wee doggies times two.
Now let me set you straight about why this exchange took place. Stewart is concerned about the pledge he made never to use City taxpayer money to fund the Charter School System. Low enrollment means less money, since the amount of funds the Charter School System receives from the State depends upon the number of students enrolled in the charter schools. If the City does not receive sufficient tax dollars to fund the Charter School System, the City may have to step in and make up the difference, at least until such time as enrollment increases. If that happens, Stewart will have to explain what happened, to a City Council that relied on his promise. That could be a problem, a very big problem.
When Day read the email, he was quoted as saying that Stewart is just one vote on the Charter School Board. In other words, just who does he think he is? Uh oh. Methinks the honeymoon is over between those two. Day first gives Stewart a bad evaluation and then he chastises him in the press. I can’t wait to see what happens next. Stay tuned.
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To add insult to injury, right next to the story wherein Day chastised Stewart was one that said former Councilman Asfour plans to sue the City for defamation and will name Stewart, among others, in the lawsuit. Something tells me Stewart is not having a good year.
Regarding the threatened lawsuit, Asfour apparently hasn’t heard of the age-old adage “you can’t fight city hall”. He must be a slow learner.
And now, emails from readers.
Dear Paco,
I’m new to the area and discovered your column. Funny stuff. In one column, you wrote something about a local guy named Ralph LePera who played for the Staten Island Ferries professional football team. I can attest to that, as well as the fact that “one” of his nicknames was indeed “Cupcake” as one of your readers mentioned. His other nickname was “Stud Muffin”, only without the Stud part. His number was 00 – double zero.
The coach decided to put him in the last game of the season against the Queens Queens. Unfortunately, Ralph tripped over the sideline and broke his face. He forgot to put on his helmet.
The cheerleaders even made up some cheers just for Ralph. Here are a couple.
“Ralphie, Ralphie, you’re our man, while others are playing, you’re sittin’ on your can.”
“Two bits, four bits, six bits a dollar, will somebody please put on Ralphie’s collar.”
Ralph supported the squad long after he retired. As a matter of fact, he is still recognized as a one of our best-known athletic supporters.
What’s he doing now?
Bruce (former head cheerleader for the Staten Island Ferries)
Dear Bruce,
He’s still an athletic supporter.
Paco
Athletic supporter or not, you heard it through the Capevine.
PAGE TWO
I read that Phony’s good buddy, Terry “Tight Lips” Stewart was taken to task by one of his bosses, Tim “Make My” Day, over an email Stewart sent to Cape Charter School’s head honcho, Patrick Mark. Apparently, Tight Lips second in command sent an email to Mark with suggestions on how to increase charter school enrollment. Mark’s response is what apparently set Stewart off. Mark said, “While your ideas are welcomed and will be utilized, your support at an earlier time would have better served our circumstances.” Wee doggies. Take that Tight Lips!
Stewart’s response clearly indicates that he is worried about the low enrollment. He said, “However, when it comes to protecting this City's rather significant capital investment in the system, my professional respect for your position will not override my obligation to take a more direct and assertive role if it appears to be necessary. We have deemed it to be necessary. Instead of wasting time in finger pointing, I suggest we invest our respective energies on getting the job done.” Right back at ya, Dr. Mark. Wee doggies times two.
Now let me set you straight about why this exchange took place. Stewart is concerned about the pledge he made never to use City taxpayer money to fund the Charter School System. Low enrollment means less money, since the amount of funds the Charter School System receives from the State depends upon the number of students enrolled in the charter schools. If the City does not receive sufficient tax dollars to fund the Charter School System, the City may have to step in and make up the difference, at least until such time as enrollment increases. If that happens, Stewart will have to explain what happened, to a City Council that relied on his promise. That could be a problem, a very big problem.
When Day read the email, he was quoted as saying that Stewart is just one vote on the Charter School Board. In other words, just who does he think he is? Uh oh. Methinks the honeymoon is over between those two. Day first gives Stewart a bad evaluation and then he chastises him in the press. I can’t wait to see what happens next. Stay tuned.
PAGE THREE
To add insult to injury, right next to the story wherein Day chastised Stewart was one that said former Councilman Asfour plans to sue the City for defamation and will name Stewart, among others, in the lawsuit. Something tells me Stewart is not having a good year.
Regarding the threatened lawsuit, Asfour apparently hasn’t heard of the age-old adage “you can’t fight city hall”. He must be a slow learner.
And now, emails from readers.
Dear Paco,
I’m new to the area and discovered your column. Funny stuff. In one column, you wrote something about a local guy named Ralph LePera who played for the Staten Island Ferries professional football team. I can attest to that, as well as the fact that “one” of his nicknames was indeed “Cupcake” as one of your readers mentioned. His other nickname was “Stud Muffin”, only without the Stud part. His number was 00 – double zero.
The coach decided to put him in the last game of the season against the Queens Queens. Unfortunately, Ralph tripped over the sideline and broke his face. He forgot to put on his helmet.
The cheerleaders even made up some cheers just for Ralph. Here are a couple.
“Ralphie, Ralphie, you’re our man, while others are playing, you’re sittin’ on your can.”
“Two bits, four bits, six bits a dollar, will somebody please put on Ralphie’s collar.”
Ralph supported the squad long after he retired. As a matter of fact, he is still recognized as a one of our best-known athletic supporters.
What’s he doing now?
Bruce (former head cheerleader for the Staten Island Ferries)
Dear Bruce,
He’s still an athletic supporter.
Paco
Athletic supporter or not, you heard it through the Capevine.
