It has taken me a while, but I finally found the information about the Charter Schools I was looking for. Unlike others who post on various sites, such as the Snooze Press Idiots Forum (SPIF), I try to find out the facts before I let my fingers do the talking.
The present problems encountered by the Charter School System, e.g., low enrollment and the loss of the $1,000,000+ start-up grant, could have been avoided if suggestions, which were made PRIOR TO the problems developing, had been followed. Those suggestions were thwarted and/or opposed by none other than City Manager Terry Stewart, the person who repeatedly pledged to the City Council that City tax dollars would not have to be used to support the Charter School System.
Wait, it gets better. Instead of being castigated by the City Council over his actions, Stewart was actually supported and praised by none other than Alex “Lippy” LePera and Eric “Phony” Feichthaler.
Wait, it gets better. Other members of the City Council who knew what Stewart did, or did not do, remained silent. Silence, when something is wrong, is support for the actions that caused the wrong. Write that down. It’s profound.
I don’t want you to believe what I just said. What I want you to do is check it out. The truth will truly amaze even the most hardened skeptics of my incredible insight. Of course, I didn’t do this alone. Therefore, I would like to thank my crack staff of investigative reporters and, of course, my moles at City Hall. Kudos to all.
Fortunately for Stewart, Charter School enrollment will increase considerably in the next two months. By the end of September, if not sooner, the north elementary school will have full enrollment. It might take the middle school a bit longer, especially since both the Charter School Board and City Council are sitting on their respective…hands, and not doing anything about a future high school. Nevertheless, Stewart will have, once again, escaped potential disaster.
PAGE TWO
I will now address some other issues that have come up since my last missive. First of all, I read that bird droppings that were “deposited” on the shuttle Discovery a few days prior to liftoff, actually survived the launch. Bear in mind that during the launch 300,000 gallons of water were sprayed at the shuttle’s main engines, and the shuttle went through Earth’s atmosphere from zero to 17,500 miles per hour in under 9 minutes.
With those facts readily in hand, I have a suggestion that could save countless lives. Why don’t automotive, aeronautical and aerospace engineers make cars, planes and space vehicles out of bird droppings? After all, if bird droppings can survive all they went through to get into space, surely they can be used to protect those of us confined to Earth. What would surely convince the decision makers to construct vehicles out of bird droppings would be the survival of those droppings during re-entry. As a matter of fact, I may not wait for the decision makers. I’m going to start collecting the bird droppings from my driveway. When I have enough saved, I will build my own SUV. I’ll call it the Poopster. Send me an email and let me know what you think.
PAGE THREE
I also read about the slowdown in building permits issued in Cape Coral. Speculation centers around the fact that the reason is because the cost of building a home here is getting to be quite expensive, considering the impact fee situation and cost of lots.
Now let me get this straight. Impact fees going up, building permits going down. Is there a message here? The Uncivilized Association is finally getting what they want. For years certain members of that less than illustrious group have demanded higher impact fees. The reason for this is simple. They wanted, all along, to slow down growth. However, they felt that if growth was inevitable, they wanted all the new residents, who aren’t yet voters, to pay for the roads, parks, etc. that the Uncivilized Association members want to enjoy but not pay for. Get it? They can have their cake and eat it too. No growth, or pay for what we don’t want to pay. And all this time, I thought they were too dumb to think. I realize now that they are indeed a formidable bunch. I will be more wary in the future.
I wonder…how much in impact fees will be collected on a house that isn’t built? Inquiring minds want to know.
PAGE FOUR
I see where Tim “Make My” Day is proposing an ordinance that would require department heads to live in the City, grandfathering in present directors. His intent, according to my interpretation of his quotes, is to require the directors to live with what they force upon the lowly residents, including high sewer and water assessments. What a novel idea. Making the directors deal with the policies they implement. Why didn’t I think of that?
What apparently ticked Day off was the fact that a department head, who is directly involved with the water and sewer expansion, relocated outside the City when he received his water and sewer assessment. “Not paying this”, he said. So he upped and left. With a six-figure salary, one would think he could afford the assessment. Then again, with a six-figure salary, he could move anywhere he wanted…and did.
If the ordinance passes, one of the Deputy Chiefs in the Police Department, who is a candidate for Police Chief, may be SOL since he now lives in Fort Myers. Not to worry. Rumor has it that he has friends on the City Council who will fight Day’s proposal tooth and nail. Rumor also has it that this individual is also good friends with Terry “Tight Lips” Stewart and is, therefore, a shoe in to be the next Police Chief. Therefore, you can bet your bottom dollar that Stewart will be lobbying the other Council members to thwart Day’s proposal.
And now, emails from readers.
Dear Paco,
Do you think the Charter School Board will take any action against Dr. Mark for the failure to secure $1,000,000 in grant money?
P.M.
Dear P.M.
It takes intestinal fortitude to make tough decisions.
Dear Paco,
What do you think of Mayor Feichthaler stating that he had serious concerns about whether the two new Charter Schools would open, and then asking parents to enroll their children in them?
B.D.
Dear B.D.
Isn’t that like asking people to come aboard a sinking ship?
Well. There you have it. Another Pulitzer Prize winning column…and, of course, you heard it through the Capevine.
The present problems encountered by the Charter School System, e.g., low enrollment and the loss of the $1,000,000+ start-up grant, could have been avoided if suggestions, which were made PRIOR TO the problems developing, had been followed. Those suggestions were thwarted and/or opposed by none other than City Manager Terry Stewart, the person who repeatedly pledged to the City Council that City tax dollars would not have to be used to support the Charter School System.
Wait, it gets better. Instead of being castigated by the City Council over his actions, Stewart was actually supported and praised by none other than Alex “Lippy” LePera and Eric “Phony” Feichthaler.
Wait, it gets better. Other members of the City Council who knew what Stewart did, or did not do, remained silent. Silence, when something is wrong, is support for the actions that caused the wrong. Write that down. It’s profound.
I don’t want you to believe what I just said. What I want you to do is check it out. The truth will truly amaze even the most hardened skeptics of my incredible insight. Of course, I didn’t do this alone. Therefore, I would like to thank my crack staff of investigative reporters and, of course, my moles at City Hall. Kudos to all.
Fortunately for Stewart, Charter School enrollment will increase considerably in the next two months. By the end of September, if not sooner, the north elementary school will have full enrollment. It might take the middle school a bit longer, especially since both the Charter School Board and City Council are sitting on their respective…hands, and not doing anything about a future high school. Nevertheless, Stewart will have, once again, escaped potential disaster.
PAGE TWO
I will now address some other issues that have come up since my last missive. First of all, I read that bird droppings that were “deposited” on the shuttle Discovery a few days prior to liftoff, actually survived the launch. Bear in mind that during the launch 300,000 gallons of water were sprayed at the shuttle’s main engines, and the shuttle went through Earth’s atmosphere from zero to 17,500 miles per hour in under 9 minutes.
With those facts readily in hand, I have a suggestion that could save countless lives. Why don’t automotive, aeronautical and aerospace engineers make cars, planes and space vehicles out of bird droppings? After all, if bird droppings can survive all they went through to get into space, surely they can be used to protect those of us confined to Earth. What would surely convince the decision makers to construct vehicles out of bird droppings would be the survival of those droppings during re-entry. As a matter of fact, I may not wait for the decision makers. I’m going to start collecting the bird droppings from my driveway. When I have enough saved, I will build my own SUV. I’ll call it the Poopster. Send me an email and let me know what you think.
PAGE THREE
I also read about the slowdown in building permits issued in Cape Coral. Speculation centers around the fact that the reason is because the cost of building a home here is getting to be quite expensive, considering the impact fee situation and cost of lots.
Now let me get this straight. Impact fees going up, building permits going down. Is there a message here? The Uncivilized Association is finally getting what they want. For years certain members of that less than illustrious group have demanded higher impact fees. The reason for this is simple. They wanted, all along, to slow down growth. However, they felt that if growth was inevitable, they wanted all the new residents, who aren’t yet voters, to pay for the roads, parks, etc. that the Uncivilized Association members want to enjoy but not pay for. Get it? They can have their cake and eat it too. No growth, or pay for what we don’t want to pay. And all this time, I thought they were too dumb to think. I realize now that they are indeed a formidable bunch. I will be more wary in the future.
I wonder…how much in impact fees will be collected on a house that isn’t built? Inquiring minds want to know.
PAGE FOUR
I see where Tim “Make My” Day is proposing an ordinance that would require department heads to live in the City, grandfathering in present directors. His intent, according to my interpretation of his quotes, is to require the directors to live with what they force upon the lowly residents, including high sewer and water assessments. What a novel idea. Making the directors deal with the policies they implement. Why didn’t I think of that?
What apparently ticked Day off was the fact that a department head, who is directly involved with the water and sewer expansion, relocated outside the City when he received his water and sewer assessment. “Not paying this”, he said. So he upped and left. With a six-figure salary, one would think he could afford the assessment. Then again, with a six-figure salary, he could move anywhere he wanted…and did.
If the ordinance passes, one of the Deputy Chiefs in the Police Department, who is a candidate for Police Chief, may be SOL since he now lives in Fort Myers. Not to worry. Rumor has it that he has friends on the City Council who will fight Day’s proposal tooth and nail. Rumor also has it that this individual is also good friends with Terry “Tight Lips” Stewart and is, therefore, a shoe in to be the next Police Chief. Therefore, you can bet your bottom dollar that Stewart will be lobbying the other Council members to thwart Day’s proposal.
And now, emails from readers.
Dear Paco,
Do you think the Charter School Board will take any action against Dr. Mark for the failure to secure $1,000,000 in grant money?
P.M.
Dear P.M.
It takes intestinal fortitude to make tough decisions.
Dear Paco,
What do you think of Mayor Feichthaler stating that he had serious concerns about whether the two new Charter Schools would open, and then asking parents to enroll their children in them?
B.D.
Dear B.D.
Isn’t that like asking people to come aboard a sinking ship?
Well. There you have it. Another Pulitzer Prize winning column…and, of course, you heard it through the Capevine.
