October 24, 2005 Sizing up the Candidates for the Acton Agua Dulce school board.
November 8, 2005 is around the corner. We have to choose 3 candidates among 10. Who is best qualified? Who is knowledgeable across the board to solve our problems in Education, Finances and Facilities? We have to have real changes in all three categories.
RON BIRD is most likely to get the most votes. His platform says it all. He is constantly creating opportunities for the future. It can be viewed at www.ronbird.org . He is retired and can devote much time on solving problems.
MICHAEL HUGHES is well known in town, hard working dedicated and has served the Community in many capacities. (Acton Town Council, Lyons club, CERT program, etc…) He is an independent person who puts the community first. He is the second best choice.
MAX DURAN is the expert in Facilities. He filled the vacant seat of resigning Marty Barofsky last November. He could not bring major changes to the table because of an inexperienced superintendent and a stubborn board. Max had nothing to do with closing Acton Elementary or the Gym. He was dialoging with DSA along with Ron Bird and Charles Brink to open the Gym. He also is an independent thinker. He also strives for a better Education and understands budget problems.
CHARLES BRINK has the best archives on his website www.vanguardnews.com .
He is the Brown Act expert, which is not followed by the Board on many occasions.
He opposes financing excess sports and advocates more financial support by the community to stop the drain on the general fund. He supports real Education.
CHARLES BRINK OR MAX DURAN would make great third choices.
LARRY LAYTON is very vocal and has the tendency to criticize Max Duran and Fred Heslep, our current board members, for actions they did not take. He is a sports advocate, which is not well received by many. He wants Acton Elementary to reopen, wants to install the bathrooms at Meadowlark and wants to stop the so-called secret meetings of the board. His website carries more information: www.smartvoter.org/vote/layton.
FRED HESLEP, the current board president, carries recall baggage.
This was initiated by Kathy Howald and organized by Leona Sexton, President of “Vision and Planning for the Good of the Kids” See details at www.visionandplanning.com.
MARK DISTASO, DEBBIE ROCHA and LEONA SEXTON are running on the same ticket, all organized by former CEC co-chair Kathy Howald. Needless to say that Mark Distaso was co-chair also. The name of the lame CEC (Community Education Committee) was changed to “Citizens Committed to a Brighter Future for our Schools”. Kathy Howald has the tendency to create committee names to confuse everybody. I'm told that the latest is a committee called “creative funding for campus improvement”.
MARK DISTASO is mainly associated with the “Needs Assessment” but has failed to tell the Community the cost and who pays for it. He tries to distant himself from the recall committee, which he cannot deny. A group called “the parents” is worried.
LEONA SEXTON is remembered for a failed installation of an illegal softball field and a failed recall election. Enough signatures were collected. Many caring people signed the papers but were let down by failure to go through. It is just bad policy to try to recall 2 board members and then to run for their seats. She has the support of Steve Harbeson.
Finally 2 teachers are candidates for the board:
DEBBIE ROCHA, associated with the Kathy Howald group. It is unknown what she can bring to the table besides Education.
GERALDINE R. DAVIS/DUZICK, Wife of Jim Duzick, a former board member and president associated with the creation of the now troubled, uncertified Vasquez High School. She tries to run on her teaching credentials only. Parents are reluctant to vote for her, because she believes we should give VHS back to the Palmdale School District. Make your choice. The kids deserve a caring school board. Vote on November 8.
Eleanor Braun Acton, Resident esanddollar@earthlink.net
2005 Election page
Acton Agua Dulce School District
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