To the Editor, Asbury Park Sun,
With the Board of Education elections I had to ask myself a few questions that each voter should ask themselves:
How well are our students doing?
Second, if well who was involved?
Third, does anyone else bring something more to the table?
And fourth, when the road was tough and impossible who stayed for the fight?
Now my decision was not easy but I look at where we came from as a district to where we are now.
Not every team is going to agree but I want different voices at the table so all voices are heard but can still come together to make successful choices for our children. So, if it’s not broken don’t change it.
I vote facts, not opinions.
So, I’m endorsing Felicia Simmons. Carol Jones and Stephen Williams.
Appreciate Their Work.
Tracy Rogers
Springwood Ave.
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To the Editor, Asbury Park Sun,
In the late 1990’s, when current Board candidate James Famularo ran the school board,critical public projects were left uncompleted for years, while taxpayer money was wasted on shopping trips and extravagant Cadillac rentals. Even worse, our tax dollars were funneled to friends and political bosses, while student grades plummeted and the dropout rate soared.
Mr. Famularo was indicted on charges of “conspiring to evade state bidding laws in connection to an $80,000 contract and $8,000 cash advance” to friend, Robert Sullivan. Investigators found gross fiscal mismanagement on the part of Mr. Famularo and the board attorney at the time.
In a witness’ sworn testimony, Mr. Famularo himself said, “Well, I operate in a gray area of the law.”
In another case, the Board’s credit card was spent on a shopping spree at Foot Locker while the Board was supposed to be attending an out-of- town conference, according to court documents. Additionally, Mr. Famularo was given a cash advance of $250 for which he didn’t account for. Mr. Famularo had to repay the advance after getting caught.
In an additional sad footnote during Mr. Famularo’s term, our football team twice had to forfeit their entire season because academically ineligible players were allowed to play.
James Famularo and his political cronies ran a board so corrupt that, after he was removed from the board, a state monitor had to be installed. A report cited the district for its “lack of administrative leadership, outdated policies, and problems in a number of areas.”
Ultimately, Mr. Famularo was removed the board. He was recently suspended in his position of assistant city manager after being arrested and charged with assaulting officers who responded to a domestic incident at his residence.
Our kids are finally doing great! Test scores are up. The dropout rate is down. Cost per student is down. Our literacy program is working. It’s time we continue in the right direction and leave the scandals, political bosses and corruption in the past.
Pinckney, Jones and Grillo support Superintendent Repollet’s agenda.
Eric Pinckney is the founder of the Pink Prom, which raises funds for LGBTQ youth and is a mentor to young student journalists. Carol Jones is a 35-year resident who recently became the only state-certified Asbury Park school board member. And Joe Grillo is the director of development for the NJ Audubon Society, a statewide environmental non-profit.
On Tuesday, April 25th, vote #2, #6 and #7 on the ballot: Eric Pinckney, Carol Jones and Joe Grillo for Asbury Park School Board. Polls are open from 12pm to 8pm.
Barbara Lesinski
31year resident Asbury Park, NJ
* My views represent my own and not those of the Asbury Park Board of Education.
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To the Editor, Asbury Park Sun,
I graduated from Asbury Park’s school system in 1983. There were 15 graduates who went off to college. I always desired to solely work, reside, and recreate in my beloved Asbury Park community. I have spent my time over the last 30 years volunteering and working with the youth here in Asbury Park; from Little League, AAU Basketball, Pop Warner, and American Youth Football to USATF-NJ Track & Field. My wife of 20 years and my two sons graduated from Asbury Park too.
I worked with the City for some 19 years as the Assistant City Manager with five city managers where not one of them questioned my strong work ethic or commitment to making Asbury Park a better place to do business or live. I was a part of the rebirth of the city from the beginning to where it is today. I do have some tremendous achievements or accomplishments while working countless hours with the city. I am most proud of working with our youth and rebuilding the non-existence recreation department.
Unfortunately, there is always someone as a result of politics always trying to distort my character and personality. I am a consensus builder and a great listener. I am a believer that good public policy happens when everyone’s ideologies are included and bad public policy transpires when only one person’s way is framed. This “someone” who does not tell the full story is a bad listener and only wants to spend their time dominating public policy outcomes. We all should work together before & after political campaigns and leave negativity in the gutter. In the 1990s, we were aggressive in trying to get stuff done immediately because we were upset about how our school system failed us.
I am a transparent person, and I do not hide from the truth. All of what has been stated: I was innocent of and found not guilty and either overturned or misuse of facts. Pertaining to the State takeover of the school district, the state monitor arrived in Asbury Park in 2007 some 10 years later after my time served on the BOE. DOE sent an Intervention Team to the school district in 2006 for not meeting the standards in test scores. DOE after their review decided a takeover was best for Asbury Park because of $898,447 in financial mismanagement and violating contracting bidding law. As of April 2017, the DOE is still here which had nothing to do with me.
Steve and I recognize the district’s progress within the atomistic perspective has moved the district from the worst of 609 to moving in the right direction, and we want to include more of a holistic approach for substantial growth impacting most as opposed to a few.
James Famularo
Park Avenue
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To the Editor, Asbury Park Sun,
Tuesday April 25th is the Board of Education election. The polls are open between the hours of noon and 8 PM. Please get out to vote for Eric Pickney, Carol Jones, and Joe Grillo.
Thank you Vera and John Moor
Fourth Avenue
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[This letter represents the opinion of its writer and is not representative of any opinion of the Asbury Park Sun staff. All readers are welcome to submit Letters to the Editor to news@asburyparksun.com for our consideration. For guidelines on letter-writing and submission, click here.]
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