Intent on this blog is for open forum for information and support to improve our schools and assist students.
2/14/14 Searsport Town Meeting for Save Our Schools copy and paste link into browser
http://vimeo.com/86668446,
Impressive forecast of Searsport project programs, welding, ship building. college credits attainable in High School with state wide support from many colleges... excellent meeting. Nice work.
9/13/13- This blog has not been updated since 8/12/13. Will leave open just for information or interest in forming a committee.
NOT Laurie Allen
Who would believe a committee that would sit in front of a town and out and out lie to everyone in the community about not being able to consider withdrawing again for two years if the towns did not meet their 50% of the last gubernatorial figure. I cannot believe an attorney would not know the statutes regarding this matter. You really expect people to trust anyone that was on the withdrawal committee again. I hardly doubt it. I feel that there should be some sort of legal ramification to all of those who misrepresented this very important information to all the towns. Shame on you for being so dishonest.
Below post also NOT Laurie Allen
I'm sorry that Eric Sanders was offended by Superintendent Carpenter's remarks but, if they weren't true, then just what was Eric Sanders' reasoning when he, Eric Sanders, as a member of the Withdrawal Committee for the City of Belfast, stood up at the Budget Meeting on May 30th and made the motion to ADD $500,000 back into the budget - a motion that was approved by those present. How do you spell disingenuous? I spell it Eric Sanders!
Withdrawal could get second chance due to voter support
Despite failure, majority of "yes" votes allows process to restart
By Ben Holbrook | Jun 13, 2013
Students, Staff, Parents, Concerned Residents... All welcome and wanted for anonymous input to make our schools safe to educate with sense and accountability.
8/9/13 SEE COMMENTS and article below, dated 8/9 in red. Truth, facts, documentation prevail. Slugfest is for bullies. I will not participate.
POSTED BY: LAURIE LEE ALLEN | Aug 09, 2013 12:10Chip Curry echoed my exact sentiments with all school and City spending and corruption. INDEPENDENT STUDIES AND COMMITTEES. Do not be swayed or charmed by the corrupt. Masters at deception. They throw 10's of thousands for studies of bias, swaying or just downright waste. Common sense, ethics, facts, history, true un-doctored spread sheet and get out the corrupt. Good to go.
Get an elective going in the school to study the corruption of power in the Schools and City Hall. Offer as an adult program as well with community speakers. Independent study of proven failure and corruption. I have a bit of material to donate. This would be extremely interesting and enlightening. Empowering students and residents through education. Open debates, forums, access to public documents and information with held or tainted by officials. The end of here-say, beliefs, opinions, bias, intimidation, unethical practices and tactics, pitting and manipulating people against each other... It is that easy.
I can resign as the whistle blower and volunteer my time to well being for all. Please, let me do that, I am exhausted with this bully beating from white collars and their supporters.
8/9/13 4:45 pm- I just sent this request to the Regional School Unit #20 Adult Education belfast.maineadulted.org
I am the writer of www.belfastbullies.blogspot.com , www. waldokids.blogspot.com and www.belfastspeaks.blogspot.com For 2 years I have been documenting corruption from the State down to the City of Belfast and all the roadblocks. Belfast schools are failing, yet the powers remain. The answer is education. Empowering students and residents to have an open forum, debate, access to authentic and verified true public information and documents. The anger, mistrust, wasting of time and money to no end. Education, Belfast can be the model of bringing back America by the people. I am available 24/7, no charge, ready to work and inform. An elective offered to HS students would be fantastic.From google Corruption Risk in Maine - State Integrity Investigation
www.stateintegrity.org/maine
Maine gets a grade of F for corruption risk and ranks 46th out of 50 states in the State ... Maine. Corruption Risk Report Card. Rank among 50 states: 46th ...
8/8/13
America does not exist in Belfast. City Hall and Council have been trying to silence me for 2 years as I expose their corruption. Open to the public forums on FB blocked me for questioning ethics. One was Our Town Belfast - when I exposed the block and deleting I was reinstated. On FB Friends and Supporters of Belfast Area Schools I was under personal attacks by Courtney Sanders and Charles Hamm. After I asked how voting no on the budget accomplished anything, I was blocked from further posting. City Council Eric Sanders wife, Courtney and Belfast Area High School staff/teacher, Charles Hamm were not professional or ethical, and used bullying tactics. I made it public @ Republican Journal and www.waldokids.blogspot.com. Here is a member telling me I'm NOT restricted. Oh yes I am. I can view but I can't post or comment. These "pillars" in the community destroy democracy.
Kerri Vacher 7:16pm Jul 30This is a facebook page for supporters of Belfast Area Schools. Those who choose to be involved believe in this cause and are doing their individual best to educate our children. If you would like to speak your reasons for voting yes on the budget and feel that that is best for the students- please feel free. I am always open to other views. Just because others don't share your opinion does not make this an unbiased facebook page. You are not restricted from being on here and voicing your opinion esp if you have ideas that will help to support our students. It is the common opinion of "Friends and Supporters of Belfast Area Schools" that the students deserve better. You are free to create your own forums, present your own agendas and campaign your own ideas and gather support on a page such as "Supporters of the taxpayer in the Belfast Area". I am afraid that if you are looking to get support from the members of this page, that you may be looking in the wrong place. Just my 2 cents...no disrespect intended to anyone.
8/8/13
Wayne Corey cuts to the quick again. 30% less students = 30% less teachers, 45k art teacher gone in voting. ff 4 minutes for Wayne's math and dry humor- a man with merit and 9 kids.
8/6/13 City Council Meeting
http://www.amara.org/en/videos/DPEXpOlGt5e3/info/
_________________________________________________________________________________
Angry comments by Courtney Sanders are biased and inappropriate. Her husband, Eric Sanders serves on the corrupt Belfast City Council and Eric can be seen right here, smiling, disengaged as I plead for the City to stop drowning us and destroying our property. As I am speaking, the camera shows Eric grinning ear to ear. Absolutely disrespectful to me and everyone. Bully power is spreading to spouses and where do kids learn to bully? Their parents. Proof here in this meeting and for over 20 more meetings I have attended since coming out.
11/1/11 First Meeting After 7 months of Lies/Withholding Public Documents/Tossing Me Around like a Pack of Cigarettes...sucking the life out of me
http://vimeo.com/31506248 11/1/11 City Hall Meeting- fast forward 20minutes, 44 seconds, hard to hit that though, seems to jump from 20minutes to after my speech is done. May have to begin listening at 19 minutes, but don't ff- it will skip to end again. You can back it up too. I give almost 15 minutes of choking testimony.Council Eric Sanders caught scary grinning ear to ear. After my wrenching public plea to stop flooding us 52 minutes into meeting City Manager Joe Slocum tries to deflect from missing map and discredit me, that was only the beginning of the missing documents that Wayne must have hid when you hear him give the history of the development56 minutes into meeting. When questioned by Council, Mike Hurley as to what is Belfast's Storm Water Ordinance, Wayne Marshall, City Planner and torturer of my life, states it directs to send storm water to nearest PUBLIC waterway- streams. I have requested this ordinance since and he fails to produce it... he must be lying and Seaview Terrace is NOT a public waterway, the City has no right aways or easements...THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!!Then Mike Hurley says this storm water flooding is Council's problem but then they vote to take no action in the 1/3/12 Meeting where they brought in the City Attorney who had more public documents with held from me specific to my property. When I tried to question him he ran away and Council closed the discussion.
8/9/13 SEE COMMENTS Truth, facts, documentation prevail. Slugfest is for bullies.RSU 20 budget
Board chairman: 'We don't know which way to go'
By Tanya Mitchell | Aug 08, 2013
BELFAST — After the proposed Regional School Unit budget failed for the second time last week, the RSU 20 board chairman said directors are seeking feedback from voters in the eight towns in terms of what residents want to see in a third budget recommendation.
Board chairman Tony Bagley told The Republican Journal Tuesday, Aug. 6, since the proposed $33.4 million budget failed in all eight towns during the vote Tuesday, July 30, Director Valerie Mank of Searsmont has posted a survey for RSU 20 voters at
surevymonkey.com. Through the results of that survey, which allow a space for participants to specify why they either do or do not support that budget proposal, Bagley said the board hopes to get an idea of what kind of budget proposal voters will support.
“We don't know which way to go,” said Bagley.
The budget package the board proposed in May totaled $33.5 million, but by the end of the four-hour budget validation meeting at Troy Howard Middle School, residents restored about half of the $1.7 million worth of cuts the directors proposed. The restored funds totaled $856,010.
In the latest budget pitch, the board came back to residents during a validation meeting July 22 with a proposed $33.8 million budget that was reduced by residents by $363,563 to a final figure of $33,459,979.
Voters in all eight towns rejected both proposals at the polls, and Bagley said the board is now reaching out to voters who do not or cannot attend meetings and have not directly expressed their feelings about why they chose to either approve or reject the latest budget package.
Bagley said RSU 20 is not the only district facing that pull between those who are willing to fund education at any cost and those who are struggling to pay their property taxes.
“It's happening all over the place,” said Bagley.
But Bagley said he has been talking to residents about the increasing difficulties the district is facing to make ends meet for the last four years, particularly given the down turn in state and federal subsidies and increases in insurance costs.
“We've got to start with little steps,” said Bagley.
He noted neighboring districts like RSU 3, Rockland-based RSU 13 and the Bangor School Department have all made small cuts in recent years to soften the blow for the taxpayers.
“Here, it's the status-quo,” he said. “... It's caught up with us; something has got to give.”
Bagley said spending more money on education is not the answer, either.
“Just throwing money at it isn't going to make education better,” he said. “With a $34 million budget, it shouldn't be an issue, we should have everything we need. We've got to somehow draw the line.”
Bagley said he recognizes that residents in the district value various aspects of education differently — some may feel the district would do a disservice without art programs at all levels, while others feel strongly about keeping a second secretary in two Belfast area schools — and it's up to the board to create a budget that will be palatable to most voters.
“There's got to be a happy medium,” Bagley said.
But Bagley said it will be a challenge, in part due to that diversity, and also because Waldo County is the second poorest county in the state. At the last Finance Committee meeting, Bagley said the board learned every town was behind on its school payments by at least a month, and one town was behind three months.
At budget meetings, some residents have advocated for spending the money on staff and programs because it is cheaper in the long run to provide our children with a great education, but Bagley said that school of thought has led to another problem for the district — decreasing enrollments.
“That's one of the reasons that student population is dwindling. People can't afford to move here with families,” he said.
Belfast, Searsport and Stockton Springs are seeing a steady decline in families with children, while towns like Waldo, Brooks, Searsmont and Morrill are seeing increases in school aged children. Families living in the RSU sometimes move to outlying towns within the district, but sometimes they move into towns situated in a neighboring district, meaning less state subsidy for RSU 20.
If the budget fails at the polls for a third time, Bagley said the board will again return to the drawing board. That scenario will play out again and again until voters pass a budget at the polls.
And with each vote coming with a price tag of about $15,000, Bagley said the cost of the last two referendums could have paid for a position within the district.
“It's taking money away from the students,” said Bagley.
Until voters do pass a budget at the polls, Bagley said the district must operate under the package voters passed at the conclusion of the last budget validation meeting on July 22. That budget impacted rt programs, the resource officer at Belfast Area High School and stipends for middle school extracurricular activities, according to previously published reports.
If voters do not finalize a new budget prior to the start of school, Bagley said that might pose a whole new set of challenges. If the new budget funds positions or programs that were excluded from the previous budget, Bagley said the district may be faced with trying to hire back staff that may have already found other positions.
And given the lengthy budget process that has had residents considering various staff cuts, it has been an emotional roller coaster for those staff members whose positions have been on and off the chopping block this summer.
And the towns are in a tough position now too, Bagley said, because they are waiting on the RSU to put out their final tax assessments.
“There's a lot more to it than a position here and a position there,” he said. “There's a lot more at stake.”
I am running for a seat on the School Board for Belfast. I am currently collecting signatures from registered Belfast residents. I will be at the fabulous street party tonight with my little clipboard, and would love your support! I hope to bring my consensus building skills to the Board and work on getting to YES! in support of comprehensive quality education that includes arts and sports. Much more on my platform in the near future, but for now, I must get on the ballot!
Caitlin Hills
Voters reject proposed $33.45 million RSU 20 budget
By Ben Holbrook | Jul 30, 2013
Residents in all eight Regional School Unit 20 towns have rejected the proposed $33.45 million budget.
The vote was the second effort by the school board to pass a budget for the district. During a June 11 referendum vote on a $34.4 million budget, residents in all eight towns rejected the proposal by a significant margin.
School board members came back to residents during a validation meeting Monday, July 22, with a proposed $33.8 million budget that was reduced by residents by $363,563 to a final figure of $33,459,979.
The cuts impact art programs, the resource officer at Belfast Area High School and stipends for Belfast middle school extracurricular activities, according to previously published reports.
Belfast voted 125 in favor to 397 against; Belmont voted 17 in favor to 48 against; Morrill voted 22 in favor to 77 against; Northport voted 65 in favor to 79 against; Searsmont voted 24 in favor to 101 against; Searsport voted 49 in favor to 93 against; Stockton Springs voted 90 in favor to 125 against; and Swanville voted 25 in favor to 45 against.
Republican Journal reporter Ben Holbrook can be reached at 338-3333 or at bholbrook@courierpublicationsllc.com.
Belmont, Northport submit petitions to restart withdrawal process
By Ben Holbrook | Jul 30, 2013
As Belfast moves ahead with restarting its withdrawal procedures, a handful of other Regional School Unit 20 towns are also submitting petitions to consider leaving the district.
Officials in Belmont, Northport and Searsmont confirmed Wednesday, July 24, that petitions had been submitted. Belmont officials have scheduled a vote to be held Aug. 20.
Northport Town Clerk Jeanine Tucker said the town received enough petitions with valid signatures to schedule a vote. She said selectmen will discuss when to set the date of the vote during their regularly scheduled Aug. 5 meeting.
Searsmont Town Clerk Kathy Hoey said one petition has been submitted so far. She said petitioners must gather 60 valid signatures — 10 percent of the registered voters who cast a ballot in the 2010 gubernatorial election — before selectmen set a date to hold a vote on whether residents wish to pursue the withdrawal effort.
No petitions have been filed in Swanville and officials have not heard if any are circulating in the community as of Thursday, July 25. Morrill officials said petitions have been filed with the town, but the signatures have not yet been validated.
Belfast residents will vote Tuesday, Aug. 20, on whether they want to pursue withdrawal from RSU 20.
During a referendum vote June 11, only Searsmont and Morrill were able to pass the measure. Belfast, Belmont, Northport and Swanville failed to pass withdrawal due to a state law requiring at least 50 percent of the voters who cast a ballot in the previous gubernatorial election cast a vote either for or against withdrawal.
Despite that failure, the process to pursue withdrawal was able to restart quickly because of a provision that stated if more than 60 percent of the ballots cast were “yes” votes then the process could begin again immediately without having to wait a minimum of two years.
Legislation was introduced to eliminate the 50 percent voter turnout requirement; however, the bill was recommitted to the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee by the Senate on July 9.
A simple majority is required to pass or reject the ballot question asking if residents want to pursue withdrawal. In addition, the ballot must contain specific language asking how much money residents will authorize be spent on legal and other costs associated with withdrawal efforts.
Following a vote in the affirmative, a withdrawal committee must be formed and include a member of the petitioner's group, a municipal officer, a member of the RSU 20 school board and a person from the general public.
Republican Journal reporter Ben Holbrook can be reached at 338-3333 or at bholbrook@courierpublicationsllc.com.
Residents focus on benefits, costs of withdrawal during public hearing
Terms of plan remain unchanged after hearing
By Ben Holbrook | May 07, 2013
BELFAST — Residents attending a public hearing to discuss the terms of the withdrawal agreement between Regional School Unit (RSU) 20 and the six towns seeking to leave were more concerned with costs and educational benefits than the plan, according to the chair of the School Board.
The public hearing held at Belfast Area High School Monday, May 6, gave residents the chance to ask questions about the terms of the withdrawal agreement and suggest any possible changes. Tony Bagley, chairman of the RSU 20 Board, said no changes were made to the withdrawal agreement plan as a result of the public hearing.
However, he noted that the majority of the residents in attendance were more concerned with the cost of withdrawing and what the educational benefits to students would be.
He said of the 50 or 60 residents in attendance, a few did speak in favor of the process, but the majority asked questions that are not answered within the agreement. He explained that if anyone had suggested a change to the terms of the agreement, the plan would have gone back to the withdrawal committees before being resubmitted to Jim Rier, deputy commissioner of the Maine Department of Education, for approval.
“I was surprised at the lack of support [for withdrawal] at the meeting,” Bagley said.
Although the meeting was intended to focus on the plan, Bagley said, when the School Board held a similar public hearing regarding Frankfort's withdrawal agreement plan, people also questioned the costs and educational benefits and were less concerned with the terms of the plan.
Eric Sanders, chairman of the Belfast withdrawal committee, said he wasn't surprised that questions were directed at the cost savings and educational benefits versus the actual plan. He continued by noting the plan deals more with "physical things, like buses and buildings," whereas residents are more interested in how their taxes will be impacted.
"We're very proud of the work we've done and we stand by it," Sanders said. "All is proceeding at the correct pace and we're thrilled it's going to the voters."
He added that the committees would work to provide answers to questions from residents to the best of their ability.
Steve Hutchings, vice chairman of the Belfast committee, was also pleased that the plan did not receive any changes. In email to The Republican Journal, Hutchings said he believed people who favor withdrawal need to "get the word out" before he referenced a quote from a school board meeting when a comment was made regarding consolidating schools.
He explained that his fear, and many others, according to his email, is that the RSU 20 will be forced combine schools.
"This [ school consolidation] was addressed by a number of people as a real fear. Most of us believe that it is a near certainty if we do not withdraw. Five years ago
BAHS had a population of 650; next year we expect it to be 520. Searsport's
would be about 160," Hutchings wrote.
He continued his comment by stating that he believed combining schools would create an issue in the schools.
"It would truly be a mess with 160 kids that didn't want to be here greeted by 520 kids that don't want them here," he wrote.
Seasmont committee Chairman Chuck Hamm said in an email to The Republican Journal that he feels the meetings are "getting sidetracked at times, as far as I am concerned."
He went on to acknowledge that, while the issue of money is important, he feels potential savings have been identified.
"To dispute the exact number of the savings is one thing, as it seems to be a moving target. To dispute that there is savings is implying some wrongdoing and displays an utter lack of understanding of the budget process and is simply unprofessional," Hamm said in his email.
The terms of the withdrawal agreement between RSU 20 and the six towns seeking to leave — Belfast, Belmont, Morrill, Northport, Searsmont and Swanville — require that all of the towns vote on withdrawing, and then vote to re-form as a new district.
In addition to the requirement that all towns pass their withdrawal questions, the agreement also addresses payment of the RSU 20 superintendent’s contract and building renovation costs.
If RSU 20 votes to extend or renew the contract for the superintendent prior to withdrawal's taking effect, the new RSU will pay its share of the contract until June 30, 2015.
The agreement also requires the new district to pay RSU 20 $35,066 for its share of the new roof for the Sweetser building. The new district will also pay an itemized amount up to $50,000 for costs related to establishing a new RSU 20 central office.
Per the agreement, students who are currently enrolled in an RSU 20 school will have the option to continue attending the same school for one year after withdrawal takes effect July 1, 2014.
Belfast Attorney Kristin Collins, who is representing the city's withdrawal committee, confirmed the state has approved the withdrawal agreement and gave the green light to a June 11 vote.
Each of the six towns seeking to withdraw from RSU 20 will hold a public hearing prior to the June 11 referendum vote.
Republican Journal reporter Ben Holbrook can be reached at 338-3333 or at bholbrook@courierpublicationsllc.com.
7/25/13
Belfast withdrawal vote to be held in August
By Ben Holbrook | Jul 24, 2013
BELFAST — Councilors set a date in mid August to hold a vote asking residents if they wish to pursue withdrawal from Regional School Unit 20, after hearing comments from a representative of a group opposed to the measure.
Proponents of withdrawing from RSU 20 were able to gather 318 valid signatures — 306 were required — to hold the election. The election is scheduled to take place Tuesday, Aug. 20.
Before councilors decided on a date for the election, Belfast resident Chip Curry, speaking on behalf of a group of people opposed to withdrawing, spoke out against the effort. Curry said that while the group is against withdrawing, they are also unhappy with the “status quo” of RSU 20.
For that reason, the group is looking at ways to strengthen the district, Curry said. In addition, Curry asked that councilors not use public money to support the withdrawal effort. By law, the vote asking residents whether they wish to pursue withdrawal must also contain language specifying how much money will be allocated to pay for legal and other costs related to the effort.
Curry also called on councilors to support an independent analysis that would detail the financial impact of withdrawal on the city. The analysis could also look at how withdrawing would impact the education of the students, the impact to other towns and on future economic development in the city.
While Curry spoke against withdrawal, Belfast resident Wayne Corey encouraged the city to pursue the effort. He suggested that Belfast should withdraw on its own from RSU 20 and then invite the other towns to join its district in the future.
An attempt by Belfast, Belmont, Morrill, Northport, Searsmont and Swanville to withdraw from RSU 20 failed during a June 11 referendum after four of the six towns failed to meet a 50 percent voter turnout threshold, as required by state law.
Emergency legislation to eliminate the 50 percent voter turnout requirement was introduced in the legislature, but was not enacted during the most recent legislative session. According to the Maine Legislature website, the Senate recommitted the bill and accompanying papers to the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee on July 9.
Councilors set the date for the vote to determine if residents wish to pursue withdrawal for Tuesday, Aug. 20. A simple majority is required to pass or defeat the effort. If successful, the next step in the process is to form a withdrawal committee.
Republican Journal reporter Ben Holbrook can be reached at 338-3333 or at bholbrook@courierpublicationsllc.com.
City, residents question RSU 20 budget
By Ben Holbrook | Jul 23, 2013
BELFAST — The Regional School Unit 20 Superintendent updated residents and councilors on the proposed $33.8 million district budget, while concerns were aired about further burdening taxpayers with more spending Tuesday, July 16.
Superintendent Brian Carpenter explained that the proposed budget represents a 5 percent decrease from the $34.3 million budget that was rejected by all eight towns in the district during a June referendum vote. However, the newest budget proposed by directors is $300,000 more than the original budget of $33.5 million that went before residents during a public hearing at the end of May.
The fact that the Board of Directors came back with a budget higher than what they asked for initially, frustrated some residents who were concerned about the impact on property tax payers.
Belfast resident Christopher Hyk said he has the impression that the school board has shown an “astonishing” lack of regard for taxpayers. He continued by stating there were redundancies in the district and asked why a proposal to combine Belfast Area High School and Searsport High School has not been considered as a way to save money.
Walter Corey, also of Belfast, was equally frustrated, asking why the school board would bring back a higher budget despite the overwhelming rejection of their first proposal.
“What don't I get?” Corey asked of the budget proposal. “Am I this dumb?”
Because the ballot question asks residents only if they wish to accept or reject the budget, Corey said there needs to be additional language that allows voters to indicate whether they are approving or rejecting the budget because it is either too high or too low.
Carpenter acknowledged that the increased cost of operating the schools is putting the pinch on taxpayers, but he also pointed out that some of the costs in the budget cannot be controlled by the district. For instance, he explained that the district's health insurance costs rose 13 percent and insurance on the buildings increased 16 percent — despite Frankfort withdrawing from RSU 20 and leaving the district with one less building.
He also noted that despite recently receiving about $449,000 in additional state subsidy, the district still has not received as much money as it has in the past.
Councilors questioned Carpenter as to why the district hasn't considered further consolidation, such as with combining the Searsport and Belfast athletic teams. Carpenter said combining the two high school populations could result in the district having to compete in a higher class. Such a move could mean that the teams — he used football as an example — would be less competitive, which he said wouldn't be fair to players, coaches or fans.
Councilor Nancy Hamilton responded by asking Carpenter how it's fair to continue burdening taxpayers with increased spending.
Other questions asked of Carpenter were whether the school resource officer position was included in the budget, which it is, and what he thought of the state's “D” ranking for Belfast Area High School. Carpenter said he was not surprised and, in fact, school officials expected the low grade because of what he described as a pattern of “stagnant” test scores over the past few years.
He continued by explaining that the grade assigned to Belfast Area High School shows that students do not take standardized tests seriously. He then said that the report card failed to take into account other things that are taking place in the schools.
Residents decreased the proposed budget to $33.45 million during a public hearing Monday, July 22. The budget will next go to a referendum vote scheduled for Tuesday, July 30.
Republican Journal reporter Ben Holbrook can be reached at 338-3333 or at bholbrook@courierpublicationsllc.com.
BDN-
When a school closes in a rural town, more than education is at stake
All 74 pupils in the kindergarten-to-fifth grade school must decide
this summer whether they want to continue their education to the north,
in Winterport or Hampden, or in Searsport and Belfast to the south.
Frankfort voters decided last fall to formally withdraw from the
Regional School Unit 20, which includes Belfast, Belmont, Morrill,
Northport, Searsmont, Searsport, Stockton Springs and Swanville, and
join Hampden, Winterport and Newburgh in SAD 22.
The withdrawal effort began as a way to save their school from being closed,
but that’s not how it ended – a reality that has made many here sad,
angry and frustrated. The school is where town meetings are held, where
exercise classes take place, where community members meet to debate big
issues including the recent controversial effort to erect wind turbines
atop Mount Waldo. Its closure leaves a hole in town.
6/20/13 I want to say that we all have huge opportunity here. I don't think any of us feel secure with withdrawal or RSU. Belfast City Council is definitely pushing and gave Krisitin Collins, City Attorney the go ahead to use more money to get the law changed on withdrawal. She did say that in 2015? it would not even be of issue. So why waste the money on her fees? All concerned need to organize and present with ethics. The summer is perfect- public meetings in the park? Someone please get this going. I will support and help. I am not qualified to be a spokesperson, but certainly can be the messenger. Leave a post or invite me to your group.
Below does not relate to school issues, it is an FYI to beware of Belfast Council and City Hall.
6/18 Belfast City Council Meeting http://vimeo.com/68691504
At open to the public, speakers are trying to bring us together to make it better now. Dismissed. Mike Hurley using his power to persuade and pursue. It's just not ethical and makes me very frightened to give Belfast the reigns. I speak right after my neighbors and cite ordinance after ordinance where City Council and Hall have broken the law and are untouchable? The refuse to be accountable, Hurley has slandered me and anyone that crosses him, it's just horrible. He twists the truth and twists the resident. He manipulates with confidence. It's not just him, he has full support of Council, Mayor and Manager. I'll post the public slander of me after I painstakingly put myself out to the public to save my home. Believe me, I wish with my heart and soul that no one knew me, and that me and my kids and pets were safely living our new chance at life.
*** http://vimeo.com/33314014 12/6/11
City Hall Meeting- I speak publicly about 15 minutes in- 4th person up.
I let it rip with truth and maps.
Later at the end of the meeting, long
after I'm gone, Council member Mike Hurley slanders me with confidence
and ease. Quoted as closely as possible, Mike Hurley’s public rant against me at the 12/6/11 City Council meeting:
“I want to respond during the discussion about water. I came to the
entire subject early on when we stated getting copied here on
everything, with a pretty open mind about it, well, is there a problem
here? What’s the problem? I think that’s what we do here quite often is
hey what’s the problem and try to fix it and if there is something we
can do. I want to say I had an open mind to it but having had the
avalanche of emails that we received and what we heard tonight again, I
just want to say that, ya know, if anybody thinks the way to solve a
problem is to insult people with things like, Wayne’s World, Ignorant,
Dysfunctional, Shot to Hell, Deceiving, Corruption, Lies, Cover Ups,
Bullied, I want to add one word…RIDICULOUS. I’ve worked with all these
guys and I’ve been on the wrong side of government in the past and I’ve
been on the wrong side of government while I’ve been in government. And
ya know, it’s just ridiculous to listen to this stuff. I would not
object to putting this on the agenda for us to talk about what we should
do about this if anything. But, you know, to listen to these to these
kind of character assassinations pf people who could really be bothered
to do these things to this woman, I’m really sorry, nobody has any
interest in doing any of these kinds of things that she keeps
proclaiming and you know it’s unfortunate she takes it completely
publicly and tonight even, I kept waiting for her, what’s the problem
(out of quote for me to say, I clearly stated in the beginning what the
problem, what I wanted done, and backed it up with facts for the ??
Time) How would we address the problem. I THINK SHE’S MORE INTERESTED IN
FIGHTING, but I’m willing to talk about it and look at it and maybe, ya
know, there’s something we can do, I don’t know. But anyway, I FEEL
LIKE WAYNE AND JOE, IN PARTICULAR HAVE BEEN AN ABSOLUTE PINATA AND I
APPRECIATE THEM BEING RESTRAINED. I am sure, I can tell from everything
that the landowner is absolutely feels put upon by the water that runs
in the stream in through her yard. I think, maybe there’s a way to solve
this but constantly insulting the people you’re trying to talk with, at
least it’s never worked for me at home.”
6/16/13- Below is an anonymous (at this time) post for the blog taken from public viewing on facebook. I am just the messenger (don't hurt me or ANY children. I've taken punch after corrupt punch) waiting for input. All towns welcome here.
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Withdrawal woes plague Belfast area schools (see actual article above click on header)
Comments
I'm sorry that Eric Sanders was
offended by Superintendent Carpenter's remarks but, if they weren't
true, then just what was Eric Sanders' reasoning when he, Eric Sanders,
as a member of the Withdrawal Committee for the City of Belfast, stood
up at the Budget Meeting on May 30th and made the motion to ADD $500,000
back into the budget - a motion that was approved by those present.
How do you spell disingenuous? I spell it Eric Sanders!
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6/15/13 Above all else- GET ALL COMMUNICATIONS IN WRITING/EMAIL! Demand It.
Much information needs to be publicized on school politics. Volunteering parents can attest to thousands of missing fund raising dollars held by a Principal. Another can attest to the Director of Guidance throwing a student under the bus by not advising the student to choose another elective, knowing the Freshman AP student was spending half the day in study halls, advising the student on 9/17 (prior to class change cutoff) not to take Honors English and to just stay put. The Director knew the student did not get the elective, and did not advise the student. It was mandatory to choose another since the student would only be carrying 5 1/2 credits- of the mandatory 6. The Director later lied, said the student choose not to take another elective, half the year was over. The Principal supported the Director, would not allow a change for a new guidance counselor and would not accommodate student with an appropriate 1/2 credit elective (student already penalized by not being able to pick up a full credit in September). The parent went to the Assistant Superintendent (acting ILP administrator) and a new counselor and online course was the resolution. Still a 1/2 credit penalized and loss of a required elective- language. Had the student not been AP, that student would have lost and have been stuck with a horrible "Guidance" counselor.
Hi Mr. Davis,
???? thinks ??? should be in Honors English.
Tomorrow is the 2 week mark for changing. Please bring ???? in to discuss. Thanks.
xxxx
_____________________________________________________________________________
Hi XXXX - ????
was notified in the fall that ??? couldn't get into S/D
as the class conflicted with ???? CP Biology class, meaning that it was
held at the same time.
There is only one section of S/D, so we tried to move ??? to another
section of Biology, but it created conflicts with both Honors Geometry and
Adv. Geography.
At that time, ???? elected not to add a different class, like an art
class or a foreign language.
Looking forward, ??? has time to add a class for second semester and I
will see him to go over the options.
Jim Davis
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6/14/13 Comments from here will go to beheard.me55@gmail.com for validation and confidential posting if requested. I'll start up a committee wish list while waiting for input.
Who would believe a committee that would sit in front of a
town and out and out lie to everyone in the community about not being
able to consider withdrawing again for two years if the towns did not
meet their 50% of the last gubernatorial figure. I cannot believe an
attorney would not know the statutes regarding this matter. You really
expect people to trust anyone that was on the withdrawal committee
again. I hardly doubt it. I feel that there should be some sort of
legal ramification to all of those who misrepresented this very
important information to all the towns. Shame on you for being so
dishonest.
Withdrawal could get second chance due to voter support
Despite failure, majority of "yes" votes allows process to restart
By Ben Holbrook | Jun 13, 2013
Despite the efforts of six towns to
withdraw from Regional School Unit 20 due to poor voter turnout, the
process could be restarted immediately due to the fact the ballots cast
were strongly in favor of the effort.
State statutes required at least 50 percent of the voters who cast a
ballot in the previous gubernatorial election cast a ballot either for
or against withdrawal. The effort automatically fails if that 50 percent
threshold is not met regardless of how many people vote for or against
the effort.
It was that threshold that doomed withdrawal during the June 11
referendum, as only Morrill and Searsmont were able to garner enough
votes to meet the required number of ballots. Belfast, Belmont,
Northport and Swanville all failed to meet the threshold, but more than
60 percent ballots cast were in favor of withdrawal.
According to the number of ballots casts, voters in each of the six
towns received more than 60 percent “yes” votes on the question of
withdrawal. Deputy Commissioner Jim Rier said during a telephone
interview Wednesday, June 12, the process for withdrawing can begin
again without having to wait another two years.
Rier said the process will follow the same steps that the withdrawal
committees did when they began the process about one year ago. The
question of whether resident wish to pursue withdrawal must be put to a
vote, and in order to proceed, at least 45 percent of the ballots that
are cast, must be cast in favor of withdrawal, he explained.
However, if the number of “yes” votes fails to at least meet the 45
percent benchmark, Rier said the withdrawal process cannot be started
again for two years.
Belfast City Councilor Eric Sanders, who also served on the
withdrawal committee, said he believes if the withdrawal process starts
again, it can move forward more quickly than it did initially because
the towns have already created an acceptable plan.
Depending on the willingness of the municipalities, Sanders said a
vote could be held in November 2013 or even earlier because residents
must vote again to either accept or reject the proposed RSU 20 budget
after it was defeated during the June 11 referendum.
A petition signed by at least 10 percent of the voters who cast a
ballot in the last gubernatorial election must be submitted to municipal
officers to place the question on the ballot to be voted on.
“People are outraged that a technicality is limiting their ability to
withdraw,” Sanders said during a telephone interview Wednesday, June
12.
When asked if Belfast would consider creating its own plan for
withdrawal and not pursue a six-town agreement, Sanders said he wasn't
sure if that option would be considered. However, he said he believes
the six-town plan previously approved by the state and the RSU 20 school
board made sense.
Belfast attorney Kristin Collins agreed with Sander's assessment that
the process for withdrawal should be more streamlined the second time
around, noting the committees could submit the same plan that was
approved by the state and school board. She said the towns could even
reform their withdrawal committees with the same members if they so
desired.
Sanders said he anticipates the city council will discuss restarting
the withdrawal process during their June 18 meeting. He said he also
hopes to hear from other select boards regarding the issue and if they
would support restarting the process.
Republican Journal reporter Ben Holbrook can be reached at 338-3333 or at bholbrook@courierpublicationsllc.com.
Belfast Shame Hall. Getting into a legal battle is their
forte'. City Attorney's and opposing attorney salivating at each
opportunity to which there is corrupt abundance. City Attorney Carte
Blanche to tax payers, opposing Carte Blanche direct hit to personal
wallet. Burning like wildfire and breaking souls in public- Belfast
witch hunt. Fear, intimidation and retribution silence public support
and rally.
Except the bikers- boy did Belfast Shame Hall cower and bow when they
came roaring in. Roger Lee clearly rattled praising"Power To You" to
the biker attendees. Business is always under threat because of Shame
Hall. 7/3/12 Biker Rule City Hall Meeting http://vimeo.com/45187535 ff
11 minutes- Dan Murphy nails Council- 14min38 sec Roger Lee back peddles
and refused to apologize.
I wanted to trust in City Attorney Kristin Collins. Look at Searsport and the tanks that Kristin Collins presided over.
THAT PROJECT SHOULD HAVE NEVER SEEN THE LIGHT OF DAY BECAUSE OF ZONING ORDINANCE.
Shattering lives, breaking law, individual financial devastation,
property destruction, endangering lives...stomp, stomp, stomp. And here
she is again.
Her partner in cover up, Bill Kelly has exposed himself time and time
again with me- intimidation tactics and idiotic statements to cover up
the blatant force flooding to Seaview Terrace. See some of his letters
in this album, as ignorant and unethical as was the City some 35 years
ago with the same annoying fact-less rhetoric.
|
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1/31/13 Seaview Terrace Drowning Letters and Pics
Belfast Me 04915 -
Jan 31, 2013
by laurie allen
City
allows site ordinance violations causing devastation to Seaview 2009
& 2011. City refuses to do the Storm water analysis as ordered in
the conditions for approval. Wayne Marshall took the funds from the
contributing storm water sites and there it stopped. Joe Slocum refuses
to implement. Do they plan to let Seaview get wiped out and take it
through imminent domain? Additionally, sites are to remove snow off site
and not pile per local ordinance. Winters of heavy snow keep
increasing pile...
|
My blog www.belfastbullies.blogspot.com and
www.belfastspeaks.blogspot.com offer an array of cover up, lying, with
holding, manipulating, intimidation tactics, police use, resident upon
resident abuse and attorney expense. As I told Shame Hall in the last
meeting, 6/4/13 (I've spoken at over 15 minutes, protesting in the
streets, signs on my property, I chased down Governor LePage at the
Front Street Shipyard while Erin Herbig, Mayor Ash, City Manager Joe
Slocum, and other "dignataries" tried to scurry away from me, cornered
Senator Thibodeau who advised me to join Shame Hall Council and be one
of them with personal agenda corruption. The DEP corrupt, Attorney
General ignoring and refusing to order pubic documents with held. Now,
I'm waiting for Angus King to show his colors.
Right now airing is the 6/12/13 Planning Board Meeting where the Pig
Out BBQ applied for expansion. Shame Hall has caused hell on all those
small businesses and residents in that area. No relief in site just more
stomping and fend for yourself for what they caused. City Planner Wayne
Marshall is caught lying right there when Chair Diane Allmyer Beck
asked what was the outcome of the DEP visit to the Pig Out. She asks and
Planning does not respond. Later Wayne tries to sneak in that the DEP
came on a day that the smoker was not in use!!!! Lie and assistant
planner, Jamie says nothing. The Pig Out, Ted Berry, states the smoker
was in use when the DEP came and Jamie was there as well. The DEP found
the smoke passed the opaque test. Yet the Board does not hold Wayne
accountable for lying. Jamie tries to say anyone can come in and view
public plans which is a lie- I know that better than anyone. The
Planning Board trying to rush past the corruption. They also laughed off
how abutters don't get proper notification, which I was also a victim
of and I was most affected by the Annex. Which in the end, doesn't
matter for any of us because they have the power to corrupt and destroy.
Confuse, conquer and divide. Breeding nasty cesspool.
This is only a pinhead of the corruption and burning of lives and
cash. I have not been able to get anyone to volunteer for independent
committee's that can stop the corruption dead in it's tracks. Being a
whistle blower is not what I ever wanted having relocated my children to
be under the radar and in the safety of in-town City lines. Who knew
Belfast Shame Hall would continue the assault?
Our only protection now is to whistle blow and fight for rights. The
apple does not fall far from the tree and the same politics are
practiced by many of those in the education system. To protect our
children we may not demand accountability. This is the time to unite,
organize and fix. I understand that I am not a favorable spokesperson
because of my ongoing Shaming Of City Hall and Realtors.
Can someone post an event on Facebook- ASAP- maybe in Belfast City
Park down by the pavilion? Have a speaker, agenda, sign up sheets for
education committee's, move forward with change and adapt to whatever
the district becomes. I want to help not hurt. Come on people this can
be fixed by the trustworthy, there are many, It has to happen now.
Comments can be left on this new blog I just created
www.waldokids.blogspot.com or email direct at beheard.me55@gmail.com. I
will keep any request confidential and just post the comment and update
it when I get to the computer before my children. I hope that we can get
busy getting better.
Today is Flag Day, today is the day to do better.
Truly True Blue,
Laurie
POSTED BY: LAURIE LEE ALLEN | Aug 08, 2013 12:44
Don't forget to vote tomorrow! Belfast residents who usually vote at City Hall need to go to the Boathouse tomorrow instead. Polls are open 8AM-8PM, all towns.