Judi Heidel, San Clemente
The October 25 issue of the SC Times published a letter highly critical of John Alpay, our current school board trustee. The writer, Mark Earnest, admits that he has never met John Alpay, so his purported knowledge about Mr. Alpay’s motives and intentions is puzzling.
More importantly, Mr. Earnest’s facts are wrong. As one of the ten signers of the petition that initiated the recall of Mike Winsten, I can attest that the recall was not “union-backed”; the teachers’ union did not “put him (Mr. Alpay) up to it” (running for election). Mr. Earnest also claims that Mr. Alpay was not really “elected” and that he “snuck in the back door by virtue of being the only candidate on the ballot when the recall passed”. The option to not recall Mr. Winsten was available on every ballot to every voter in CUSD. Mr. Winsten was recalled by 61%. Mr. Alpay was opposed—by Mr. Winsten—and he won.
As for Steve Lang’s own candidacy for school board trustee, he recently sent a brochure mimicking a report card full of “F”s for Mr. Alpay. One of those “F’s” was for engaging in reckless deficit spending. Mr. Lang cited his source for that “fact” as the Orange County Department of Education. The OCDE has since sent Mr. Lang a letter demanding that he delete that reference as the department had in fact commended the current board for its prudent budgeting. Mr. Lang also gave Mr. Alpay an “F” for increased taxes. The source cited for that “fact” was the CUSD agenda. I have confirmed with the district that no tax issues have ever been on any board agenda since Mr. Alpay took office.
Finally, in the same SC Times issue, Mr. Lang’s response to the question “Why should voters cast their ballots for you” suggests that he deserves your vote because he is not a lawyer. It would seem to me that having attained a degree in higher education, whether in law or otherwise, would be an asset for a school board trustee, not a detriment. John Alpay has served our district with excellence, integrity and distinction. The facts speak for themselves.
Judi, just curious…how would you define deficit spending? Prudent? I would agree with Lang…it’s RECKLESS.
It is true that Trustee Alpay asked the OCDE to write this letter to Lang, but that doesn’t make Lang wrong. Lang states that the CUSD is recklessly spending while the budget is in the red. We are paying for things on credit like the rest of the country. When this house of cards falls, what will the OCDE say then?
It is NOT TRUE that Trustee Alpay asked the OCDE to write a letter to Candidate Lang. In fact, a parent in the district sent Lang’s mailer to OCDE without trustee Alpay’s knowledge to discover the truth. Lang’s mailer was confirmed FALSE no matter what your “opinion” is or what “Lang’s opinion” is.
You are entitled to your opinion, I am entitled to disagree.
However, you are not entitled to pretend your opinion was cited by a respected source, such as OCDE, to try to give your opinion unearned credibility.
How do you defend deficit spending?!? Prudent or reckless?
The letter confirms that there is deficit spending. I agree with Lang and consider it reckless. This country needs to stop spending money it does not have. Alpay and Obama are both going down in five days and the ship’s course will be righted. Good luck!
If your position/opinion is so strong, why do you feel the need to “pretend” to quote a source to give your position credibility?
I find the “deficit spending” issue particularly suspect considering the old reform/recalled board engaged in “deficit spending” with nary a peep from anyone! In fact, districts all over the state are drawing down reserves (deficit spending) in response to drastic cuts in funding. That’s what reserves are for.
I agree with Judi. The current school board has done a great job of righting a very misguided ship and encouraging stable leadership during really difficult times. They have put the needs of our kids first!
Seriously, Judi? You’re going to argue that the recall wasn’t union-backed? Wow, good job discrediting yourself in one sentence. I think the parents who had to deal with the union recall and union strike disagree.
As to Mr. Alpay’s “F” for deficit spending, you omit the bulk of the OCDE’s letter which referred to the board engaging in deficit spending. I agree with SC Father, that’s reckless. If you want to stay with Obama and Alpay, that’s your choice. But don’t take things out of context just because your candidate doesn’t have a record to run on. Want to see John Alpay’s voting record on unbalanced budgets, class size increases, and cutting instruction time? Here you go: http://www.whoisjohnalpay.com. Enjoy.
Dear Mr. SC Father and Mr. Seriously?,
What does one do if one’s family faces a deficit? Stop spending? “Sorry kids, no food, no housing, no doctor visits until our family budget is balanced.” I don’t think most families would make that choice. Instead they would, as our district has, “budget prudently” so that they could, over time, work their way out of debt. Very difficult choices have to be made, but simply stopping spending is not a viable option.
No, the recall was not union backed. I was “in the room” and I stand by my statement. Nor do I see how it was difficult for parents “to deal” with the recall. Obviously, they overwhelming supported it since Mr. Winsten was recalled by 61%.
Yes, the strike was union supported, but I do not recall mentioning the strike in my letter. Yes, that was a difficult time for all: students, parents teachers, and administrators.
The position of a school board trustee is an elected non-partisan position. Why are you both bringing up President Obama?
Thanks to both of you taking the time to read and respond to my letter.
So Alpay won an election of 1 by 61%….thats all? How many of those were votes of support and confidence vs. there isnt another choice….Im sure if there was a poll of those that voted, a large number would say they are changing their vote, and if more were informed of his voting record and the unethical behavior by this candidate and those that conspire with him, it would be even larger still.
http://sanclemente.patch.com/articles/alpay-s-sneaky-website-comes-down
http://sanclemente.patch.com/articles/video-dad-says-school-board-member-threatened-him
whoisjohnalpay.com
John Alpay’s motives are clear. He has 3 young children and wants to put them first. Too bad so many of the others in the CUSD don’t.