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why O.D. instead of Russell Killen, who apparently has had 2 children graduate from the school system, 2 children still in the school system?

I have posed my question around several places today and have learned that most people are tired of the good ol' boy politics as usual. I am not suggesting that applies to Mr. Miller. I have always heard fine things about him.

Mr. Killen, I have learned, is a very well respected LEADER of the community in which he was raised. Is both fair and ethical.

I have heard equally good things about Mr. Miller.

What I have also heard is that although, Chad Holden has campaigned the hardest, he is not likely to get elected. No one could tell me exactly why they were not planning to vote for him. I personally have nothing against Mr. Holden.

What I DID get an earful of today was how the Central community (NOT MY OPINION PER SE) has dominated the board and the new hires are proportionately more likely to be kin folk of someone in Central. They were not keen on the election of Mike Palmer who is seen to be a good ol' boy from Central whose son and daugher in law both teacher there alongside many of their high school friends who are either there or peppered throughout the county.


Anyway, I made this topic a mission of mine today and aforementioned is some of the feedback I received. I do not condemn or condone any of these opinions, I am interested in getting a better grasp of the picture


thanks.
Mr. Miller has worked for Mr. Valentine before. He was Mr. Valentine's assitant principal at Wilson. Mr. Miller does not play the good ole boy game. He and Mr. Valentine have disagreed in the past, but agreed to disagree and then went on about thier business. I am sure Mr. Killen is a respectable person and he may be a great leader but how much experience does he have in education? I have heard good things about Chad Holden but he has never worked in the Lauderdale County School system.

dd75, thank you for researching the candidates like you have.

One thing I will say about all three is there has been no mud slinging what so ever.

Seems like whoever wins, the voters win.
DD75 -

You need to do your homework... There are 5 members of the Lauderdale Co. Board of Education.

As of right now the following people are serving -

1. Joe Frank Fowler - Greenhill resident - been on the board for about 40 years. has RUN Lauderdale Co. board politics for most of that time. He is not running for re-election. THANK GOD!!!

2. Terry Holden - Killen resident - been on the board for 12 years. JFF lackey - whatever he tells him to do, that's what he did. Has probably missed more board meetings than he has attended. Running for Sheriff of Lauderdale Co. so he will no longer be a board member. THANK GOD # 2!!

3. Brenda Cornelius - Rogersville/Anderson resident.

4. Dan Beavers - Greenhill resident

5. Ralph Thompson - Central resident.

Obviously your info is a little off. All of these board members have family members who are or have been employed by the LCBE. That's the main reason they ran probably.
and another thing... you mentioned Mike Palmer and his ties to the school system. Here is a breakdown of the all the candidates and THEIR ties...

O.D. Miller - former Lauderdale Co educator - has family in the system currently.

Larry Roberson - former LC educator - has family in the system currently.

Sherrie Perkins - taught at Muscle Shoals - has family in the LC system currently.

Russell Killen - business owner - his wife works in the LC system.

Chad Holden - teaches in Muscle Shoals - don't know all his family so don't know if he has any working in LC or not.

So the idea that board members should not be connected to any of the schools is pretty lame. That's why they are running because they care!

Left off of my previous post - not sure who you talked to that stated that Central was dominating the board. Mr. Thompson is the only member that even lives on the west end of the county.
Does anyone have any information about William (Roger) Garner? I have had the opportunity to speak with him (and some others) and I think that he might be a good choice. Chad Holden comes off as a typical well-versed politician but his concerns differs somewhat from that of my own. Russell Killen didn't make an impression on me at all. Daniel Patterson seems like an okay choice...does anybody have any thoughts about him?
You want to hear about family in the system: Mr.Dan Beavers on the LC Board of Education has 1 daughter that teaches 1st grade @ ROGERS
1 son that coaches & teaches drivers ed.@ ROGERS
1 daughter-in-law that teaches 5th grade@ ROGERS
1 wife that teaches in high school @ ROGERS (may currently be on leave for health reasons)
and he has 5 grandchildren at ROGERS! and we still can't get money. I have come to learn that MOST all the teachers are related to each other in someway or the majority go to the Church of Christ churches in the area or they graduated from ROGERS!
Chad Holden is a great candidate for the Board of Education. He is a classroom teacher which makes him the best choice. He has actually been in the classroom and knows what difficulties educators and students are facing today. He does have a vested interest in the Lauderdale County School System, his son. He is also a product of Lauderdale County Schools and who better to serve this district than someone who is a proud graduate.
Sherrie Perkins in the only candidate in Place 1 who is qualified to represent students and employees in the Lauderdale County School System. She has been a Career Tech instructor at Muscle Shoals since 1990. She has a 16,14 and 12 year old in the school system. She is not one of the "Good-O-Boys". She knows the issues facing students and teachers. She has no agenda other than doing what is right for children. My family will be voting for Change, and voting for Mrs. Perkins!
Chad Holden is the best candidate running. He has NO family working in the Lauderdale County system. He has strong christian beliefs and will do a great job for ALL the citizens of s Lauderdale County. He is currently employed at Muscle Shoals High School, where he has been for quite a while now. He is very knowledgeable about the current school board issues. He did graduate from Rogers High School and then went on to graduate from UNA. His entire family was born and raised in Lauderdale County. His wife, parents, in-laws, brother, sister-in-law and just about all of his cousins, aunts and uncles are all products of the Lauderdale County school system. If you have any doubts or questions about Chad, give him a call or shoot him an email. I feel certain that once you have talked with him one on one, you will feel the same way I do. He is the best choice.
quote:
Originally posted by YouCantSeeMe:
I've heard Chad speak, and I don't think he sounds like a "well versed politician" like ALmuckraker said. To me, he sounds EDUCATED and like he knows what is going on in education today. Isn't that what we need?


I tend to agree and disagree. I have learned so much this week, but there is so much more that needs to be addressed about this race.

Chad Holden is running a brilliant campaign as a well versed politician. Reminds me of John Edwards minus the infidelity scandal.

Holden seems to be focusing on SmartBoards and technology. I agree these things would be nice, but it lets me know he has been teaching in Muscle Shoals and is alien to the realities of what is going on the county classrooms and there are basic needs that require more funding before those classrooms can afford state of the art technology.


Realistically with today's economy and the local job situation. We cannot expect that these children will complete college or even find a job if they do graduate college.

Bottom line is we need to prepare the students for the reality of the job market here. That means increasing vocational programs before SmartBoards.
It was not my intent to imply that he is not an educated man,I believe quite the opposite actually. He just sounded rehearsed, like he had some coaching,maybe he studied effective campaigning skills or something like that, which is not necessarily a bad thing.Like I have stated, his (main)concerns differ from mine, that is the only reason I am not voting for him. There is no reason to get offended by my comments. I agree with dd75, he has ran a brilliant campaign, and I believe regardless of the end result, we probably have not seen the last of him.
quote:
Originally posted by YouCantSeeMe:
I've heard Chad speak, and I don't think he sounds like a "well versed politician" like ALmuckraker said. To me, he sounds EDUCATED and like he knows what is going on in education today. Isn't that what we need?
I really don't think you can go wrong with any of the 8 candidates that are running (included the Republicans). With Mr. Fowler leaving the stranglehold that has been on the board will at last be gone. The average person has no idea what has gone on with the politics of Mr. Fowler in the last 30 years. As I said before, Mr. Holden was just a puppet of Mr. Fowler's.

I believe that any of the candidates chosen will work with the remaining board members to do what is best for the students of Lauderdale Co. It's just sad that the new members will not take office until Novemeber.

Good luck to all the candidates. Your presence on the board will be welcomed by most of the citizens of Lauderdal Co.
I think the people discussing the LCBE should get their facts straight. In the first place Ms.Corneluis name is Barbara. And I also take offense in saying that Chad Holden is Joe Fowler's puppet. Chad Holden is his own man and doesn't need anyone to pull his strings. I think the people of Lauderdale County are quiet passive with having "good ole boys" on the board. Seems that everyone on the board has all their family working in the system. I think we need a change and an educated change
Lol, it sure does seem that way (referring to your sentence about creating operatives). I'm not too concerned with the teachers receiving protection from the BOE. Tenure seems to be their protection--a license to half a** do their job. I'm just saying...it seems that way to me.
quote:
Originally posted by dd75:
It appears that, as I stated earlier, Chad Holden is running a brilliant campaign as a well rehearsed politicians.

It appears his operatives are creating user names on his behalf.

hmmmmmmmm
quote:
Originally posted by dd75:
It appears that, as I stated earlier, Chad Holden is running a brilliant campaign as a well rehearsed politicians.

It appears his operatives are creating user names on his behalf.

hmmmmmmmm


I've been here for quite a while. I support Chad Holden. I'm sure many ppl do join to support a certain candidate and if they're doing it in a nice way (which most aren't), there's no harm.
quote:
Originally posted by only14u:
and another thing... you mentioned Mike Palmer and his ties to the school system. Here is a breakdown of the all the candidates and THEIR ties...

O.D. Miller - former Lauderdale Co educator - has family in the system currently.

Larry Roberson - former LC educator - has family in the system currently.

Sherrie Perkins - taught at Muscle Shoals - has family in the LC system currently.

Russell Killen - business owner - his wife works in the LC system.

Chad Holden - teaches in Muscle Shoals - don't know all his family so don't know if he has any working in LC or not.

So the idea that board members should not be connected to any of the schools is pretty lame. That's why they are running because they care!

Left off of my previous post - not sure who you talked to that stated that Central was dominating the board. Mr. Thompson is the only member that even lives on the west end of the county.


One point to make about Miller and Palmer -- they may have kids that work in the system, but they don't have any more kids or grandkids for that matter that are going to be wanting a job in the next few years -- at least during the term that they would be serving, so it is not like they want the job to help get their kids a job -- they want the job to help make the system better for all, both students and teachers and the community. Both are great men.
It is my understanding that Mr. Valentine is backing Palmer and Killen and is trying to be very quiet about it. Could he be hoping to load the board with people who will not disagree with him? I know Miller will stand up to him but I am not sure about the others. Do the people want a board that will follow Mr. V blindly?
quote:
Originally posted by wnder:
It is my understanding that Mr. Valentine is backing Palmer and Killen and is trying to be very quiet about it. Could he be hoping to load the board with people who will not disagree with him? I know Miller will stand up to him but I am not sure about the others. Do the people want a board that will follow Mr. V blindly?


I do not believe I buy that he his endorsing Killen to agree with him, Palmer perhaps, but not Killen.

i was told by a source close to Killen that he was running because he did not agree with many of Valentine's policies.
quote:
Originally posted by TechLady:
Sherrie Perkins in the only candidate in Place 1 who is qualified to represent students and employees in the Lauderdale County School System. She has been a Career Tech instructor at Muscle Shoals since 1990. She has a 16,14 and 12 year old in the school system. She is not one of the "Good-O-Boys". She knows the issues facing students and teachers. She has no agenda other than doing what is right for children. My family will be voting for Change, and voting for Mrs. Perkins!


I will also be voting for Sherrie Perkins. I believe she would do a great job. I don't have anything nasty to say about the other candidates, I just think she is the best choice.
quote:
Originally posted by dd75:
It appears that, as I stated earlier, Chad Holden is running a brilliant campaign as a well rehearsed politicians.

It appears his operatives are creating user names on his behalf.

hmmmmmmmm


I have been on the Times Daily forums for a while now too and I am supporting Chad Holden.

I am not sure what dd75 is talking about. This is the first time Chad Holden has ever ran for any public office so I am not sure how he can be described as a "well rehearsed politician." I would appear to me that Chad Holden has a clue as to what the job duties and responsibilities of a board member would be.
quote:
Originally posted by wnder:
Congratulations to Chad Holden. He ran a classy campaign. Russell Killen has a alot of signs to take up. How much do he spend on this election?


Everyone has a lot of signs peppering the roadsides. I hope that wasn't an ill spirited jab. Russell Killen ran a classy campaign as well. It is appears Mr. Holden spent more money on his campaign. So, what is your point?
Check the records. Killen spent $6,000 dollars on a job that pays $10,000 a year. That money was loaned from his business. The the amount of signage and the size of the signs, it is safe to say that Killen out spent ALL of the candidates. Doesn't matter now. But it does make you wonder on why he ran. I do know that some were put off because he claimed to be the only candidate with a vested interest because of his kids being in school now. That got old with some voters. And before you say anything, yes, my candidate got it handed to him. That's ok. He did what he could. The thing is, both are watching the election now. That is my point.
I supported Miller. Holden worked harder than Killen or Miller. Miller had little or no money for the campaign. He set a limit and stopped. Holden held a fund raiser. I have already stated what Killen did. Holden carried most of the east end of the county and stayed close in the west. It has been stated that Killen was put up to run and that Valentine was supporting him and Palmer which I found funny since Miller used to work for Mr. V. I just found in funny how much of his own money he spent. I think it will work out well after the general election. The last time we had three non educators on the board, they held up every decision. That would be Beaver, Fowler, and T. Holden. Hopefully the voters will vote in those with experience.
quote:
Originally posted by wnder:
Check the records. Killen spent $6,000 dollars on a job that pays $10,000 a year. That money was loaned from his business. The the amount of signage and the size of the signs, it is safe to say that Killen out spent ALL of the candidates. Doesn't matter now. But it does make you wonder on why he ran. I do know that some were put off because he claimed to be the only candidate with a vested interest because of his kids being in school now. That got old with some voters. And before you say anything, yes, my candidate got it handed to him. That's ok. He did what he could. The thing is, both are watching the election now. That is my point.



WOW! you are angry. *shaking head*

1. He claims to have children in the system?
THAT IS TRUE and I am sorry if the truth was such a put off to his opponents.

2. I do not believe he was put up to run by Mr. V. Who exactly was Mr. V afraid off?

3. I am sorry that you are bitter that more people did not assist Miller with his campaign finance.

Campaigns are not cheap and I still do NOT see why you are singling out one candidate. I saw a total of 3 Miller signs. That is not Holden or Killen's fault.

As for spending 6K for a 10K job, some people are looking beyond the numbers and actually want to be in a position to promote the success of the students of our county.

Some folks are still motivated out of principle and not the bottom line.

Killen and Holden both ran a classy campaign and I have seen far more Holden signs in the county. Miller,although more qualified, ran a nonexistent campaign. unfortunate but true.
I don't understand why people are thinking that Mr. Holden spoke as a rehearsed politician. When you run for office you spend several months saying the same thing. I think Mr. Holden is able to thing on his feet and also maybe he knows the rules and regulations better than anyone else. I think he ran a classy campaign and I also think that if everyone had attended the question and answer forums your would not be able to accuse him of such things
I have heard him speak and that is exactly how he sounds (to me). I do not understand why everyone is getting so bent out of shape over this comment. Stating that he sounds rehearsed is not necessarily a negative comment. It can mean that he has done a lot of research in order to be prepared. Yes, it can also imply that he is just telling people what he thinks they want to hear. Either way, it really should not matter (the comment). We all have our opinions and it really does not matter if others do not agree with what we think.
quote:
Originally posted by Jack in the box:
I don't understand why people are thinking that Mr. Holden spoke as a rehearsed politician. When you run for office you spend several months saying the same thing. I think Mr. Holden is able to thing on his feet and also maybe he knows the rules and regulations better than anyone else. I think he ran a classy campaign and I also think that if everyone had attended the question and answer forums your would not be able to accuse him of such things
Okay. Enough already about the Place 2 race. It's over. Holden won. Let's move on.

There is a VERY QUIET runoff being run right now for Place 1 between Mike Palmer and Sherrie Perkins. Let's talk about it.

The Place 1 primary race was very quiet, and now the runoff is being run the same way. If Palmer and Perkins (or even Roberson) had made as much noise as the two leading candidates in Place 2, one of them might have pulled it off without a runoff. Who should we vote for here?
quote:
Originally posted by Jelb87:
Okay. Enough already about the Place 2 race. It's over. Holden won. Let's move on.

There is a VERY QUIET runoff being run right now for Place 1 between Mike Palmer and Sherrie Perkins. Let's talk about it.

The Place 1 primary race was very quiet, and now the runoff is being run the same way. If Palmer and Perkins (or even Roberson) had made as much noise as the two leading candidates in Place 2, one of them might have pulled it off without a runoff. Who should we vote for here?



It isn't over. There is a republican candidate running against Holden in November. I think his name is Garner.
Hello,
I am Daniel Patterson and I am the Republican candidate for Lauderdale Board of Education, Place 1. I am a Real Estate Broker, Appraiser and Auctioneer. I have been in this business for 20 years.
I have lived in Center Star (Killen area) for 18 years with my wife, Anita Patterson (Anita is an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker and is also an Appraiser). Our two children who are 15 and 13 years old attend Brooks High School.
I graduated from Lauderdale County High School in 1976 and earned a BS Degree from UNA in 1987. I have worked toward my MBA at Indiana University and at the University of North Alabama. I am a Past President of the Shoals Area Board of Realtors MLS. I am a Past President of the Alabama Auctioneers Association and have held every board position with that association. I am a Christian and a Conservative Republican.
I made the switch from Democrat to Republican within the past two years because Republican policies better reflect my beliefs. My entire family have traditionally been Democrats as have the majority of Lauderdale County Voters since FDR and the formation of the Tennessee Valley Authority in the 1930's. Times have changed and Lauderdale County needs to elect some Republicans to local offices in order to better communicate with those on the State and Federal level.
My platform is to work with our Superintendent of Education and other Board members to run the Lauderdale County School System in the most effecient and productive manner possible while providing our children with a quality education. I will not support tax increases in any shape, form or fashion. I will see that Lauderdale County Schools gets their fair share of funding from the state and federal levels. I do not want any good teacher or support staff of the Lauderdale School System to be laid off or terminated because of a lack of funds.
I have seen quite a bit of marketable goods being thrown away by the schools. This could easily become an asset and a source of income for our schools. My expertise is identifying and selling marketable property, whether it is real estate or personal property, and turning it into assets. That is what I intend to do for the Lauderdale County School System.
Myself and most of the other candidates have spoke at several forums that were advertised and open to the public. These forums are set up for the public to listen to the candidates and ask questions. Most were sparsely attended.
You will be seeing more of my campaign as the November elections come nearer. I do not like political signs and consider them to be quite ineffectal, litter and an eyesore . I would like to run my campaign through internet communications, newspapers, radio and public speaking. We have several avenues of free advertising available to us that get our candidate information out without having to spend a half years salary to get elected.
In these tough economic times with pro-ration facing us we need board members who are conservative, yet creative enough to find the funding needed to properly run our Lauderdale County Schools. I can help do that !

My e-mail is : ajpatterson@aol.com .
I will be glad to answer any of your questions.

Thank You,
Daniel Patterson
Republican Candidate
Lauderdale County Board of Education Place 1
Mr. Patterson,

I hear you platform for increasing assets.

WHAT ABOUT HIRING PRACTICES?

Do you realize how many extremely qualified teachers are getting passed over for jobs in Lauderdale County because they do not have a relative currently in the system?

There are also several very incompetent teachers in the classroom now because they have a relative in an administrative position or on the current board.
I do not have anyone in my family looking for a teaching position now or in the near future. I believe each applicant should be considered on a level playing field. If an applicant has a relative on the board I believe their credentials should be scrutinized even more than an applicant who doesn't know a soul on the Board or in the school system. The term "Nepotism" come to mind when hiring as a favor, a relative or close friend. I am pretty sure Nepotism is frowned upon by the Alabama State Attorney General's Office.
If I have the opportunity to help our Lauderdale County Schools by being elected to the School Board I will push our board to hire the most qualified and best person for that position. Whether it is a bus driver, mechanic, custodian, cafeteria worker, teacher, coach or principal, I want what is best for our children. The only way to be the best is hire the best !
I know all too well about incompetent teachers in some of our classrooms. I have a neice who was given up as "slow" at one of our county schools. My mother "Linda Patterson" was a nursing educator at several of our local hospitals. She had my neice transferred to Lexington High School where she was almost immediately diagnosed with a cognition problem that was corrected by some very good teachers. Her grades went from C's,D's and F's to A's and B's. She graduated high school, attended and graduated college, and is now running a lab for one of our local hospitals. All because some good teachers recognized her problem and took the time to correct that problem.
If I am fortunate enough to be elected to The lauderdale County Board of Education I am sure I will make some people mad. I will not vote for board members children or their friends children unless they are the most qualified applicant and can help our students achieve to the best of their ability !

Thank You,
Daniel Patterson
Candidate,
Lauderdale County Board of Education, Place 1
quote:
Originally posted by straightshooter:
I do not have anyone in my family looking for a teaching position now or in the near future. I believe each applicant should be considered on a level playing field. If an applicant has a relative on the board I believe their credentials should be scrutinized even more than an applicant who doesn't know a soul on the Board or in the school system. The term "Nepotism" come to mind when hiring as a favor, a relative or close friend. I am pretty sure Nepotism is frowned upon by the Alabama State Attorney General's Office.
If I have the opportunity to help our Lauderdale County Schools by being elected to the School Board I will push our board to hire the most qualified and best person for that position. Whether it is a bus driver, mechanic, custodian, cafeteria worker, teacher, coach or principal, I want what is best for our children. The only way to be the best is hire the best !
I know all too well about incompetent teachers in some of our classrooms. I have a neice who was given up as "slow" at one of our county schools. My mother "Linda Patterson" was a nursing educator at several of our local hospitals. She had my neice transferred to Lexington High School where she was almost immediately diagnosed with a cognition problem that was corrected by some very good teachers. Her grades went from C's,D's and F's to A's and B's. She graduated high school, attended and graduated college, and is now running a lab for one of our local hospitals. All because some good teachers recognized her problem and took the time to correct that problem.
If I am fortunate enough to be elected to The lauderdale County Board of Education I am sure I will make some people mad. I will not vote for board members children or their friends children unless they are the most qualified applicant and can help our students achieve to the best of their ability !

Thank You,
Daniel Patterson
Candidate,
Lauderdale County Board of Education, Place 1



Thank you for taking the time to address this issue. This will not be the first general election in which I have split my vote.

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