Parent who worked to organize the Town Hall Meeting sounds off...

This is good, please read...

Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 2:38 PM
To: ritch.workman@myfloridahouse.gov;
steve.crisafulli@myfloridahouse.gov;
haridopolos.mike.web@flsenate.gov
Cc: jtorres@floridatoday.com;
john.tobia@myfloridahouse.gov;
ralph.poppell@myfloridahouse.gov;
altman.thad.web@flsenate.gov;
Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com;

Subject: As the ONLY parent volunteer on the Brevard Town Hall Team Leader
Logistics meetings my FACTS on behavior of elected officials
Importance: High

I am a former member of the media who did radio and television in markets across this country. Under the name "Shay St.Claire" I specialized in being a child advocate and a promotion maven in addition to my on-air duties. From Miami, Orlando, New Orleans, to when I retired from the business after 20 years in Brevard, I have never been so proud of a project I've been involved in as I am of the crowd response we received at the King Center Monday evening.

When Dr. DiPatri got my email offering my time he called our son's principal to verify I was sincere. When Dr. DiPatri and I met in person for the first time I told him there had been many things he had done that I didn't care for but as an adult I respected him for the positive things he has accomplished for our children. I told him the responses and inquiries I would bring back would be honest, sometimes brutally so. Any concerns brought forth would be anonymous unless that individual wished to be named. From that day on I have devoted my free time to the Town Hall
project.


I have volunteered countless hours to these meetings, emails, phone calls, and travel to talk to parents and educators face to face. I brought my expertise to help ensure nothing was overlooked in planning the event, help the team get a better understanding of what to expect, and offered my services that night as well. I was the ONLY parent who sat in on those meetings that was not somehow beholden to Dr. DiPatri or his staff, the Brevard County School Board members, or anyone else.

As a voter, property owner, and first and foremost a parent, I am appalled by the behavior of our elected officials both Monday night and as quoted by John Torres in this morning's edition of Florida Today. What the public is seeing is well rehearsed rhetoric and we're tired of it.

For certain individuals to claim they felt "blind sided" is reprehensible. Every official was supposed to come prepared for questions and answers, and prepare you did. You had charts printed that yet again misconstrues budgeting versus spending. Sen. Haridopolos himself has tried repeatedly to misrepresent the figures posted on the BPS web site, and even arrogantly tried some "pre" damage control by firing off a blanket chain letter to every principal in Brevard. You all knew you have a difference of opinion about that issue, yet brought along visual aids to try and sell an interpretation that nobody is buying, yet you claim to be surprised. SHAME
on you.

As for Dr. DiPatri speaking out once you presented that misinformation, it was not planned. In every meeting he stated the Town Hall meeting was for the parents, officials, educators, and other local officials. On more than one occasion he said if ANY local government representative showed up that we couldn't seat he would relinquish his own. You can not expect to stand on stage and not be corrected when you misrepresent facts of that magnitude.

On your complaint of children being used I can assure you Dr. DiPatri repeatedly told members children were hands off. At every pre Town Hall meeting held at each school the principals reiterated this issue. Due to the length of time, weather, bathroom, etc., he urged all children not attend. The only exception was high school students who wanted to speak and ask a question. Additionally, with reference to a penny collection campaign, Dr. DiPatri wanted to make certain anyone involved understood children were not to be asked to help.

To Mr. Workman who was quoted in the paper as saying Dr. DiPatri could've said "I like boogers and he would have gotten a standing ovation....those were his employees and friends in the room" let me clarify some items. That comment shows your ignorance and once again underscores your rudeness the other night. Those were the educators of Brevard's children and parents and your comment insults our intelligence. I do not answer to Dr. DiPatri and had he said something untoward I wouldn't waste my energy standing up for him. If you honestly believe he could wave a wand to command 10,000 people to show up for a Town Hall meeting maybe you should hire him when he retires. He could get you the voters you're going to need next election to keep your office.

Mr. Haridopolos, the parents and public were already riled up, as you put it, and Mr. Crisafulli we were already irate. This resulted from those that we put into office treating us like you know better what we need and or want. The mentality you showed us is such that you gave the appearance you walked in with an agenda and were not interested in listening or working together. There IS a difference between going to Tallahassee and doing what's best for your county and state and going to Tallahassee and doing what you want. By your comments it is apparent you want the latter.

I am truly saddened that Mr. Tobia felt the need to take a pot shot, not once but twice, about the salary of the school superintendent. Mr. Poppell, we were not tutored as you claim to hype things up. Mr. Altman, whose acquaintance I've had the pleasure of working with in the past, I think you may have some genuinely sincere ideas that the public seemed to embrace. You may be the saving grace of your counterparts.

What your actions and comments show the public is that you didn't listen the other night, and you are still not listening to the people of Brevard. You took a golden opportunity to show your willingness to do so and turned it into yet another personal attack. STOP clouding the issues, stop trying sleight of hand antics thinking you'll get our attention away from the facts. START listening. As a private individual I sat in on meetings week after week and watch three groups who each had their own agenda put their differences aside and work together for the sake of our schools. Every voice heard, every opinion and idea validated. I wish I and the thousands of Brevard parents could say the same for you.

It is a shame you all chose to bring your time and energy together to play the blame game. You could have used it to further SOLUTIONS. What the public now perceives is six individuals who need to take a good look at their performance. You're disappointed with DiPatri? More parents, educators, and BPS employees are disappointed with YOU.


PS I left messages at every official's voicemail. I'm sorry none of you took the time to return my call but I understand- you must be inundated with calls and emails.

Angela Billings-Chiarullo