Monthly Archives: January 2011

Dis-integration

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The goings-on at the Wake County school board probably hit close to home in Forsyth County, what with our county's move to the zoned school choice (or whatever it's called) a while back.  That happened before we moved to Lewisville so I'm only personally familiar with the current system, and I have to say that as a family we're pretty happy with having our kids go to school just a few minutes down the road. That said, I don't necessarily think that neighborhood schools are better by default.

To help give you my perspective let me tell you that I grew up in Northern Virginia in the 70s and early 80s.  The first school system I was in, Fairfax County, at the time was evolving from rural to suburban, and even with busing there wasn't a lot of integration to be had. When I was in 7th grade my family moved to Arlington County, which was a much more urban area, and you really didn't need to do much to integrate because it just kind of happened naturally; racially mixed, middle class, wealthy and poor neighborhoods existed in every geographic school zone.  The one thing they did do is bus all the English as a Second Language (ESL) kids to one school so that they had all the ESL faculty in one place, and my middle school happened to be that school.  Oh, and the move happened in the middle of the school year so one Friday I got off the school bus from my 90+% white, middle class school and on Monday I got on a bus to go to a school that was probably less than 50% white, 50+% every other race you could name, and Lord knows what economic breakdown.  I learned more about people in the subsequent years in the Arlington County schools than I had before or have since.

So while I don't think you should discount the importance of community, and some of the inherent advantages of having kids go to school close to home, I also don't think you should discount some of the advantages of providing kids the opportunity to spend their days with a cross section of our society.  I'm not smart enough to have all the answers, but I do know that we need to make sure for our kids' sake that we make decisions with all of their best interests at heart.  I think that one of the reasons the Wake County board's move is creating so much controversy is that many folks think that might not be the case.  I'll leave it to the comedian to explain:

 

The Colbert Report Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
The Word – Disintegration
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Higher Ed Cuts Hitting Close to Home

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North Carolina is facing a massive budget deficit and as a result all government institutions are looking at making some rather large cuts to their budgets.  The state's education system is no exception, and while people are rightly focusing on job cuts at the K-12 level, as the father of a high school senior, junior and freshman I'm more than a little interested in what's happening at the higher ed level.

Over the past weekend I sat with my son as he sent in applications to five North Carolina institutions of higher learning.  I, of course, provided the one tool he needed: ye old credit card.  A few keystrokes on the computer and couple of hundred bucks in application fees later he'd submitted his applications and the waiting game is on.  Sure I'm excited, but I'm also filled with trepidation as I see stories about potential cutbacks at the schools he's applying to, including NC State.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think it's the end of the world.  I know at least one retired professor who thinks higher education is reaping what it sowed over the years and that maybe the current crisis is providing a much-needed house cleaning for the industry.  I'm also of the belief that the benefit of someone's education is more dependent on that person's input than on the class size he's encountering, but that doesn't change the fact that a professor's ability to do his job is directly impacted by the number of students he has to teach.  And then there's the issue that Patrick Eakes brings up in a comment at Ed Cone's blog referencing the NC State article mentioned above:

It was already hard enough to graduate at State on time for some technical degrees when I was there. Undergrad engineering degrees required about 17 hours per semester, often with required labs that offered no or almost no credit hours toward that goal.

It was also pretty challenging to get the few sections offered in some classes to sequence properly semester after semester. Reductions in class offerings will almost certainly officially turn the engineering degrees into what they have unofficially been for some time – a five year degree.

Patrick makes a great point, although I must say I didn't need any help turning myself into a five year degree guy…in English Lit!

As far as tuition goes I'd love for my kids to enjoy the low current tuition rates, but even with the proposed tuition hikes I think the students lucky enough to get into North Carolina's public universities are getting a pretty good deal.  That's assuming, of course, that they don't become professional students and stay in school until their 30, move home, live in the basement and play Xbox Live for 18 hours a day while eating Twinkies. That vision of my own kids' future, however unlikely, is my newest recurring nightmare.

America’s Got Talent

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I wake up every day and silently thank Al Gore for inventing the internet precisely because I get to see talent like this on display on a regular basis.  I mean, if it wasn't for the internet bringing this stuff right to my computer I'd have to be satisfied with the weekly reruns of Lawrence Welk on WUNC.  Brilliant I tell you, just brilliant:

 

Forsyth County Elections Director Allegedly Called a Jerk By State Official

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Yes! Weekly's Jordan Green posted a story about allegations that Forsyth County Elections Director Rob Coffman used an inappropriate term when speaking to an employee.  In part of the story Green relates part of a recording made when the State Election Board's general counsel, Don Wright, met with the employee making the allegations and provides a pretty interesting quote:

“There’s no question that Rob Coffman can be the biggest jerk in the world,” Don Wright told Vanderklok during their meeting at the Clemmons library. “You’re right: It’s been consistent from Day 1. He’s consistent. The question is: How does that affect the operation of the office?”

Well, in subsequent paragraphs the question seemed to be answered:

The alleged “MILF” remark to Vanderklok is among a string of similarly inappropriate comments that former staff members have attributed to Coffman.

Cox and Pamela Johnson, another former employee, told YES! Weekly that in September 2008 Coffman humiliated an African-American woman employed as a temporary worker as the “local crack ho on loan to us from the jail.”

Don Wright alluded to the remark during his meeting with Vanderklok, suggesting that he and other top officials at the State Board of Elections have been apprised of it.

Coffman did not deny having made the “crack ho” remark.

“I went through a training that was not necessarily diversity, but it was racial relations,” he said.

“There was one issue in 2008,” he added. “Is that a pattern?”

Cox, who retired from the board of elections in March 2010 following several months on medical leave, said he learned that Coffman told staff that Cox “was out on sick leave having a sex change operation.”

Coffman denied making the statement. He also denied an allegation by Vanderklok and Johnson that he made fun of a current employee for her weight, calling her a “blob.”

“How can you say that doesn’t affect the office?” Vanderklok asked Don Wright. “I think it creates a hostile work environment.”

Elsewhere in the article we learn that there are various reasons that they might be keeping Coffman around.  One is that Wright, and presumably others at the state level, think that the number two in the office is a wet blanket.  Another is that the employees don't want to have to be in the same room as Coffman if they are to meet with the Forsyth board members to air their complaints, and the board feels that Coffman should have the right to confront his accusers.  A third reason is that one of the three members of the Forsyth board feels that "It’s old news. I think it’s just a bunch of disgruntled employees that are unhappy because they’re not working there anymore. All this stuff has been addressed.”

It's an interesting read, especially since there's even some talk about faulty procedures in the counting of absentee ballots.

Results of the Labor of Love at The Children’s Home

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Last February anyone who reads this blog probably got a little tired of me constantly writing about the Labor of Love project the Triad Apartment Association (the organization that pays me to work for them for some reason) took on at The Children's Home.  Well, we had no idea that Fox 8 was going to do a story about how The Children's Home is using the building but it sure made our weekend when it aired.  

BTW, you'll note in the story that they're looking to renovate another floor so they can house more kids.  We actually fixed up every floor in the building, but my understanding is that there are lots of additional safety measures that have to be in place in order to move kids in.  They are looking for $10,000-$15,000 to get that done so if you want to help out you can do so by contacting The Children's Home, or if you want just drop me a note and I'll hook you up with the appropriate people at the Home.

 

 

That room that she mentions is her favorite?  Well it was my favorite too.  Here's a photo gallery of all the work that was done to get it to its current state:

So What Would a Virginia Dollar Buy?

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When I first heard about this I thought it was a prank:  Apparently a resolution has been put forward in Virginia to establish a subcommittee to explore the possibility of Virginia establishing its own currency. Total aside: wouldn't it be great if I could print JonDollars and buy stuff with it?  Back on topic, from the resolution:

WHEREAS, an adequate system of governmental finance and a sound and robust private economy cannot be maintained in the absence of a sound currency; and

WHEREAS, the present monetary and banking systems of the United States, centered around the Federal Reserve System, have come under ever-increasing strain during the last several years, and will be exposed to ever-increasing and predictably debilitating strain in the years to come; and

WHEREAS, many widely recognized experts predict the inevitable destruction of the Federal Reserve System’s currency through hyperinflation in the foreseeable future; and

WHEREAS, in the event of hyperinflation, depression, or other economic calamity related to the breakdown of the Federal Reserve System, for which the Commonwealth is not prepared, the Commonwealth’s governmental finances and Virginia’s private economy will be thrown into chaos, with gravely detrimental effects upon the lives, health, and property of Virginia’s citizens, and with consequences fatal to the preservation of good order throughout the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Virginia can avoid or at least mitigate many of the economic, social, and political shocks to be expected to arise from hyperinflation, depression, or other economic calamity related to the breakdown of the Federal Reserve System only through the timely adoption of an alternative sound currency that the Commonwealth’s government and citizens may employ without delay in the event of the destruction of the Federal Reserve System’s currency; and…

The resolution's patron represents the 13th district of the Virginia House which is the neck of the woods where my family lived before moving to NC. He's a tad conservative as evidenced by some of the other bills he's championed:

  • One man, one woman Marriage Amendment approved by voters (2006)
  • Steroid Use by Public School Athletes prohibited (2005)
  • Conflict of Interest Laws for Public Officials & Zoning Boards tightened (2003)
  • National Motto, “In God We Trust,” posted in all Public Schools (2002)
  • Sexually Explicit material on State Computers prohibited (1996)
  • Counseling for Effects of Divorce on Children authorized (1995)

I'm thinking it's time to refresh my memory on my old US History lessons re. fiat money, the Federal Reserve, etc.

What do Wake Forest University and a nightclub in Greensboro have in common?

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If my parents, proud alums of Wake Forest University, have any idea what the hell Jersey Shore is then they'll be mortified by this announcement:

Nicole Polizzi, aka "Snooki," will soon make an appearance at Wake Forest University.

Snooki is scheduled to appear at the school's Wait Chapel at 8 p.m. on Friday, January 28, said a spokesperson with the school in a news release.

It's one thing for a nightclub in Greensboro to welcome the latest village idiot who's gained a few minutes of fame in this country, but for a school trying to be mentioned in the same breath as Duke or Rice I think this is a little suspect.  Don't believe me?  Well hell, you'll just have to watch a part of one episode (it won't take long, believe me) because I can't possibly write a paragraph that adequately describes the depravity of the show.

I know it's the school's Student Union that's invited her to appear, and when I was in school my taste ran towards stupid crap like this too, but I just can't fathom why the school is putting out a news release promoting this whole thing.  If I was an administrator I'd be trying to bury this story as deep as I could dig.

Creative Corridors Coalition

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I received an email yesterday from Lawren Desai, one of the founders of a/perture cinema, that she sent out to folks who might be interested in a new Winston-Salem initiative called the Creative Corridors Coalition.  I think many of you might be interested as well, and I think Lawren's email does a great job of explaining why:

Hello all,
 
I am writing to let you know about a very important community project that I hope will interest you if you live in the Winston-Salem area.  Over the next 7 years our community will experience massive investment in roadway infrastructure to support anticipated economic and transportation growth; the total for all of the projects will exceed $1 billion, invested in and around the downtown area.  A strong group of community volunteers have formed the Creative Corridors Coalition to lead a process to develop a Master Design Plan which will focus on aesthetics, identity and ensuring that these projects connect rather than divide our city.  Simply put, if we are going to experience such important growth, shouldn’t we give thought to how it all fits together and impacts the quality of our community’s life?  As an example, 11 new bridges in a 2 mile stretch of Business 40 will be built….they can either look like the ones we have now, or they can architecturally reflect the identity of a city with a storied history and a bright future. 
 
This kind of project happens once every couple of generations so what we do now will be in place for the rest of your life (and your children's life).  It really is a fantastic way to make a difference and I encourage you to visit the website for more information (www.creativecorridors.org) and to plan on attending an opening reception on February 7th (see invitation below).  CCC has received initial funding in the form of a $200,000 matching grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and we are actively working on a number of projects in the development, communications, community engagement and design areas.
 
It is really important that we continue to demonstrate that we, the citizens of Winston Salem, have an interest in this project and want our voice to be heard.  Please consider signing up to join the coalition (no cost) and we can keep you updated on the progress.  We need you and it will only take a minute.  Please join, and if you are especially inspired, get involved in one of our committees. 

Best,
Lawren Desai
I think Lawren's right; this is one of those projects that will impact the city and its citizens for generations.  Hopefully we'll see a lot of community engagement.

It’s Not Only All Politics That Are Local

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You've likely heard the saying that "all politics is local," a phrase that implies that no matter how lofty the office it has a local influence and is influenced by all localities.  A few articles I've read lately have reminded me that it's not only politics that's local.  So are our perceptions of the world, and of course those perceptions influence our politics.  

The first two articles I read highlighted the fact that while the national unemployment rate fell to 9.4% the local unemployment rate actually rose to 10.2%.  In other words the job situation worsened while the rest of the country's, on average, improved.  Now one region lagging others is nothing new, but I think what makes this current recession so tough for most people is that they can't chase jobs to the region where jobs are available.  I think there are two reasons for that; first, many of the jobs that have been lost around here are manufacturing jobs, and I don't know if you noticed but there aren't any manufacturing jobs being created anywhere in the US.  If workers want to chase those jobs they'll have to emigrate to Central America, Asia, etc. and learn to live a very different life. The second reason is that back in "the day" if you lost a job in Winston-Salem and found one in Louisville you'd sell your house, or at least rent it out, and then move yourself and your family to Louisville.  Unfortunately these days if you find that job in Louisville (a miracle in and of itself) then you'll be greatly challenged to even rent your house which means you have a terrific disincentive to moving for that job.  Anecdotally I know of three families where the fathers have found jobs in other cities and are spending the work week away from their families in order to work. Now part of the reason is that they don't want to disrupt their kids' lives since they're in high school, but a big part of it is because they're trapped in their houses.

The other story I read that really kind of hit home was this opinion piece by Charlie Stross that highlighted many reasons to be cheerful about the developments of the past decade (2000-2010). He's right that there are a lot of good trends out there, but this is why many of us here in BBQ-land may not exactly be feeling the love:

In other news of improvements, both China and India underwent annual economic growth averaging around 10% per year throughout the decade. The sheer scale of it is mind-numbing; it's as if the entire population of the USA and the EU combined had gone from third-world poverty to first-world standards of living. (There are still a lot of dirt-poor peasants left behind in villages, and a lot of economic — never mind political — problems with both India and China's developed urban sectors, but overall, life is vastly better today than it was a decade ago for around a billion people.)

The number of people living in poverty and with unsafe water supplies world-wide today is about the same as it was in 1970. Only difference is, there were 3 billion of us back then and today we're nearer to 7 billion. Upshot: the proportion of us humans on this planet who are living in third world poverty (unable to afford enough food, water, clothing and shelter) has actually been halved…

I'm sorry to note that most of the good stuff didn't happen to those of us in the developed world — but the human world is indisputably in better shape overall in 2010 than it was in 2000. And what makes my neighbour happier without damaging me makes my world a better place.

That last sentence from Mr. Stross is not a sentiment shared by many people, especially when they're out of work and sitting in a home won't be theirs after the bank takes it.  Here in the U.S. we don't feel that the world is a better place because we've been fighting various "wars" on terrorism, drugs, poverty, etc. and yet the vast majority of us have not seen an improvement in our daily condition and we're in the midst of the worst economic environment seen in the lifetimes of most of us or our parents. 

Simply put I think if you asked the average man on the street he'd be happy to learn that his brothers in the Third World are generally doing better these days, but if he was being honest he'd tell you that he'd be much happier if the neighbors you were talking about were the ones on his street. Woe be to the politician who forgets that.