Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

I noted in the Pickerington Times Sun this morning how Mrs. Oakes was upset that no one ever listens to her.

And, Mrs. Oakes had a positive solution. In addition, to regular board meetings, Mrs. Oakes wants informal, discussion-only board sessions, which would completely exclude public participation and input. However, the public would be welcomed to come and listen to her opinions.

I think Mrs. Oakes is wrong. We do listen to her. We have heard her ideas on what kind of pizza the Boosters should sell at football games, how we should bus students back and forth between the two new high schools and her grand plans to eliminate fear within our community.

Don?’t worry, Mrs. Oakes. We listen to you!

Stop, look and listen

[disclaimer] Mr. Uher, this reply is not for you. You needn?’t respond.

Since some citizens are so vocal about the appearance the board makes in their public forum, isn?’t Mrs. Oakes?’ a reasonable request? For those of us that attend board meetings REGULARLY, we see the appearance of division, in that some members say they don?’t receive information in a timely manner, aren?’t given the opportunity to review proposals, phone calls aren?’t returned, etc. In other words, communicate. If the members have the opportunity to meet privately to iron out these apparent irregularities, wouldn?’t they then have the opportunity to present a unified appearance?

Regardless of who won in the elections, too much press was given to the majority/minority configuration of the board. Perhaps Mrs. Oakes is just looking to enhance the appearance of the board. Perhaps Mrs. Oakes is just providing the sorely needed leadership the board has suffered without for the last few years. Perhaps, just perhaps, Mrs. Oakes is looking to unify the board and put the past behind them and move towards a better future as all candidates for the seats agreed upon. Could it be that she is simply acting on campaign promises?

Can?’t everyone stop with the character assassinations and work together to unite and lead? Can?’t everyone redirect his or her negative efforts towards a more positive approach? After all, this is about the kids and not the parents.

Some people who post in this forum plead for and demand less negative content and then turn around and incite the same. Please don?’t be so hypocritical in your approach. Practice what you preach. Live and let live.

[disclaimer] Mr. Uher, this reply is not for you. You needn?’t respond.

Yes, Listening is the Key

Yes, I agree. Stop, look and listen.

Mrs Oakes' proposal to shut the public out of the process is a mistake. It would be beneficial for the board members to have more public input rather than less. Mrs. Oakes needs to listen better to all citizens not just a few and, I agree, return telephone calls.

Board should always have public input and all Board members should return all telephone calls. It really is that simple. I think we agree on this. Don't we?

We too should listen

I would first like to say that I am not speaking for Mrs. Oakes in any way. I don?’t agree with your assessment that she is trying to shut the public out of anything. If things remain as they are, the meetings would get longer and more adversarial. Let the board members establish the fact and agree that all information has been adequately communicated before going public. Then there would be more time for public interaction during the meetings.

I also submit, and you have agreed to in the past, that Mrs. Oakes does, indeed, have a more broad-based interaction with the citizens that you allude to here.

Treat one civilly and you might be treated civilly in return.