Sunday, February 17, 2008

Do I need to hear more?

I must admit that I wouldn't know former County Commissioner Steve Halkiotis if I stood in line behind him at Cup A Joe tomorrow morning. Of course the same would have been true of any current Board member exactly a year ago today.

As I have said many times in the past, I never paid much attention to Orange County politics before the fiasco of merging Central and Hillsborough Elementary schools was proposed late last February. [Can you believe this farce has been going on for nearly a full year?]

Not personally knowing either of the people who have filed paperwork to run for an open seat on the Orange County Board of Education left me at something of a loss in drawing an early opinion about either.

Thankfully one of our local newspapers has offered an insight into Mr. Halkiotis' thinking that has played heavily into my early belief that he is a candidate I should support - both with my vote and my money.

In an article in the N&O's Chapel Hill News, Mr. Halkiotis specifically cited the Board's attack on HES as a prime reason for his entering the race:

"I've been extremely befuddled why you'd want to take the best performing elementary school -- the most successful program you've got -- and for some reason water all that down to help Central Elementary," Halkiotis said.

Central needs help, and Efland-Cheeks Elementary School after that, he said. But not at Hillsborough Elementary's expense. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," he said.

After reading such a rational and reasoned perspective from a school board candidate, I have just one more question:

Where can I send my campaign donation?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

In my opinion, I'd be aware of consideration of voting for Steve Halkiotis in the upcoming School Board election.... This is a career politician (who I have known for 10 years) saying whatever he needs to be say to gain votes to get elected. Look no further than his wife Susan and how she did the exact thing to gain votes then did a 180 on the issues. Be sure to not be sucked in by his tactics and ask people that have known him and his service as County Commissioner and you'll surely change your mind. Don't let this quote in one article base your opinion. He is truly a wolf in sheeps clothing. I won't make suggestions of other candidates, but one of my votes won't be going to Steve. And no this is not soar grapes over any such issue, do research yourself into his tenure as County Commissioner and see for yourself.