Although it bills itself as "America's Finest News Source," I must admit it's been a number of years since I regularly read The Onion.
Since finishing my undergrad degree at UNC, I have been a little too preoccupied with work and raising a family (and most recently working on my Master's) to spend much time immersed in thinly veiled parody.
But, much to my surprise, I just discovered that I have apparently been reading elaborate parodies for the past year or so. At least that is how long I have been aware that the News of Orange existed.
After all, how else but as parody can you explain this quote from News of Orange Editor Casey Ferrell in a thoroughly self-serving article touting his own "accomplishments" recently printed in Hillsborough's hometown paper?
"...our primary goal remains the same — to work as hard as we can to continue earning the respect of our readership."
That's a joke, right? It must be a joke; I laughed out loud when I read it. Someone, anyone, please tell me it's a joke!
For an added level of irony, look who's photo is featured prominently on the front page of the "winning" issue.
That is just too funny to be serious journalism.
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In response to recent postings on the blog regarding School Board candidate, Stan Morris, I would like to offer the following:
At the School Board meeting on March 3rd, Mr. Morris indicated to two HES parents that he had NO IDEA that a year-round program existed in the county.
In addition, only after he declared candidacy did Mr. Morris attend a School Board meeting. To my knowledge, Mr. Morris has not attended a single School Board meeting in the previous 12 months!
These two facts are troubling. How can Mr. Morris feel he is qualified to serve as a member of the School Board when he has neither attended School Board meetings and obviously lacks knowledge about district issues? Just because it is legal for him to run does not mean that he is qualified to serve.
Mr. Morris has also been seen at various county events on the arm of Mr. Ted Triebel, the current Chair of the School Board. This confims my suspicion that Mr. Morris is endorsed by Mr. Triebel and I am concerned that his bid for office is no more than an attempt by Mr. Triebel to place on the Board citizens who will blindly cast votes in favor of Mr. Triebel's ill-conceived proposals. In fact, it is my understanding that Mr. Morris is Mr. Triebel's candidate. So unless you want more of the same, think hard before casting this vote.
Any parent who wishes to see the year-round program in the county continue needs to be very careful about who they elect. To date, only three candidates have clearly and publicly stated their support of year-round schools. These candidates are:
Al Hartkopf
Jeff Michalski
Steve Halkiotis
I'm not trying to indicate the Mr. Morris is not a nice person - I have no reason to believe that he is not. But this is a crucial time in the future of the year-round program in the county. Mr. Mike Parker, the Board attorney, was very specific in his most recent letter to Attention Orange. He stated that the Board has the ability to move students as they wish - when they wish. And that there are no guarantees regarding school placement. So much for feeling safe after this round of applications.
I urge all parents to make careful and informed choices this election season and consider electing Al Hartkopf, Jeff Michalski and Steve Halkiotis to the Orange County School Board.
When I saw that Stan Morris is from Rougemont, I immediately suspected that he was Ted's boy.
I guess Ted is relying on his military training to run a rear guard movement to keep HES parents from getting a true voice in their children's education.
I have found myself disagreeing with Ted during a good portion of his tenure with the School Board. However, my respect for him is immense. He honestly believes that what he is proposing will help Orange County Schools. I do not believe he has any hidden agenda. At the same time, it is obvious that he likes power, just like most people do.
I do believe that Ted recruited Stan. I also believe that he's doing a smart thing by recruiting someone who can help him on the Board. Stan is naive about Orange County Education, but he is a smart person nonetheless. I will not vote for him because I know of three better candidates for the job in Al, Steve, and Jeff. Even if Stan was elected, he's a major improvement over a liar and a thief!
I ask everyone to please respect Ted. At the same time, tell Ted that you do not like his plan. He will respond.
Stan Morris and Ted Triebel are almost next door neighbors.
It only makes sense that Ted talked his neighbor into running to help him protect his power on the board.
Ted knows without Liz and Dennis to protect him, his days of pushing Orange County parents around are numbered.
Anon wrote of Ted T.:
He honestly believes that what he is proposing will help Orange County Schools.
Another Anonymous Sage wrote:
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest!
How come Mr Morris was able to choose what school is the best fit for his children? Both of his children attend Cameron Park Elem. However, according to the district's student assignment program, Mr Morris's address is assigned to Pathways Elem.
Will his children be affected by the Board's new plan that calls for strict regulations on transfers?
Just curious!
March 10, 2008 @ 2:39 poster-
Very interesting!! He would be slated to go to Pathways!
I guess having Ted Triebel as your neighbor has its perks.
One hand washes the other.
"I ask everyone to please respect Ted. At the same time, tell Ted that you do not like his plan. He will respond."
While I respect this person's opinion - this statement is simply not factual. HES parents have tried to communicate with Ted about his ill-conceived plan - even using data to support our concerns. This is the same data that proves that his plan is not effective - the data provided by the Central Office.
I personally have communicated with Ted on numerous occasions only to find him condecending and disprespectful of what he viewed as a challenge to his authority. Even when I have communicated with him about issues not at all involving HES, I have found him to be equally as condescending. I quite personally find his demeanor, especially toward women, to be offensive and antequated. I know I'm not the only woman who feels this way as there are many that I know who are equally as offended by his behavior.
One public example of Ted's inability to respect others who disagree with him was his exchange with Keith Cook at the December 14th Board meeting. It was clear in both his physical appearance (red face, flashy eyes) and in his words that he was unwilling to afford a respected community leader and former Board member the decency he deserved.
If Ted Triebel wants respect, then he must treat others with respect. Isn't this a lesson we teach our children very early? I know it is part of the core of HES - it is even written in our school song..."respecting ourselves, each other and property, and working together as a team (clap, clap, clap)"
To anonymous 4:07 pm:
That statement is very factual, and you just proved it was factual. You stated that he responded to you in a condescending and respectful manner. That is something I cannot help you with. I ask you to look past this with him. He can be very abrasive, and this is not just with women. If he thinks he's in the right, he will let you know it, and it can be somewhat embarrassing. He's done this to me before, and I set him straight immediately. Since then, he doesn't try that act.
Ted loves children, and he doesn't mean any harm. I have a lot of respect for him, but I seriously doubt if I'd ever vote for him again. The problem with Orange County Schools cannot be solved by his leadership. However, he's given so much to the USA that I can only ask you to lay off the personal attacks towards him. You can attack Liz, Dennis and Debbie all that you want, because they truly do not like HES or its parents. Thank you.
This whole conversation equates to that of elementary school children ganging up on a child to pick on. Move along people...aren't we better off talking about what we foresee for the future instead of how the past got us to where we are? Let's move along and discuss who can help us out of this mess so I know who to vote for!
AMEN!
Who do you need to vote for? Look at the top of this thread? That is how this conversation started - a posting questioning the qualifications of Stan Morris and supporting the only three candidates who have publicly and on the record supported year-round education and opposed the Board's current plan. These people are:
Al Hartkopf
Jeff Michalski
Steve Halkiotis
There is a BIG difference between a statement of fact and a personal attack. A statement of fact is, "Stan Morris is Ted Triebel's neighbor." You can look this up on Google Maps and determine this is factual for yourself. A personal attack would be something like "Al Hartkopf's mom dresses him funny." No one is making personal attacks on either Ted or Stan in this thread - people are simply stating facts and their interpretation of these facts.
One way to flesh out who is qualified and who is not OR who is truly in support of year-round education and who is not - is to get the facts straight!
Wow! Al Hartkopf still lives with his Mom? :)
This election is so pivotal for the direction of Orange County Schools. We need someone who will become a leader and not a divider. I'm worried that Mr. Hartkopf has changed on us. I'm not too confident that he will be there for Orange County in a way that will have a long lasting effect. I plan to vote for Al because of all the positive things he's done for HES, but I've also noticed how he's become a divisive member of the Board. Please encourage Al not to become what Liz Brown has done this last term.
"However, he's given so much to the USA that I can only ask you to lay off the personal attacks towards him. You can attack Liz, Dennis and Debbie all that you want, because they truly do not like HES or its parents."
I was referring mainly to this, thank you. We have somebody here telling us who we can attack and why. Let's move along.
Thanks for your clarification of what is fact and what constitutes an attack. Personally, I think Al dresses nicely, so I wouldn't consider that an attack--more of an opinion really. Al, if your mom dresses you, she does a great job! :)
"I plan to vote for Al because of all the positive things he's done for HES, but I've also noticed how he's become a divisive member of the Board."
I know exactly what you mean. Al has really looked out for HES, but he has not done us any favors in regards to our reputation. I too plan to vote for Al, but I'm worried that having Hartkopf and Halkiotis on this Board will lead to more problems down the road. I can see these two men getting into a lot of heated discussions about education that will be divisive.
At this point, I would actually welcome a little heated discussion - it would be a big improvement over what we have now. Everyone just sits there like a bump on a log. There is no real discussion of any important issue. They'll discuss censoring this blog, but of course will not adequately entertain discussion of important issues.
That is, of course, not in public. I bet most of these discussions on important issues occur in phone conversations and lunch meetings outside of the public view.
So...I'm all for a little public discussion - heated or not. Heated discussions are usually the result of passion - not division.
If by "divisive" you mean "willing to fight all odds to oppose the cabal of Liz, Dennis, Debbie, Susan and Ted to allow parents to decide what is best for their children," I think we could use a few more divisive board members.
I hope Al doesn't change a thing in his next term
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