The first time was last September when someone claimed that Liz Brown was criminally prosecuted for removing the campaign signs of another candidate while running for her seat on the Board in 2004. After doing a Google search, it turned out the commenter was correct, and I promptly posted the comment and explained why.
Yesterday afternoon, I received an anonymous comment that made serious claims about two current Board of Education candidates. I felt I couldn't responsibly publish the comment without some form of confirmation.
Now, I regularly receive anonymous comments that I feel make irresponsible or outlandish claims that purport to be statements of fact, but I refuse to post them without some kind of proof. Rarely does that proof exist, and I reject those comments. This time is different.
The following claims were made in a larger comment thread about who to vote for in the coming election:
"Tony McKnight thinks the school board should be able to raise our taxes whenever they want more money.
Eddie Eubanks is currently delinquent on his property taxes."
Eddie Eubanks is currently delinquent on his property taxes."
I will first address, what I believe to be, the most serious accusation made in the post - a candidate for School Board who has not paid his property taxes.
In light of the current debate over creating new taxing mechanisms to ensure Orange County has enough revenue to meet its needs and the ever present concern about meeting the funding needs of the county school system, the thought that a current candidate for the school board would neglect to pay his property taxes is unthinkable.
Unfortunately, it is true.
I searched the Orange County Revenue Department's website and confirmed that as of 11:47 p.m. last night Eddie Myers Eubanks was, in fact, "currently delinquent on his property taxes."
How can someone who has failed to pay his fair share expect a voice in spending $24 million paid by others? And, how can a voter grant him that voice?
Next, the commenter asserted that "Tony McKnight thinks the school board should be able to raise our taxes whenever they want more money."
In this case, I again turned to my old friend, Google. I simply entered "Tony McKnight tax" into my Google search bar. The second entry to come up was list of responses to a 2006 questionnaire from a group opposed to the merger of Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools. Among the questions about the potential merger of the two school districts was this one:
"Do you support or oppose giving taxation authority to the board of education?"
"McKnight - Yes, I support giving taxation authority to the BOE."
It is possible that, given his resounding defeat in the 2006 election, that Mr. McKnight's views on the matter have changed, but he has failed to communicate any change of heart. I can only assume that his views remain the same today.
Given that the man who formerly controlled the Board of Education, Dennis Whitling, is under indictment on charges of felony embezzlement and "malfeasance," I doubt many Orange County taxpayers would be willing to trust this rogue group with the power to reach directly into their pockets to fund the scheme du jour.
38 comments:
Well it appears thatt Eddie does not own anyhting except vehicles and it also appears that he is a habitual late payer since he just paid his 2005 tax in 2008- about time he decided to run for a position on the Board. He has at least two that were blocked. So, I would say it is SAFE to count him out.
Good reporting Allan.
How much do you want to bet that Casey won't say a word about it tonight?
Some more fact checking, and attitude checking needs to be done by Debbie Pisitelli. Last week an HES parent and voter wrote a letter to the News of Orange:
It is often said that public schools are in need of parent or community involvement. I believe this to be true, but not the entire story.
For parents to get involved, they must first be informed. Recent controversy surrounding the Orange County school board and the removal of Title 1 funds from two schools in the district have brought this to my attention. Many parents were, and still are unaware that this decision had been made in large part because attending school board meetings is difficult for working families, and the minutes of school board meetings, while available online, are not official transcripts of the meeting.
Other than attending meetings, there are few means through which parents can become informed about their child's school system. This puts parents at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to their ability to organize and express concern over school board policy.
One solution to this issue has been raised for many years by school board member Al Hartkopf. Hartkopf has petitioned the school board to either televise school board meetings or make them available via webcast. Hartkopf's suggestion is insightful as it seeks to open up the process for all parents to become engaged in their child's education -- it restores a crucial component to the current system -- community involvement.
Kudos to Mr. Hartkopf for working to maintain true transparency in board activities and recognizing the importance and value that occurs when parents engage in their children's education.
Ashley Ward
Mebane
This week Debbie again showed her hate for all things associated with HES in this spiteful and catty response.
I would like to respond Ashley Ward’s letter to the editor entitled, “School board meetings should be broadcast” (April 9). Mrs. Ward implies that Mr. Al Harkopf is the only Board member in favor of televising or webcasting OCS Board meetings. Over the two years I have been on the board, several members have raised this idea. Most recently on February 18, it was Chairman Ted Triebel who formally proposed videotaping Board meetings and airing them on the pubic access channel provided by Time-Warner Cable Co. It was not Mr. Hartkopf who, as Ward wrote, “petitioned the school board” to televise or webcast meetings.
We are currently awaiting cost estimates to equip our boardroom and we are also investigating alternative locations. The reason we have moved slowly is because we as a board are cautious when spending money that does not directly benefit classroom instruction. I agree that airing our meetings on television would allow for direct transfer of accurate information. Additionally, it would allow everyone to observe the behavior of board members during meetings.
Deborah Piscitelli
Vice-Chair, Orange County Board of Education
Ms. Ward implied no such thing, but that is beside the point. This kind of contempt is totally unacceptable. For an elected 'public servant' to go after a citizen in the newspaper of record for Orange County is beyond the pale and belies a level of contempt for the writer and the subject matter that must necessarily poison this woman's ability to see things clearly. This letter isn't a correction, it is open chastisement by a narcissist who takes offense at anything anyone that says that does not directly praise her. She appears driven by an internal hate that is scary and bursts to the surface all to regularly. Debbie hates, and there is no place for people with hate like that in elected office. Ashley is owed an apology in writing and in public.
Debbie is also factually incorrect, as we all learned at tonights' forum, but that is secondary to her brazen letter.
This woman has issues.
Scott
PS: Hope you were at the forum. Jeff did really well.
Mr. Scott, Can you also address that - a candidate for School Board re-election who has a history of not paying his property taxes on time?
As you stated,"In light of the current debate over creating new taxing mechanisms to ensure Orange County has enough revenue to meet its needs and the ever present concern about meeting the funding needs of the county school system, the thought that a current school board member "would neglect to pay his property taxes" on time "is unthinkable."
"Unfortunately, it is true."
I searched the Orange County Revenue Department's website and confirmed that Al Hartkopf has had some blocks for being delinquent in the past, while serving on the board and discussing what you mentioned above. Here is one example for good measure:
http://web.co.orange.nc.us/TaxInquiry/TaxDetail.asp?BillNumber=200686233
Is it safe to count him out too? If Mr. Eubanks character and judgement is going to based upon this, then hold all candidate to the same measure. Even Mr. Hartkopf.
Art M.
Art,
Thank you for your comment. I’m sorry for delaying your post, but because you seem to accuse me of being unbalanced in my column, I wanted to take the time to make a thoughtful response before putting it up. I hope you understand.
Yes, I am aware that Mr. Hartkopf has had tax delinquencies in the past; and, you are correct that I did not mention that in my column.
The reason for that is simple: The column I posted was meant to explain why I felt it was appropriate to publish an anonymous comment that made serious accusations about two current school board candidates.
The comment in question specifically addressed the “current” tax status of a specific candidate – Eddie Eubanks. As such, I looked into the tax status of all the candidates (and the sitting Board members) and found that Mr. Eubanks was, in fact, the only candidate “currently delinquent” on his taxes. A fact, by the way, confirmed and directly addressed by Mr. Eubanks at last night’s candidate forum.
By your comment, you imply that my column was biased toward Mr. Hartkopf because I did not inject his past payment history into the discussion. Of course, I disagree.
Not only did I not mention Mr. Hartkopf’s history, I also didn’t mention the late tax payment history of Stan Morris or that Tony McKnight has no record of ever paying his property taxes on time.
That is because all three of them are current in their taxes and the commenter did not address past payment history. Not because I am biased toward Mr. Morris, Mr. McKnight, or Mr. Hartkopf.
Thank you again for your comment and for your patience is allowing me time to respond.
Please stop attacking all of the candidates. Property tax delinquency is not that uncommon.
Instead, let's focus on the candidates' positions and ideology. Many of you are new to the political arena, and you feel the only way to get your way is to degrade the other candidate. I can't believe we are going after "property taxes" and not the fight against the drop out rate, the fight to increase the year-round program, and the fight for more community involvement.
Scott,
I understand that you don't like Debbie. What I don't understand is what do you think is so brazen about her letter? I honestly felt after reading Ashley's letter that she also implied that Al was the only Board member that was in favor of televising the meetings.
I'm not a big fan of Debbie, but I don't understand why you would have such a strong reaction against her reply. I don't believe Ashley or anyone else is owed an apology.
"Debbie hates, and there is no place for people with hate like that in elected office. Ashley is owed an apology in writing and in public."
An apology for what? Ashley should have known that her comments would create a reaction. I'm sure Ashley is willing to accept the fact that someone may not always agree with her.
Ashley makes a great point for the need for transparency--let's not lose sight over this comment.
Allan,
Thank you for posting my response. The point is that almost everyone has been late on their payments, so at some point they were not current and your argument would apply to all of them, because at some point taxes were not paid when they should have been.
You were using that to discredit Eubanks in order to better position your choices. My point was to show that one of your choices, (your prime choice in fact) has done the same thing in the past. Moreso, to show that this is not a good argument for dismissing anyone's candidacy.
We should all make our decisions based upon what the candidates stand for.
Art M.
I think I need a bit of fact-checking of my own. I was unable to attend last night's forum for family reasons - but someone has informed me that Mr. Eubanks stated the HES receives more funding than other OC schools, specifically CES and ECE.
If he did make this statement - I believe it to be false. HES does not receive any more dollars than any other school - and CES and ECE receive Title 1 funds (or they did...), which would mean they receive more funds. Please understand me - I believe that CES and ECE should receive these funds and it is an outrage that the board took these funds from them. What concerns me here is the fact that a school board candidate can make a completely false statement in a public forum - and is unchecked.
Does anyone know the truth to all of this?
AW
Public officials surrender part of their privacy and their right to be so thin-skinned as to take offense at innocuous comments such as Ashley's as part of their status as public officials. They possess a level of authority by virtue of their office. This is common sense and is explicit in the law.
Ashley is a private citizen who just wrote her thoughts to the editor. Debbie chose to take offense and chose to use her office to publicly humiliate Ashley. She used her title in the response. That is abusing her office is inconsistent with their Code of Ethics parts four, eleven, and thirteen.
Yes, she owes Ashley an apology and to say she doesn't illustrates how we have come to accept the unacceptable behavior of certain board members.
DT
DT,
Can you please let me know what is so offensive about Debbie's comments? I do not find anything at all offensive. The only thing I can see is that Ashley stated something as a fact, and Debbie refuted it. Ashley was not personally discredited by Debbie.
If Debbie called Ashley a name, or if Debbie stereotyped her in any certain way, then I would lead the group by telling Debbie personally that she should apologize.
So please, will someone please explain what was so offensive by Debbie's comments? I really don't see it, but I'm willing to listen.
Sideline Spectator,
I think people are confused by the Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics is a tool, not a weapon. However, DT gave 3 parts of the Code of Ethics.
4--Encourage the free expression of opinion by all Board members, and seek systematic communications between the Board and students, staff, parents and all other elements of the community;
11--Avoid being placed in a position of conflict of interest, and refrain from using the Board member’s position on the Board for personal or partisan gain;
13--Behave in a courteous manner, both in relations with the citizens served, as well as with superiors, colleagues and subordinate staff;
I hope DT can explain where Debbie violated the Code of Ethics. I don't think she did....
Bill B.
While I am not offended by Ms. Piscitelli’s response to my letter - there are some inaccuracies in her response. First of all, Al Hartkopf originally raised the issue of televising board meetings in 2005 (According to Orange County School Board Meeting Minutes) – before Debbie and many of the current board members were elected. Al has consistently raised this issue as well as issues regarding upgrading the technology of the board (for example, having the board use laptops during meetings instead of all that paper).
As far as the money issue goes – it was already approved by the county commissioners, as was confirmed at last night’s forum by Steve Halkiotis, that the Board of Education could use their facilities, which are already equipped with the proper technology. Ms. Piscitelli says: “The reason we have moved slowly is because we as a board are cautious when spending money that does not directly benefit classroom instruction.” This is very misleading. They do not have to spend any money to make this happen – as Al has often pointed out.
Unfortunately, Casey Ferrell of the News of Orange will not allow me to respond to Ms. Piscitelli’s letter in the newspaper as he does not feel my response is a “good use of space.” So, while I am not offended that Ms. Piscitelli disagrees with me – I think it would be helpful if she would at least fact-check herself before she puts something in the newspaper.
Ashley
Ashley,
Thank you for your response. I'm glad that you were not offended by Debbie's comments. I encourage you to let her know ASAP about these inaccuracies so she can refrain from making these statements.
To Scott and DT,
Please allow Debbie and Ashley to work out there differences so we can all move forward. Debbie may not know of Al's attempts in 2005. I have concluded that Ms. Piscitelli did not make any offensive comments about Ms. Ward.
Thank you.
I am very happy that we have six candidates that are willing to share their views with the public. No matter who is elected, I am willing to offer my support for each candidate. We need to make a difference for our schools.
The one thing that we should be very concerned about is the nutrition of our children. Last night several candidates talked about the third grade being a time where we lose some of them. This is the same time when a major physical change happens. Most kids require more healthy food at this time. It's hard to learn when you are on an empty stomach.
A major correlation between socio-economic disadvantaged children and test scores is nutrition. Ask your third grade teacher if they think this is true, because I guarantee they will concur. We all need to give our time and resources at this time to make a difference in a kid's future.
Also remember, the Board members love each and every one of our kids. We try to blame them for things that are simply out of their control. We all have our own ideas of what needs to be done, and when we don't see progress, we blame the Board.
I beg you, for the good of all of our children, please come together and support whomever is elected so they can concentrate their energy on improving our system. We cannot micromanage the Board. We should understand their beliefs and try to build bridges so everyone can have a better future.
Bill B.
While I do not hear "hatred" in Ms. Piscitelli's letter, what I do certainly hear is a disdain for fellow board member, Mr. Hartkopf and a need to bolster Mr. Triebel and her position as his Vice Chair. Also painfully evident is a great deal of arrogance.
I have been present at board meetings both before and after Ms. Piscitelli was elected, at which Mr. Hartkopf advocated for the use of technology for the sake of board transparency. I have repeatedly heard him suggest broadcasting board meetings and posting minutes, agendas, and proposed plan on-line. I have heard him suggest that board minutes be placed in the local newspaper. I even once heard Mr. Hartkopf, before he was elected, advocate for more transparency - with one way being broadcasting board meetings. He made this public statement at a school board forum.
Before Ms. Piscitelli, as vice chair of our school board, submitted a letter disputing the statements of an Orange County Schools parent, she should have checked her facts! Obviously, Ms. Piscitelli does not feel Mr. Hartkopf spoke at board meeting prior to her election. Obviously, she has not been paying attention since!
Let's not get carried away. As Bill B said, we need to build bridges and look at what is best for our children. Al Hartkopf is a fine man, and he should be thanked for all of his dedication to our community. Debbie and Ted are both fine people who were elected to do a thankless job. We may not agree with them, and we may not like them, but calling them arrogant will not solve the problem with our community. Actually, it hurts. Instead, let's find common ground with them in the future and to "plant a tree" of education for our children! Our children, above all, should be our focus.
About the facts, Debbie did not know. Do you really believe she should go back and check the minutes for the years 2003-2005? I don't think a reasonable person would have. Let's live and let live.
I consider you all my friends, and I do not want to break up our community and segregate who we hang out with anymore. Let's come together as opposed to acting like the Hatfields and the McCoys. We get too caught up on perceived slights that are so counterproductive.
"About the facts: Debbie did not know." While Debbie may not have known about Mr. Hartkopf's statements prior to her election, she certainly should have known about those made when she was sitting at the same table!
Actually, come on - she should have checked prior to publically correcting a parent of the school system she was elected to represent.
While I agree that it would be nice to all just start getting along, that simply will not be possible as long as some among us as disingenuine.
Sideline Spectator,
I totally agree with your philosophy. We need to raise our standards of public debate. When a child throws a tantrum, we need to not use "negative reinforcement". Instead, we should only reward the child who is willing to exert positive behavior. Pledge with me not to respond to the negativity of others.
I think we need to concentrate on "planting trees" too. Our community has so much potential that it makes no sense in tearing each other down. We will have Ted, Susan, Anne, and Debbie for the next 2 years, so we need to find common ground and work for the best of our children. We don't have to like them, we just need to put our personal differences aside and find solutions for the children.
Bill B.
Hi all,
This morning I received an email from Debbie Piscitelli addressing the issue of the Letter to the Editor and responding to an email that I had sent to her earlier in the week regarding the same matter.
I am not going to reveal the contents of her email here - but I would like to say that she was very respectful toward me and I am pleased with her response. Her response gives me hope that we can all move forward from this point - that the negativity of the last several months can be a thing of the past as we work together for our common goal - a better education for our children.
Ashley
Bill B. asked I hope DT can explain where Debbie violated the Code of Ethics. I don't think she did....
That isn't what I said. I said she was inconsistent with their Code of Ethics.
In light of Ashley's most recent post I see no point in going line by line anymore although I can do that if that is what you really want. Debbie reached out to Ashley and she appears satisfied.
Perhaps we can move on.
Now about the Code of Ethics. It's not a tool and it's not a weapon. I find it very interesting anyone would mention it in the context of a tool or a weapon, because it is neither, although I understand it has been used against board members as both.
DT
Ashley,
Great job! Your action is what is needed for Orange County. You are a great example for all of us.
Bill B.,
Looks like Ms. Ward agrees with us! This is very encouraging. Our elected officials deserve our respect, even when we may not agree with them. I hope we can all move on and work for the common good. I also agree with you that we should not encourage "negative reinforcement". I promise to refrain from people who want to bark at the dark side of the moon! Thanks friend.
I am sorry, but I will not be ready to "plant a tree" of any kind with Debbie Piscitelli until she personally, and publicly, apologizes for calling me a racist, saying the only reason I enrolled my child at HES was because I "wanted to pick the kind of people he went to school with" and, because I opposed the school board's plans, my child didn't "belong in public school."
I believe Debbie Piscitelli is far from being a "fine person." I think she is arrogant, condescending and openly hostile to anyone who disagrees with her.
I feel she is a poisonous force in our community and I look forward to the day she no longer holds public office.
Sideline Spectator,
Thank you for being candid with your thoughts. I think we can really "plant trees" by reviewing campus safety. I'm distressed that almost anyone can waltz into an Orange County School without authorization. With an increase in gang related activity in our neighborhood, we need to make sure that our kids are safe on each school campus.
Allan,
Can you share your thoughts about school security?
Bill B.
Debbie's letter appears in today's issue of the Chapel Hill Herald. If she had been simply mistaken, she should have telephoned the Herald and asked that her letter not be published!
On numerous recent occasions, I have come to Debbie's defense both on this blog and in public. I was very surprised and admittedly disappointed to open today's Herald and see the letter.
Debbie's choice to allow the Herald to print her misleading and factually incorrect letter, after it had been shown to be in error, is clearly conduct unbecoming a public official.
To anonymous 3:11 pm,
If you look careful at Ashley Ward's blog on Debbie's e-mail, you will notice that she did not say that Debbie was wrong. Please leave Debbie alone--she did you no harm.
I too saw the letter and was disappointed. I agree that Debbie should have had the letter pulled from the Herald. While I applaud her letter to Ashley, I do not believe it would have happened had she not been proven wrong in public (this blog and the candidate forum). While the damage was done in the News of Orange, Debbie could have shown herself to be of higher character by having it pulled from the Herald.
While I have not idea about this, it could be possible that Debbie tried to have letter pulled and the paper would not. Is it possible to give her the benefit of the doubt until you all discover otherwise?
(realistically I don't think you'll post this but I thought I'd try anyway)
To anonymous 3:33, as you suggested, I looked back at Ashley's post. Ashley said, "there were some inaccuracies in her response". I used the phrase, "factually incorrect". I am at a loss as to what you feel the difference is. The reality is that Debbie's letter was both "inaccurate" and "factually incorrect".
As to, "Please leave Debbie alone - she did you no harm." When public officials espouse factually incorrect information, we are all harmed!
I guess Debbie has made some of you real mad. If she has wronged you, why don't you confront her one on one as opposed to throwing stones at her on this blog? I understand that she may have hurt your feelings, but unless you LET HER KNOW ABOUT IT, you are just as much guilty as she is. It's easier for you to trash her on the blog, just as it's easier for you to let your child do anything they would like to do.
Jackie F.
Jackie,
You've either not been paying attention to this issue over the past year or have never actually spoken to Debbie Piscitelli.
Parents have consistently "LET HER KNOW" how they feel about her actions.
It was when I "LET HER KNOW" that I disagreed with her position on merging Hillsborough and Central that she called me a racist for simply sending my child to HES.
Debbie has repeatedly shown that she is too arrogant and self-important to accept criticism from us lowly parents.
She is unfit for public office and her departure cannot come fast enough.
anonymous 8:28 am;
When my child comes home crying because someone calls them a name, I always say "Sticks and Stones may break our bones, but words will never hurt me". Lead by example and forgive Debbie. It will be worthwhile! I too have been called a racist, and it's hard to forgive, but unless we talk out our differences, we are as guilty as the accuser.
The trashing of Debbie and company is not going to help our cause--the security of HES. HES is no longer the best elementary school in our district. We need to refocus on our children and not be worried about personal slights.
Remember your Dolphin Pride!
Jackie F.
"HES is no longer the best elementary school in our district."
I've heard that a couple of times now- Did I miss something in the past 14 months? When did being #1 become the priority? I thought keeping HES open and seeing that the needs of all OCS children were addressed was what we were fighting for.
Do you give that same "sticks and stones" advice to African-Americans called the N-word? How about a woman labeled with the C-word?
While it may not not rise to that level of offensiveness, for a white man nothing comes closer than being unfairly labeled a racist. It leaves a lasting impact by allowing others to dismiss you without good reason - exactly Debbie's intent.
As a Catholic, I was taught that before I could be forgiven for my sins, I had to confess them and show remorse.
As soon as Debbie Piscitelli publicly confesses that she was wrong in trying to label HES parents as racists and asks for forgiveness, we can start the long process of rebuilding trust.
Given my exposure to Debbie, I won't hold my breath.
"When did being #1 become the priority?"
Very good question. Being the best school is what every school in the district should strive for. Look at Cameron Park, they accept nothing but the best efforts of their teachers, parents, and students. HES was the best for several years in regards to test scores--we should strive to reach that level again.
"As a Catholic, I was taught that before I could be forgiven for my sins, I had to confess them and show remorse."
I'm not a Catholic, I'm an Orange County citizen. Your salvation was not my concern--I'll leave that with you. My concern is that we need to move on! I agree with you that you should be mad if Debbie called you a racist. I don't know under what context she called you a racist, but you have allowed her to get under your skin and control you. That's why I used the "sticks and stones" mentality. Allowing someone to control you is marginalizing your position.
Jackie F.
So nobody but Cameron Park wants/expects/or "demands" the best from their staff and students? Do you seriously believe the students, teachers, staff aren't even trying? This whole thing is absurd. I'm sorry now that I didn't move to Durham when I had the chance. (And BTW- the next time you think "words can never hurt me" will make it all better, try explaining it to a 6 yr old).
Thank you, Mr. Scott, for the blog. Since I was/am unable to attend meetings, I relied heavily on it this past year for updates and information on the whole OCS BOE debacle. Unfortunately, I've had quite enough of being labeled by people without the common sense of a lima bean. My kids mean more to me than what's being passed around now. It's sad that now I have to shield them from their "advocates." I admire your courage and determination, but don't envy your position here. Post this, don't post this- doesn't matter. I'm done with all of it. My energies are better spent with my family. Besides, these people are giving me a migraine.
"So nobody but Cameron Park wants/expects/or "demands" the best from their staff and students? "
That's not what was stated, and you know it. I'm making a point that we need to stop being petty (me included) and instead come together as a community for the best of our children. You should talk to the parents and teachers at HES, and they will tell you that this "merger" was distracting. The merger is off the table, and we need to move on.
Jackie F.
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