Let's get ready to Ruuuumble!
So we paid him anyway?
More tax dollars wasted!

Yes and there will be no substantive evidence until you start an investigation.
Accepting the stonewalling tactics of Mr. Donovan
shows that the State's Attorney is either lazy or in the pocket of the School Board, perhaps they are merely unqualified for their position?

Plattner wrote. "The matter still seems fueled, instead, by pure speculation and innuendo, by those who disagree with the substantive decision made by the board.

Hhhhmmmm. I wonder who he's talking about?

No evidence must mean it never happened then right?

Dead body...but no evidence left by the criminals...equals no crime.

How boring would those cop shows on TV be if they were all that easy?

I guess the "moral of the story" is do what ever you like, just remember it when asked in a deposition...Or just do what Donavan did and run away so one can ask and you don't have to lie.

Do stop being criminals, just get better at it so there is no evidence.

don't remember it

Of course there is no Evidence, especially when you deal with the local State Attorney's Office. Take it to an office in another Judicial Circuit and I bet the outcome will be different ;-).

You bet it is ANOTHER dead issue. As everything else reported around here with these corrupted elected public officials. It all goes into the Collier County Legal System Black Hole. Besides, this is election year they say, and no one will dare opne up a can of worms around here.

This place has become a Safe Haven for these people.

Knowing something in your gut and proving it in court are far different creatures.
Most of us feel in our guts that some laws were violated, but finding proof which will stand up in court is tough.

Time to move on. We also need to keep our guard up and hold those sitting on the board accountable via the ballot box.

Had this link sent to me about another school district that just lost their accreditation!
This could be this district every soon!

http://colliercountyblog.blogspot.com...

You're right, BTV.

Stinks to high heaven though, doesn't it? A super. is hastily let go, another conveniently shows up and is seemingly the only candidate for the job.

Come to find out there was a long-standing relationship between a board member and this person. And calls between board members and this individual at odd hours (that's not speculation, just public record).

I guess I just don't know how to play the game...

But you are correct BTV. Now how do we get more than 10% of the registered voters to turn out?

lizzyb writes:

"Now how do we get more than 10% of the registered voters to turn out?"

Good luck with that. That's the reason we are where we area and there doesn't seem like we will have any hope the next 4 years. Remember Augsust 26th?

I'm with you BTV. Knowing something in your gut and being able to prove it is two different things.

I am afraid the I will never be able to believe in my heart that no laws were broken here but it does not appear that anyone really wants to dig into it all the way.

I have come not to expect much out of the State Attorney's office or the State Election Officials when it comes to properly investigating issues over the years here. Unless it's handed to them with all the evidence present neither one of them will bother to dig around much on their own.

I suppose this will put this to rest once and for all. It's a shame that we will never know exactly what transpired back then at 3AM.

Now it's our job to remove the last two board members that caused all this turmoil. Then in time hopefully when Thompson's contract expires he and his chicks will be sent on their way to ruin another school system.

BTV, there is a reason that "knowing it in your gut" does not hold up in court. Because there have been many times in history where a lot of people "just knew" something that, in the end, really wasn't true. Is that the case here? Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. The State Attorney, the School Board, and Ray Baker all agreed that there were no violations of the Sunshine law.

Of course, for some people who will believe what they want to believe, it doesn't matter what the actual evidence says. There are people who want to believe that something illegal happened because they don't like what happened. But just b/c you don't like what happened doesn't mean anything illegal occurred. There is a difference between holding someone politically accountable (completely reasonable here) and holding someone legally reasonable (in this case, not reasonable).

and we wonder why voter turnout/apathy is at an all time low! Corruption is everywhere- here locally and on Wall Street! It's "every man, woman, child for himself/herself"! People will push the frail and the old out of the way to get on the life boat and save their own behind!

#15--Corruption here? I don't mean to argue that there is no corruption in Naples, but to bring those charges up specifically here--in the article that says there was NO corruption in this case... it's strange.

And recent events on Wall Street--IMO--are caused more by that special kind of incompetence that can only happen when people think they're smarter than they really are, and make huge mistakes because they overestimated their own abilities.

I think this deserved further investigation as everyone who was watching the Board Meeting when Baker got fired, knew that Thompson had already been contacted about taking the position. Donovan's slip of the tongue, when he spoke of bringing him in to discuss a contract, not an interview. No indepth review of what Thompson was going to bring to Collier County Schools, no interviewing of any other candidates, the phone calls in the middle of the night, the teacher visiting Rockford and meeting with Thompson prior to Baker's firing. I think Baker agreed to drop everything because he was going to get his money without having to put up too much more of a fight. I feel maybe more would have been brought out and it would have been drawn out longer and maybe he might not have gotten as much money or maybe he would have gotten more. So they settled quickly.
The State Attorney's Office should make it their business to find the truth. Not sweep it under the carpet and move on. The whole thing stinks!

It is important that the State Attorney avoid being in the position of being used by one side or the other in a political or policy dispute.?

So the State Attorney has decided to release this apolitical statement of its very in depth investigation two days before a very important vote.

I'm glad to hear they didn't want to be used by one side or the other. Go State Attorney!!!

ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!

No legal violation happened. Those who oppose DT want desperately for something anything to be true which will allow them to get back the clout they used to enjoy. It is over.

I suppose thoe who want to still believe the LAW was violated (as opposed to their sense of right and wrong) also believe Nelson did nothing wrong. Yah Sure

Time to move on folks.

I know people don't care what the truth is--they will just believe what they want. But how is three separate examinations of the evidience "sweeping it under the rug?" It isn't.

And as for the timing being political... that's not a very logical argument. How does the statement impact the vote on the custodians? Presumably, the 2 members who are impacted by the decision already knew there weren't Sunshine violations--and I don't see how the other 2 voting members' positions would be influenced by this statement. If ANYTHING, you could argue that releasing this statement exonerating the School Board only a few weeks AFTER Abbott's election was a politically motivated act AGAINST Abbott. But associating the timing of this release with the custodial vote really doesn't make sense.

RE: from article - "In this case there has still not yet been any actual evidence that any violation occurred," Plattner wrote. "The matter still seems fueled, instead, by pure speculation and innuendo,...":

-----------------------------

No, I think is "fueled" by all the evidence that had started to trickle out in the Baker lawsuit --

--the 3AM phone calls between board members (none of whom can "recall" what they were talking about to each other at such an odd hour);

--the refusal of Collier School Board member Steve Donovan to give a required deposition, despite numerous appointments to do so and his hiring a private attorney;

--the secret trip to Rockford by a social studies teacher who interviewed THompson, was in touch with Board members, and whose contact resulted in Thompson disclosing on paper what he "wanted" in order to come to Collier.

Stuff like THAT is what "FUELS" speculation that not all was above-board in this hire.

Add to the above the fact that NOT ONE DISTRICT PROCEDURE and NOT ONE DISTRICT POLICY was followed
with this new hire Thompson (who has no updated application on file, and apparently never gave references nor was his name even googled), and you have MORE reason to fuel the belief there was something amiss.

On TOP of all that, you have what I know I read was a STATE report, online, telling this district years before Thompson was hired to DISPOSE of all the OUTDATED, NULL AND VOID applications.

Instead of doing that, this district apparently shovedf a 5-year old application at a NDN reporter in August 2007, pretending this 2002 application from Thompson was perfectly valid. It wasn't. From 2004-2006 Thompson had amassed a truckload of nagative press from all sides of the political aisle for his idiotic decisions in Rockford -- and had Allun Hamblett, Execut Director of HR in Collier ever DONE his actual job, all this would have become part of a publuic record.

Instead, as THompson gleefully noted on a call-in tv program, there is NO public record on him in this school district because there was NO application ever filed by him in AUgust 2007.

It may not be a matter for the State Atty Office now, but if all the facts ever come out in this case, it may be. One would have to know ALL the facts, and we certainly don't know all the facts yet.

Thank you, Temasters, and the school bus driver, for trying to find out by filing a civil suit.

And, same thanks would go to ANYONE who would have sought the truth as they are doing on behalf of this community.

http://dennisthompsonresponds.blogspo...

http://dennisthompsonbackgroundquiz.b...

http://labbottsaysvisitrockford.blogs...

RE: from article - "In this case there has still not yet been any actual evidence that any violation occurred," Plattner wrote. "The matter still seems fueled, instead, by pure speculation and innuendo,...":

-----------------------------

No, I think is "fueled" by all the evidence that had started to trickle out in the Baker lawsuit:

--the 3AM phone calls between board members (none of whom can "recall" what they were talking about to each other at such an odd hour);

--the refusal of Collier School Board member Steve Donovan to give a required deposition, despite numerous appointments to do so and his hiring a private attorney;

--the secret trip to Rockford by a Collier BHS social studies teacher who interviewed Thompson, was in touch with Board members, and whose contact in Rockford resulted in Thompson disclosing on paper what he "wanted" in order to come to Collier.

Stuff like THAT is what "FUELS" speculation that not all was above-board in this hire.

Add to the above the fact that NOT ONE DISTRICT PROCEDURE and NOT ONE DISTRICT POLICY was followed with this new hire Thompson (who has no updated application on file, and apparently never gave references nor was his name even googled), and you have MORE reason to fuel the belief there was something amiss.

On TOP of all that, you have what I know I read was a STATE report, online, telling this district years before Thompson was hired to DISPOSE of all the OUTDATED, NULL AND VOID applications.

Instead of doing that, this district apparently shoved a 5-year old application at a NDN reporter in August 2007, pretending this 2002 application from Thompson was perfectly valid. It wasn't. From 2004-2006 Thompson had amassed a truckload of negative press from all sides of the political aisle for his idiotic decisions in Rockford -- and had Allun Hamblett, Exec Director of HR in Collier ever DONE his actual job, all this would have become part of a public record.

Instead, as THompson gleefully noted on a call-in tv program, there is NO public record on him in this school district because there was NO application ever filed by him in August 2007.

It may not be a matter for the State Atty Office now, but if all the facts ever come out in this case, it may be. One would have to know ALL the facts, and we certainly don't know all the facts yet.

Thank you, Temasters, and the school bus driver, for trying to find out by filing a civil suit.

And, same thanks would go to ANYONE who would have sought the truth as they are doing on behalf of this community.

http://dennisthompsonresponds.blogspo...

http://dennisthompsonbackgroundquiz.b...

http://labbottsaysvisitrockford.blogs...

Although, I do realize: the State Attorney has to make clear its position is: NO CURRENT INVESTIGATION EXISTS.

Otherwise: no one would testify.

And, they ALL MUST testify in a civil proceeding.

So, onto CIVIL court our eyes shall all go...

Maybe we will finally find out what happened here, and why Allun Hamblett "forgot" to do his job (as usual, I might add).

Ustterly disheartening!!!! I know there are so many people who would like to see Thompson gone, but because we don't know each other, there is no way to form a coalition of citizens from the Collier County area to keep very close tabs on him and what he and his colaborators are doing.

Promdate: Send a letter to the governor's office, like I did last week, and ask THEM to look into this.

Way too big a job for little ol' me.

Ethics/honesty does NOT exist anymore! We can obly hope that "what goes around comes around" to some of these people! Donovans hopes of any type of political career are pretty much out the window!

It seems to me that he didn't want to bother with it. Basically, he told CC to deal with it yourselves...I don't want to be in the middle of this BS.

LOL....the Board can even tire the AG.

Move on people. It is over. DT is here to stay.

I agree with TheLissack - its over, get over it - try working with the superintendent instead of fighting against him, we are in a real pickle here financially and more people will be let go or perhaps employees will have to start paying of their insurance like others of us out in the "real world" have to! I had to pay 50% of my insurance cost.
I doubt there ever were any 3AM phone calls - how stupid is that? - so quit bringing up something that probably never happened. I doubt any of them are fond enough of each other to all at 3AM.

Thompson may be here to stay, but few board members could be leaving soon!

RCT: "three separate examinations of the evidience(sic)" ?
Was there really another investigation?
Did Donovan testify?
IDTS

I haven't looked, has The Daily News weighed in yet?

As I see it, and thanks, floridacertifiedteacher
for keeping track of the details, this does not end it, it just marks the political position of the State's Attorney.
The new lawsuit will not be decided by that office, it will be decided in court.

Anyone who cringes at the example set by the Bush White House can clearly see it's reflection
in the many little sleazy acts of school boards, courts and mayoral and commision dominated actions accross the land.

re post #34 - ...this does not end it, it just marks the political position of the State's Attorney.
The new lawsuit will not be decided by that office, it will be decided in court.
------

Exactly right, IMO. And, you're welcome.

I am eager to see what we learn in the new information that will be the subject of questions, and in the depositions we have never had in this matter.

Then, maybe, someday, when we all find out what really happened -- and this very disturbing matter can come to an end.(Bye, bye Thompson...)

BTW -- I did receive replies to my emails from both the State Attorney's office here, and from the local state attorney's office. The former said all decisions are made locally; the latter said they did not prosecute because they felt there was no evidence to prosecute. And, the fact there is no investigation now, as per this statement published today here in the NDN, simply tells me: the way is clear for the Teamsters and the school bus driver to bring this matter into civil court. So, that is good.

But, I want to mention this: I never heard anything back from the person in this state now in charge of FL Dept of Education, despite writing to him several times, and asking him a rather simple question: What are the legal requirements for ANYONE to legally be appointed a superintendent of a local school district in this state?

The reason I pressed this question to him was because of cites I had found, saying this state regards a superintendent contract as one of a continuing teacher contract.

However, if the subject superintendent - Thompson - is not even qualified to be certified as a K-12 teacher in FL or anywhere, does that actually disqualify him from being able to be appointed superintendent in this state, as per the cites I read? (And other cites?)

I am disappointed he did not take the time to acknowledge my question or to respond with an answer. Whether or not Thompson cans canned because of a civil court proceeding, he still may actually be unqualified to even be appointed as a superintendent anywhere in this state if all those past state cites do mean a person must be qualified to also teach k-12.

And, I notice CCPS keeps advertising high level positions with bogus sounding district duties for someone who is required to have been a principal -- does that mean CCPS realizes now Thompson may not even be qualified to be appointed a superintendent anywhere in this state?

Too bad our FL DOE head does not think this is a question worth answering. Maybe someone can ask him in court, so he will have to answer it. Her should have been able to get an answer on this matter.

Here is his site:

http://www.fldoe.org/commissioner/cbi...

Dr. Eric J. Smith, FL Commissioner of Education, FL Dept of ED (FL DOE)

A post sent to me from CollierCountyBlog.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008
He Said She Said - Who Cares?!
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/s...

According to my correspondence, the local State Attorney's office has no jurisdiction over this. So why are they still investigating and why the nasty comments?

Mon. 8/6/2007 11:48am

Dear XXXXXX,

The Office of the Chief Inspector General received a copy of your August 5, 2007 email.

I see that you are also copying the Commissioner of Education. By communicating with the Department of Education (DOE), you are contacting the appropriate state agency that may have jurisdiction over your concerns. We will refer this additional correspondence to the DOE Inspector General for review and action deemed appropriate for any issues that may fall under that office's jurisdiction. According to the DOE website, that office may be reached directly by email at John.Franco@fldoe.org.

Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. In the event that you have any further questions, please contact the Inspector General's office for the Department of Education directly at (850) 245-0403.

Sincerely,

Heidi Huelskoetter
Investigations Manager
Office of the Chief Inspector General

It's interesting to note the final sentence in this "memo."
"While any private party may have the right to file a lawsuit in court, such action does not in itself affect our review of the merits, or lack thereof, of a potential criminal investigation or prosecution."

Another lesson for Collier citizens...CYA - Cover your a** which Russell just did with this memo.

Do yourself a favor Collier and actually read it - they only cover what has already been released as part of the deposition.

This memo means nothing in the grand scheme of things and is just another example of the NDN creating spin where there is none.
Posted by Chipper at 9:02 AM

NaplesOldTimer the 3 am calls are on record that it did happen! I can tell that you haven't kept up on any of this.What was talked about no one knows, but it was most likely not talk about golf!NaplesOldTimer this is the real world and right now its real cruel here in school land!

LISS: not that it's wrong, but do you studder? You keep saying the same thing on here.

That’s all Thompson has programmed TheLissack to say!

#28, since you ask.....I have neverspoken on this issue PIE, nice presenation tonight. I did not convince awayone, but you did a really good job.

re post #38 - Here's the link for the WINK News report about the phone calls at 3AM between board members:

Mysterious 3 a.m. phone calls may link Collier School Board members
By WINK News

Story Created: Jan 24, 2008 at 6:59 PM EDT
Story Updated: Jan 25, 2008 at 3:49 PM EDT

http://www.winknews.com/news/local/14...

And, BTW, here again is the link for Collier School Board member Steve "NO SHOW" Donovan's repeated failure to appear for his scheduled depositions:

Board member Donovan a no-show for deposition after hiring attorney
By KATHERINE LEWIS (Contact)
11:58 a.m., Monday, January 21, 2008

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/j...

-------------------

This whole mess is about arrogance and unregulated power, IMO. These people think they can do anything and get away with it -- and, usually, they do.

There really should be more training on these kind of matters for new teachers or people thinking about becoming teachers. Because if you think everyone you meet in education is sweet and kind like your favorite teacher from your own childhood, think again. Many people in education make a ton of money and are just as ruthless, greedy and uncaring as the biggest b*st*rds in other fields.

So, maybe here in Collier, with this civil lawsuit, we have a chance to have a public airing of the facts.

And, maybe, in the end, if the facts warrant it, to show those people in power that perhaps this time, if they did do something wrong, they will not get away with it in civil court.

Maybe they did get away with it in the past (and they have at least for as long as I've been here, more than a decade, as I've seen these jerks in action), but, perhaps this time they won't get away with it.

Just my 2 cent rant... we'll see what happens in court.

and PIEFACE, did you loose weight? Getting ready for the new healthplan? What tier will you be in?

Its over people. The civil suit is a joke. your continued complaints are a joke. Move on.

TheLissack drinking and posting don’t mix! Maybe you should think about going to AA or some thing.

This county is a bit too corrupt to investigate itself.

I would like to give flcertified teacher 2 cents to go away - she is a nuisance, a mere way to get people to read her stupid website.

Watch out for the taxpayer Pieface. My gut tells me they may be getting more involved.

and again he studdered the same stuff. LOL That truly makes me laugh out loud.

The Sunshine Laws are a joke.

Lissack and Gator.... do you sit together at Thompsons dinner table or do you sit on each side so you can both kiss his cheeks ? sorry FLCERT but i am going to plagerize here.....
--the 3AM phone calls between board members (none of whom can "recall" what they were talking about to each other at such an odd hour);

--the refusal of Collier School Board member Steve Donovan to give a required deposition, despite numerous appointments to do so and his hiring a private attorney;

--the secret trip to Rockford by a Collier BHS social studies teacher who interviewed Thompson, was in touch with Board members, and whose contact in Rockford resulted in Thompson disclosing on paper what he "wanted" in order to come to Collier.

FLCERTTCHR hit the nail on the head, huh what , my phone called rockford? at 3am, it must have been a worng number , i dont know why i called them... you are morons, please go play in traffic

PIEFACE, never really cared about the subject of the article....intertesting, stick a fork in it is sticking a fork in the livelihoods of 250 people. You have said they keep their jobs just get a check with a different name on it. You know the wage,and benefits are not the same. Whatever, the players have jobs to do, Didn't think you saw the bag,

Lissack....lawsuit aside, saving jobs is not a joke. Trying to save yours would not be a joke.

PIE...your blogs are astonishing. Your anti union sentiments are very troubling. Many are startled. I guess we will sit back and wait for more.....bye for now

There oughta be a law!

Folks PIEFACE has been making undereducated cheezee coments on the blog for a few weeks now. Don't pay any attention to "IT", "IT" is a local Government Puppet.

PIE....it is my understanding that the support group is approximately 1000 people. What has the union lied about? You have consistantly been bashing them as liars,....you yell in the darkness without saying anything......not fair of you.

No wonder they have to lay off employees. They have to pay off for their mistakes. So eager to reach settlement, but not on pay increases.
The state should go back and check FEMA records. CCPS reported paying the maintannce employees, during hurricane cleanup. But the full overtime was never received.

Get over it people. Baker is gone, he will not be coming back. The school system will work for all the citizens of Collier County and not just for those who have been bleeding the system dry.

Pieface the only one telling lies are you and the rest of Thompson’s friends up in the admin building. Thompson and the rest of his admin buddies have done nothing but stonewall the teamster’s insurance plan from the start.

DinNaples The only ones bleeding the system dry are the ones up in the admin building.

mindgames, they are paying for mistakes with taxpayer's dollars....so the whole idea is way out in left field with the settlement in the first place.

Sunshine Laws should be followed to the letter of the law....but there was some scheming whispers going on to hire the Yahoo Dennis T wannabe PhD Thompson.

It went something like this....a community member says "spp pspp sp pspp shhhhhhhhhh sppsppsppspspsppswhisper MUMS THE WORD on the new Dumb and Dumber Super."
Then a Board Member who garnered a LARGE sum of donations from the community member goes "aaaabidddy let's hire him....mums the word"

Then brilliant board whispers some more....THEN SHA BANG...new super dumb and dumber super is hired.

Why bother with Sunshine laws when they can all whisper through everything?

Withers whispers to his assistant all the time.

Is that a Sunshine Law violation?

I would like to give flcertified teacher 2 cents to go away - she is a nuisance, a mere way to get people to read her stupid website.

#47 Posted by NaplesOldTimer on September 16, 2008 at 10:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

-------------------

NaplesOldTimer, you and other "NAPLES OLDTIMERS" like you can thank each other for keeping this district BELOW average -- yes, that's right: BELOW average.

This district has the highest property values in the state, and pays a fortune to fat-cat admins in that Taj Mahal --

yet, for some reason, this district has such low morale and other numerous problems that its students can't even reach AVERAGE test scores of other districts STATEWIDE.

Thank yourself, because IMO, it is you and people you support who are to blame.

And it won't be "2 cents" that gets me to go away. I do want to write a book about my true experiences in this district, but don't worry -- it will be loads of laughs, too, so that people will buy it.

Then, they will find out what it REALLY means to be a teacher in Collier County, FL -- surrounded by dunderhead$ like your$elf and with idiot$ like Thomp$on and his pal$ in charge. LOL! Laugh it up!

http://www.dennisthompsonresponds.blo...

PS By "NAPLES OLDTIMES" I don't mean elderly people -- I mean the good ole boy network that controls all the corruption in this school district and then tries to pass it off as business as usual.

PS By "NAPLES OLDTIMERS" I don't mean elderly people -- I mean the good ole boy network that controls all the corruption in this school district and then tries to pass it off as business as usual.

I encourage you to email the board members and ask them to delay a vote on privatization and on other staff members including paraprofessionals who have had their jobs threatened. The insurance comittee should have been convened as the board directed months ago. Bids from other insurance providers should have been taken, along with the teamsters insurance proposal. If Dr. Thompson had done as instructed, the board would have other alternatives to job loss and privatization. The board should not make a decision on these matters without having all the facts. Remember, Dr Thompson is an employee of this board, and thus should be held accountable for his failure to act on the proposed teamster insurance proposal in a timely manner.

PIEFACE,DINnaples.......PIE, you never explainned why you call the folks involved liars..and since I have stayed on the same course, and have not lied, it bothers me...DINnaples....the Baker thing has not been a real issue for everyone. Personally , I did not feel affected, nor by who Dr Thompson brought with him....but what does concern me is the fact that you could have found another way besides privatization. That is the issue for this piper. I will never understand it. I will never understand why, since your arrival you have never come to meet or chat with the everyday employee. It would seem you don't care to. If the custodians go,,,,I guess all the rest must await the sword

There were Sunshine Violations...
The mere fact that DT was ready, at the drop of a hat, to relocate his career, family and Dixie Chicks is proof of that.
This was planned for a long time....Calabrese ran for office stating that he was going to get rid of Baker. There was conspiring and collusion. And, the gall of the 3 school board members to act as if they have done nothing wrong. For DT to waltz into this county with an agenda of knocking down a brick wall by striking at the middle of the wall instead of carefully planning his reconstruction. Maybe not a good analogy, but he just came in and ripped right at the center of the school system....the teachers, support staff and students. It just continues to make me sick to my stomach.....

Bagpiper, you must think I'm someone closely involved. Nope, just a Naples, Collier taxpayer. I'm tired of the handouts to government employees, including the administration, who seem to think they deserve everything they want in times of deep economic trouble for all of us. No one deserves jobs for life in my book including tenured teachers. I say go for a less expensive health plan but also privatize and cut unneeded bodies from payroll.

State Attorney's Office = Deaf, Dumb & Blind

DIN, balance the budget, of course. Privatize if you must, if its not necessary, why cause the pain? You say no job for life. My job was for the best part of my years, worked hard, took big lumps and retired with a pension. Many of my former military friends, worked hard, took lumps and got a pension. If district employees were told , this job wasn't for life..don't expect a pension after 30 years, well that would be fair, none of the current employees were told that. Save them if you can, there are many many good ones, pulling weight everyday.

and sorry, I have a tendancy to speak in the reference "you, I" etc....wife tells me I do that sort of dialog alot.........

#71--This is obviously posted by someone who has no grasp on logic. Here is the "proof" of the sunshine violations:

1. Thompson relocating for a job proves that there were Sunshine violations.--What? How? So anyone relocating from out-of-state demonstrates Sunshine Law violations? I think you should inform the Governor's office of this, then, because undoubtedly this happens in places other than Collier.

2. Calabrese ran his campaign in part on getting rid of Baker.--This is true, but, umm, are you aware that Sunshine laws only pertain to "elected" officials. Also, if he's campaigning on it, then it's, by definition, public. By that definition of collusion, then, you have to include everyone who voted for him. And that's not a Sunshine Law violation, that's democracy.

The gall of some people to--no matter the evidence or the results of the evidentiary review by QUALIFIED, OBJECTIVE people--to pass judgments on others because they just think their "gut feelings" are true, is sickening and beyond pathetic. Argue against the actions of Thompson all you want; there's a lot of dumb, illogical, divisive decisions he makes. Hold those that brought him here politically accountable. But stop with the gut judgments against people who, according to the evidence and the law, have done nothing wrong legally.

Many rumors coming from the TAJ, some have meritt some I don't believe. Now, the mill is full with privatization talk. It is now demoralizing the troops. One can tell them to keep fighting, work the best you can, avoid problems of all kind, efficiency efficiency....the hand writing is begining to look like it won't matter, it is what they want to do....funny, some one said that the major prescription drug being used by district employee's was for depression....I guess thats right......

How you win a battle is to divide and concquer. Thats Thompsons battle plan.

Bagpiper, you say "If district employees were told , this job wasn't for life..don't expect a pension after 30 years, well that would be fair, none of the current employees were told that."

You mean that if I accept a Collier County job I can expect to be employed for 30 years no matter what?

It seems we may have found the problem.

DINnaples, I don't think that is a fair thought. Why be in FRS if it is just a carrot? I do understand the economic climate, don't wish to think about the money I have lost recently in the market. That said, if the district can find other ways to balance, efficiency, purchasing, why not? It is understood that a nasty battle has come between leaders. Not all the people feel the same. There are many different folks with different hearts. The Superintendant is very intellegent and has the ability to work it out. Yes, attacks have come....look at the people on the cliff, they have no weapons, never did. Probably can't even blog for lack of a computer or cable, should bitterness rule? One of my favorites, 300 Spartans, I think even Leonidas would spare the surfs.

flcertified, I have been in this county A LONG TIME and this kind of good old boy network stuff has been going on for years - Quinby, White, Baker, Bruce - all part of that good old boy network. Maybe it is time a new good old boy network took over, one that will tame the corruption that has gone on for years, covering up the Faerber incidents, the Miller incidents, need I say more? You don't like the change but it is obviously here, it will make us all uncomfortable but we have to deal with it.
Go write your book, I doubt it will be the best seller you claim.

ITS OVER earth to bloggers ITS OVER

Post 16: Gator, we finally agree on something!!

lissack, are you saying adm is earth? PIE, union are king up north, your ways don't work down here Now, go ahead and tell me your a card arryinh native, I enjoy alot of what you say, but come on. I can see it now. Your old F150 with the stars and bars in the rear window, pleaseeeeeeee

I am begining to think the unions up north committed a hedious crime against "you' personally...unless this is some long deep seated agenda.

Re post #81 - Maybe it is time a new good old boy network took over

------------

Or maybe it is way past time that students come first -- and professional educators be allowed to work in the classroom in education, as opposed to the continuous hiring of money-grubbing top heavy administration in this district.

Maybe.

and DINnaples, I never said 30 years, "no matter what". I am not a superintendant, not a Dr. of anything,..well maybe piping, but surely other solutions could be looked at without bagging up loyal employees and pushing them under the bus. I am startled at the attitudes generated at employees. I suppose the administration feels negative towards them,,,and that is biased and unfair. The Superintendant is the leader, say what you will. These conflicts and attitudes only lessen his position and stature. I know, he is under attack, PIEFACE states he is "gun shy" and "has been personally threatened"......I am unfamiliar with this and I don't buy him being gun shy. Has it been rocky, yes, will it continue, perhaps...but to assume the support personnel are trying to waste him is not accurate. If you recall, they were not involved in Baker, or Thompson's salary, nor were they involved in his choice of assistants....in fact.....you heard nothing from the group until there was deception regarding the custodial study. Again, say what you will, you too adm bloggers,..The labor relationship was civil.and interest ,based. Attitudes flaired over trust and it deteriorated fast...like any realationship that has a broken trust. Now, we are locked in a relationship without trust, both sides. Some of the adm bloggers say, unions are the reason the country is in trouble, another says "all" Teamster members are liars, some threatened privatizing everyone. Whatever, watch the next blogs, I'll be painted every color in the rainbow....it does not change what happened. In the middle of contract neg., they asked if there is presently a custodial study and the answer is not that we know, yet for six months there is a trail, and the firm was in and out of every facility. Yet the administrators had no knowledge. Now, again, no obligation to tell anything, however, That was the first untruth. Some say, ok what is it, tit for tat, get even. I do not know how to answer. In a marriage relationship, if one partner breaks a trust, it very often fractures the relationship. Disbielief sets in, saddness etc. I can tell you I felt that way. Now the fracture has brought us to a bad place. Some bloggers now want to kick the employees out of their jobs, all one thousand. Again whatever, bad bad people trying to make a name, now come at me, you must I am sure, just remember, bag knows what happened so attack...charge whatever it is what you do....

PIEFACE, I guess some of it is just my opinion. The break in the relationship was not my opinion. I know what at least one side was feeling, It was very disheartening, considering the union did not want to follow the same historical path. I do not see that I twist anything. DT, should look at the time line of discontent. The Teamsters were working forward with interest based bargaining, was utilizing federal mediation and was comminicating openly with the district up until that break.....there were no rocks being thrown about him or the administration until after that...none. No one screamed about Baker nor felt slighted over Dr T or the asssistants....we remained focused on issues related to the group. If prior administrators ran the district poorly, we do not know. Everyone everywhere is belt tightening. You continue to portrait us as not caring about children. That is also unfair I think. We do not expect DR T to take away from the kids for us. We have repeated that message. To say there is no other way to balance the budget except to outsource doesn't seem accurate. If administrators ran the district poorly, find other ways. A $12,00 custodian or bus drivers with a a salary of $23k per year should not be seen as scapegoats....again, if there is another way. You say he has answers, just not the ones I want. I don't think that if his answer was to get rid of you, it would be seen a a good answer....at some point we go on.....true, but where are we going? Baseless or not, the feeling has spread throughout, everyone thinks they are next and working conditions are getting more stressed each day, not opinion, no one from the administration is looking at that. If the there is no reason to feel this way, something should be done. That is coming from a little guy on the ground

WOW! This is great, Bagpiper and PIEFACE took it into the wee hours of the morning...lol. Get some sleep people, your County Leaders are at the wheel on this and all alike issues.

You have one more chance to correct your recent and past mistakes. Its Election Day, coming November 4th.

VOTE ALL THE INCUMBENTS OUT VOTE FOR THE NEW AND FRESH MEAT EVEN IF IT IS SOMEONE FROM A DIFFERENT PARTY.

Anyone other than our present elected officials will be good. If that person can't deliver then you vote for someone else the next time. Get them out, don't let them lead our county into the messy and corrupted path, it makes us the victims and the rich richer, including these crooks.

PIEFACE, I too have been reading bag. First, I know bag to be honest and open minded. He seems to repeat the same thoughts consistantly. It is fair to say there is great economic trouble. Working with the unions for solutions is in the district and union interest. The bag has steadily said it in more blogs than I have bothered to count. Dr Thompson would be well served sitting with the unions to see what they can offer in this crisis. Clearly, any more talk of privatization of other employees will not be acceptable and will continue the discord.Many teachers and others are angry with the proposed health plan offered by the district. After today, the district and the unions need direct and cooperative dialog. Not phone calls, but face to face conversations about ways to protect the children and to retain as many employed as feasible. Anti union anti district mentally will distroy everything.

PIEFACE, what does interest based bargaining mean? Is that not what the last contract talkswere called?

The editor of this newspaper has a great editorial today about the phone records in the alleged conspiracy to violate Sunshine Laws in the hiring of Thompson:

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/s...