supporting the nomination of Dr Spampinato

Sounds good to me. Do you know how to find the email addys of these senators?

if you PM me I can send you the list- you need to send me an e-mail address unless there's some way I can attach a word file to these PMs

MEMBERS OF THE 27TH LEGISLATURE

Sen. Liston A. Davis (ICM-St. Thomas)
Tel: 340-693-3598
Fax: 693-3640
E-Mail: ldavis@legvi.org

Sen. Carlton Dowe (D-St. Thomas)
Tel: 340-693-3507
Fax: 693-3660
E-Mail: cdowe@legvi.org

Sen. Juan Figueroa-Serville (D-St. Croix)
Tel: 340-712-2258
Fax: 712-2380
E-Mail: jfigueroa-serville@legvistx.org

Sen. Louis Patrick Hill (D-St. Thomas)
Tel: 340-693-3616
Fax: 693-3635
E-Mail: lp_hill@yahoo.com

Sen. Neville A. James (D-St. Croix)
Tel: 340-712-2279
Fax: 712-2384
E-Mail: njames3033@yahoo.com

Sen. Norman JnBaptiste (I-St. Croix)
Tel: 340-712-2305
Fax: 712-2376
E-Mail: jbiam@hotmail.com

Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone (D-St. Thomas)
Tel: 340-693-3529
Fax: 693-3642
E-Mail: smmalone1@yahoo.com

Sen. Terrence Nelson (ICM-St. Croix)
Tel: 340-712-2210
Fax: 712-2374
E-Mail: tnelson@legvistx.org

Sen. Basil Ottley (D-St. Thomas)
Tel: 340-693-3513
Fax: 693-3631
E-Mail: bottley@legvi.org

Sen. Usie R. Richards (I-St. Croix)
Tel: 340-712-2320
Fax: 712-2372
E-Mail: senatorrichards@hotmail.com

Sen. Ronald E. Russell (D-St. Croix)
Tel: 340-712-2321
Fax: 712-2242
E-Mail: rrussell@legvistx.org

Sen. James Weber (D-St. Croix)
Tel: 340-712-2222
Fax: 712-2378
E-Mail: jweber@legvi.org

Sen. Carmen M. Wesselhoft (D-At Large)
Tel: 340-712-2315
Fax: 693-3546
E-Mail: Carmen@Senator-at-large.com

Sen. Celestino A. White (I-St. Thomas)
Tel: 340-693-3570
Fax: 693-3636
E-Mail: cwhite@legvi.org

Sen. Alvin Williams (D-St. Thomas)
Tel: 340-693-3517
Fax: 693-3634
E-Mail: awilliams@legvi.org

Thanks Northside! Let's all get behind this nomination and make the VI a better place. You've got to satrt with the basics. Ms Spampinato has already done more in a few weeks than was done in the last commisioner's entire term.

This woman's history is not encouraging, in my opinion. Maybe we deserve better.

Thanks, Northside. Maybe if enough support her we'll get better than more of the same old, same old. I can't imagine how it could get worse.

Linda J,
That is your opinion and understanding of the information at hand. However sometimes we have to think outside of the box. The type job she does, is a turn around specialty, it requires " step on toes, and shake up the good old boy mentality". You don't make alot of friends doing this type of work. Dr Spaminato has the credentials, the tenacity,and the experience to make change and a difference for the children.

She may not be the "ideal candidate" but realistically, the job is not the "ideal job", either. We've got to be realistic. School superintendents of local school districts located near our other (stateside) home are getting in the area of $229,000 a year. They don't have to deal with our confirmation hearings either (sometimes I'm amazed that real people are willing to put themselves through that scene to get confirmed) or our lousy system. Rumor has it that others turned down the position. I have to think that she seemed the best possible from what was/is available to the governor, and going out of our system for someone new is possibly the best way to try for a change from the ..same old....

Just as a side note, I heard straight from a former senator's mouth that many senators simply do not check their email. I think faxing a letter would be the best way to get your message heard.

Andrea is likely on to something. I did get a response from Usie Richards, but nothing from anyone else..not that I am expecting a response, though. Guess I'll print out and fax my letters.

Since Federal Dollars are involved in the education of our children, I Hope the US Attorney takes a look at this event, regardless of the outcome.

I was told by a Senator on Saturday night that there are 10 strong no votes already, so I hope this works!!

RL

Ronnie: Ask your legislator what s/he is hearing from the people, although I doubt they are listening. This has nothing to do with us and everything to do with them.

Bump. Today's the day. Fingers are crossed for her!

I received a couple replies from Senators. Usie R. said he had 2 kids graduate with honors from high school in stt and stx--but no further comment from him when my response brought up the disconnect between USVI grades and scores on national proficiency tests or SATs...one of the reasons many parents don't get more upset about their kids not learning is that they (some or many) come home with decent or good report cards--but that obviously doesn't mean the standards are set where they should be. Same old arguments--Wesselhoff opposed her because she doesn't think Dr S would stay for the long haul--but I would be surprised if that were in the plan...more likely she does her thing and then the district brings in someone after the changes are started...no different than a corporate CEO brought in to turn things around...they just don't want her, so any argument is good...hope things go better today than I expect...

as of 12pm, the grapevine says she was not confirmed.

Yes, Onika....its true...just saw it on TV.

In black and white and not much of a suprise.

http://www.onepaper.com/stthomasvi/?v=d&i=&s=News:Local&p=1201843128

What a shame.
Jay

so why can't the gov just keep her on as interim commish and just not bother to look for anyone else, there's always a way to circumvent our beloved senators ignorance fear and racism

makes you wonder what they are afraid of her uncovering as she investigates further into the financial records of the school system. Maybe her quick action to get some of the federal funding returned has them quaking in their flip-flops at the thought of her being able to do what her recent predecessors never could. It's hard for them to continue to claim that things are as good as they can be if someone is successfully making improvements. Better to quash that before it gets very far so they can keep on with the same 'ol same 'ol. I'm also wondering which senator has a relative they are aching to confirm into the position.

I don't know enough about her to say she's ideal for the position, but chances are that the most ideal candidates would never apply for the position here. If she could make some quick improvements and get a few programs on track, it would be better than doing nothing.

As trw suggested, perhaps they will at least leave her in the position until they get a new candidate confirmed. That could take a while and she might make some positive changes along the way.

Do they have an alternate candidate waiting in the wings. I guess the senators will get just what they deserve for an Education Commissioner - shame everyone else gets it too!

I saw some of those documents from the School district (philadelphia) on line www.demmansay.com

Although I saw trouble with this woman's credentials, I would have give here the benefit of the doubt because she was DeJongh's choice.

But now we have to move forward. I hope the next noiminee is a better fit.

Turnbull's available again. :X Or maybe the kids should all do what a former senator did & buy a degree online. That way it doesn't matter what happens with the grade schools or high schools. Much cheaper in the long run. . .