APS School Board race

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of people run once and run again and win. That's what Priddy did. I don't mind people running twice. Audrey Clement is a different matter.

I continue to think Miranda Turner is an excellent candidate, and I agree with PP above saying it's unfair that she is associated with the worst of APE. She has certainly put in the work though to have credible, broad, APS experience. I bet she's done more analysis, attending more school board meetings, and knows more about the system as a whole than any other candidate.

It would actually be brilliant if APE was running several candidates. Since they want to take over APS entirely and impose Youngkin on us.

Priddy only won because Symone Walker was done dirty by another candidate. Erin apparently is a Fed too. It's just a question of when someone will report her too to whatever government authority is in charge of the Hatch Act.

She also aggressively went after anyone who even slightly disagreed with her on that AEM Facebook group, so let’s not pretend like she was guaranteed the nom otherwise. You obviously enjoy making up your own facts anyway.

Symone still had a strong showing in the gen elections as an independent, but not enough to win the election. The caucus is the election. That's why all of these DINOs are running as a Democrat rn.

Out of all the candidates that year, she was the most qualified. She would have won with the ACDC behind her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of people run once and run again and win. That's what Priddy did. I don't mind people running twice. Audrey Clement is a different matter.

I continue to think Miranda Turner is an excellent candidate, and I agree with PP above saying it's unfair that she is associated with the worst of APE. She has certainly put in the work though to have credible, broad, APS experience. I bet she's done more analysis, attending more school board meetings, and knows more about the system as a whole than any other candidate.

It would actually be brilliant if APE was running several candidates. Since they want to take over APS entirely and impose Youngkin on us.

Priddy only won because Symone Walker was done dirty by another candidate. Erin apparently is a Fed too. It's just a question of when someone will report her too to whatever government authority is in charge of the Hatch Act.

She also aggressively went after anyone who even slightly disagreed with her on that AEM Facebook group, so let’s not pretend like she was guaranteed the nom otherwise. You obviously enjoy making up your own facts anyway.

Symone still had a strong showing in the gen elections as an independent, but not enough to win the election. The caucus is the election. That's why all of these DINOs are running as a Democrat rn.

Out of all the candidates that year, she was the most qualified. She would have won with the ACDC behind her.

I supported symone when she ran and voted for her. I would do that today. Have been very turned off by her and her co-committee chair and do not believe they engage in good faith.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of people run once and run again and win. That's what Priddy did. I don't mind people running twice. Audrey Clement is a different matter.

I continue to think Miranda Turner is an excellent candidate, and I agree with PP above saying it's unfair that she is associated with the worst of APE. She has certainly put in the work though to have credible, broad, APS experience. I bet she's done more analysis, attending more school board meetings, and knows more about the system as a whole than any other candidate.

It would actually be brilliant if APE was running several candidates. Since they want to take over APS entirely and impose Youngkin on us.

Priddy only won because Symone Walker was done dirty by another candidate. Erin apparently is a Fed too. It's just a question of when someone will report her too to whatever government authority is in charge of the Hatch Act.

She also aggressively went after anyone who even slightly disagreed with her on that AEM Facebook group, so let’s not pretend like she was guaranteed the nom otherwise. You obviously enjoy making up your own facts anyway.

I can name the posters on AEM who aggressively and rabidly go after people who disagree with them and are still doing it.

The owner of the group also created a fake account back in 2020/2021 and posted under it for months until someone finally called out the fake account on AEM after it was first exposed here.

So to sum up, any single person running for school board that has the backing of people defending AEM are horrible candidates and who associate with nasty self righteous people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of people run once and run again and win. That's what Priddy did. I don't mind people running twice. Audrey Clement is a different matter.

I continue to think Miranda Turner is an excellent candidate, and I agree with PP above saying it's unfair that she is associated with the worst of APE. She has certainly put in the work though to have credible, broad, APS experience. I bet she's done more analysis, attending more school board meetings, and knows more about the system as a whole than any other candidate.

It would actually be brilliant if APE was running several candidates. Since they want to take over APS entirely and impose Youngkin on us.

Priddy only won because Symone Walker was done dirty by another candidate. Erin apparently is a Fed too. It's just a question of when someone will report her too to whatever government authority is in charge of the Hatch Act.

She also aggressively went after anyone who even slightly disagreed with her on that AEM Facebook group, so let’s not pretend like she was guaranteed the nom otherwise. You obviously enjoy making up your own facts anyway.

Symone still had a strong showing in the gen elections as an independent, but not enough to win the election. The caucus is the election. That's why all of these DINOs are running as a Democrat rn.

Out of all the candidates that year, she was the most qualified. She would have won with the ACDC behind her.

I supported symone when she ran and voted for her. I would do that today. Have been very turned off by her and her co-committee chair and do not believe they engage in good faith.

PP. would NOT do that today.

[Anonymous]

All I know about Symone Walker was what was posted in AEM years ago. IIRC her agency cleared her but then an opponent in the same agency Hatch Acted her? And then she had to run as an independent? Is that right?

I do think Erin should expect someone to do the same to her because Arlington. If it's true that she's exempt from the Hatch Act or other regulations/laws, she has nothing to worry about.

[Anonymous]

I think it was another candidate’s wife—they worked at the same agency. Anyway, surely Erin has run this by her agency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it was another candidate’s wife—they worked at the same agency. Anyway, surely Erin has run this by her agency.

Symone got cleared by her agency too. It got elevated after the other candidate’s wife issued a formal complaint.

It’s in the past. ACDC should probably do due diligence too so that they’re not embarrassed again though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it was another candidate’s wife—they worked at the same agency. Anyway, surely Erin has run this by her agency.

Symone got cleared by her agency too. It got elevated after the other candidate’s wife issued a formal complaint.

It’s in the past. ACDC should probably do due diligence too so that they’re not embarrassed again though.

Someone mentioned on AEM that Erin is not subject to Hatch as mentioned above because she’s in the legislative branch. Symone replied to that comment with a simple “interesting”. Very telling….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t decide what is most bizarre about this thread. That anyone in 2023 is saying anti-mask like it’s a slur is hilarious - look around at almost everyone now. No one wants to wear them let alone require them on children now. And can there be a thread about APS without someone going down some weird conspiracy theory of some influence of Koch please? I find it bizarre and ironic as a supporter of public school policies traditionally held by the left that there is a constant desire by posters to give the GOP the issues of higher teacher pay and smaller class sizes, closing opportunity gaps etc that I am seeing on Arlington Parents’ website and twitter. These don’t seem like scary and conspiratorial concepts. You are giving away the platform of public schools to the right.

Is it really a weird conspiracy theory if the founder of APE works at a Koch bro think tank?

https://www.mercatus.org/staff-contacts

I don’t even know who you’re referring to on that list. Are they running for school board?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it was another candidate’s wife—they worked at the same agency. Anyway, surely Erin has run this by her agency.

Symone got cleared by her agency too. It got elevated after the other candidate’s wife issued a formal complaint.

It’s in the past. ACDC should probably do due diligence too so that they’re not embarrassed again though.

Wasn’t that same wife involved in the anonymous Twitter account doxxing thing? Oh the Arlington School drama. So low stakes and stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just saw this! https://www.mirandaturner.org/

She has my vote.

Just saw this? I feel like this is a plant. Anyway, can anyone confirm that this is a new campaign and not someone just stumbling upon her last campaign?

New! From the email that announced:

“Your support was crucial two years ago, and I'm asking for it again. I'm running for School Board in 2023 and I can't do it without you!

My priorities are simple:
Focusing on instruction that supports our students.
Prioritizing the resources to recruit, support, and retain our teachers.
Setting expectations that promote the best in all.
Providing oversight that asks tough questions on the budget and facilities.
Communicating with the community in a frequent, clear, and transparent way.”

I would never trust the judgment of someone who has been a leader in that group. Beyond all of their terrible behavior during the pandemic, they were still pushing GOP propaganda in 2022.

Arlington already rejected her once. Do it again.

Really?! is this what "GOP propaganda" look like:

from Miranda's website: "I’ve been an APS parent since 2015. I was a founding member of the Drew PTA in 2019 and still serve as Social Media Chair, am involved with the Montessori Public School of Arlington PTA, and serve as site liaison for the Drew/Green Valley Girls on the Run team. I’m a member of the Early Childhood Education Committee for the Advisory Council on Teaching & Learning. I volunteer as a Precinct Captain for the Arlington Democrats and spent time last fall knocking doors and poll greeting to elect local Democrats. I’m also a member of Green Valley Civic Association’s Executive Committee and our delegate to the Civic Federation.

In my professional life as a lawyer, I devote substantial time to volunteer pro bono work. I currently represent Planned Parenthood and litigate abortion rights in federal court, and I’ve mentored younger lawyers in housing rights cases and parole proceedings. "

She is a DINO. She's in it to win it, and has the race all locked up. She says the right Dem things while her base in her parent group will support her through the caucus and all the way to the election. She's very smary, savvy. It's not even a real race. She's going to run away with this.

Disagree. She will have great difficulty shaking the APE connection and turning the minds of the self-righteous, enlightened AEM folks. On the other hand, if they are really a quiet minority, based on her competition so far, maybe you're right.

Yes, she’s trying to rebrand. We get that.

Why did she align herself so closely with them?

I can only presume because she felt strongly about the driving issues behind the organization forming and was, as many people likely are, unaware of how the bad apples would behave and develop the impression of the group. Not being part of the group or privy to its internal issues, how would anyone know what she did or did not try to do to contain the boorish behaviors and actions of individual members? Yes, she could have called them out publicly or done the typical response of organizations ("the behaviors and attitudes do not represent the values of our organization blah blah blah"). Maybe she was just trying her best to work for things she passionately believes in and thought that was the better good and more valuable than not working within the group.

Maybe not. But I'm willing to hear her out because I have not heard anything offensive from her and agree with much of what the group advocates for, even if I don't like how they go about their effort.

Or maybe she agreed with them, and was happy to let them do her thing, while keeping at an arm's length to have deniability so she could get elected. I remember a certain attack dog from her first campaign going after parents and her opponent viciously. Really really aggressive for a school board race. That left a really bad taste in my mouth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just saw this! https://www.mirandaturner.org/

She has my vote.

Just saw this? I feel like this is a plant. Anyway, can anyone confirm that this is a new campaign and not someone just stumbling upon her last campaign?

New! From the email that announced:

“Your support was crucial two years ago, and I'm asking for it again. I'm running for School Board in 2023 and I can't do it without you!

My priorities are simple:
Focusing on instruction that supports our students.
Prioritizing the resources to recruit, support, and retain our teachers.
Setting expectations that promote the best in all.
Providing oversight that asks tough questions on the budget and facilities.
Communicating with the community in a frequent, clear, and transparent way.”

I would never trust the judgment of someone who has been a leader in that group. Beyond all of their terrible behavior during the pandemic, they were still pushing GOP propaganda in 2022.

Arlington already rejected her once. Do it again.

Really?! is this what "GOP propaganda" look like:

from Miranda's website: "I’ve been an APS parent since 2015. I was a founding member of the Drew PTA in 2019 and still serve as Social Media Chair, am involved with the Montessori Public School of Arlington PTA, and serve as site liaison for the Drew/Green Valley Girls on the Run team. I’m a member of the Early Childhood Education Committee for the Advisory Council on Teaching & Learning. I volunteer as a Precinct Captain for the Arlington Democrats and spent time last fall knocking doors and poll greeting to elect local Democrats. I’m also a member of Green Valley Civic Association’s Executive Committee and our delegate to the Civic Federation.

In my professional life as a lawyer, I devote substantial time to volunteer pro bono work. I currently represent Planned Parenthood and litigate abortion rights in federal court, and I’ve mentored younger lawyers in housing rights cases and parole proceedings. "

She is a DINO. She's in it to win it, and has the race all locked up. She says the right Dem things while her base in her parent group will support her through the caucus and all the way to the election. She's very smary, savvy. It's not even a real race. She's going to run away with this.

Disagree. She will have great difficulty shaking the APE connection and turning the minds of the self-righteous, enlightened AEM folks. On the other hand, if they are really a quiet minority, based on her competition so far, maybe you're right.

Yes, she’s trying to rebrand. We get that.

Why did she align herself so closely with them?

I won't and can't speak for her, but, will speak for myself and my experience with a child in Kindergarten in 2020. No other group was advocating for schools to re-open to in person education more quickly than they did. I am not a RWNJ, but, my child DID NOT thrive in virtual school. DID NOT. We also had a 2 year old at home. My husband and I also both worked full time. We were drowning. We are still suffering the repercussions of virtual school. And we have more resources than others. We hired a tutor who came to our house twice a week the entire 20/21 year. I supported APE advocating for return to in person schooling. I'm not tone deaf, and have multiple family members who are teachers or school admins in other areas of the US--and no, not FL or the South. Those family members were stunned by APS' posture. So, absent any other body advocating for re-opening, I supported APE. Not everyone in/affiliated with APE is right wing or anti mask, etc etc etc. It has always held itself out as a non-partisan group. It cannot control everyone--and believe me--I saw some of the whacko statements. But, on the whole I think they have done well to advocate for the best interest of children. Go ahead and disagree, but, that's my opinion. And you know what opinions are like.

I've found Miranda to be very sharp and thoughtful. I have encountered her in more venues than the APE space and would never characterize her as a RWNJ or many of the other things strangers who I'm guessing have never spoken to her in person or otherwise are suggesting here. I'd encourage everyone to do their due diligence on which candidate they might support, but, I'd suggest not writing someone off entirely because of rogue individuals that happened to share a vision for schools re-opening sooner than they did.

+1000

APE has some extreme people in it who were angry and hostile during COVID, but that was also a terrible time when a lot of kids and families were struggling mightily due to APS' outlandish and extreme position that was out of touch with the rest of the nation and which I firmly believe is one reason this year has been such a crap show.

And even through all that, Miranda Turner was gracious, open-minded, tried to keep all voices heard, etc. And since then, APE is THE SINGLE BEST source of info on APS stuff. Period. They don't get everything right, because it's a bunch of busy parents doing their best. But they poll their members to get feedback on priorities, and then advocate around those priorities, and actually get stuff done from what I can tell. (I'm on their email list but not otherwise active.)

I like Miranda personally. Have met with her, talked with her, and found her smart, open, thoughtful. I know she does not personally agree with the fringe people in APE because I asked about it directly. But that APE is a big tent is a good thing overall. So overall, really, consider giving her your vote.

+1 Fully endorse this. Even if some of the APE advocates in 2000 and 2001 had some unsavory strategies, we should be focusing on the future and trying to fix together the problems that APS needs to solve (and needs our help doing it). If needed, we should have some kind of an APE-y, Smart Restart-y amnesty to reset things so that we can all work together. Nursing old grievances will swallow us all. Righteous causes do not require rigteous anger by anyone, and isn't a good mode for engagement.

I don't think that's possible sadly. Look the gratuitous swipe that was made against Smart Restart on here out of nowhere, when SR has nothing to do with this race. Someone has a grudge they are not going to let go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeff/Admin: Can you explain why posts in this thread keep getting deleted if they mention APE?

There is a post directly above yours that mentions APE that did not get deleted. Posts are getting deleted for that reason. They are getting deleted for making false statements.

This group, which a SB candidate led for years, was an open schools group in Arlington. They were abusive online and in school board meetings. Some of their most aggressive, vocal members were anti-maskers, anti-CRT, pro-voucher. They were aligned with open schools groups out in FCPS and LCPS. Including Ian Prior, PDE (Koch bro), etc.

This is really really really offensive. To say APE - which has an EXTREMELY public website and biweekly newsletter - is anti-CRT or pro-voucher or supported by Koch brothers or Ian Prior is complete lies. You shouldn't be allowed to defame like this on a public website. Show us ANY proof of anti-CRT or pro-voucher or supported by Koch or aligned with Ian Prior. Literally anything.

Here's an idea - some people thought kids should be in school sooner than you did, apparently. That doesn't make them bigots.

APE website: www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org

DP. Not an APE member and don't know who the members are. I agree with PP. However, while APE's work may be "extremely public," I don't understand why they are so anonymous. Those opinion pieces on various topics supposedly written by concerned parents or teachers are NEVER SIGNED. I can understand MAYBE a teacher being hesitant to have their name associated with a criticism of APS due to job concerns. But there is no reason for a parent to not sign their name to their own opinion piece. This just casts an air of secrecy and doubt: are these really pieces written by different concerned teachers and parents, or are they written by the same one or few members? APE proclaims its transparency - then OWN it and sign your names!

At the same time they demand transparency from APS....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeff/Admin: Can you explain why posts in this thread keep getting deleted if they mention APE?

There is a post directly above yours that mentions APE that did not get deleted. Posts are getting deleted for that reason. They are getting deleted for making false statements.

This group, which a SB candidate led for years, was an open schools group in Arlington. They were abusive online and in school board meetings. Some of their most aggressive, vocal members were anti-maskers, anti-CRT, pro-voucher. They were aligned with open schools groups out in FCPS and LCPS. Including Ian Prior, PDE (Koch bro), etc.

This is really really really offensive. To say APE - which has an EXTREMELY public website and biweekly newsletter - is anti-CRT or pro-voucher or supported by Koch brothers or Ian Prior is complete lies. You shouldn't be allowed to defame like this on a public website. Show us ANY proof of anti-CRT or pro-voucher or supported by Koch or aligned with Ian Prior. Literally anything.

Here's an idea - some people thought kids should be in school sooner than you did, apparently. That doesn't make them bigots.

APE website: www.arlingtonparentsforeducation.org

DP. Not an APE member and don't know who the members are. I agree with PP. However, while APE's work may be "extremely public," I don't understand why they are so anonymous. Those opinion pieces on various topics supposedly written by concerned parents or teachers are NEVER SIGNED. I can understand MAYBE a teacher being hesitant to have their name associated with a criticism of APS due to job concerns. But there is no reason for a parent to not sign their name to their own opinion piece. This just casts an air of secrecy and doubt: are these really pieces written by different concerned teachers and parents, or are they written by the same one or few members? APE proclaims its transparency - then OWN it and sign your names!

+1

I never took them seriously because the opinions were anonymous. And blatantly wrong at times. On some topics it was if they just started paying attention and had no history or understanding of the issues.

There is a reason why they don’t want you to know who they are. Because they know they’d lose all credibility.

It's funny how guilt-by-association only runs one way. Mary Kadera was pretty clearly aligned with "Smart Restart". And yet no one on this board thinks she has to answer for every Smart Restart acolyte who called people they disagreed with racist granny-killers. Or the teachers who drove around with child-sized coffins on their cars to protest the idea of re-opening schools. Or the people who were quite clearly using an obsession with ventilation statistics as an alternative to therapy and anxiety meds.

And that's because it's obviously dumb.

Miranda Turner, on the other hand, must answer for every single person who criticized APS leadership from March 2020 to February 2022. And that's not dumb, according to these people, because if you disagree with them you are a racist cryptofascist Trump supporter who wants to turn public schools into a cross between a Kid Rock concert and the Handmaid's tale.

I guess what I'm saying is self-reflection can be hard for some people.

This is a really odd comment. I was in the Smart Restart group and Mary Kadera was not involved in it at all.

Do you mean that Mary Kadera's viewpoints aligned with Smart Restart? Ok, maybe they did, but then so did most of Arlington. Because they were really reasonable mainstream views.

OTOH, Miranda Turner founded and led APE. That's a lot more than guilt by association. She IS APE!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just saw this! https://www.mirandaturner.org/

She has my vote.

Just saw this? I feel like this is a plant. Anyway, can anyone confirm that this is a new campaign and not someone just stumbling upon her last campaign?

New! From the email that announced:

“Your support was crucial two years ago, and I'm asking for it again. I'm running for School Board in 2023 and I can't do it without you!

My priorities are simple:
Focusing on instruction that supports our students.
Prioritizing the resources to recruit, support, and retain our teachers.
Setting expectations that promote the best in all.
Providing oversight that asks tough questions on the budget and facilities.
Communicating with the community in a frequent, clear, and transparent way.”

I would never trust the judgment of someone who has been a leader in that group. Beyond all of their terrible behavior during the pandemic, they were still pushing GOP propaganda in 2022.

Arlington already rejected her once. Do it again.

Really?! is this what "GOP propaganda" look like:

from Miranda's website: "I’ve been an APS parent since 2015. I was a founding member of the Drew PTA in 2019 and still serve as Social Media Chair, am involved with the Montessori Public School of Arlington PTA, and serve as site liaison for the Drew/Green Valley Girls on the Run team. I’m a member of the Early Childhood Education Committee for the Advisory Council on Teaching & Learning. I volunteer as a Precinct Captain for the Arlington Democrats and spent time last fall knocking doors and poll greeting to elect local Democrats. I’m also a member of Green Valley Civic Association’s Executive Committee and our delegate to the Civic Federation.

In my professional life as a lawyer, I devote substantial time to volunteer pro bono work. I currently represent Planned Parenthood and litigate abortion rights in federal court, and I’ve mentored younger lawyers in housing rights cases and parole proceedings. "

She is a DINO. She's in it to win it, and has the race all locked up. She says the right Dem things while her base in her parent group will support her through the caucus and all the way to the election. She's very smary, savvy. It's not even a real race. She's going to run away with this.

Disagree. She will have great difficulty shaking the APE connection and turning the minds of the self-righteous, enlightened AEM folks. On the other hand, if they are really a quiet minority, based on her competition so far, maybe you're right.

Yes, she’s trying to rebrand. We get that.

Why did she align herself so closely with them?

I won't and can't speak for her, but, will speak for myself and my experience with a child in Kindergarten in 2020. No other group was advocating for schools to re-open to in person education more quickly than they did. I am not a RWNJ, but, my child DID NOT thrive in virtual school. DID NOT. We also had a 2 year old at home. My husband and I also both worked full time. We were drowning. We are still suffering the repercussions of virtual school. And we have more resources than others. We hired a tutor who came to our house twice a week the entire 20/21 year. I supported APE advocating for return to in person schooling. I'm not tone deaf, and have multiple family members who are teachers or school admins in other areas of the US--and no, not FL or the South. Those family members were stunned by APS' posture. So, absent any other body advocating for re-opening, I supported APE. Not everyone in/affiliated with APE is right wing or anti mask, etc etc etc. It has always held itself out as a non-partisan group. It cannot control everyone--and believe me--I saw some of the whacko statements. But, on the whole I think they have done well to advocate for the best interest of children. Go ahead and disagree, but, that's my opinion. And you know what opinions are like.

I've found Miranda to be very sharp and thoughtful. I have encountered her in more venues than the APE space and would never characterize her as a RWNJ or many of the other things strangers who I'm guessing have never spoken to her in person or otherwise are suggesting here. I'd encourage everyone to do their due diligence on which candidate they might support, but, I'd suggest not writing someone off entirely because of rogue individuals that happened to share a vision for schools re-opening sooner than they did.

+1000

APE has some extreme people in it who were angry and hostile during COVID, but that was also a terrible time when a lot of kids and families were struggling mightily due to APS' outlandish and extreme position that was out of touch with the rest of the nation and which I firmly believe is one reason this year has been such a crap show.

And even through all that, Miranda Turner was gracious, open-minded, tried to keep all voices heard, etc. And since then, APE is THE SINGLE BEST source of info on APS stuff. Period. They don't get everything right, because it's a bunch of busy parents doing their best. But they poll their members to get feedback on priorities, and then advocate around those priorities, and actually get stuff done from what I can tell. (I'm on their email list but not otherwise active.)

I like Miranda personally. Have met with her, talked with her, and found her smart, open, thoughtful. I know she does not personally agree with the fringe people in APE because I asked about it directly. But that APE is a big tent is a good thing overall. So overall, really, consider giving her your vote.

+1 Fully endorse this. Even if some of the APE advocates in 2000 and 2001 had some unsavory strategies, we should be focusing on the future and trying to fix together the problems that APS needs to solve (and needs our help doing it). If needed, we should have some kind of an APE-y, Smart Restart-y amnesty to reset things so that we can all work together. Nursing old grievances will swallow us all. Righteous causes do not require rigteous anger by anyone, and isn't a good mode for engagement.

I don't think that's possible sadly. Look the gratuitous swipe that was made against Smart Restart on here out of nowhere, when SR has nothing to do with this race. Someone has a grudge they are not going to let go.

Smart restart had a good name but all I remember was the ventilation lady that turned me off sooo much once I found out she had no actual industrial ventilation experience.