School Trustees

[okanagansoftware]

There doesn't seem to be much talk on the subject of school trustees. With three out of the four Penticton trustees not seeking re-election, the dynamic is going to be changed. I am fairly new to town and don't know much of the history or about the candidates, but with two kids in elementary school I'd like to be able to make an informed decision.

Here are a couple of articles:
http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_sim ... 94313.html
http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_sim ... 29228.html

And a couple of websites, although they are hard to find:

http://www.stclaireforschools.com
http://www.caryfortrustee.com

It looks to me like the candidates are:
Kevin Andrews
Shelley Clarke
Walter Huebert
Bruce Johnson
James Palanio
Cary Schneiderat
Chuck Simonin
Tracy St. Claire

Does anybody else have more information?

[Jamesie]

Schneiderat:

Facts:
- active in JCI and chamber (former chair)
- Mike Pearce's law partner
- never been involved in PAC or School Planning Committees
- Nominated Jason Cox for council
- Favoured the prison, despite it being planned near several schools

Jamesie's conjecture:
I suspect than Mr. Schneiderat sees this as a stepping stone to the city chambers. Why not run for city council immediately? I suspect that he made a deal with his partner Mike Pearce, either to avoid vote splitting, or because it might have been too much for the electorate to vote for two partners in law. I think a vote for Schneiderat is not a vote for someone who has specific interest in the educational system. I think it is more likely that a vote for Schneiderat is a vote for someone who will put in one three year stint, increasing his name recognition, building some campaign experience and then seek other elected office.

[Ferris_Bueller]

Cary:

-Active in JCI and the Chamber = Active in my business community
-Law partner = Professional and respected businessman held to a higher standard
-Involvement limited(?) = Committment to other volunteer positions has been outstanding!
-Nominated J. Cox = If so, thank you Cary!
-Favored the prison = Makes tough decisions. Employment brings workers with children.

A vote for Cary is a vote for someone that has his finger on the pulse of Penticton, and as well as a vote for someone that DOES have a sincere interest in the educational system (see his website)... Cary is a family man through and through.

As for the other comments ie: name recognition... Cary is a natural leader and people are drawn to him. He doesn't need to build any name-recognition in our community... he leads by the actions he takes daily in our community and I am personally greatful to know him.

[tumbledry]

I was disappointed St. Claire didn't make it on last time, hopefully she's elected in her second go around.

[beam-me-up-morrison]

**Palanio - good guy, won't cow-tow to administration

**Johnson - excellent choice, retired principal, did tons of stuff for Canadian Cancer Society

**Schneiderat - good choice, lawyer, well educated, former Chamber president not afraid to make touch choices

Andrews - poor choice, has run for things a million times, finally was elected to the board in 2005 because Keith Lindstrop dropped out leaving only four candidaetes

Simonin - former cowboy, teacher who never made it off the TOC list

Huebert - former teacher, had reputation of being a bully, is in his 70s too old

Shelley Clarke and Tracy Clark - PAC moms, hot dog sales, not a lot of depth there

[Jamesie]

**Palanio - good guy, won't cow-tow to administration

**Johnson - excellent choice, retired principal, did tons of stuff for Canadian Cancer Society

**Schneiderat - good choice, lawyer, well educated, former Chamber president not afraid to make touch choices

Andrews - poor choice, has run for things a million times, finally was elected to the board in 2005 because Keith Lindstrop dropped out leaving only four candidaetes

Simonin - former cowboy, teacher who never made it off the TOC list

Huebert - former teacher, had reputation of being a bully, is in his 70s too old

Shelley Clarke and Tracy Clark - PAC moms, hot dog sales, not a lot of depth there

St. Claire?

[XT225]

**Palanio - good guy, won't cow-tow to administration

**Johnson - excellent choice, retired principal, did tons of stuff for Canadian Cancer Society

**Schneiderat - good choice, lawyer, well educated, former Chamber president not afraid to make touch choices

Andrews - poor choice, has run for things a million times, finally was elected to the board in 2005 because Keith Lindstrop dropped out leaving only four candidaetes

Simonin - former cowboy, teacher who never made it off the TOC list

Huebert - former teacher, had reputation of being a bully, is in his 70s too old

Shelley Clarke and Tracy Clark - PAC moms, hot dog sales, not a lot of depth there

Careful there morrison...your comments re Hubert is bordering on the censor chopping block. Attack the record; not the person; and definately not their age; you will only anger the senior population in Penticton. I believe there is an 18 year old running for Council; we cannot say that she is too "Young"; age discrimination is not allowed.

[okanagansoftware]

Good responses. I think it looks like we could get a good balance of backgrounds.
I also think I saw Huebert was a trustee several years ago. I wonder why he quit, and why he wants back?

I wouldn't mind seeing Schneiderat (good relationships with other council members is a bonus, has a website and facebook page already), Tracy St. Claire (good to have a PAC mom involved, and she has a website), Palanio might bring good energy (has a facebook page and is engaging on it) and Johnson has a ton of experience in the Penticton school system.

By the way, found this site that is keeping up to date candidates websites and facebook pages:
http://pentictontaxwatch.ca/

[clouseau]

I will miss Larry Little as I thought he did a good job. I also thought Siddon brought some good experience to the table. My take so far.

Kevin Andrews – I can’t believe this guy is running again. Didn’t he run for Mayor for Keremeos last time at the same time he ran for School Board here ? This strikes me as a guy looking for a stipend. Thanks but no thanks.

Shelley Clarke- I can’t think of anything she has taken a position on that strikes me as noteworthy.

Walter Huebert- I enjoy reading his columns but I agree with others, some younger and newer blood would be a good thing

Bruce Johnson- I am leaning towards Bruce Johnson. I like his experience and background

James Palanio- strikes me as someone who couldn’t make it onto council and is now trying for school board instead. I am always leery of people trying too hard to get elected to anything.

Cary Schneiderat- I am a bit leery give the dysfunction that he and Jason Cox have created at the Chamber of Commerce. This is just my own personal opinion as last time I voiced an opinion on Jason Cox my comments were edited after a complaint.

Chuck Simonin- I don't know much about

Tracy St. Claire- I also don’t know much about.

[MRO]

Trying to be fair here. Some thoughts on people that have previously ran:

-Perhaps they're simply not in a position to commit more time than trustee?
-Perhaps their interests have changed since 2008 (kids now in school)?
-Perhaps they feel that help is currently needed on the trustee front?
-Last but not least, vote splitting, when you have 19 candidates for
Councilors, is a concern. I would admire someone applying for trustee for
this reason alone (hopefully, the electorate can vote "wisely" - if there is
such a thing!).

My $0.02
MRO

[Tero]

**Palanio - good guy, won't cow-tow to administration

**Johnson - excellent choice, retired principal, did tons of stuff for Canadian Cancer Society

**Schneiderat - good choice, lawyer, well educated, former Chamber president not afraid to make touch choices

Andrews - poor choice, has run for things a million times, finally was elected to the board in 2005 because Keith Lindstrop dropped out leaving only four candidaetes

Simonin - former cowboy, teacher who never made it off the TOC list

Huebert - former teacher, had reputation of being a bully, is in his 70s too old

Shelley Clarke and Tracy Clark - PAC moms, hot dog sales, not a lot of depth there

St. Claire?

PAC MOMS WITH NOT A LOT OF DEPTH? WTH does that mean, exactly? Pac moms have their fingers on the pulse of a school far more than a lawyer who has never stepped foot in one... who runs for self serving purposes. Clarke and Clark are both running with no ulterior motives in mind... both want positive things for our school district - unlike others who want to heighten their local profiles, or use trustee as a stepping stone in their political careers.

[Jamesie]

Just a philosophical question: does it matter what motives a candidate has (e.g. Schnedierat) for their long term political career and what company they keep when they run for school trustee? If they are in it for name recognition and a council seat or the mayor's office next time round, will they not want to do an extra good job on school board?

[Jamesie]

PAC MOMS WITH NOT A LOT OF DEPTH? WTH does that mean, exactly? Pac moms have their fingers on the pulse of a school far more than a lawyer who has never stepped foot in one... who runs for self serving purposes. Clarke and Clark are both running with no ulterior motives in mind... both want positive things for our school district.

I cannot agree more, that was a very patronising statement. I am totally in awe of the orgamizational talents, the interest in the running of the schools and the dedication of PAC-members! I think experience as a PAC-mom or -dad is a pretty good qualification to be running for school board trustee...

[Ferris_Bueller]

PAC MOMS WITH NOT A LOT OF DEPTH? WTH does that mean, exactly? Pac moms have their fingers on the pulse of a school far more than a lawyer who has never stepped foot in one... who runs for self serving purposes. Clarke and Clark are both running with no ulterior motives in mind... both want positive things for our school district.

I cannot agree more, that was a very patronising statement. I am totally in awe of the orgamizational talents, the interest in the running of the schools and the dedication of PAC-members! I think experience as a PAC-mom or -dad is a pretty good qualification to be running for school board trustee...

PAC Moms = great at organizing field trips and weinie roasts.
Trustee = has the acumen to manage a diverse and complex school board administration.
Major difference. I'll pass on the Oscar Meyer approach.

[Tero]

PAC MOMS WITH NOT A LOT OF DEPTH? WTH does that mean, exactly? Pac moms have their fingers on the pulse of a school far more than a lawyer who has never stepped foot in one... who runs for self serving purposes. Clarke and Clark are both running with no ulterior motives in mind... both want positive things for our school district.

I cannot agree more, that was a very patronising statement. I am totally in awe of the orgamizational talents, the interest in the running of the schools and the dedication of PAC-members! I think experience as a PAC-mom or -dad is a pretty good qualification to be running for school board trustee...

PAC Moms = great at organizing field trips and weinie roasts.
Trustee = has the acumen to manage a diverse and complex school board administration.
Major difference. I'll pass on the Oscar Meyer approach.

Wow, I'm not even touching that ignorance.