Mr. Gotcha at it again but I think it backfired

At the school board meeting tonight, Mr. Becker pulled a number of executive session minutes stating that they were either incomplete, not accurate or violated the open meetings law. He further stated that the meetings were supposed to be started in open session with a reading of the statute that takes them to closed session. Mr. McDermott and Mrs. Bowen said that did in fact occur.

The fact is, if things happened as Mr. Becker explained he had a duty AT THE TIME to question why they were not starting in open session and reading the appropriate statutes, not participate in what HE is calling an illegal meeting and then waiting a few weeks to complain about it. If what he says is true he is JUST as "guilty" as the rest of the board for participating in what he knew was an illegal meeting.

This seems to me as Mr. Becker once again grandstanding, trying to cause problems and get a little attention. He wanted to play "gotcha" but he can't really do that successfully since he is right in the middle of it by staying for the meeting and saying nothing. His objection should have been made at the beginning of the meeting and he is the only one who stated that he knowingly attended such a meeting, since no one else recalled the meeting not being started in open session.

If his recollection is correct (and I doubt it since not a single board member agreed with him) he really shouldn't try and play gotcha -- he should state at the time there is a procedural problem and ask that the meeting be started in open session and the appropriate statue be read, not just go along with what he knows is wrong so he can try and play the hero later. He just ends up with egg on his face by acknowledging that he knowingly broke the law. Not good.

It is time the Silent Majority drown out the Vocal Minority

I've been thinking about what have unfolded the last week regarding the Oshkosh Superintendent situation read this posting on Eye on Oshkosh, it explains things perfectly.

I wanted to look at things from a different perspective, while the majority of the blame for people being "run out of town" goes to the naysayers those who disagree but say nothing are guilty as well. My father taught me that if you stand by and say nothing when someone tells a racist joke (for example) by your silence, you are in essence agreeing with what is said, or at least that is what others will assume.

I really think it is time for those in our community who do believe in our district, who can see the many positive things happening (even while wanting some things to change) need to speak out now and sing the praises of the district! I am by nature a pessimist (expect the worst and you won't be disappointed) and sometimes I focus on all the things that are wrong or need to change, however, I realize there are many positives in our district.

If we hope to attract a quality candidate for Supt. I believe the community needs to present a positive image of our district and the many things it has to offer. Those in the Silent Majority need to speak out and drown out those who spew so much negativity. In the last election for school board, clearly the voters chose to eliminate the negative, now it is time to accentuate the positive.
There will be plenty of time to work on needed changes. Right now I think we need to come together as people who care about the education of the children of the Oshkosh Area School District and support those who are working so hard to find a leader for our district. Yes I am talking about the 6 Board Members who have spent countless hours meeting to interview candidates, discuss the candidates qualifications and select someone they believed, in good faith, would be best to lead our district. There are plenty of things I disagree with a number of members about, but from all I have read, those 6 have been dedicated to finding the best Supt. for Oshkosh. It must be incredibly frustrating to have one of your own colleagues undermine what you have worked so hard on. How Mr. Becker could possibly have the respect of his colleagues is beyond me. His grandstanding and ego stroking is NOT what we need in this district. I can only hope the voters agree.

I really don't want people to spend too much time focusing on the negativity the radiates from Mr. Becker, rather I want people to focus on the positives of Oshkosh and the Oshkosh Area School District. I would like posters to focus on why someone would want to be Oshkosh's next Superintendent... What are the district's assets, strengths, uniqueness? I will delete those posts I deem negative.