MARKILINSKI: Track Records
Has anyone been watching what has been going on in Greece?
Has anyone drawn any conclusions in that Greece is not very different from our own country, its direction, and are we making the same mistakes that they have?
Greece’s debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio is 125 percent. Italy’s is 115 percent. And the United States now exceeds 80 percent of our GDP.
So, you ask, what does GDP have do with the price of bread in Armstrong County?
For one, the experts (those with track records) have been predicting that inflation is just around the corner.
But here in Armstrong County we have a different kind of expert.
We have those who say that the Armstrong School Board majority is micro-managing the administration of the ASD. Those experts have been led around by the nose by an administration that has been quite adept at hiding funds.
The “new” Board is an obvious change that you can believe in.
June 30th will tell the tale when a final budget is adopted.
We also have those who hurl insults and spew derogatory comments and they hide behind a screen name. There are quite a few of you. They flex their beer muscles in anonymity. They may even live in their parent’s basement.
How I try to make sense of this all is that I ask just a few questions: Could they be an employee of the ASD? Could they be related to an employee of the ASD? Are they one of the few that have filed suit against the ASD?
Do they have a track record? Or do they just want to stir the pot and post a video on You Tube?
What about you, Mr. Mike Fichthorn, what’s your track record?
Now “that” just may be something to think about.
OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR AND REFLECT PAID SPONSORSHIP.
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MARKILINSKI: Just Think About It | markilinski May 14, 2010
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By argosjourney, May 14, 2010 @ 5:30 AM
This is extremely frustrating as not only a parent, but also as a taxpayer. All the finger pointing and name calling in the world is not going to fix what is happening in not only our area, but the world. I am really just tired of hearing the current board blame the last board. Whats done is done. I have yet to see someone from the current board produce long term goals for this district as well as how it is going to all be paid for without increasing taxes. All I see is wasteful spending. No one from the board has impressed me at all as being fiscally responsible. All I see is a bunch of finger pointing, name calling and mud slinging. Actions speak louder than words. I have yet to see any meaningful action. Just egos.
By ToddLuke, May 14, 2010 @ 7:19 AM
I have never used a screen name, nor posted a video, or filed suit against you. I have also never heard you present your plan to improve the education in this region. I have witnessed YOU stirring the pot. Time to stop the games and get busy. It’s time for everyone to stop this insanity, get in the boat and row or just get out of the boat. It really is a choice. Time to stop hiding and get busy.
By Jen16226, May 14, 2010 @ 7:29 AM
But again…..where is the long range plan?
I have asked this of you several times and all I have received back is rude emails. It seems anytime someone asks a question either no answer comes, a rude answer comes or just a “wait and see” email comes.
These are not answers to the issues that are going on and I will say this again, perhaps if the board were coming out and point blank saying the plan, more people would not be so upset about things.
Communication is not happening….only alot of name calling and harsh feelings.
By Bobcat, May 14, 2010 @ 8:09 AM
SNAP!!!
By Mike Fichthorn, May 14, 2010 @ 8:20 AM
I don’t have a track record. I don’t want one. I just think it’s disgusting how you tiptoe the line between legal and illegal.
You buy space in this paper so stroke your ego, yet your ramblings make you look “dumb as a box of rocks”.
You had all of the answers about the Vo-Tech and test scores. The State finally came out and said the Vo-Tech was one of the best in the state. Oh…I guess you and Solak made complete fools of yourselves..so you’ll drop that one.
You have all of the evidence in front of you showing that the Elderton re-opening makes no sense, common sense wise or financially, yet you push on.
I’ve asked several times for you to hold a meeting for the taxpayers that you are screwing over, yet you don’t have the guts to do so.
You and your buddy Mohney take the money from the youth football families, yet won’t even give them a party at the end of the year.. Literally HUNDREDS of families have asked through the years to see the books..Nope… Guess that wouldn’t be pretty, huh?
Why don’t you, Mohney and the other weasel Shaffer go to Hollywood and rule the world..Go anywhere..You are too big and savvy for Armstrong County.. I could expose you in a much larger way with several sentences…and your buddies too. Keep running your mouth and perhaps I’ll buy some space in this paper myself.
Of course my money is clean, is yours?
By scott_starr, May 14, 2010 @ 9:03 AM
HMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
1. Employee of ASD- NOPE
2. Relative employed by ASD- Probably, though doesn’t matter
3. Use screen name - Yep, MY name
4. Filed Suit - Yep, and I’d do it again in a minute
Track record: Yep
Grew international sales from $2 Million to $12 million in 4 years.
Grew company products from $15 Million to $34 Million
Owner of $150 MM company directly asked me to join my current position.
And it was all done without Gubbment money, and without a doggie park.
By rudytuesday, May 14, 2010 @ 9:31 AM
If you don’t like how you and the rest of the board are being portrayed on YouTube, maybe you should consider how you act and what you do because in those videos what you see is what you get.
As for hiding behind screen names, I’m not hiding. Everyone knows who I am. See, I am a BLOGGER. I blog under a screen name. I have blogged through Word Press with this screen name for over seven years. If you think I am going to create a new blogging identity, just so my screen name has my full name, well you better keep wishing. I don’t have time to use multiple accounts unlike others (some of which have a minimum of SIX screen names coming from the same IP address yet there are only two residents in the house)
To make you happy and stroke your ego, I will sign each an every one of my posts with my real name. Now get off your behind and tell us what your long term plan for this district is.
Oh and Mike, do you really think he actually PAYS for this crap that he posts? I would love to see a cancelled check……
Rhonda S. Kibuk
By bweitzel, May 14, 2010 @ 10:31 AM
Not employed by the ASD; no relatives employed by the ASD; my screen name is my own name; have not filed suit against you (but applaud those who did); no track record.
You and your croonies will not answer taxpayer questions (rude, spiteful emails do not count), and you have shown us no long-range plan for this district. So what is your track record?
I’m not sure why the video taping of the board meetings upsets you - they are not edited in any way. What you see is what you get.
But this has to be your best line so far, “The “new” Board is an obvious change that you can believe in” HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! This has to be the funniest thing that I have read in a LONG time.
By Mike Fichthorn, May 14, 2010 @ 10:43 AM
You’re right Rhonda. I’d love to see a cancelled check produced.
That bunch things they are loved and adored. Fact is, most of the stuff I know about, comes from most of their supposed best friends.
We hear clever names MJM’s made up for people..and that’s about it.
Keep being yourself Mr. Non Profit. Everyone is seeing who you truly are.
By ASDpayer, May 14, 2010 @ 11:07 AM
Well it is time for MJM to tell us his educational track record and training. There is none. It is time for MJM to tell us how the previous studies by experts do not make sense. It is time for MJM to show us how the ASD board is going to show fiscal restraint, fiscal responsibility and educational soundness.
When you go out to hire a new superintendent, will you ask the candidates about whether they will follow sound educational advice or the opinions of board members who refuse to communicate, refuse to show us a plan or show common sense?
By Mike Fichthorn, May 14, 2010 @ 12:05 PM
Where are all of your so called friends and admirers to back you up? I haven’t seen anyone support the manure you’re shoveling..EVER.
All you have in your corner are your fellow shadys and manipulators..
By scott_starr, May 14, 2010 @ 12:06 PM
Change you can believe in?
Where have I heard that slogan before?
By DANBOY, May 14, 2010 @ 12:37 PM
Things I think I think:
Is SNAP a HERO code word??? If so here goes SNAP CRACKLE POP. I wonder if I broke the code?
I wonder what the debt to GDP ratio is in Armstrong County?? I bet it is a lot lot higher than the US average as stated above. So why don’t we investigate floating a bond like we did at the 2/22/10 School Board meeting to pay for the renovations. What do you think that will do the price of bread??
No one mentioned at any of the Board Meetings that FCHS was getting an indoor swimming pool.
Should we advertise for a swimming coach position or just condemn the building??
For the record I am proud of my beer muscles and the basement I live in is in Manor TWP and I own it!!!!
DANIEL G BOYLSTEIN JR (DAN BOY GET IT!!!)
By Jan, May 14, 2010 @ 2:08 PM
I can sum up most of MJM’s comments. That would be “delusional” He’s delusional in thinking that there are people out there that actually believe anything he has to say. I’m pretty darn sure that come June 30, when the budget gets passed that they will tout about the fact that they will not be raising taxes ( this year)- part of that will be because they plan to delete teaching positions in other schools to hire teachers at EHS. That may be a cost savings… We’ve got an administration that is down to the bare bones- that may be a cost savings… let’s see- oh- I know, we have the $4M that fell out of the sky- just mysteriously appeared even though we had an independent accounting firm explain how those things happen. Does anyone sense that perhaps MJM has some hearing loss and doesn’t hear the facts?
Oh- and should I also respond to MJM’s questions regarding hiding behind a pseudo-name. I’m not hiding- my name is Jan. I don’t work for the ASD, I don’t have any relatives that work for the ASD and quite honestly, I find it offensive that I should even bother to answer these questions because what is most important is that like many, I am a TAXPAYER in this ridiculous school district who has a right to know where this current “super 6″ are taking this district, other than to the dumpster. When MJM speaks about micro-managing this administration- I’m glad to see that he recognizes that this is exactly what they are doing. We have people sitting on this board with absolutely no educational background and very little financial experience and yet- they are running an $80M+ business. If that doesn’t scare you folks- it should! Thank God I didn’t vote for any of them.
So MJM- why don’t you put your money ( if it’s yours) where your mouth is and please tell the good people of the ASD exactly where this district is headed. What are the long range goals for the district? You’ve been asked this so often that I’m beginning to wonder if you are literate enough to read and understand the question. Keep digging a bigger hole MJM- it’s fun to watch- but make it big enough so that the other 5 can join you.
By swilson, May 14, 2010 @ 3:29 PM
Have you ever looked at your own track record of hurling insults and spewing derogatory comments?
By looking back through your editorials, I found that you referred to the prior board majority as a regime, called a current board member a “box of rocks”, labeled a prior board member a “drunk from the Dayton Attendance area”, called a local attorney “Pascal the Rascal”, and my very favorite “Skater U”.
I have a new name for you Markilunaticski!
By rfullerton, May 14, 2010 @ 3:51 PM
mjm, perhaps a little advice from a wise man would do you some good….Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.
Abraham Lincoln
By jfullerton, May 14, 2010 @ 4:16 PM
Your advertisement this week is another example of you paying for someone to actually read your opinion. And it is you that allow all of us to have “beer muscles” since we are responding to what you are paying for.
For the record, my name is Joe Fullerton, married to an employee of ASD, employed at “Skater U”, father of two children that attend ASD schools and a taxpayer. All of these give me the right to comment as I see fit on the direction of this district.
Stir the pot you say? Perhaps it is you and your cast and crew that have stirred the pot. You are in it knee deep right now trying to figure out how not to raise taxes or use a big portion of the fund balance. Why else would you want to see all of the teacher salaries by individual name and also by individual schools? (As you requested during the Finance Committee meeting on Monday, May 10th) Are you trying to cut more teachers than you have already done? You complain about the test scores of the students in KJHS (last weeks musing about KJHS being on the warning list) and then you are cutting math teachers in this building, increasing class sizes so that teachers can be hired at the other building you are opening in which you brag about small class sizes. Can’t have it both ways now can we?
You have not shared a plan for the future, but you sure can design a wonderful park. But hey, for all those anonymous posters who live in their parent’s basement, at least they live in the district and do not commute down 79. But keep calling people out; you have yet to have a town hall meeting to explain yourself. Hello pot, I’m kettle, your black!
And the “new” board as something you can believe in? Believe in what? Believe in hurting the chances of kids participating in activities because you need warm bodies in a building. Believe in taking away a portion of the students’ high school experience because you want to hide behind a policy that was not enforced a year ago or even two years ago or perhaps ever. Not giving your constituents a chance to choose the school they want to send their child to because you are stacking the deck against them. Firing a solicitor at a public meeting in which you have prepared statements typed up, making believe that you did this in an executive session. Hiring a questionable firm (at best) that same night, again with prepared statements typed up. Shall I go on?
So please, do not accuse anyone else of mud slinging. You do the same thing, calling out private citizens and also the editor of a newspaper. Perhaps one day you will have something worth while to say. I will not hold my breath, and I will not think about it. I will be too busy finding a track to break a record.
By reed619, May 15, 2010 @ 2:26 PM
MJM, I rarely respond to your rants, because frankly, you’re not worth my time and I have no desire to stoop to your level and give you the attention that you so desperately seek. But I notice that with each passing week, the continued inappropriate and disrespectful content of your editorials just further shows everyone that you are possibly in serious need of counseling. Each time you open your mouth or write one of your articles, you just continue to discredit yourself and look like a fool, but you just can’t control yourself.
I don’t personally know you or have any desire to, but based on your extreme self serving behavior and callousness towards others, most people might come to the conclusion that you are a sociopath.
The eerie similarities of your behavior and those of a sociopath’s can be seen at the following links..
http://www.mcafee.cc/Bin/sb.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociopath
I can’t understand why Mr. Croyle prints the slanderous and inflammatory garbage you conjure up. But as for you, if anyone cared enough to try and understand your actions, they would guess that you must be a very unhappy person with troubling issues. With all of the hatred and resentment you carry with you and display toward others, I truly pity you and suggest you get professional help.
My husband is one of the plaintiffs in one of the lawsuits you mentioned. We’re very appreciative of the public support we’ve been receiving and my family and I are very proud of him, the other plaintiffs, and Mr. Chase McClister for stepping up to do what’s right. It’s not just about the Elderton reopening issue, it’s the reckless and irresponsible decisions that affect the entire district that you and the other named board directors are engaging in that needs to be stopped. Even if we would happen to lose this lawsuit, you can be sure that you and your fellow comrades’ power on the board will soon come to an end and the people of ASD won’t allow anything like this to happen again.
Deborah Williams Reefer
By maxwell, May 15, 2010 @ 6:42 PM
I’m glad to see that Scott finally got to post his resume for everyone to see. Talk about ego’s!
By scott_starr, May 16, 2010 @ 10:44 AM
@maxwell:
acutually my resume is on linked in.
By gertydeva, May 16, 2010 @ 7:53 PM
At least he “Scott” can show intelligence behind his opinions…Think About It!
By WOW, May 16, 2010 @ 11:06 PM
@Scott
Thanks for posting some of your credentials. It only helps to show how unqualified some of the board members are. You also have the ability to string together consecutive thoughts. Something that the author of this editorial has been unable to do.
By Just Wondering, July 11, 2010 @ 10:32 AM
Hmmmmmmmmmm, and just where has MJM been? Is the kitchen too hot now? Has a gag order been placed upon him by the other ASD board members?
Just Wondering