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Health & Fitness

2014 Campaign Season Candidate

Malden Public School support issues. A candidate's influence on Malden public school children.

At my friend’s request, I went back and actually read Councilor Kinnon's 2014 campaign announcement in detail.  It seems that he is indeed trying to portray himself as a Democrat now.  I’m not sure how that squares with his campaigning with and support for acknowledged Republicans in the last election cycle(2013).
I’m moderate and everyone, who campaigned with me last year will attest to that.  I claim to be neither Democrat nor Republican, but I’ll never imply that I’m one or the other to get votes.

One of the things I noticed is the attempted implications, that he is responsible for the changes and the upgrades in the Malden Public schools, specifically the known upgrades, that have taken place at the Linden school, where my children attend.   These are bold assumptions of credit with zero evidence of corroboration.

"full day kindergarten, a longer school day and uniforms to our community as choices"

That quote above is lifted directly from Councilor Kinnon’s web site.

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These ideas about improving the public schools have been around for many centuries before the Charter schools or even America existed.  My wife and I, along with the school committee, were in the middle of bringing these initiatives to the Public school with many other parents in town.  My wife and I were in the trenches of that uniform debate, while the superintendent argued it before the legal bodies and the educators.  The Charter school had less than nothing to do with these initiatives.  Governor Patrick even stopped by for a photo op with Mayor Christenson at the Linden school, because of what we were doing.  Councilor Kinnon’s attempts to slow down or stop our efforts through the budget process were misguided.   Councilor Kinnon never showed up to greet the governor during the Linden school visit.  Councilor Kinnon fought our efforts through the city council, every step of the way.  He has fought the superintendent and has tried to gut the school department budget at every possible opportunity, even so far as denying funds for upgraded security in the public schools.

From last year’s election cycle, I have a personal email letter from Councilor Kinnon, publicly acknowledging his alleged hands off approach and general distance from Public school issues.   I would be happy to share the beginning and the end of my one on one discussion with the councilor, who *never* followed up on my requests for a sit down talk on the Malden Public Schools, during that election cycle.

All are encouraged to read, analyze and interpret as they see fit.  I know everyone will not come to the same conclusions, but at least this will bolster the basic gist of my assertions today.

“Dear Joe good morning,

Joe no introduction necessary.  I would be happy to meet with you and discuss any issues you would like in terms of the Schools or the Ward.   Understand this I do not generally take positions on what is going on in the Schools publicly.   As a City Councillor generally unless constituents come to me about something specifically related to the schools where they need help navigating  I do not get involved as that is the purview of the School Committee as long as they are doing their job.

As a Councillor generally the only time you will see me talking about the schools is during the budget time as it is the City Councils responsibility weighing the advice of the Mayor the School Committee and Superintendent to determine how much each department will be allocated out of the City budget.  This is no different than any other department in the city whether it be the Police, Fire, Public Works etc etc.

On a one on one basis I would be happy to provide you my observations on the school system as a citizen.

If you would like to meet please provide me a few days with with times if possible.  Evenings after six or weekends are generally  best.

Regards,

Neil”


Joe Gray in Ward 6

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