School board incumbent files complaint over JCTA role in meeting was in the Courier-Journal the other day but the C-J did a great job suppressing news as much as they could. Unpleasant news about the candidate who has the teachers union endorsement was buried in the print edition at the bottom of B-3. It never made an online appearance on the carousel. If it appeared on the Latest Headlines section, its appearance was fleeting.
Here are the best lines from the story by C-J’s Sean Rose:
David Toborowsky, who is challenging Wesslund, met with JCPS Superintendent Sheldon Berman and Brent McKim, president of the Jefferson County Teachers Association, on Oct. 12, according to the complaint.
Wesslund said the meeting may have been illegal because Toborowsky has been endorsed by the teacher’s union and is supported by a political action committee associated with JCTA called Better Schools Kentucky.
Because that group is conducting an independent campaign for Toborowsky, Wesslund said it is prohibited from coordinating any activities with the candidate during the election.
“This is something (JCTA officials) typically have not done when they are running independent campaigns,” Wesslund said. “Independent campaigns are not supposed to be done in coordination with the candidate at all.”
Wow, wow, wow.
I wish Mrs. Wesslund the best of luck with her complaint. When I contacted the Board of Elections with questions about Toborowsky’s address they had zero interest. Actually, Board of Elections employee Stephanie Campbell’s exact words were, “Per our office policy, our office accepts candidate filing papers on their face.” Or in plain English, “We don’t give a hoot so scram.”
We now have (1) rumors of McKim recruiting Toborowsky to run against Wesslund, (2) Toborowsky “moving” to 3rd District the day before the filing deadline to run for the Board of Education, (3) proof that Toborowsky’s personal finances are a mess even though he wants to oversee a billion dollar budget, (4) the allegation that Tobo met with JCTA/Better Schools Kentucky when elections laws prohibit it and (5) the possibility that Tobo is using the address of his friend’s house as his own.
Kentucky politics at its finest.
The purpose of the article was to make a headline for Wesslund in bold letters for people to see whether they read the article or not, because she is the C-J’s endorsed candidate. Publicity = free advertising.
Tobo recently said he divorced. Last night at 15th District PTA Candidate Forum he empathized with a homosexual victim of bullying in California and homeless students at JCPS. As a transient at Thieneman’s house he must really feel for people in those circumstances. Does April Smith continue to make home there? And how often does Thieneman sleep over. Is Tobo on the couch? But what does educationvoodoo care with thousands of dollars wasted away in the couch cushions?
Bottom line: He’s not a long-time resident of the East End. Tobo’s “relocation” to District 3 one day before filing to run for school board is just shady.
Daniel is a lost cause and steve neal is still angry that he was not confirmed for the state school board. This is sour grapes by a has been. Tobo will crush Debbie because she is part of the problem and not part of the solution. Daniel is certifiable. End of Story
Smithson is the only who will fight for neighborhood schools – and he just happens to have the most provocative approach to get your attention. I think the agitator approach is terrific and wish him the best. If being against three-hour bus rides for small children makes one certifiable, then sign me and several thousand other parents up for the looney bin, pronto.
Tobo and Wesslund continue with their cryptic messages about reworking student assignment. How exactly are they different? Do tell.
I’ve seen some of Steve Neal’s appearances on TV and read his comments in the C-J. He seems like a good guy.
I’m concerned about Tobo’s only living in District 3 for three months. How does that make him a “long time resident?” Futhermore, living at an address where it seems more like a revolving dorm rather than a home, and where the RA is Theineman is troubling as well. It’s shady. JCTA keeps sending out info where every other paragraph slams Wesslund, how is that not political? Really. So these are District 3 choices, an incumbent who is percieved by the at large community to be part of the problem, a candidate who sing songs his way thru debates, and someone who is a pawn of JCTA Brent McKim. Wow. You should see those JCTA weekly missives. Ye-ouch!
My question is this: what happens if Tobo happens to get elected bc so many are fed up with “the system” and all these rumors prove to be fact, then is he ousted by the KSBA, etc and someone has to be appointed throwing JCPS into more turmoil? what fun.
I always thought that running for the school board was about a candidate wanting to make a difference for the children in a community…not make a political name for him/herself.