Key Town Hall Meeting 8/19

All my conservative/moderate readers who have been following the virtual school shenanigans with me. It's starting to rev up again. Why? Part of SB767's mandate was to create a task force to "study this issue for the purposes of governance". All of us think the state board of education is doing a fine job of that and that a bunch of representatives and senators aren't qualified to figure that out.

That task force is on the verge of being formed, and it's becoming political in the jockeying to who gets what spot. Of course, we as parents want it to be a fair mix of people. The writer's of this bill are making it very heavy towards their leanings that virtual schools don't serve a purpose. There is a whole lot going on with that I won't talk about so as to not inflame the situation, but suffice it to say, it seems to be getting a bit messy. It was supposed to be seated with members by August 1st. It hasn't been seated yet. That is where we are at.

Key for all of you!! We have an opportunity in front of us! There is a key town hall meeting next Wednesday the 19th with several key people involved in this whole thing. I am getting details right now about it. But my understanding is that the main person is Senator Devlin, the main sponsor of this bill and someone else.

Here are the dynamics:
Senator Devlin has not once engaged in a conversation with anyone that I know of on this issue. If emailed, he gives a cut/pasted pat answer that appears he is sympathetic. However, he has pushed this legislation like a Sherman tank through the legislature. He is not sympathetic. Additionally, in the past, when asked at town hall meetings about this issue, he refuses to answer the questions or engage. Personally what do I think? He is a pansy to sponsor such legislation and then not take the heat for it. If you're going to sponsor it, put on your big boy pants and act like a man. Did I say that?

The other legislator at this meeting, and I can't find/remember his name, is somewhat sympathetic to us. He has spoken with us and will listen and learn about the issue. However, Devlin is this powerhouse of the two. We do want to engage him in a conversation, not Devlin who is a lost cause.

So do we walk into this town hall and start giving Devlin direct questions? No. We engage the other legislator in friendly, teachable conversation. We convert him and the audience on the importance of school choice.

That is the basic strategy I have right now for this key town hall meeting. I need to find out time and location. We are planning to be very purposeful about this. I will have more details on the strategy in a few days.

Just a thought here, does anyone know how to do a podcast, livecast sort of thing from such a location? I am not saying this is what we want to do, but just wondering more than anything. I am not a pro at stuff like that. I am just now curious about Blackberry phones.

Who wants to join me? I will be there. My kids and hubbie are out of town. Oh what a woman can do with a full night of sleep and no distractions!

I'll also have my Sam Adams recall petition with me. Tee hee! Registered voters in Portland, Multnomah County, please come looking for me.