Rather than just writing about snow, if Mary Sanchez was a decent writer and worth even a tenth of what the Star wastes on her salary she would have already penned a column about the School Board candidacy of (soon-to-be) former Mayoral Staffer Crispin Rea Jr.
Tragically, TKC breaks more news on a neighborhood and grass roots level than the Star ever could . . . Mostly because they're too busy enjoying the clean streets of JoCo.
Nevertheless . . . Last week TKC broke news that Crispin was leaving the Mayor's office and running for School Board. Since that time I had a great opportunity to meet with the Kansas City political rising Star and get to know a bit about his plans.
His latest move . . . Weather permitting There's going to be a Crispin Rea Rally on Saturday, January 9, 2010 @ 2918 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City MO, 64108 From 10-11 in the AM . . . I think that place also serves as KC Hispanic News Headquarters . . . Don't worry, people much nicer than TKC will be in attendance.
From what I remember about his campaign platform . . . It addresses the concerns of so many locals frustrated with the KCMSD.
Crispin seems to be concentrating on:
Without question he's a smart guy and at only 24 years-old he would make a great School Board Member with an already impressive background in local politics.
But I have to be forthright with TKC READERS and note that my main reason for supporting him is because of a priority that's not at the top of his list.
As I've noted time and again, there if virtually no Latino representation in the Kansas City, Missouri School District despite a Hispanic Student population of 25%. And while I have had disagreements with Crispin in the past and without question his former boss is one of the biggest dolts in Kansas City history . . . The TKC overriding concern is making sure there is at least a single voice for thousands of Latino students who currently remain ignored by the District.
For better or worse, Crispin doesn't want to be the "Latino" candidate and that's probably the best thing to say for a qualified candidate to say.
But make no mistake, currently there's a move by Kansas City's Black United Front to keep Latino Students without any representation. These are people so horrible, ruthless and cruel that they have systematically denied a significant portion of the district even a modest place at the table.
And they want to keep things this way for as long as possible.
Crispin may not want to be the Latino Candidate but from what I hear that's the way things are shaping up in one of those knock down Black vs. Brown fights (over crumbs) that suburbanites and folks outside the district love to watch from afar.
Certainly, this blog isn't going to get anybody elected. However, I just thought I should once again share my bias when it comes to wanting more diversity and a voice for Latino students in the face of a District that has done nothing but ensure that so many children under their care are regarded and treated as second class.
Will Funk support him?
ReplyDeleteI'm all for Latino representation in the KCMSD. I greatly favor teaching Latino-background kids in ENGLISH. For that matter, they should also teach the Black kids English.
ReplyDeleteIf the Latinos would vote for their own candidates they would have representation on the Board. Call it like it is. There's no big conspiracy going on or a plot to "keep Latino students without representation." If the Latino community wants to make a difference, then they need to stand together and do so.
ReplyDeleteThey're too busy watching George Lopez and Pimp My Ride, to bother with voting.
ReplyDeleteWhat's Crispin know about education?
ReplyDeletees de mota bueno?...
ReplyDeletesorry that's all I know in spanish.
I want to know how there is no conflict of interest with Marilyn Simmons serving as president of the school board who votes to approve millions of dollars in contracts for ACECC when her boss Ajamu Webster is the chairman of the board that runs ACE? The feds should be investigating this little arrangement because I'm sure Simmons and other NBUF affiliated school board members have given Ajamu Webster, Linwood Tauheed and ACE all kinds of jobs and contracts in return for some kickbacks. This stinks to high heaven because those board members have been steering millions of dollars to Simmon's boss' Ajamu's company, his cronies like Tauheed and the ACE schools they run. How have they been allowed to get away with this for so long without any scrutiny?
ReplyDelete10:35 You're so right. People must first be educated about what you just wrote. The word is out, somewhat, and voters will heed these messages about the slicksters. Question: Do you know of any school district in the country that allows a private school setup not to report to the district or the school board except to submit contracts? I wonder what Superintendent John Covington is thinking, since he's been here a hot minute.
ReplyDeleteWould you please get off that conflict of interest bullshit!! The lawyers have determined there is none, so...........NEXT!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCan you be more specific - which lawyers? Who paid them? When was this done? Who requested it? Is there a public report or opinion available somewhere? Which relationships and contracts were reviewed?
ReplyDeleteOnly a fool would believe a conflict of interest opinion rendered by a Kansas City lawyer.
ReplyDeleteInteresting article Tony. So let me get your logic straight. The black united front is evil because they promote blacks on the school board. But TKC promotes Hispanics simply because they are hispanic and that's honorable or different? Really? New boss same as the old boss.
ReplyDeleteWhat does Crispin know about anything? he needs to grow a goatee! To remind the people where he comes from.
ReplyDeleteGreat just what we need more "politicians" on the school board. Thats a city that works for sure.
ReplyDeleteI want to quote your post in my blog. It can?
ReplyDeleteAnd you et an account on Twitter?
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
ReplyDeleteCrispin learned from Bigfoot and the Funk just what we dont need on a already in trouble board, being a lap dog for the Funk shouldnt get you a vote Crispin.
ReplyDeleteWho is Crispin running against?
ReplyDeleteWhich seat?
OHHH there's Crispin in his little suit. All bright and shiny. Por que? He is so cute in his stupidity. He is absolutely adorable in his ignorant high regard for his boss funk'd.
ReplyDeleteHe is running for school board? Did he give the pat answers about Professionalism, accountability, outcomes, forward thinking educational techniques with no real plan in mind?
Little one, how are you going to get around having worked and colluded with funk'd? Will you say that you were "just following orders" when you tried to trash your co-worker? Will you say that you were too inexperienced to see that funk'd was a reprehensible boss who is getting back at people on his enemies list? Have you made amends to those whom you sinned against?
Yes, I would like to see Latino representation at KCMSD, but not this cajones-free wonder.
dood looks baked.
ReplyDeleteCrispin? He's a child with no real world experience, who thinks he's smarter than he is.
ReplyDeleteThat's dangerous, and foolish.
Why the eff would we want a 24 year old, with no experience - actually, only bad experience under his belt- telling us how to solve the problems of the school district?
How about someone who has some proven problem solving skills and maturity????
Jesus H. - this is our own Lord of the Flies.
What a joke he was part of the worst Mayor of Kansas City Administration go home you have already stole enough taxpayer dollars.
ReplyDeleteFUNKis the kiss of death so goodnite Crispin.
ReplyDeleteCrispin could help void some of the many contracts doled out to board members' friends.
ReplyDeleteThat is what I was thinking. Can Crispin shake off the stench from you know who. Oh well Tony. You know what I'm saying.
ReplyDeleteWhat education does Crispin have that make him the best candidate for school board? Real world experience?
ReplyDeleteSorry, the only thing he looks good for is getting me more chips and salsa....and another SIR-VAY-SA!
He's a little BITCH who kissed the Squids BIG ass.
ReplyDeleteDoes this mean in order to get a taste of Crispins balls one would have to tongue kiss Gloria? Or in order to get a taste of Gloria's something one would have to tongue kiss Crispin?
ReplyDeleteI didn't like what's being said about linking this Crispin guy with the funk.
ReplyDeleteEven the Nixon administration brought us some good minds, Cheney Bush excluded.
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Working in the city government is good experience; don't let the major's stink color what an up and comer could do.
That said:
What we should be discussing is whether we want to stay divided or united. I'm, afraid Darla was more wrong than right tonight in saying the minorities seem to w3ant to keep their minority identities. I saw it written that a hundred years ago, euroimmigrants worked very hard to Americanize themselves as quickly as possible by Americanizing their names and learning accentless English as fast as possible.
thats' whta this should be about... and so long as Tony, who has damned little Latino in him anymore, advicates separation, then it will be an uphill battle for him.
Best thing both blacks, Chinese, and Hispanics can do is to learn to speak flawless English. LIke those did who got jobs on CNN!
Half of my family that brought me into the world did just two generations ago--two of my great grandparents didn't speak a bit of English when they went through Ellis Island.
I didn't like what's being said about linking this Crispin guy with the funk.
ReplyDeleteEven the Nixon administration brought us some good minds, Cheney Bush excluded.
-0-
Working in the city government is good experience; don't let the major's stink color what an up and comer could do.
That said:
What we should be discussing is whether we want to stay divided or united. I'm, afraid Darla was more wrong than right tonight in saying the minorities seem to w3ant to keep their minority identities. I saw it written that a hundred years ago, euroimmigrants worked very hard to Americanize themselves as quickly as possible by Americanizing their names and learning accentless English as fast as possible.
thats' whta this should be about... and so long as Tony, who has damned little Latino in him anymore, advicates separation, then it will be an uphill battle for him.
Best thing both blacks, Chinese, and Hispanics can do is to learn to speak flawless English. LIke those did who got jobs on CNN!
Half of my family that brought me into the world did just two generations ago--two of my great grandparents didn't speak a bit of English when they went through Ellis Island.
PS, I hate the inability not to edit what we write. I mean to say Darla was more RIGHT than wrong... its the minorities that seem to want separate identities.
ReplyDeleteBig mistake. One their children will pay for when trying to get a professional job.
Working for a bad person does not mean that you are bad. Doing bad things, like lying on a legal deposition, harassing a co-worker at your boss's request, getting paid for 40 hours a week and counting your taxpayer subsidized school hours as part of the 40 hours... oh hell. This little guy is very bad.
ReplyDelete4:25 Check the education records for other school board members. Some have igh school diplomas?
ReplyDeleteI'm all for some Latino representation on the KC school board, but Tony a 24-year is the best candidate the Latino community can put out? His candidacy is more of a display of the thin bench of Latino leadership.
ReplyDeleteThe Latino community has got to start somewhere, but damn this guy - he's a Funkster person for crying out loud. Not something to put on your political resume.
9:29 Wise people have the ability to change their minds. Crispin made a wise decision. Maybe you will have the heart to change thoughts about Crispin who is very bright, mature, listens attentively,and makes wise decisions, is prepared to lead. Why judge a person by their past employer? It's not fair or just to think of him in a defiant manner.
ReplyDeleteI agree with 10:14. Let's not judge a prospective leader by his past decisions and actions lest we be accused of actually holding people accountable for their record.- A trait that is alien to Kansas City.
ReplyDelete10:14: "is prepared to lead" ? ? Really? How do you know this? I have watched him since the campaign. I do not see any governing qualities in this man. I have witnessed boorish behavior. Prima donna actions. Self serving aggrandisement of his thin accomplishments. This is not a leader. Indeed he has not followed his own moral code within the mayor's office.
ReplyDeleteIf you lead and no one follows, then you are just a guy out on a walk.
Should Crispin attain a seat on the KCMSD Board Kansas City will STILL be bereft of Latino representation. He is that weak.
Bookmarked this. Show one's gratitude you after sharing. Definitely benefit my time.
ReplyDelete2:04 The community will decide who's best for the school board, not just an organization that wants control. Democracy at its best will make the determination.
ReplyDeleteBookmarked this. Thanksgiving owing to you against sharing. Undoubtedly worth my time.
ReplyDelete