Waste of Public Funds-SMUHSD Election

There are three seats open on the San Mateo Union High School District School Board and four candidates running for office. Three candidates, Linda Lees Dywer, Peter Hanley, and Robert Griffen have experience, know the issues, and want to serve on the board.

The fourth candidate, Sammy Coach? Goldberg is running to advance his own agenda of how the schools are responsible for teen obesity. He does not have a child in school, doesn't know any of the issues, and doesn't even know the home school for his attendance area. There are allegations that Mr. Goldberg doesn't even live in the district. Mr. Goldberg knows nothing about the SMUHSD, yet he wants to serve on its governing board. He is not interested in the SMUHSD but he is interested in advancing his own agenda at the cost of the taxpayers.

It is reported that the SMUHSD will have to contribute over $100,000 to fund the school board election. If there were only three candidates for the three open seats, there would be no need for an election and the district could put the money to use educating our children. The other candidates would also be relieved of a need raise and spend money on a campaign.

While Sammy Goldberg may have an issue to advance, it should not come at a cost of over $100,000 of our children's education money. This is not the first time that Sammy Goldberg has pulled this stunt. Last year he ran on the same platform for a seat on the San Mateo County Board of Education.

If Sammy is going to run, then he should learn the issues, establish a campaign staff, distribute information and meet the voters. If Sammy isn't willing to run, he should step aside and let the SMUHSD save the $100,000. The money raised by the other candidates can be donated to hurricane relief. There is no time to waste limited public funds.

- Written by JC

Comments

[JC]

Linda Lees Dwyer (Non-
Partisan Office -Burlingame School District Board Member)
324 Dwight Rd,
Burlingame,
94010 (res.);

Sammy "Coach"
Candidate contact info:

Sammy Goldberg (Non-Partisan Office -Sports Coach)[email protected];(650)271-4724 (day);

[Patrick Jensen]

yeah maybe it is a waste of money... and probably it could be spent better otherwise... but that is the price of democracy... everyone has a voice... if we wanted it different, if we wanted candidates to bear the cost, we could have set it up that way or we could change it... but, so it is...

[fred]

If the other three are concerned about wasting the $100,000 why doesn't one of them drop out?

I agree with Fred.. For once.
In regards to the child obesity issue, I think that it is about time this subject came up. I believe that this disease will eventually catch up with HIV/AIDS, and TB.
The Polio of our times. Look at the students you see going to school. See the people affected by the hurricanes. This is the majority of america. The parents are the source of the problem. They buy the food. I don't see why that is not the issue.
It is child abuse. I am looking forward to the day, soon when a parent is prosecuted for being responsible for a 7 year old 130 lbs diabetic. Think of the phycological damage inflicted on the kids.

[Two Kids]

Is anybody pro-active here? Is this democracy or is it a case of a special interest using democracy to advance an issue? This guy would be roasted if he were running for Burlingame City Council or dog catcher. Mr. Goldberg needs to be convinced that the best way to advance his agenda is not by wasting $100,000 of the taxpayers money.

Patrick you are right in that we don't have candidates bear the cost of the election, but this guy isn't running, he's advertising a single issue. He isn't raising money or putting up signs. He isn't out in the public. He doesn't have a plan if he is elected. He isn't a candidate. Look at his bio from the SM County Board Race last year. He is more interested in promoting his track and field scores than his plan for education.

Fred, you still don't get it that the Save the San Mateo Group had a legal right to sue the SMUHSD because the district screwed up, but I like your idea of asking ALL of the candidates if they are really intent on running and winning the election and serving dutifully for four years. I

The SMUHSD is facing some serious issues in the years to come and many of them will be financial. A true democracy isn't about just letting anyone run for office, it is about the people controlling the process.

The other three candidates have stated why they are in the race. A serious question fo Mr. Goldberg, besides the child obesity issue, why do you want to run? I guess that would be the $100,000 question.

[sue]

OK, I so agree with "two kids!" I also can't fathom why the SMUHSD would allow such a farce to take place. Bad decision making seems to be what they are best at these days. And yes, Patrick is correct too, that this is all in the name of democracy, but nobody can tell me that somebody in the district can't "convince" Mr. Goldberg that he ought not to run. Childhood obesity begins long before high school anyway, and the schools are trying to do a better job of offering less junk and more "nutritious" food. This is just pathetic!

[fred]

Anyone is entitled to run for office that is democracy. If we didn't hold an election because people thought one of the candidates was a yahoo then we would never have any elections...might as well become communists then 'people can control the process'.

Yahoos win sometimes too, just look at the national circuit. If we did nothing but appoint we could end up with a bunch of FEMA directors.

I don't know if Sammy is a yahoo and childhood obesity is a real problem. He's at least right on one issue.

[Two Kids]

Fred,
The article is asking Sammy to step aside and not run because he isn't really a candidate. It is not saying that he should be banned from running. These are two different issues. I would love it if there were a wide field of candidates for SMUHSD, just like the Burlingame City Council Race. In a large field of candidates all the issues are brought out and the candidates are exposed. The issue here is a lack of candidates and a high cost to the school. There is no appointment with a lack of candidates, more of a victory by default. Again, lets ask all the candidates if they really want the job and those who don't should step down.

As for your Save San Mateo -legal right to do it but moral right to leave it alone comment... advancing a single superior view of morality is facism.

[fred]

Quote from two kids - "A true democracy isn't about just letting anyone run for office, it is about the people controlling the process"

What is facism again? Building a new high school?

[two kids]

Would anyone like to re open this discussion about Sammy, or should I say "I told you so" right now.

[just looking]

Just say it to Fred. He's the only one who didn't hear you the first time.

[One Old Guy]

There's a more significant issue here than should he/shouldn't he run. Goldberg won't reveal his address. The rumor that I hear is that he gave a fictious address with his candidate registration, and doesn't live in the district. If it is true, then he's not eligible. Look at his info on SmartVoter.org...no addrsss. The morality of running aside for a moment, there might be a case of fraud here.

Read the threads titled $185,000