Olszewski Asks Schools Superintendent to Open Dialogue
Dundalk residents are angry that they have not been included in the decision-making process regarding the proposed closure of Eastwood Elementary Magnet School.
Baltimore County Councilman John Olszewski Sr. has asked that the following letter—dated Jan. 18—that he wrote to Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent S. Dallas Dance be distributed to as many people as possible:
Dear Dr. Dance:
I am writing today on behalf of my constituents who are concerned about the proposed closing of Eastwood Magnet School and the changes being proposed for Norwood Elementary School and Holabird Middle School.
I attended a public meeting on Saturday, Janaury 12 in which many parents and residents of the respective communities voiced their concerns very clearly. They feel they have been left out of the process.
It is never an easy thing to close a school in a neighborhood no matter the reasons. However, members ot the PTA, parents and other concerned citizens state that there has not been an open transparent discussion with those being affected. When it comes to their children they need to know why this is being proposed, what is to become of the students. I think they deserve to have this open discussion.
An explanation is needed as to the status of Holabird Middle School and, is it in fact under capacity. What was Eastwood School chosen as the school to close?
I promised the parents and community leaders that I would write to you and ask for a meeting with you and all concerned residents. As someone new to our county and school system, I know that it must be extremely important to you to tackle these sometimes emotional issues within our schools. It means a lot to parents and students who might be facing big changes and they need to fully understand exactly what is happening.
I will be looking forward to your response. Hopefully soon we can meet in an open dialogue with all parents, PTA members and others within the community.
I appreciate your kind attention and consideration.
Sincerely,
John Olszewski Sr.
County Council, 7th District
Shell9
4:35 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
I think this letter was written to save face with the Dundalk residents. I think that Mr. O'Sr along with KK and Dance have orchestrated this to make it look like he is representing us. Failed late attempt if I say so myself. Also Mr. O Sr, what is your position on the sale of the Government Center? One should have nothing to do with the other. We need our police centrally located in Dundalk. I think all 3 of you got together and planned where you were going to put the police station. You know you could not house it in any other county buildings in this area so why not pick the smallest school where most of Dundalk would not care..I see that this plan is back firing.
Buzz Beeler
5:11 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Mr. Olzeswki your letter should go to Mr. Kamenetz as per the statement of his aid Mr. Bryan Sheppard who stated the county executive will have the finial say over this proposed move.
I would be interested in viewing the paper work that revealed how much thought went into this concept. Mr. Sheppard's own remark when asked by a community member of Eastwood on what study went into the feasibility of moving the police facility brought the response that the chief said it would be OK.
http://dundalk.patch.com/blog_posts/residents-of-eastwood-to-baltimore-county-just-leave-us-alone
According to Mr. Sheppard Mr. Kamenetz is the one who will make the finial decision and I distinctly made a note of it before writing the blog.
The term used in this letter is what is commonly referred to pandering because it has no basis in reality other than to push an agenda, one the community does not want. In other words your letter is politically motivated.
You also have to answer to the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) on the issue of POS (Program Open Space) before that land can be sold.
I guess I would make an attempt to act if I was speaking on behalf of the people given the reaction you just saw at that meeting. The fact is those of us who live in the Dundalk area know better on your motive.
Steve
6:15 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
"You also have to answer to the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) on the issue of POS (Program Open Space) before that land can be sold."
No you don't.
STEVE
9:05 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Wrong again,Steve.
Steve
10:17 am on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Somebody's got you barking up the wrong tree old man.
DARRELL HAMMERBACKER
8:57 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
I think the Parents of this District are smarter then Johnnie O thinks and they like others in this District are tired of the Bulldookey thrown at them from the Councilman when he is confronted with a problem.This deal is done Parents and you can be assured somebodys getting fat off it. It's a shame when Politicians take advantage of the People who voted them in.
STEVE
9:15 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Now, let's write that open letter to County Executive Kamenetz requesting a public
meeting and hearing on the sale of the North Point Government Center.
Shell9
9:33 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Where in the world is Sonny Minnick, Mike Weir. O Jr, Senator Stone? They live in this community. Whether or not they have legal input, they are citizens in our little Dundalk. Do they have an opinion? Do they care about losing our government center? I begged people to think about their choices when they voted. We have such a group of clowns un-representing us.
Crimson Tide
10:28 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Losing your government center? That place is a dump! This letter should have been proof read before it was distributed to Dr. Dance and the community. Did this guy pass his 11th grade English class? Also, unless the average age of a parent in this community is 60+, I counted about seven parents at the meeting, the rest were seniors. I seriously doubt this constitues "many parents". I mean come on, the first three rows were a little wider to accommodate their walkers and canes. The same old bats in this commmunity refuse change (I consider Beeler in this group as well). As my grandmother would say, "they can shit in their hats".
Buzz Beeler
12:20 am on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Crimson Tide, you sound like a real class act. Ever hear of the word paragraph?
Very first comment I see. Are you suggesting seniors don't have children or care about their community or are you just another political flunky.
Want me to talk about a dark SUV with tinted windows? You part of that crowd?
Speaking of 11th grade English why did you use quotes on your comment of "many parents."? Who are you quoting.
The only thing you have in common with the Tide is that it goes out, way out!
Buzz Beeler
12:20 am on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Crimson Tide, you sound like a real class act. Ever hear of the word paragraph?
Very first comment I see. Are you suggesting seniors don't have children or care about their community or are you just another political flunky.
Want me to talk about a dark SUV with tinted windows? You part of that crowd?
Speaking of 11th grade English why did you use quotes on your comment of "many parents."? Who are you quoting.
The only thing you have in common with the Tide is that it goes out, way out!
Crimson Tide
10:00 am on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Buzz,
If you actually read the letter you would see that I was quoting our councilman.
Have you heard of this crazy thing called a question mark? They are used when a question is asked, check them out, they are fancy.
I am not part of your conspiracy theory. Take a hike Buzzard!
I have nothing against the senior citizens in our community. It is the same group of Debbie Downers trying to drag down Dundalk, I can't help it if they also happen to be old
Buzz Beeler
11:16 am on Thursday, January 24, 2013
Crimson Tide, I responded the way I did because I felt you were being condescending. There is no need for that and you know it. It does nothing for moving forward your point of view.
You took a shot at me and I fired back. I have always written, no matter where you stand, it's articulating your point in an adult manner. I learned the hard way in dealing with some of commentators on this site. I learned I was belittling myself engaging in their mindless, childish banter. NOT any more!
Steve
11:09 am on Thursday, January 24, 2013
LOL "adult manor." = Private school education
Steve
11:37 am on Thursday, January 24, 2013
ROTFLMAO "I am a righter"
kevin
12:04 am on Friday, January 25, 2013
Dundalk until you throw out your entire delegation and get new people ,many hardworking steelworkers love Dundalk.Get some to fill all offices .They've been tricked one time to many.They need jobs ,don't use union representatives they had chance but fell for the line.You have many hardworking families with deep roots recruit them get four or five and fill all offices. The Patch should post all positions open in 2014 with responsibilities Then let people apply through Patch .If you send an ENTIRE new crew to BC and Annapolis things will change.200 years later listen to the warning starting from Fort Howard "The Incumbants are coming".Make sure anyone who told you KKwas the way goes away .2014 wipe the slate clean.