By Patricia Morris
The Greater Tangipahoa Parish Branch NAACP does not support the TPSS's Deseg Plan, nor the Massive Tax Plan planned for the April 2011 tax election that will be voted on by the citizens of Tangipahoa Parish. The TPSS's Deseg Plan is too costly and it does not desegregate our schools. It is simply a Massive Building Plan. It is also a plan that had to be submitted to the court, because the TPSS failed to present one when this lawsuit was won in 1979, with the current judge growing tired of their asking for delays in providing one to the court when this case was reopened.
Additionally, NAACP Organizations cannot endorse political candidates running for public office. NAACP Organizations across this country fall under 501c3 Federal IRS restrictions and rules, which prohibit the endorsement of the aforementioned.
While we wish the best for all candidates running in this year's school board race, it is with regret that we hear the local NAACP Branch is being used as a pawn by some who allegedly spew lies about the organization and its president in an effort to gain political support. It is often said that "politics make for strange bedfellows," but we cannot remain silent on some of what is being said now.
It is hoped that the voters of Tangipahoa Parish will not be misled into thinking much of the rhetoric now being used, nor will the public make their decision in voting for the candidate of their choice from the rhetoric we now hear is being said now. As we all know, voting is a constitutional right and privilege, and the people who will vote now know the issues and facts at hand, and should vote according to what their decision is based on the facts at hand, period.
We can ill-afford to see and allow what is happening in our school system continue to happen. Too much in the future of our children is at stake now; low-performing schools, lack of accountability and transparency, loss of trust from the citizens of Tangipahoa Parish in our school administration and many of our school board members - the list would appear to be endless.
While getting reports of some of the alleged actions that happened during the last two to three weeks on the campaign trail that was reported to us, we wanted to affirm our beliefs in making certain the citizens know whether the allegations reported to us are legal or illegal. If the allegations of making threats on employees of this school system, and being done by other employees and board members, former administrators and current administrators, and the children of parents who live in certain school districts is true, it is illegal for anyone to do such things, and they can be charged with voter-tampering, which carries a jail sentence and/or fine for those found guilty of doing such. If the political signs of candidates are removed maliciously, without the consent of the candidate whose signs are removed without their permission, it is a criminal offense if reported, and proven to be true. The FBI would be interested in hearing about such allegations, as well as the Louisiana State Board of Ethics on school board employees and others involved with the school system who would succumb to doing such illegal acts. These allegations are now reported to the proper authorities.
Finally, it is believed our vote for the candidate of our choice is not based on rhetoric nor it becoming an issue, because the facts of what is now being done in this school system is coming from a Civic Organization that fights for the rights of all citizens, regardless of race, creed, color, or national origin. Simply stated, we cannot afford to go through another four years of the same thing that is proving to fail time and time again, nor can we afford to support a Deseg Plan that is no more than a massive building plan that does not desegregate our schools, and support a Massive Tax when we know this school system has the bonding capacity now of more than $250 million. In a declining economy, why would it be expected of the public to continue to be asked for their support in giving more money, and continue to see what we see now in a failing school system.
On October 2, 2010, the choice is yours to make, but at all costs, please exercise your right to vote, and let those who we vote for know that failure and mediocrity is no longer acceptable for the TPSS. Positive change MUST be evoked, and evoked now. The future of all of our children depend on this positive change happening.
Whatever your choice of a candidate will be, please exercise your right to vote. Early voting is September 18 - 25, 2010.