APS; No Comment, on Meyners Audit

The Meyners Audit of the Financial Division of the APS
revealed one of two things;

a great deal of money has been wasted and stolen,

or a miracle has taken place.

Meyners wrote, in effect; that although
there was close to a billion tax dollars a year floating around;

• There have never been adequate written and financially sound policies and procedures in the APS Finance Division, and

• they have not followed what policies and procedures there were.

• Senior administrators were able to "encumber" more than $50K at a time; without involving "purchasing".

• Less senior administrators were able to "encumber" significant amounts of public money, but less than $50K, without involving "purchasing", and

• they haven't kept records accurate and complete enough, to send anyone to prison.

And no one has said a word about what all of this has cost
taxpayers.

The kickback scandal in the Maintenance and Operations Division cost taxpayers almost a half a million dollars, and they were only playing with a small fraction of the billion dollars.

They have not said a word about any money being wasted or stolen; they haven't named a single name.

They won't tell you which of the vendors who paid for
the administrative soirée at the Inn of the Mountain Gods
benefited from the fast and loose dealing in the APS Finance Division.

They haven't said whether or not any information has been forwarded to District Attorney Kari Brandenburg, in order to see if any criminal charges are warranted.

If they are, taxpayers can expect the same response from Kari Brandenburg as she gave to the evidence of public corruption and criminal conspiracy in the leadership of the APS Police Department, and their felony criminal abuse of Darren White's NCIC data base.

Brandenburg will sit on the evidence for years and do nothing
to protect the public interest from criminal misconduct
by senior administrators and board members.

Some good ol' boys ass is being covered.

And a lot of your money is being wasted and stolen.

And there is nothing that you can do about it, except
torches, and pitchforks, and a storming of the castle.

all of us.

"No Comment" is not an acceptable response from a public servant

Not in response to a legitimate question about
his public in-servitude;

not in response to a legitimate questions about
the public interest.

They only reason he can get away with it,
is because he is powerful enough to escape accountability
for his refusal to be candid, forthright and honest with stakeholders.

The power he abuses is not his;

it is ours.

And we should not let him use our power and resources against our interests.

"No comment" is not an acceptable answer from Brad Winter.

"No comment" is not an acceptable answer to the questions;

How much of our money did you spend on a completely
unjustifiable new boardroom,
while at the same time saving money by eliminating
fire safety inspections of classrooms and schools,
and by ignoring the dilapidation at Susie Rayos Marmon?

How much money have you made off your wife's
law firm's business with the APS, and for doing what,
exactly?

And how is that relationship not in blatant violation
of the board policy that prohibits the "appearance"
of impropriety?

And, are you willing to be held honestly accountable
as a role model of the student standard of conduct;
the Pillars of Character Counts!
for even the 6 1/2 hours a day that you are
the second most senior administrative role model
for 89,000 of this community's sons and daughters?

"No comment" is not an acceptable response
to a legitimate questions, of a public servant, and
about the public interests in the public schools.



I'm not saying people like Brad Winter are evil.



But when Edmund Burke wrote;

All that is necessary for evil to prevail in the world
is for good men to do nothing.

this is what he was writing about.



Town hall meeting; 5:00 pm, Wednesday next,
in Brad Winter's new boardroom, in the
Uptown Administrative Complex;
at 6400 Uptown Blvd.


torches and pitchforks

all of us

"Trust me I won't be looking at (Diogenes' six) again."

from KOB's Kurt Christopher, after having read the
allegations of;

KOB's participation in a cover up of the ethics
and accountability scandal in the leadership of the APS.

on my "obscure" little blog.

Damn, and I thought he was going to take them seriously.

Right,
and a pint of Häagen-Dazs link serves four.

He also listed two more hoops that I could jump through;
an email to the news desk, and one to Jeremy Jojola
personally.

So I did.

The following letter was sent to both under the subject line
"one or two stories".

1. As a matter of policy; no one in the leadership of the APS is accountable as a role model; contrary to the public expectation and belief.

They used to be accountable as role models, when their code of conduct used to read;
in no case shall the standard of conduct for adults, be lower than the standard of conduct for students.

It no longer does, they removed that language in "secret", and as a result are no longer even expected to be accountable as role models.

2. as a result (of the fact that they are no longer accountable as role models of a nationally recognized, accepted, and respected code of ethical conduct) they cannot be compelled to explain, defend, deny, or even acknowledge that fact.

Nor can they be compelled to explain, defend, deny, or even acknowledge that they categorically refuse to enter any public venue where they can be asked (legitimate) questions about their public service, or the fate of the public interests in the public schools.

or any other issue of public interest;

• how much money has been spent on the Uptown Administrative Complex at the expense of renovating schools and classrooms across the district; and at the expense of eliminating fire safety inspections in schools?
• how much money does Brad Winter's wife's law firm make off contracts with the APS, in blatant violation of board policy which unequivocally prohibits even creating "the appearance of a conflict of interest"?
• how much money does Paula Maes' husband's law firm make off contracts with the APS, in blatant violation of board policy which unequivocally prohibits even creating "the appearance of a conflict of interest"?
• why won't the leadership of the APS release an "ethically" redacted version of the impartial investigation of the public corruption and criminal conspiracy in the leadership of the APS Police Department?
• why won't the leadership of the APS release those parts of the Meyners + Co Audit, which identified actual public corruption in the APS Financial Division
• and other questions to numerous to list; and not one of which will be answered on the record by anyone in the leadership of the APS
  

In essence, two questions; why are they no longer accountable as role models, and to meaningful standards of conduct and competence?
and why are they refusing to hold a town hall meeting, where stakeholders can ask their legitimate questions about public servants, public service, and the public interests in the APS?

I would appreciate the courtesy of a response to this letter.

NM Representative Janice Arnold-Jones is not a "leader"

which makes her the best legislator that I have ever met.

My representative to the NM State Legislature is
Sheryl Williams; and she has never asked for my opinion
on any issue; not as an APS administrator when I was
a teacher with 20 years of experience to bring to the table,
and not as my representative to state government.

Janice Arnold-Jones sits down a table every Saturday
morning and asks and answers questions. She leads a
polite, civil, and productive discussion of issues important
to all of us. link

Which is not to say that Janice Arnold-Jones can not lead,
and will not lead, and lead well, on the day that that
becomes necessary.

I am dedicated to convincing her to lead a revolution against
state government; a revolution which will culminate in
a special session of the legislature whose sole purpose,
whose sole focus will be on reforming state government

in order to address the issues that enable the culture of
corruption and incompetence, and that prevent stakeholders
from participating meaningfully in decisions
that affect their interests.

I honestly don't know if she is a democrat or a republican;
something else that adds to her credit.
Partisan politics never reared its ugly head.
I suspect that she is a republican.

I also suspect that we would be far better off joining behind
someone like Janice Arnold-Jones, than trying to morph our
neighborhood politician into something they are not.

Everyone one is welcome to join in her "office hours" at
cup_o_joe LINK

Saturday mornings from 9-10:30,
but NOT this Saturday.

"Is character education the answer?"

to the question;

Is there a fundamental approach that will provide
dividends in every aspect of public school education?

Yes, it is.

"Virtue and vice will not grow together in a great degree,
but they will grow where they are planted, and when one has
taken root, it is not easily supplanted by the other.
The great art of correcting mankind consists in prepossessing
the mind with good principles." --- Noah Webster

link

The "appearance of impropriety"

Re; the article in this morning's Journal, link sub req
about the number of Bill Richardson's cronies who end up
with cushy jobs at UNM, and presumably other state institutions as well.

The appointments are always explained with some form of
the Bart Simpson defense;

"I didn't do it. Nobody saw me do it,
you can't prove anything."

Unfortunately, there is still fallout;
stakeholders loose confidence in state agencies and in public service in general.

The leadership of the APS was treated to a soirée at
the Inn of the Mountain Gods, by a bunch of APS vendors;
vendors who benefited greatly from inadequate polices and
accountability in APS' Finance Division.

Nobody offered sweet deals to vendors;
nobody took any kickbacks.
Nobody saw the corruption; the sweet deals and
the kickbacks.
You can't prove anything.

And yet when the next (necessary) mill levy, or bond issue rolls around; it will likely be soundly defeated.

That is why there are not only rules against impropriety; but rules against creating the appearance of impropriety.

Rules that are regularly ignored by the leadership of the UNM, the leadership of the APS, and by every other powerful public servant with the opportunity to create the appearance of impropriety, and the lack of will to prevent it.

Or am I just being cynical?

Consider what is going on between KOB TV and myself.

They run a public forum; and I alleged that their selective
pulling of polls and discussions was unethical. link & link & link

For the first time ever;

we heard from an actual person at KOB TV.

That poll was never removed as far as I can tell.
It's possible enough other posts came in today that
it fell off the home page of Topix.
Trust me, there's no conspiracy.

Kurt Christopher
Digital Media Director
KOB-TV

&

It's likely your story idea hasn't come to light in our
editorial meetings yet.
You can always suggest a story to KOB online at
http://kob.com/article/stories/s53554.shtml

Cheers.

Kurt

So ...

The story we are given by KOB TV is that
they are not part of a conspiracy to protect Monica Armenta
and the leadership of the APS from accountability to
allegations of their public incompetence and corruption.

They also claim "not to know" about them.

They have not yet "come to light".

Despite years of my begging, cajoling, and demanding that
they investigate and report upon credible allegations of
criminal public corruption and incompetence.


OK I will play their little game; we will pretend that they just didn't know that

the leadership of the APS, through methodical and
deliberate policy changes, have excepted themselves
from accountability as role models. *

We will pretend that KOB TV doesn't know that

the leadership of the APS has simply refused
to participate in a town hall meeting, and answer
legitimate questions about the public interests in
the public schools.

We will pretend that having had their attention now drawn
to those issues for the "first time',
that they will actually go to the leadership of the APS and
ask them, with their cameras running; to explain, to defend,
or to even to acknowledge that

they have excepted themselves from accountability
as role models of the student standard of conduct;
for even the few hours a day that they enforce that
higher standard of conduct upon
89,000 of this communities sons and daughters.

And, we will pretend that having had their attention now
drawn to those issues for the "first time',
that they will actually go to the leadership of the APS and
ask them, with their cameras running; to explain, to defend,
or even to even to acknowledge that;

they steadfastly refuse to provide any venue in which
stakeholders can ask legitimate questions about
their interests in the public schools, and expect
"candid, forthright and honest responses".
(that language comes directly from
the standard of conduct that they enforce upon students.)

Which begs the question; for how long will we pretend?

How many days would it reasonably take for the
"editorial board" to determine whether or not
the answers to these questions are "newsworthy"?

How many days would it take to send a TV reporter and
a cameraman to the Uptown Administrative Complex and
shine their cameras and Klieg lights link
on their Monica Armenta, and then ask her
a real question or two?


They could if they really wanted to,

get this on the news in time for stakeholders to express
their reaction to Armenta's responses;

in time to take advantage of their only opportunity
to petition their government face to face;

in time for stakeholders to sign up to speak at
the public forum at the school board meeting,
Wednesday next.

But they won't.

Or am I just being cynical?

cc Kurt and the link that he provided, upon posting.


* they removed from board policy, and from their own
code of conduct and from any "legally" arguable expectation;
their obligation to act as role models of the student standard
of conduct.

They removed language that read;

In no case shall the standard of conduct for an adult
be lower than the standard of conduct for students.

for the record, this post was read three times by someone at KOB TV;
they can no longer reasonably pretend that they haven't heard about the issues.

209.136.181.131 (Kob Tv) [Label IP Address]
28th June 2008 08:42:08 No referring link
ched-macquigg.blogspot.com/2008/06/or-am-i-just-being-cynical.html
28th June 2008 08:56:08 No referring link
ched-macquigg.blogspot.com/2008/06/or-am-i-just-being-cynical.html
28th June 2008 08:56:21 No referring link
ched-macquigg.blogspot.com/2008/06/or-am-i-just-being-cynical.html

Second amendment rights affirmed

A well regulated Militia,
being necessary to the security of a free State,
the right of the people to keep and bear Arms,
shall not be infringed.

Proponents would argue that this language gives
law abiding citizens the right to own guns.

Opponents would argue that this language gives that right
only to citizens who are members of "well regulated militias".

I would argue that if there were as many crackheads,
tweekers, and lowlifes in Philadelphia then,
as there are now;
they would have written;

A well regulated militia, and the need to be able to defend
one's self against crackheads, tweekers and lowlifes,
being necessary to the security of citizens in a free state,

the right to bear arms shall not be infringed.

A well regulated militia was never represented to be the only reason for protecting citizens rights to own guns;
it was just one of the best reasons at the time.

Journal "newsworthiness" update

Journal readers will read that former Manzano High School Principal Tim Whalen has found happiness as the new principal at a catholic school - link sub req

and they will find out that UNM is apparently adequately training elementary school students, but the training isn't manifest in APS' test scores - link sub req

but they will not read that the leadership of the APS steadfastly refuses to enter any venue where they would have to answer legitimate questions about the public interests in the public schools;

despite the fact that no one, and I mean no one, has suggested that there is any other reason for that refusal, other than the fact that the leadership of the APS lacks the character and the courage to hold themselves accountable for their conduct and competence as public servants.

A story which, imho, is far more newsworthy that either of the other two. Not that the other two stories are not newsworthy at all; but if you have to make a choice, wouldn't you publish the most newsworthy of the stories?

... sometime?

KOB TV writes; Trust (us), there's no conspiracy.

KOB TV, by and through a comment left by

Kurt Christopher
Digital Media Director
KOB-TV
(he left his email address)

The question;

Is KOB TV part of a conspiracy to cover up an ethics
and accountability scandal in the leadership of the APS?

I alleged that KOB TV took down my poll from their forum
in an effort to keep the subject of APS' first town hall
meeting from stakeholders. link

Mr Christopher wrote;

"That poll was never removed as far as I can tell.
It's possible enough other posts came in today that it
fell off the home page of Topix.
Trust me, there's no conspiracy."

From my perspective, the poll disappeared for several hours.
a suspicion that seems to be supported by the 2nd comment,
and by an interval of several hours between early and later
comments on the poll.

I think is fair to point out as well, that;
my poll from the previous day disappeared also,
and still cannot be found.

Mr. Christopher did not object to my allegation re; the
disappearance of the discussion topic;

Monica Armenta; NM's Most Loathed PIO

Assume for the sake of argument that
the poll(s) never disappeared, and that the fault was mine
for not being able to find them.

We still have Mr. Christopher's assurance;

"Trust me, there is no conspiracy."

OK, if there is no conspiracy; why has KOB TV not reported to
stakeholders that

the leadership of the APS steadfastly refuses to
conduct a town hall meeting with stakeholders;
there to answer candidly, forthrightly and honestly,
any, and every legitimate question about the use
of public resources and public power by public servants,
and within their public service?

Surely they are not going to pretend that the story is not newsworthy.

So if they are not covering a newsworthy story, and
they are not corrupt; there must be some good and ethical
reason that they are not covering the story;

... some reason that I cannot imagine; and that
they can not articulate.

Why aren't they covering the story?

Since the leadership of the APS will never have a town meeting of its own volition;

it is up to citizens to declare their own town hall meeting
with the leadership of the APS.

Unless and until the leadership of the APS
summons the character and the courage,
to host town meetings on their own;

town hall meetings will take place only
during the public forum at every board meeting.

We have an advantage here.

If we declared a town meeting on Mayor Marty Chavez,
he would simply no-show and that would be it.

The same with Governor Bill Richardson,
or any other powerful public servant.

They would simply no-show. It is their "privilege"
to avoid if they want, having to answer even legitimate
questions about their public service.

Like public servants don't have any obligation to stand and
deliver good faith responses to legitimate questions about
their public service; and about the fate of the power and
the resources that we have entrusted to their use.

But the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education
is different; they have to been there. They can't no-show
their own board meeting just to duck questions.

Although it is worth noting that there are board members
with reputations for showing up to the meeting,
after the public forum, and after any opportunity to be
"petitioned", is long gone.

According to the first amendment to
the Constitution of the United States;

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment
of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;
or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and
to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Your right to stand up at the public forum and petition your
government, could not be made more clear.

The leadership of the APS would have you believe that,
during the public forum, you are not allowed to ask questions
of them, individually or collectively.

It simply isn't true.

Their rule that;

they cannot be compelled to answer questions;

is their own invention and serves only to enable them
to avoid having to answer questions in the only venue where
they have to meet their constituents face to face; and
eyeball to eyeball.

They cannot prevent you from petitioning your government
by asking a question about their use of power and resources
that belong fundamentally to you.

They may, if your question is upsetting enough,
have you arrested by their Praetorian Guard;
the APS Police Department; a publicly funded,
private police force that is accredited by no one;
that is certificated by no one; and who reports directly to,
and only to, the leadership of the APS.

Past practice is that they will arrest you,
take you to the lobby, and then release you
without filing any charges, without answering any questions,
and no records will be made of the incident.

That is seeming increasingly less likely; but it is reckless
to presume that they are not capable of doing something
they have done at least a half dozen times before.

If you stand at the public forum/town hall meeting and ask
a legitimate question; you will not get an answer.

In truth,
your right to ask questions has not yet been established.

It is the position of the leadership of the APS that;

they have no obligation to response candidly,
forthrightly, and honestly to legitimate questions
about their public service and the fate of your resources.

That is their position at least;
... so far.

KOB Topix Polls

If you go to the Topix forum you will find a poll entitled;

Does Harrison's wht wife finger his blk hole? link

And you will find one called;

My boyfrends big D1ck is long and hairy? link

But you will not find a poll that I entered this morning called:

Would you go to an APS Town Hall meeting?

Now tell me that I am a conspiracy "nut" because I believe
that KOB TV is covering up for Monica Armenta and
the leadership of the APS.


cc KOB station management upon posting


UPDATE at 1:40 pm; I find that the poll is back up on the forum.

STOP BY - CAST YOUR VOTE LINK

UNM finds no cronyism

In an article that you should really read; link sub req

A whistle blower at UNM filed a complaint alleging cronyism
in hiring and promotions.

UNM investigated itself; found more irregularities than you
can shake a stick at,

and concluded that they had done nothing wrong.

Why are these people allowed to investigate themselves?

Why isn't the spending of public trust and treasure
subject to impartial audits?

Except in the interests of the corrupt and the incompetent?

It is too bad that APS' Brad Winter won't answer questions

because some questions are being raised about his intention
to short shrift a number of APS' South Valley Schools in their
renovations and repairs,

in order to build some brand new schools in Mesa Del Sol.

Not that Mesa Del Sol doesn't need schools,
but if Brad Winter won't tell the truth about spending at
6400 Uptown Blvd. because it is so completely unjustifiable;

why would you expect to know the truth about what is going
on at Mesa Del Sol? and whether or not that spending will be
justifiable to those who ponied up the cash?

APS Media Conspiracy (nut)?

To hear D6 reader, Wallica tell it;
I am a pathetic old shop teacher with nothing to do all day but
point fingers, place blame, and cry about the "conspiracy"
between APS and the local media.

Wallica does not deny that I am pointing my finger at real
misconduct; nor that I am trying to place blame where it is
deserved.

Therefore I am happy to wear that part of the mantle.

As to his contention that I am a conspiracy "nut";
if there really were a conspiracy; I wouldn't be a nut;
an annoying pain in the ass maybe, but not a nut.

Wallica writes;

"You think the press (all media outlets) are that
sophisticated to cover up some APS conspiracy."

How much sophistication does it take for, let's say,
NM Broadcasters Association President, Paula Maes
to call up her buddies in the association and ask/tell them
not to pay any attention to me?

Not much, I would argue.

I saw on a TV show once; a lawyer argue that

"the truth is a 100% defense for slander and libel."

And, that sounds so good, that I'm going to go with it.

The truth is a 100% defense for my allegations of conspiracy.

The newsworthy truth is being withheld from stakeholders;
if not conspiratorially, then coincidently by five media outlets;
KKOB, KOB, KOAT, KRQE, and the Albuquerque Journal.

I would argue that the coincidence would be simply too
great; to reasonably accept as coincidence that the five
major media outlets have accidentally missed the story;
especially in light of the fact that I can prove that
I have been rubbing their noses in the story for years.

I would argue that; in light of the fact that no one, not even
Wallica, has argued that the truth is not the truth, or that;
the truth is not newsworthy.

That leaves us with only conspiracy.

The truth is;

The leadership of the APS is so reasonably ashamed of
their record of administrative role modeling,
administrative standards of conduct and competence,
and of administrative accountability to any standards
of conduct at all; even the law,

that they will not participate in any public discussion
of any of those issues.

Not only that, but they will not allow even,
the asking of questions about any of those issues.

Neither Wallica, nor any member of the school board,
nor any senior administrator, nor any lawyer from Modrall,
nor Monica Armenta, nor any other member of
the million dollar a year, APS Communications Department,

can come up with any reason at all not to have a town hall
meeting, and a candid, forthright and honest discussion
of legitimate questions by stakeholders;

except that the leadership of the APS is
afraid of the consequences of that discussion; or
they lack the character to place the issues in daylight,
and in front of stakeholders.

So all one has to do to convince themselves that I am
a conspiracy "nut"

is to convince themselves that it is only a coincidence that
neither Zsombor Peter, nor Michelle Donaldson,
nor Mary Lynn Roper, nor Mike Burgess, nor the
news director at KKOB

thinks that it is newsworthy that APS' Brad Winter
refuses to offer a candid, forthright, and honest
accounting of the spending at 6400 Uptown Blvd,

or that Winston Brooks the senior most administrative
role model in the entire APS, steadfastly refuses to answer
the simple question;

"Will you be held honestly accountable as a role model
of the student standard of conduct; for even the
6 1/2 hours each day that you hold students
accountable to that nationally recognized, accepted
and respected code of ethical conduct?

as but two obvious examples.

All you have to believe,
in order to believe that I am a "nut" worthy of dismissal,
is to believe that stakeholders have no interest in
the answer to either question.

... and good luck with that one.


cc upon posting to all named; except Zsombor Peter
who has expressed his interest in not having his
attention called to even one more of my "silly posts".

Albuquerque Public Schools officials have announced that Therese Carroll has been selected as principal at Manzano High School.

Without, apparently, any meaningful participation by stakeholders in a decision that affects their interests.

By a process that stands in stark contrast to past practice; and
in contrast to the requirements placed on people of "character".

At least according to the standards of conduct that apply to
students in the APS but not the adults that enforce those
standards upon the students.

Do stakeholders have a right to participate meaningfully in a
decision that affects their interests?

I would argue yes; but I am willing to concede that the
specifics, at least, are debatable.

Is in alright to just unilaterally change the process with no
input at all from stakeholders; without even the courtesy of
informing them that past practice will be ignored in favor of
placing more power in the hands of Uptown administrators?

No. It is not.

Truancy symtom of greater problems

An article by Paul Guessing in the Farmington Daily Times;

link

Town hall meetings; a measure of character and courage

A town hall meeting is different than any other method of
communicating with stakeholders.

Those with something to hide; avoid at all costs,
any situation where they can be asked an inconvenient question.

Take for example the question;

Are administrators and board members accountable
as role models for students and staff?

it is a simple and legitimate question.

It is also a question that the leadership of the APS has
gone to great lengths, not only to avoid answering,
but to avoid having asked, in public and on the record.

There are only two reasons to avoid a town hall meeting;
corruption and/or cowardice.

They are corrupt if they want to withhold the truth from
stakeholders.

They are cowards if they are afraid to tell the truth to stakeholders.

And no one can suggest any other reason that the
"leader"ship of the APS will not participate
in a town hall meeting.

Ergo; the leadership of the APS lacks character and/or courage;

and in the absence of any other explanation;
the only explanation must be the truth.

So whadaya gonna do about it?

According to the Journal link sub req. a political appointee
of Bill Richardson's gave another political appointee a no bid
contract on ATM's at the state fair.

It cost taxpayers at least $14K.

And there really isn't a damn thing that you can do about it.

On the other hand; the leadership of the APS "says" it doesn't
have to tell taxpayers how much of their money was spent
at the Uptown Administrative Complex, and on a brand new
boardroom, whose very existence is yet to be justified
by any one in the leadership of the APS;

not even Brad Winter, who oversaw all of the spending, and
participated in the decision making process that saw money
saved by doing away with school safety inspections, while at
the same time spending money like water
at 6400 Uptown Blvd.

And there is something that you can do about it.

Stand up to be counted in the effort to get the leadership
of the APS to conduct a town hall meeting; there to answer
legitimate questions about the squandering of the public trust
and treasure at the Uptown, and elsewhere in the APS.

Stand up in demanding candid, forthright, and honest
answers to legitimate questions about the public interests
in the public schools.

KOB Pulls Monica Armenta discussion

KOB allows all kinds of crap to go uncensored on the Topix forum.

Right now you can talk crap about cops and porn if you want; link

But they won't apparently allow a discussion about the fact
that there is no more loathed PIO in New Mexico than
APS Executive Director of Communications, Monica Armenta,
and about the fact that the leadership of the APS will not
commit to a town hall meeting because;

• they lack courage, and/or
• they lack character; or because of
• a third good and ethical reason; which I cannot imagine, and nobody in the entire leadership of the APS can articulate.
  

The discussion had gotten to the point that it became
obvious that Wallica was not going to be able to come up
with a third reason for not having a town meeting;
much less one that is good and ethical;

suddenly no more discussion; the link disappeared. link

KOB of course, is among the news outlets in Albuquerque
that are helping to cover up the ethics and accountability
crisis in the leadership of the APS.

Along with KOAT, KRQE, KKOB, and of course,
the Journal.

Wally sez; give Winston Brooks a chance

"Wally" and I are trading comments on the Topix thread;
Monica Armenta; NM's Most Loathed PIO link

At issue;

will he hold himself honestly accountable
as a role model of the student standard of conduct.

How long does it take a man of character and courage;
to think up the answer to that question?

How much more of a chance does he need?



It's been many, many months now, and

... we're still waiting.

"Do I have a bone to pick with the APS"

wondered the commenter in the topix forum thread
Monica Armenta; the NM's Most Loathed PIO. link

In the interests of full disclosure; yes, I do.

I attempted to hold my principal, Wayne Knight,
accountable for his corruption and incompetence as a public servant.

At each step of the process, Wayne Knight was protected
from accountability, by members of the good ol' boys club
that runs the APS.

As each in turn protected Wayne Knight,
I added their name to the list of names of those who
I will see held accountable for their public corruption and incompetence.

And acquired another enemy in the leadership of the APS.

I was vindicated, in every venue that they did not control.
Which did not mitigate in the least, the damage they had
done to my career, my reputation, and my health.

The retaliation and retribution visited upon my was monumental.



To this day, they still have not submitted my complaints
to a principled resolution;
an impartial and fair adjudication of all of the truth.

A principled resolution like the one they tell children;
every complaint deserves.

Yeah "Wally",

I do have a bone to pick with the APS.

... and so what?


Have I forfeited my right to demand that my "servants"
hold themselves honestly accountable to
meaningful standards of conduct and of competence,
by an impartial system, powerful enough to
hold them accountable even against their will?

I think not.

Monica Armenta, New Mexico's most loathed PIO.

Monica Armenta was hired to put a pretty face on APS'
ugly image.

She has failed; just like Rigo Chavez failed.

It isn't, probably, due to their personal attributes.
While, personally, I haven't much truck for Monica Armenta,
the APS poster Nazi; ; link,
she seems to be popular enough at least among the privileged class.

And, if Rigo Chavez weren't trying to hide public records,
and other truths, from me all the time;
I would find him quite likable; seriously.

So it must be their message.

If every time you get up in front of people;
they leave feeling like they need to bathe;
and it's not you;

it must be the message.

We spend a billion dollars a year on the APS;
and we don't trust the people who are charged with
telling us how, and and on what, our billion dollars are being spent.

They talk,
and we leave feeling like we're splattered with dung.

And that is why they are so unpopular.

Zsombor Peter writes a newsworthy story

Zsombor Peter has written a story on "looping" link sub req.

120 students at Truman Middle School, moved through their
three years there along with their teachers. It is an old and
interesting idea. It is one of a number of tacks that can be
tried by stakeholders in schools where they are allowed
meaningful participation in the decision making process.

Zsombor Peter reports a wealth of anecdotal support for the
experiment; but cannot report empirical evidence that
it made a difference in the "all important" area of test scores.

Which proves that Zsombor Peter is capable of writing a
newsworthy story.

Which begs the question;

Why won't Zsombor Peter write the even more newsworthy
story about;

the steadfast refusal of the leadership of the APS
to involve themselves in a candid, forthright and
honest discussion of; administrative role modeling,
standards, and accountability;

except that he is a coward;

afraid to stand up to Paula Maes and her ilk,

or he is corrupt;

a willing participant in the effort to cover up;

• the abdication by the leadership of the APS from their obligations as role models ,
• their abject lack of meaningful standards of conduct and competence, and
• their lack of honest accountability to such standards as there are, even the law?

95% of those polled; think APS leaders should be ashamed

that there is not one of them, able to summon either of
the character or the courage to participate in a candid,
forthright, and honest discussion of;

• administrative role modeling of the student standard of conduct
• administrative standards of conduct and competence, and
• administrative accountability to such standards as there are.

link KOB Topix

If only those people would show up at a board meeting;
sign up for the public forum, and then
demand a town hall meeting on every subject of legitimate
interest to students, parents, teachers and staff, and to
taxpayers.

endnote;
What do you suppose the odds are; that
Monica Armenta cast the only dissenting vote;
proving her worth as a $105K a year PIO?

"All wounds to honor, are self inflicted." Andrew Carnegie

When the subject of a candid, forthright and
honest discussion of administrative role modeling,
standards, and accountability comes up,

some of the leaders in the APS feel shame, and disgrace.

All of them should.

Because there is not one of them with the character and
the courage to expose those subjects to the light of day.

There are those who do not want meaningful standards of
conduct and competence;

who do not want honest accountability to any standards.

And they are the ones who lack character.

And there are those who want accountability to meaningful
standards of conduct and competence for the leadership of the APS,

but who are afraid to stand up for what they believe in.

They are the ones who lack courage.



And there is no other excuse, and there is no other reason;

not to stand up in support of a candid, forthright, and honest
discussion of administrative role modeling, standards, and
accountability except

their lack of character and courage.

There is no other reason.

If there were; instead of suffering their shame and disgrace,
they would simply articulate that reason to stakeholders.

Shame and disgrace are not the result of my pointing toward
their character and their courage;

but in the emptiness that is found,
in the direction that I am pointing.

It is well past time in the leadership of the APS,
for the "good" boys to stand up to the good 'ol boys.

And until they do, the shame and disgrace that they feel
around the subject of honest accountability as role models
of meaningful standards of conduct and competence,

is well earned.



The same can be said for Zsombor Peter, Kent Walz,
Mike Burgess, Mary Lynn Roper, and Michelle Donaldson;
the men and women who's responsibility it is;
who's obligation it is; who's duty it is;

to report the truth to stakeholders,

and who will not.

Heath Haussamen is apparently, not upset.

"... in the hallway, ... Photographer Angela Kurz, left, of the Las Cruces Bulletin,
Las Cruces based Blogger Heath Haussamen, center, of New Mexico Politics,
Photographer Shari Vialpando, right, and
Reporter Ashley Meeks of the Las Cruces Sun-News.
All were kept out of the meeting until after lunch,
when the major party candidates addressed the gathering."

He was made to stand in the hall with the other reporters;
while Allen Whe conducted the republican state convention;
in secret.

Haussamen is apparently, not upset about it.

At least not upset enough to complain on the record.

Mark Bralley did, on his blog. link
This is Mark's photograph as well.

APS Modrall surrenders records; sort of; part two

You will remember that I submitted a bona fide request,
under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act,
to APS Custodian of Public Records, Rigo Chavez.

I asked for the opportunity to inspect and/or copy,
as few sheets of paper as possible;
that would represent a candid, forthright and honest
representation of the litigation that has been done
at great taxpayer expense,
by Paula Maes' family law firm, the Modrall,
and with respect to claims made by and against the APS.

I suspect that the record will show that Paula Maes' and
the Modrall Law Firm have made a great deal of money
litigating against the public interest; and in the interests of
excepting APS administrators and board members from
accountability to the law.

For example;

they once gave me thousands of tax dollars,
in part, in exchange for my promise that
I would not take incontrovertible evidence
of felony criminal misconduct by APS administrators,
to any agency of law enforcement.

APS Modrall used tax dollars to buy immunity for
APS Director of Risk Management, Richard Cangiolosi,
and Associate APS Superintendent Michael Vigil
from any investigation and possible criminal prosecution
as a result of my allegations of felony perjury,
and negotiating an illegal contract.

But back to our story.

APS Modrall has offered to surrender
"thousands of sheets of paper"
that I may inspect and/or copy under the watchful eye
of their minion, Rigo Chavez, at his convenience, and
in his office.

Further, they insist on making my copies for me
for fifty cents a page;
nearly ten times the going rate at Kinkos.

I objected to APS Modrall, and to
the Office of the New Mexico Attorney General.

In short; I argued that there was no good reason that
they could not just write the records onto a CD,
and hand it to me.

As an aside, I asked Rigo Chavez,
how many tax dollars were given to Modrall,
acting in the capacity of a heinously expense copy house,
to make the copies that I would view.

Rigo Chavez has responded. We are to believe;

• There is no record in the form of electronic files.

• The records only exist in the form of hard copy
  in a warehouse (on the Planet Crack).
  (OK, I made that part up). And,
  

• Modrall has made no money on copies, because they are surrendering the "original documents" for my inspection.
  

Let's think about that one for a moment.

If there are no electronic files, that means one of two things;

there never were files stored electronically;
Modrall secretaries used endless amounts of white out and
typewriter ribbon as tax payers paid the lawyers of Modrall,
to write and rewrite endless motions and legal blatherings.

Or,

Modrall once had the records in some easily stored,
easily searched, and easily reproducible format;
and instead of writing it to a disk and tossing the disc into the box,
and/or
instead of storing it in any one of the innumerable storage facilities on the planet;

they chose to destroy them.


Now, that part I can believe.

Further, they would have us believe that the "originals"
are now in Rigo Chavez' hands.


What if I went postal on Rigo, and stole his little box?

Does anyone really believe that the APS Modrall would
put all of their records for two years,
and millions of dollars worth of litigation,
in a place where I could simply run off with them?


Right,
and a pint of Häagen-Dazs^® serves four.



It will be interesting to see if the Attorney General's Office
finds this any more credible than I.

The worst thing that any public servant can do

is anything that they do in secret.

The Republican Party in New Mexico held its Darren White,
Joe Carraro debate in secret,
they violated any number of campaign laws in secret,
and now they have conducted significant portions of
their state convention in secret; after ejecting reporters,
and telling even bona fide delegates that they were not
allowed to record the proceedings at will;

in blatant violation of the rules of the Republican Party.

Supplied for our edification by blogger Mark Bralley; link

"The Rules Of The Republican Party As adopted by the 2004 Republican National Convention August 30, 2004

BE IT RESOLVED, That the Republican Party is the party of the open door. Ours is the party of liberty, the party of equality of opportunity for all and favoritism for none.

It is the intent and purpose of these rules to encourage and allow the broadest possible participation of all voters in Republican Party activities at all levels and to assure that the Republican Party is open and accessible to all Americans." (emphasis added)

But apparently not to all New Mexicans,
in particular those who are not in lock step
behind Chairman "Mao Tse" Weh.

The rules have been suspended at the whim of one man;
Allen Weh, Chairman of the Republican Party of NM.

A man whose monumental arrogance is manifest in phrases
such as; "My bat, my ball, he struck out." as he threw out
a convention delegate for asking a procedural question that
Weh didn't want to answer.

And who has suspended the Republican Party Rules, and
Robert's Rules of Order, in favor of "the Chairman's gavel";
in order to run roughshod over convention delegates.

This arrogance and blatant disrespect for stakeholders
will not play well with voters.

If republicans loose in November, Weh and his arrogance
will bear no small responsibility for destroying voter confidence
in his own party.

This is shameful behavior.

Rep. Janice E. Arnold-Jones · House District 24

Invites You To Saturday Morning Office Hours
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
at Cup O' Joe
3732 Eubank NE

Which proves two things;

• she has courage
• she has a clear conscience

She has the courage to field questions about her public
service; on the record;
because she has nothing to hide.

What more could you ask of a public servant?

What more proof could you need that you have lost control
over power and resources that are fundamentally your own;

than a public servant who refuses answer
legitimate questions about their public service?

What more proof do you need, than a public servant who
refuses to participate in a town hall meeting?

There is only one reason to hide the truth.

“It’s my bat, my ball, and he [Marron] struck out.”

"They kicked him out because he was trying to ask a question," said Bonnie Murphy, who said she was shocked and distressed at the upset, which left her feeling left out of the process. "We kind of quieted down. If we left, we'd lose our votes."

He "... had no right to ask a question or challenge the leadership’s ruling". (emphasis added)

Is this good for the republican party?

Is it good for stakeholders?

Please visit Peter St. Cyr's blog link
And Mark Bralley on the same subject. link
see Why Whe, Why?

APS refuses town hall meeting

Local media refuses to ask; why not?

The leadership of the APS has been asked repeatedly
if they will hold a town hall meeting;
there to answer legitimate stakeholder questions
candidly, forthrightly, and honestly;

all of them.

They refuse.

They lack the character and the courage to actually say; no.

So they stonewall the question.

And neither the Journal's Zsombor Peter, nor Kent Walz,
nor KOB TV's Mike Burgess, nor
KOAT TV's Mary Lynn Roper,
nor KRQE TV's Michelle Donaldson

will ask them to explain, defend or even acknowledge
their deliberate decision;

not to engage in a candid, forthright and honest discussion
of any aspect of the administration of the public trust
and treasure, in the APS.


Since Zsombor Peter himself, has ruled out inappropriate
superordinate influence, as the reason that he will not ask
the question; why not?

I can think of only two remaining reasons,
that Zsombor Peter and the rest of the local media
will not ask the question;

their incompetence and/or their corruption.


They are incompetent if they cannot see that it is newsworthy.
They are incompetent if they are afraid to ask the question.

They are corrupt if they are deliberately withholding
that information from stakeholders even through
mill levy, bond issue, and board member elections.

Character Counts! is an abysmal failure.

I represent that I am as expert in Character Counts! as
anyone in the leadership of the APS; even the administrator
they pay two teacher salaries to pimp the program statewide.

The Pillars of Character Counts! have been the student standard of conduct since 1994, when Character Counts! was unanimously adopted by the board of education.

I will state without fear of contradiction that there is no model for character education, and no better standard of conduct for students; than is offered in Character Counts!

I would argue that if Character Counts! were enabled to succeed and flourish in the APS;

• bullying would be greatly reduced, all but eliminated,
• school (and community) vandalism would be reduced,
• truancy would be a much smaller problem,
• test scores would increase substantially,
• graduation rates would increase substantially, and
• there would be far fewer disruptive, and chronically disruptive students consuming inordinate amounts of teachers time and energy.

Instead, Character Counts! in the APS has been an abysmal failure.

For one reason, and one reason only;

there has never been a Superintendent, or a senior administrator, or a board member with the character and the courage to step up as a role model.


If ever there were a superintendent with the character and the courage to step up as a role model of the student standard of conduct;
if ever there were a superintendent with the character and the courage to hold them self honestly accountable to the student standard of conduct;

• s/he would have the moral authority to demand the same of deputy superintendents,

• who would then have the moral authority to demand the same of subordinate middle managers,

• who would then have the moral authority to demand the same of principals,

• who would then have the moral authority to demand the same of teachers,

• who would then have the moral authority to demand the same of students.

There has never be a "leader" in the APS
willing to "lead" by their own personal example.


Leaders, who offer no leadership except
do as I say, not as I do;
and want anyone to actually buy into such crap;

want that which is not,
that which has never been,
and that which will never be.


The proof of this allegation is;
the refusal by the leadership of the APS,
to conduct a candid, forthright, and honest discussion
of administrative standards and accountability.

It is that simple.

Zsombor Peters reports on board meeting

He reports quite adequately the raises which were approved by the school board, for the APS Police.

He reports quite inadequately, that the board stonewalled again, the subject of a candid, forthright, and honest discussion of administrative standards and accountability.

Inadequately meaning; not one word.

Honestly, which story is more newsworthy;

of sufficient interest or importance to the public
to warrant reporting in the media;

a story that reader stakeholders must know,
or need to know, or should know, will want to know,
or would be interested to know.

the fact that APS Police Officers got a (much deserved) raise?

or

the fact that the leadership of the APS lacks the character and the courage to engage in a candid, forthright, and honest public discussion of administrative standards and accountability?

Is is possible, I would suppose, that Zsombor Peter really can't see the obvious answer to that question.

It is far more likely that, he is simply afraid
to stand up to the leadership of the APS.

He is simply afraid to ask for any explanation, defense,
or even an acknowledgment of their indefensible and
completely reprehensible position.

I am prepared to eliminate, for now, Zsombor Peter's
personal corruption. I can't see what he has to gain personally
from covering up the ethics and accountability scandal
in the leadership of the APS.


Which leaves only one logical conclusion;
Zsombor Peter is a coward. He has no balls.

Since Zsombor Peter offers nothing in defense of his honor;
I will reiterate my promise to publish any comment that
anyone else would care to make in his defense;
anonymous or no.


cc Zsombor Peter; except that he has written to me that he has
no interest in reading another of my "silly posts"

Therefore, I consider myself relieved of my ethical obligation
to copy him, thereby allowing him the opportunity to respond or rebut.

Not that there is a good and ethical rebuttal that he could post; even anonymously.

Marty Esquivel is fitting right in.

He used to have the decency to hide his face when
role modeling, audits, and accountability were on the table.

Now he can look you in the eye while you are pointing out
that he lacks the courage and the character to discuss
candidly, forthrightly and honestly, any of those subjects.

The worst by far is the smarmy little Robert Lucero
whose lack of character and courage are manifest in
a supercilious grin, while you point out what a
contemptuous sniveling piece of crap he is.

A man with a weaker stomach would puke.

cc Marty Esquivel upon posting

APS bookkeepers promoted for keeping their mouths shut

The recent audit of the APS Financial Division by Meyners
revealed a number of long standing issues;

• a failure to keep accurate books
• a failure to codify financially sound policies and procedures;
• and, a failure to enforce such procedures as they had.

Two people, Gina Hickman and Michael Kimbrell have both
worked for the APS for some time.

I reasoned that they knew, or should have known, about
the problems that the Meyner Audit "discovered".

And further that they should have reported what they knew;
that they should have blown the whistle
on the incompetence and corruption, and

did not.

Hickman has now been promoted to Chief Financial Officer;
and Kimbrell to Director of Internal Audits;

which appears to be as rewards for
keeping their mouths shut for as long as they did.

I emailed both, and offered them the opportunity to explain,
defend, or even acknowledge these allegations, and neither
responded.

Which I consider to be at least a tacit admission that the
allegations have merit.

It would not be inconsistent in anyway with the manner
in which the APS does business, and has done business for years.

cc Hickman and Kimbrell upon posting.

The bone chilling ignorance, and mind numbing hypocrisy, of APS Board Member Marty Esquivel

This link should get you to the minutes of the May 13, 2008
policy committee meeting.

Marty Esquivel is upset by the lack of sportsmanship at
athletic events.

He is in search of a policy that will address the issue.

It is bone chilling to realize that the policy he seeks,
already exists in the standards of conduct that he enforces
upon students. and he is apparently unaware.

Sportsmanship can not be more adequately addressed than
it already is, by the Pillars of Character Counts!.

The existing policy is more than adequate to the need;
it lacks only enforcement.

It is unenforceable because there is not one member of the
leadership of the APS willing to hold them self accountable
as a role model of that standard of conduct.

Including Marty Esquivel;

which brings us to the mind numbing hypocrisy part.

cc Marty Esquivel upon posting

There is a school board meeting today at 5:00. Zsombor Peter will be there.

There will be a handful of administrators in attendance,
and very few others at the meeting which is scheduled
at a time and in a place, inconvenient to virtually all
stakeholders; in the yet to be justified million dollar board room.

The leadership of the APS will be asked if there is even one
among them with;

the character and courage to participate in a candid,
forthright, and honest discussion
of administrative standards and accountability.

They will confirm that there is not.

In order to ask the question;
I will risk yet another arrest by the APS Praetorian Guard;
an un-certificated, and un-accredited publicly funded,
private police force.

A now armed police force, that reports to no one except
the leadership of the APS.

A Praetorian Guard that has has been used before,
and will be used again, to suppress political opposition.


Zsombor Peter will not write this newsworthy story;
because he lacks the character and courage to write it;

or because he wouldn't know "newsworthy"
if it were biting him on his ass; biting him on his ass like
a pride of lions taking down a water buffalo.

Or for some other good and ethical reason which
I cannot imagine,
and which neither Zsombor Peter, nor anyone else
at the Journal, can articulate.


cc Zsombor Peter (except that he does not want to be copied
another of my "silly postings"; so in his stead;
Journal editors, all of them.)

If Zsombor Peter is to be believed;

the Journal's failure to investigate and report upon the ethics and accountability scandal in the leadership of the APS;

does not rest on my inability to prove my case;

but in my inability to convince Zsombor Peter that the story
is newsworthy.

An issue of this magnitude will not be brought to the attention of stakeholders because of a young reporter who fails to grasp the importance of character and courage, and honor;

and of the need for role models of those character traits
in the leadership of the APS.

"If we want our children to possess the traits of character we most admire, we need to teach them what those traits are and why they deserve both admiration and allegiance. Children must learn to identify the forms and content of those traits."
— William J. Bennett, author and former U.S. Secretary of Education (b. 1943)

"The formation of character in young people is educationally a different task from and a prior task to, the discussion of the great, difficult ethical controversies of the day."
— William J. Bennett, author and former U.S. Secretary of Education (b. 1943)



cc Zsombor Peter upon posting (except that he has indicated
that he does not want to be copied; so Kent Walz instead.)