Yes, Virginia, there is a county election going on —
Actually, there are three, but only one that’s expected to be close. Democratic County Commisisoners Harold Webb and Betty Lou Ward are heavy favorites to hold their seats, respectively. In the third contest, Republican Commissioner-incumbent Kenn Gardner is up against the inimitable Stan Norwalk, a Democrat who was blogging (on CaryPolitics.org) way before blogging was cool. Over the years, Norwalk’s left a vast cyber-trail on the issues across many a listserv, but his pet subject has always been school funding and the county commissioners (Republican and Democratic) who’ve failed to rise to the challenge — in his opinion. Thus, no surprise today that the NCAE (the teachers association) gave its blessing to him. From Norwalk’s press release:
I am pleased and honored to announce that I have received the endorsement of the Wake NC Association of Educators.
Wake County Commissioners have many important issues on their plate. None is more important than upgrading education. While there are many opinions as to hw to improve our community’s schools, none is more important than a focus on teachers:
* enough teachers for programs to close educational gaps for all students;
* recruiting and retaining quality teachers;
* a continuing effort to train and mentor teachers;
* teacher compensation and teacher working conditions.
Parents, grandparents, citizens and community leaders have no greater responsibility than to provide for the education of the next generation. It is our duty and legacy. In a fast-changing and ever more competitive world, education must be continually upgraded. Family support at home and quality teachers in the classroom are key to upgrading education.