Gilchrist seeks re-election to school board
It is truly sad to see long-serving politicians who don't know when to step down. There was another example yesterday when Cobourg public school board trustee Gordon Gilchrist announced he will seek a third term on the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board.
His announcement is filled with the worst political rhetoric imaginable. He says there will be no worm-up period for a new trustee after this election and issues like declining enrollment, financial constraints and school closures are so complex a new trustee will not readily understand them.
"Misapplied funding and misdirected curriculum for even one year can have serious effects on a child's entire education," he is quoted as saying.
Puhleeezze, give me a break!
It is hard to imagine only six years ago, Mr. Gilchrist was a new trustee. If he came to understand these complex issues, why does he think nobody else can?
This is the long history of arrogance associated with Mr. Gilchrist and he terms in office. From the botched closure of Thomas Gillbard Public School in Cobourg to the closures of two Port Hope schools this fall: L.B. Powers and Central Public School. There are also the hair-brained schemes to build a massive high school in Cobourg, which thankfully never got off the ground because it would have been a warehouse for kids rather than place for better education.
And, one only needs to read his letters to the editor to realize how trite he can be. He twists around anyone's argument, if he disagrees.
His constituency is mainly seniors and retirees, who want their taxes low and education to be delivered like pizza, not as a public service.
Yes, Mr. Gilchrist has done some good, but he cannot begin to take all the credit. Here are the Advanced Placement Programs, Integrated Arts Program, a culinary program, a STICS program and horticulture program. He can point to these as accomplishments, but
these are not solely his.
The last election, Mr. Gilchrist said he had a moral obligation to run again. Maybe this time, he should step down for the same reasons.
His announcement is filled with the worst political rhetoric imaginable. He says there will be no worm-up period for a new trustee after this election and issues like declining enrollment, financial constraints and school closures are so complex a new trustee will not readily understand them.
"Misapplied funding and misdirected curriculum for even one year can have serious effects on a child's entire education," he is quoted as saying.
Puhleeezze, give me a break!
It is hard to imagine only six years ago, Mr. Gilchrist was a new trustee. If he came to understand these complex issues, why does he think nobody else can?
This is the long history of arrogance associated with Mr. Gilchrist and he terms in office. From the botched closure of Thomas Gillbard Public School in Cobourg to the closures of two Port Hope schools this fall: L.B. Powers and Central Public School. There are also the hair-brained schemes to build a massive high school in Cobourg, which thankfully never got off the ground because it would have been a warehouse for kids rather than place for better education.
And, one only needs to read his letters to the editor to realize how trite he can be. He twists around anyone's argument, if he disagrees.
His constituency is mainly seniors and retirees, who want their taxes low and education to be delivered like pizza, not as a public service.
Yes, Mr. Gilchrist has done some good, but he cannot begin to take all the credit. Here are the Advanced Placement Programs, Integrated Arts Program, a culinary program, a STICS program and horticulture program. He can point to these as accomplishments, but
these are not solely his.
The last election, Mr. Gilchrist said he had a moral obligation to run again. Maybe this time, he should step down for the same reasons.
Technorati Tags: democracy, Northumberland County, school board
posted by Robert Washburn at
2:06 PM
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