Education needs fewer dollars
BY JAN PFAHL
Jim Bishop takes to task lawmakers for not “supporting” public (government) schools (“Lawmakers should support public education,” March 7). He says he supports parents’ right to choose the schools that work for their kids, but then complains about the tax credits that go to private and religious schools.
We decide if government schools are inadequate and inefficient—especially when it comes to spending. The tax dollars should follow the students to the schools they actually attend. We already paid tuition, and our kids cost the public schools not one dime, because they weren’t there. Yet we paid just as much in property taxes for government schools and tuition on top of that. Vouchers would help here.
Government schools have no real competition and therefore they don’t have to please the marketplace. Unless parents can afford private school, they are stuck with the public schools no matter how poorly they function. Government-run schools, like pretty much anything run by government, tend to be wasteful and cavalier with money and really don’t have to prove themselves worthy of the dollars they are given.
Paralympian an inspiration to all
Our property taxes are going up yet again. Most of that goes to schools. Arizona is fortunate in that we have
many more charter schools than most states, and some are excellent. Good for Eddie Farnsworth for being the president of Ben Franklin schools! My grandson is in Ben Franklin and we are very pleased with it. So what if it’s for profit? Profit simply means that if the schools do the job parents want them to do they will prosper. The marketplace, remember? As for everyone starting school Sept. 1, yay! Just because that year round schedule has been around for 20 years doesn’t mean it isn’t a horrible idea. Before that, when we were kids, everyone went back to school the day after Labor Day. Everyone had the same breaks. much better. All these different schedules for starting school, breaks, etc. are a big, fat pain. Why is it that Christian and Catholic schools can turn out students who are far better educated than public school students and can do it with far less money? Because they have to produce results or no one will go there. Right now students come out of public school unable to read well, write a sentence, use proper grammar (often the teachers don’t know grammar either, nor how to teach it), spell or punctuate. They haven’t read classic literature or learned real history or science (not junk science). Yet, they clamor for more and more money and then do the most ridiculous things—like adopt Common Core. But that’s a topic
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BY COUNCILMAN JACK SELLERS
I recently hosted a Chandler In Focus program and was honored to meet Scott Hogsett, threetime Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Medalist for Team USA. Scott has been involved in sports from the age of 5, and at 19 made a decision that changed his life. He attended an underage drinking party and was thrown 10 feet off a balcony, breaking his neck and causing him to become a paraplegic.
During his six months of rehabilitation, his father told him that though he does not have complete use of his body, his mind will lead him in fulfilling his dreams. He took that advice very seriously and moved from Idaho to Arizona in 1994. Though he went through trials and tribulations, he wanted to live a full life. Scott graduated from Arizona State
University with a degree in Recreational Therapy and hasn’t looked back. Since 1998, he has coached the Division 1 Phoenix Heat Wheelchair Rugby Team that is ranked No. 1 in the country.
Scott, who began his Olympic career in 1998, credits his wife for providing the support he needed to stay competitive. He won a bronze medal at the 2004 games in Athens, a gold medal at the 2008 games in Beijing, and a bronze medal at the 2012 games in London. Scott was recently inducted into the Arizona Hall of Fame in April 2014 as the first Paralympic athlete.
Though Scott isn’t training for the Olympics, he’s continuing his coaching and is a mentor to those who have experienced a life changing tragedy. He has been providing support to more than 500 patients for more than 19 years and is well known at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Scott’s goal is to get people leaving the hospital in a wheelchair back into society living their life independently. He is also active at the Virginia G. Piper Sports and Fitness Center for Persons with Disabilities. This
Ombudsmen just may brighten your day
BY DENNY BARNEY
In the business world, Nordstrom is known as the gold standard of customer service. They have a reputation. When you visit their store, you are the priority. Many businesses have tried to emulate
the Nordstrom experience to keep customers coming back again and again. Contrast this mental picture with an infamous trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles. You might be cringing. Long lines, disinterested employees and tedious forms can be a source of frustration. It might seem many government agencies emulate this model making it harder and less rewarding for their customers to do business.
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Letter to the Editor Continued Community Commentary
for another time. It’s no wonder parents are fleeing the government schools for private, religious and charter schools and home schooling, which offer the kind of education they (or at least their parents) received. Before there was a Department of Education. Before the federal government became so involved in education.
We have experienced all types of schools. Our oldest daughters graduated from Chandler High. By the time the youngest daughter started school, things had deteriorated so much we took her out of public school and put her in Catholic school. What a difference! She graduated from Seton Catholic and that was the best decision we ever made for her. Now we have grandchildren in public, charter and religious schools. Guess which of those does not measure up to the standards we believe are the minimum that schools should meet, let alone the maximum? Yep.
I applaud our new governor and the legislators who are willing to stand up to the education lobbies for both
K-12 and the universities. The latter are another example of wasting so much money and answering to no one. The government doles out money in the form of student loans and the universities keep raising tuition far beyond any actual reflection of need, inflation or any other factors—and the government just keeps giving out bigger loans. Students are graduating with monumental debt and no guarantee they will even find a job. Universities just money-grub because they can. Cut the dollars and make them become efficient and frugal. Let’s see how that works out!
Jan Pfahl Chandler
It doesn’t have to be this way. Governments can go miles in adopting a culture closer to Nordstrom. Although we still have work to do, Maricopa County has made many strides toward this goal. One way in which we have made things more customerfriendly is by hiring an ombudsman.
An ombudsman is a “citizens advocate,” often appointed by the government, but with a significant degree of independence. An ombudsman mediates conflicts, fields concerns and provides neutral feedback to all parties. The concept has been around since 221 BC in ancient China, though the word you see today originated in Sweden in the 13th century. People have been complaining about government for a long time...luckily, the desire to improve it has been around just as long.
At the county we expect two things: exceptional customer service and lean and efficient government operations. The ombudsman program delivers both. The issues our ombudsmen deal with are diverse—you may feel the county is responsible for flooding on your property, you have concern over your neighbor walking their dog off their leash, or perhaps a home or business in proximity is emitting a lot of smoke. The ombudsman can assist in any of these cases and alleviate the frustration of the constituent tracking down the “right” person.
It is obvious how having one point
facility provides a variety of amenities to help those with disabilities achieve their health and fitness goals.
The City of Chandler offers therapeutic programs through its Recreation division. Staff takes pride in providing these opportunities to those with special needs and is genuinely accepting of those with all levels of disabilities. Programs offered vary, but have included bowling, kayaking, basketball, and aquatics. The programs are designed to enhance the quality of life for individuals with all levels of disabilities.
A few of our parks, such as Arrowhead Chuparosa and Tumbleweed, provide accessibility to the playground areas and offer accessible playground components. Arrowhead Park is our latest park providing wider paths and a variety of accessible features. This park was designed to be fully accessible. Tumbleweed Park has a zipline with an adjustable seat for those who are interested in the thrill of soaring through the air. Staff is striving to update older parks to make them accessible as well.
March is recognized by the City as Disability Awareness Month. The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities is an advisory board to City Council on policies, rules, and regulations related
of contact, in these cases, who acts as a bridge and advocate for the constituent would contribute to exceptional customer service. But the second goal of efficient government is just as important. The ombudsmen are tasked with identifying process and regulatory reforms that come to their attention through their work. They have also taken the lead on our ad hoc task forces listening to and engaging volunteer stakeholders.
The proof is in the pudding. The task forces have been wildly successful with the Board of Supervisors approving 22 citizen recommendations in Planning and Development, 20 in Environmental Health, and 17 in the Flood Control District. These recommendations came directly from citizens. All have helped make the customer experience better. Transportation and Animal Care and Control are engaged in the process, with other departments slated for the near future.
Your county is working hard for you. We may never be able to replicate the magic of the Nordstrom experience when you are trying to get a permit or filing a complaint about mosquitoes. However, we are extremely focused and committed to providing county services efficiently— and who knows—maybe in a way that puts a smile on your face.
Denny Barney is a Gilbert resident and member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.
to issues experienced by the disabled in the community. The committee members serve as advocates for those with physical and mental disabilities, birth defects, illnesses and age related disabilities. To become involved, please visit our website, www.chandleraz.gov. For more information about our parks and recreational programs and events, visit their websites, www.chandleraz. gov/parks and www.chandleraz.gov/ therapeutic. We are proud to be able to offer these opportunities to our residents.
Scott’s story is truly inspirational. He is available for public speaking engagements, discussing such topics as adversity and overcoming obstacles. Please contact Scott through Shonna James Communications LLC at (602) 4247822 or by email at shonna@shonnajames. com.
Jack Sellers is a Chandler City Councilman. He can be reached at jack. sellers@chandleraz.gov.