“Well boys, we’ve got three engines out, we’ve got more holes in us than a horse trader’s mule, the radio’s gone and we’re leaking fuel
and if we was flying any lower, why we’d need sleigh bells on this thing.”
Stole every movie in which he appeared, from Blazing Saddles to Dr. Strangelove. Could just as well describe our election choices here in the Emerald City for the (officially) non-partisan April 5 election. Slim Pickens.
As we have been reporting, three Madison school board seats are up but only four candidates. In two of them, critical race theorist Nichelle Nichols is unopposed for the Ananda Mirilli seat; school board president Ali Muldrow also is unopposed.
Laura Simkin Shepherd … ?
The one contest is for the seat being vacated by Cris Carusi. Candidate Shepherd Joyner / Janeway describes “themself” as “a bi-racial albino.” (“Their” Facebook page dispenses with the uncertain last name.) The other candidate is Laura Simkin. Her campaign website declares:
Issues that are dear to me are: diversity, equity and inclusion; safety in our schools; retention experienced teachers [sic]; curriculum that is challenging for all students; early childhood education systems and funding.
The Werkes asked Ms. Simkin if “safety” includes restoring school resource police officers. By gawd, she actually responded!
Laura Simkin: Hi, David. I’m researching the subject now so I can develop an informed opinion. Would you like to share your thoughts on returning the SROs to the schools?
Blaska: It’s been a huge issue for years now and you are running for school board. I don’t mean to alienate you from the get-go but would I be wrong to regard your answer as something of a dodge?
Simkin: I am sincere in my response. I am familiar with two basic stances the community has taken regarding the SROs. I’m looking for data that compares school safety issues before and after their removal from the schools. I’m looking for more information on the positions of teachers, along with how the SROs tie into the safety plan. Additionally, I’m looking for more information on how many and what types of unfilled staffing positions we have for individuals who were supposed to take the place of the role of the SROs in the schools. Finally, I’ve started looking at police reports connected to the high schools.
Blaska: Credit for research but wonder if you aren’t missing the forest for the trees. The ultimate answer is an entire change in attitude. That ALL children thrive in discipline. Indeed, “discipline” is defined as “activity, exercise or a regimen that develops or improves a skill.” When I ran for school board 3 years ago I pledged to return discipline to teachers in their classroom and principals in their schools. Now, teachers are afraid to say “Boo.”
Via her website, the candidate states: “I look forward to our journey of running for school board, to get to know you and hear what’s important to you and your children in their education in our Madison schools.” Take her up on it via the e-mail address provided.
Blaska’s Bottom Line: Could be fun!
Blaska Policy Werkes 
15 responses to “Slim Pickens”
I don’t vote for progressives. It only encourages them.
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“Somebody’s gotta go back and get a shitload of dimes!”
The couple times I’ve watched school board meetings with the current crew I’ve been impressed with how well they seem to get along. But they’re women so less likely to be out and out hostile with each other.
That could all change if the radicals get elected! Would not be surprised if Muldrow helps Simkin..she will be much easier to control.
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Only 4 comments.
I think people are wiped out from the little insurrection the other day. 🙂
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“Stole every movie in which he appeared, from Blazing Saddles to Dr. Strangelove.” Quibble: Slim Pickens indeed made “The Getaway” more enjoyable, but no-one ever stole scenes from Steve McQueen. Oh, and Madison gets the leadership it deserves. It’s fun watching a large, uncontrolled social experiment unfold before our eyes. Then again, I don’t have to live there or be part of it.
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Looks like I’ll have to make sure I have a penful of ink to write in names — including the Squire’s.
Looks like almost every declared candidate has at least a few screws loose…. some maybe have lost ’em all.
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Gotta say I was taken aback when Simkin mentioned her same-sex husband/wife Karen. How far back in time would we have to go, in order to see a school board made up of standard issue folks w/ no progressive agendas?
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George you’re channeling Archie Bunker (rather than “standard issue folks” Arch would have said “regular Americans”).
Simkin impresses me so far. That she is looking for feedback on SROs is not an agenda driven action.
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Whose “community”? Hoodlums and shakedown artists or taxpayers.
Perhaps to quote Harry Callahan (The Enforcer, 1976): suppose to yell trick or treat at the “community” to have them change their ways
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Just waiting for the lack of no sry results in print within our local media.
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SRO not sry
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Anyone ask the candidates to compare Covid deaths in private schools that remain open?
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Laura Simkin’s website doesn’t work.
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Worked for me at 12:50 p.m.
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It works now.
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Perhaps she wants to research what teachers and administrators think about police in schools, but all we really care about is what she thinks. What do you think Laura?
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