As a member of the Middletown School Board, Pat Walsh has overseen $50 million in increased taxes and spending. Since 1996, it was only during the two years Walsh was not on the board, 2003 and 2004 that taxes and spending slightly leveled off.
Download the Pat Walsh Tax and Spend Fact Sheet here.
The Legacy of Thomas Lifson
18 hours ago
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Just curious...what were the other 8 members of the board doing all that time? Was she the only one that had the power over how the money was spent? Did the voters of Middletown approve any of the budgets, or did she singlehandedly ram these through. And again, what about those other members...why did they just sit on their hands and let Pat do this all alone?
C'mon Art, how can you make the case that Pat did all this alone. She's one of 9, and the budgets could be voted down by Middletown residents.
C'mon Rick, how can Walsh make the case that she is going to make government more efficient in Middletown when she has been a tax and spender on the BOE.
If she had voted no on those budgets and campaigned for the public to defeat them, she might have a case.
As it stands, she's had too many cases in court. More to come?
Get real ambrosiajr, she is the one crafting these budgets, approving sweetheart deals with the teachers union, which her husband just happens to be a member of, and voting for them on the BOE. Like it or not, this is her record. And how about her testifying in Trenton against legislation that would have improved transparency and moved school board elections to November when turnout would be much higher and more people would be focusing on her activities on the BOE? Thanks Art for shining the light on her horrendous, corrupt record.
Ok then, let me ask you this...how many of the members voted no on these budgets? I really don't know the answer. Did any of them?
She voted yes on every budget and tax hike. If that isn't being responsible for them, I don't know what is. In fact, she actively campaigned in favor of each budget too.
That's not what I asked...I asked if any member voted no. I don't know the answer...it was a legitimate question.
Ambro-
That logic is quite moronic. There are 535 members of Congress. Do we not hold them accountable for raising taxes because there are 535 members that make the decision???
Do we not hold the 50 Senators accountable for raising taxes because there are 50 and not just one person did it? I hope you are Walsh's campaign manager because that strategy is a loser.
Ok, I'll ask again since I don't know the answer...did anyone of the school board members vote no on the budgets. What is so hard to understand. Everyone here is blaming Pat for raising taxes, when in reality, the people vote for the budgets. I'm sure that Pat isn't the only one on the school board to vote for the budget. She is being singled out unfairly in my opinion because she doesn't have the power to do anything alone. It has to be a group effort.
Maybe its really YOUR logic thats moronic, and a tad arrogant to boot.
Guys like ambrosiajr and Middletown Mike have got their work cut out for them. How do you support a candidate with such an abysmal record with serious ethics problems to boot? Her well-deserved reputation as a loon among many residents is spreading to people who are apolitical at best. In the state of New Jersey in the year 2008 - any candidate with the shady record that she has will raise more than a few eyebrows. And I have a feeling that if this is what we know, there is a mountain of unethical behavior still coming to light.
Art...can you help me out here? Its kind of like the question you've been asking and not getting an answer for...its simple. Does anyone know if any member of the school board voted no on the budgets that everyone is accusing Pat of pushing through singlehandedly. Its simple really.
Rick,
I've been asking my question since July!
As soon as you get me an honest answer to my question, I'll work on getting you a question to yours. :-)
Practically speaking,as far as this issue goes, it doesn't really matter if any school board members voted against the budget. Walsh is campaigning on saving taxpayers money. Her record, regardless of what others did, does not suggest that she is really inclined to do that.
And yet..Middletown schools are rated as one of the highest districts in the state. There has to be a correlation there, wouldn't you say? Is it worth higher taxes to have a better school system? I think since the people vote on the budget that have to agree with the assessment. Is that a wrong assumption to make?
Compare what Middletown spends per pupil with parochial schools. Then look at the graduation rate and those going on to college. The parochial schools do a lot better for a lot less. Also, Middletown schools are not at the top even among other public schools. The ones who make out best in Middletown schools are the teachers, who were handed a nice juicy contract by Mrs. Walsh - presumably to avoid a strike in a year she is running for office. There is nothing this woman wouldn't stoop to in her quest for poltical office.
Is that an endorsement of higher taxes and spending? And isn't Middletown Township one of the top 100 places to live in America? Actually middletown school's aren't that great considering the average income level, which has a lot more to do with it.
Parochial schools are either closing or consolidating all over the parish. Times have been tough for them for some time now. I'm a product of 12 years of Catholic teaching. Was it better than the public schools? I'm not sure since the demographics of those who can afford a private education are more prone to be able to afford a college education. Have you looked at what it costs these days to send a child to even a state school? Well over $20,000 a year. Who making $40,000 a year can afford to send a child to college unless they started saving when that child was born. And that's only one reason.
Still, you just can't blame one person for the tax increases due to higher education costs.
ambrosiajr - you are grasping at straws to try and explain away irrefutable facts. Parochial schools cost less to operate and are more effective. Period. The reason? No NJEA and no BOE to muck up the operations.
Parochial schools are a straw man. The schools can select what students they want. Public schools cannot.
ambrosiajr.....you are right about a lot of this. Search behind the problems with the turf field and those connected with that Maybe motives lie there for this recall petition....without a doubt..plenty of muddy stuff and all you have to do if follow the money which surely is always involved in motives when someone doesn't get what they want.
Yes to last anonymous poster, like who made the motion or seconded it to hire Mondo on the last field job! Follow that money trail. Will it go to a BOE member.
That's BS. The fact is, parochial schools provide a better education for much less and it is because they don't have the tangled network of the BOE, NJEA and cadre of superintendents to muddy the waters. Every year we see the same old "Vote yes for kids sake" for the outrageous budgets when in reality it should read, "For the NJEA." Albert Shanker, former head of the NYC teacher's union summed up the attitude of the unions when he said, "I'll care about the kids when they start paying union dues." And Pat Walsh is the poster child for union corruption and excess.
No....it will lead to the brother and sister team...what else could their motives be???it's usually $$$$
ambrosiajr..we're meant to think that everyone voted no, but Pat, with her super powers of persuasion, got things passed anyway. I'll say one thing, when folks don't want you to now something, they just turn your words right back atcha!!! And as for Art's question...perhaps YOU could fill us in on the answer you want.
Art, could you please explain the previous post?
Art, could you please explain the previous post?
I have no idea what it means.
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