Stealth DFL
By Mitch Berg
If there’s a race that’s as important as the Saint Paul Mayor’s race this year, it’s the Saint Paul School Board.
Three endorsed Republicans – Pat Igo, John Krenik and Chris Conner – made it through the primaries, along with the usual pack of DFLers.
And one “independent”, Jean O’Connor.
Or…is she?
Jean was endorsed by the teachers union. They told John krenik they don’t endorse republicans.
That might be damning enough all by itself. But there’s more:
She was endorsed by the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce. She’s stated that George Latimer recruited her to run. He’s listed on her lit piece as the chair of her committee (www.occonnellforstpaulkids.org).
[Billy Mays] But wait! [/Billy Mays off]
Amy Filice is her treasurer. She’s Dr. Greg filice’s wife.
He was on the board for years, Ann Carroll was his protoge, then he lost in 99? but she won. He was on the Board of Health Start, the system of clinics in the schools and it was in 99 that they introduced the idea of condoms being handed out in the schools.
Now parents supposedly sign a form saying they do or don’t want that.
That doesn’t sound very “independent” – or “fresh”, “new” or much of a “change” – at all!
Of course, not all is well in the DFL camp:
Vallay Varro has a glossy taboid out. Latimer has a quote on p.3 supporting her and his picture. But in the back, p.4, there’s a sample ballot and it shows all the names but just the endorsed DFL’ers names filled in, Jean’s blank.
She’s upset because she’s one of them, but Latimer has played a big trick on everyone. Now in St. Paul we have 3 political parties – DFL, Dfl-light, just call yourself an independent and you’re a fresh, new voice, and Republican.
And make no mistake about it – in Saint Paul, the DFL is no “fresh voice”. The Saint Paul Public Schools spend more money than the city itself does. But their graduation rates are well down under 50%, and for all the district’s barbering about diversity, the achievement gap is one of the worst in the country and heading south.
The district does, however, excel at spending lots and lots of money playing “pick the celebrity Superintendant“.
Anyway – don’t be fooled, Saint Paul voters.
