C’EST BON School board candidate Greg Davis has an uphill climb to win the seat in District 2. It’s a white-majority, mostly rural district comprising part of north Lafayette, Carencro and unincorporated Lafayette Parish, and his opponent is popular (we have to assume) former five-term ’Cro Mayor Tommy Angelle. Nonetheless, Davis dropped an exclamation point behind his candidacy last week when he vowed to donate his school board pay to a mentoring program at N.P. Moss Middle School. The program, Learning for Life, is affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America, a group with which Davis has long been active. It teaches students character development, communication skills, time management and other virtues, all tied to their lessons in the classroom. Davis’ five-year plan for achieving 95-percent rates for graduation and grade-level performance begins with programs like this.
PAS BON Meanwhile, back at reality, Louisiana ranks a dismal 47th out of 51 (the District of Columbia leapfrogged us) in the latest educational ranking from the American Legislative Exchange Council. Based largely on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, AKA the “nation’s report card,” the ranking is arrived at through the scores on standardized reading and math tests by fourth- and eighth-graders from low-income families. Characterizing Louisiana as one of 10 states “in which you want to avoid being born as a generic, low-income child,” the study places Louisiana fourth-graders 48th nationally in reading and 46th in math; eighth-graders ranked 45th nationally in both math and reading. So, even if Greg Davis’ laudable goals for public schools in Lafayette are achieved, where does that really leave us? Best among the bottom feeders?
COUILLON To characterize Lafayette’s Mike Spears as a dark horse candidate for the U.S. Senate is dismissive of dark horses — even long-shot thoroughbreds have a chance. But what the Tea Party-embracing, Founding Father-fixated entrepreneur of digital technology and vanity doggy products lacks in party machinery and name recognition, he more than makes up for in chutzpah. Last week Spears demonstrated the audacity of rope-a-dope when he challenged incumbent Sen. David Vitter to a mixed martial arts cage match. Spears threw down the gauntlet while promoting an October MMA event at the Cajundome. We’re certain Vitter will not respond to the challenge, unless, perhaps, the participants agree to don sumo mawashis; our junior senator’s predilection for diapers is well chronicled.
... written by notdowntown , September 15, 2010 - 10:27 am
I will vote for the winner and I hope Vitter kickith his buth. Or at least pay someone to stand in for him and kick his buth.
... written by NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN , September 15, 2010 - 12:01 pm
Greg Davis, someday, somewhere, someone will recognize the man as a "Diamond in the rough, this guy is a contender, whatever the cause or how steep the climb, Greg Davis will shine. Owardly his appearance is plain vanilla, inwardly his heart is 24 Kt. and he has titanium balls.
... written by Shame on you , September 15, 2010 - 01:45 pm
The School Board Members don't make that much money. If Greg wants to give to his favorite charity, he should do it win or loose in this election. As voters, we need to elect the best person for the job. Not be bribed by a silly commitment to a candidate's favorite charity.
... written by yesidoknow , September 15, 2010 - 02:09 pm
RE: Spears v. Vitter cage match, I'd rather watch replays of John Candy mud wrestling a bunch of bikini-clad women in the movie Stripes. Now that's entertainment.
... written by beheard , September 15, 2010 - 07:02 pm
Shameonyou, for being so ignorant. Though the elected position may not pay a large amount of money, it is still time consuming. I admire Greg Davis and his idea to donate his salary. Greg has been a volunteer and contributor to this whole community for a long time. So, I would not call it a "bribe", as you did. The man is genuine and cares about this community.
... written by ragin_cajun , September 15, 2010 - 10:38 pm
" The man is genuine and cares about this community."
Well, he certainly has the support of the Independent. I freely admit, I don't know too much about Greg Davis. What successes does he have under his belt. What history does he have as a decision maker? What did he do with the Cajundome to make us think he's good for education?
... written by Krusty , September 16, 2010 - 01:04 pm
Greg Davis' slogan should be "Nowhere as nuts and Chris Williams"
... written by think before you speak , September 16, 2010 - 05:40 pm
I think Greg Davis is a great man personally and professionally. It makes me wonder why people think that he doesn't have any "success under his belt" @rajun_cajun: you need to do your research on your statement if you would like I will be more than happy to send you a list of accomplishments.
... written by EXISTENTIALIST HOMME , September 16, 2010 - 06:28 pm
The truest gauge by which one can assay a mans worth is by his actions, Greg Davis has always held his head high, he has always stood straight-up and he has always championed the cause of the less fortunate. Where some men of his race have advanced their status in life through politics and gone on to forget their pledge to their constituents, Greg Davis has proven his true worth through community service, through personal aid to those in need, and by his association with others in the community who have always extended their selves to assist the community and the less fortunate. Greg Davis is the type of man who does not place a price tag on his self, his station in life or his worth, I HAVE KNOWN GREG MANY YEARS AND HE CANNOT BE BOUGHT, HE IS IN A CLASS BY HIMSELF AND STANDS HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE OUR AREA POLITICIANS ! I AND MY ENTIRE FAMILY WILL SUPPORT AND STAND TOGETHER WITH GREG THROUGH ANY ENDEAVOR HE SHOULD CHOOSE, NOW OR IN HIS FUTURE.
... written by Gary McGoffin , September 16, 2010 - 07:03 pm
Lafayette's Civic Cup, Chamber of Commerce Chairman, Scoutmaster, Crimestoppers President, Leukemia & Lymphoma Chairman...the list of Greg Davis' service and accomplishments goes on and on. Just ask the 14,000 Katrina evacuees who were forced to make their home at the Cajundome. They know who he is and what he stands for just as everyone else who has had the opportunity to work with him.
Greg became involved in the Lafayette Parish School System as a Northside graduate and later as a parent. For the past ten years, he has been involved with the school system as a volunteer. His goal in running for the School Board is to assure that 95% of our students graduate from high school at grade level or above. Our current graduation rate is 67%. Far too many of those 67% are not proficient at grade level The Picard Center for Early Childhood Development has done the research. 95% is a realistic goal. Unfortunately, not everyone shares that belief.
District 2 presents a referendum for Lafayette"s future. Are we ready to realize our children's full potential or are we going to maintain the status quo. A vote for Greg is a vote for all of our children and for Lafayette's future.
C'est Bon, indeed!
... written by ragin_cajun , September 16, 2010 - 08:03 pm
think before you speak --
How about you read before you post? I said I didn't know much about the man, and I asked about him. If you have a list of his accomplishments, then post them.
From EXISTENTIALIST HOMME, I can see that Greg Davis is very altruistic. EH knows him personally, and thinks the world of him--but I don't know him so I can't use that.
From Mr McGoffin, I can see that, once again, Mr. Davis is very altruistic. that's really nice. I can see that Mr. Davis is involved, too. that's also nice. And I can see that Mr. Davis wants to raise the graduation rate. that's nice, too.
BUT NOT ONE OF YOU HAS MENTIONED A SINGLE REASON WHY I SHOULD VOTE FOR THIS GUY!
He's nice, and he helps the poor are not prerequisites for the job! He has a goal is a start, but what's his plan to achieve that goal? Can he run a budget? Will he want to raise taxes?
It's pretty scary to hear everyone support the guy, and no one able to say why, other than he's nice to poor people and he has a goal.
... written by Gary McGoffin , September 16, 2010 - 08:56 pm
Greg Davis has four cornerstones for his candidacy:
1)Recruit an experienced Superintendent who believes all children can learn, no matter their race or income, who has a demonstrated ability to reform and then operate a school system that achieves high graduation rates and achievement rates.
2)Develop an education plan to achieve 95% graduation rates and 95% grade level performance within twelve years (95-95 Plan)
a.Plan to be developed by the Superintendent b.Plan to be adopted by the School Board
3)Develop a business plan to support the 95-95 Plan and to maintain the facilities within the current economic means of the school system.
4)Operate the LPSS with transparency and accountability at all levels including students, teachers, principals, school board members, parents and the community.
... written by ragin_cajun , September 17, 2010 - 11:42 pm
Gary McGoffin --
Uhhh...with all due respect...develop a plan? recruit a superintendent who will develop a plan? operate LPSS with accountability and transparency? that doesn't sound too specific to me. 2 of the 4 "pillars" of his candidacy state that he has no plan. He will develop one when he's elected?
... written by ragin_cajun , September 17, 2010 - 11:44 pm
did anyone attend the forum put on by LaPESC? What were they asked? How did they respond?
... written by Gary McGoffin , September 18, 2010 - 10:16 pm
ragin_cajun:
The LaPESC forums were well done and may provide the detail you are looking for. It's unfortunate that you were not able to attend. They are being replayed on Cox. Sorry I don't have the times but give them a call.
Recruiting a Superintendent who is committed to the 95-95 education plan, paying for it within the existing $383 million budget and keeping the Board out of the micro-management of the school system may sound basic but represents a profound change in the culture and method of doing business.
Til now the Superintendent has been insulated from accountability because the Board essentially approves everything frequently substituting its judgment for the professional educators.
Take it another step. The principals do not control the hire and fire decisions on their campus. The central office makes those decisions. Just as the Board should hold the Superintendent accountable, the Superintendent should be able to hold the principals accountable.
Our current system produces a 67% graduation rate. No one has been talking about 95%.
But let's ask an equally important question. What is the other candidate for District 2 proposing as an action plan?
... written by Northsidian Shotgun , September 19, 2010 - 05:53 pm
ragin_cajun, I will say this one make this one Specific Point, Greg Davis is not for sale, he has zilch to gain at the position, personal satisfaction, holding ones head high above the rest, is all the incentive needed for people like Greg Davis, Ragin_cajun ,you ask what is his plan ? Until you know the depth of the problem, you can't formulate a true corrective plan, but to know that the man is willing to jump in not really knowing the depth, tells me that he will arrive at a workable program when he determines just how bad the problem has become. For as we all know, its been a long deteriorating period todate. I know Greg and I know that for every problem there are many solutions, but only one true long lasting solution, one which only a dedicated man could make, a man who would stand up and give back to his community, unlike our area politicians and their money backers in this community, who with every project that materializes stuff their personal gains into their pockets and share the pie with their cohorts. Greg has entirely too much class and integrity to bed with the lowlife area politico's for personal gain, HELL, " if this was his goal in life, he would have followed some of the areas LHA's goons in their quest for the brass ring.
... written by Northsidian Shotgun , September 20, 2010 - 01:13 am
ragin_cajun , I am going to offer you one good reason you should consider voting for Mr. Davis, and thats because he will use every penny at his disposal to bring the local education system up from the depths of despair & abandonment, he will not steal one red cent from the people who place their trust in him. Do you know any other person in our school system for whom you could say you hold in this regard.
... written by Gary McGoffin , September 20, 2010 - 03:44 pm
The School Board forums were sponsored by LaPESC, the Lafayette Puble Education Stakeholders Council.
The forums were recorded by Cox Communications and viewing is available on Cox 4 on the following dates and times:
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