The Dems. have now funneled over $700,000 into this one election!! Just to show you how brain dead McGuire is. Today (Monday Nov. 3rd)at the 5th Ave. train station I ran into Senger, Connelly, Mayor Pradel, Doug Krause and other Naperville City Council members. These guys have been at the train station since 6:00 PM!!! Connelly bought coffee for everyone. McGuire shows up at 7:30 !!! She missed most of the commuters. There were only two trains left to the city for the rush hour. She was totally schooled, it was hilarious. The other funny story is during the Central vs. Waubonsie game at NCC McGuire (again!!!!) shows up late and can't get into the stands!! She ends up having to sit outside watching Darlene campaign!!! It was so dang funny. Hey Dianne, you aren't too bright chick!!!

Anon@11:17am - 10/29/08

I've never been on city council, but Darlene has and is. One doesn't have to be on the council to have a discussion with someone who is. Some of them even respond to phone calls, emails, hand written snail mail as well as face-to-face conversations. She brought forth my concerns and they were part of a vote discussion; even though her original opinions about the topic were different than my own.

If my original wording confused you, I apologize.

There was a time on council when our opinions didn't mash but she listened to mine and she took the time to understand the point of view and ultimately her vote and discussion on the topic indicated she listened and understood those concerns that were different from her own.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Old Joe,

It sounds like you may have slipped up and admitted you were once a city council member.

It seems like you have mellowed out quite a bit, Old Joe.

I wish TB and Ken would take a chapter out of your life and turn the corner as you have!

A Redskin, I quote from one of your posts:

Finally, I doubt anyone that reads these blogs and as you put it reads your prior posts will agree with you when you allege you do not necessarily support McGire. Of course you do.

Seems pretty clear to me from his previous posts that Thom does not support McGuire. His most recent post affirms that.

HURRAY!! A straight answer. This should be published by the Sun.

And when the Sun sets up a blog on 203 (and 204), I will respond to Higgins false interpretation of my position (and Mike's as well). He should either say it correct or keep silent. But again, for the appropriate blog.

The summation again, McGuire is not fit for election. Even Thom Higgins, Naperville leading left leaning advocate, says so.

And don't forget, the HOUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS from the Illinois Democratic Party supporting McGuire. The number one reason for this money is to get a super majority in the Illlinois legislature so they can DOUBLE OUR INCOME TAX.

Somebody,

You really need to read all Ive said on this thread. Regardless, I don't live in the 96th so I can't vote, but if I could, I would vote for Darlene. Originally I was neutral in the contest, but the content of the mailers is completely unacceptable to me.

Let me comment on your claim that I argue against anyone who speaks out against the SD. Clearly, I don't. I do have huge problems with Mike Davitt and Dan Denys, who don't believe in public education, display a real animus against teachers, and the SD, and have, shall we say, a way of presenting facts and ideas that have a certain lack of any relationship to reality. I also will comment (which is different than arguing) when I disagree with a posters statements. I think you will find I have a good relationship with other posters. For example, TB and I disagree on some issues, but his good will is apparent, and I enjoy "talking" to him.

Dan,

Sorry, Dan as much as you want to, you don't get to make the rules. You can tell me to jump, but I ain't playing.

Really love your Houdini comment. In what thread was I ever challenged and then disappeared? Pretty funny. Mike Davitt complains that I'm the Sun's professional blogger and you complain I disappear.

You two need to get your stories straight.

Darlene has my vote. Plain and simple.

I have known her for almost a decade. While our opinions on things may not mesh 100% (find a time when they do with someone), she listens. She listens and she seeks to find out information. There was a time on council when our opinions didn't mash but she listened to mine and she took the time to understand the point of view and ultimately her vote and discussion on the topic indicated she listened and understood those concerns that were different from her own. That's a rare quality among people in public office and for me, she demonstrated it.

Thom,

Say it or shut up.

"McGuire is a lousy candidate that should not be elected to the Ilinois house."

If you cannot say this, then you are a supporter of hers. SIMPLE. We do not have time to read let alone interpret your rantings.

For the benefit of the readers of this thread, Thom has been challenged on two previous threads and he disappears. Houdini!!!

Thom, unfortunately you enjoy posting on these boards an giving everyone long responses that you feel justify the level of taxation especially by school district 203 and arguing against anyone who speaks out against the district. Here you have stated that commented on the excellence of the candidates but haven't refuted that by saying McGuire is a poor candidate. So what is your position Thom, who will you be supporting next Tuesday, McGuire on Senger?

Somebody, and Redskin,

Anyone who reads my comments on this and the other threads regarding this race, can readily discern that I am not defending or supporting Diane McGuire's campaign. If you can't find that sentiment in my many comments, then I can't help you.

Thom, these are your words from you first post that you have forgotten

"it would serve them well to consider that it is the excellence of their candidates and the beliefs they espouse, that will offer them a road to victory."

You never said Dianne wasn't a good candidate, therefore as "A Redskin" stated you do support McGuire!

Redskin,

The effect of good schools on property values is relative. Property values are declining all across the country, not just in Naperville. So even though our property values are lower than they were a year ago, they are still higher than many other cities and towns in the area, and good schools are a part of this.

Also, I wouldn't worry too much about Obama's impact on local school funding if I were you, as he is running for President, not Governor. It would be a major sea change for the federal government to move in to local school funding in a big way, and movement in that direction would not even begin to take place unless a successful candidate had made it one of the major themes of his campaign. Obama has not done this.

-JQP

Redskin,

I guess you think this is a "left" handed compliment. My words from the very first post in this thread.

As far as the McGuire mailers go, if the Democratic party wants to make inroads representing this area, it would serve them well to consider that it is the excellence of their candidates and the beliefs they espouse, that will offer them a road to victory.

Factually incorrect, and offensive mailers, such as those sent by the Ill Democratic Party in support of Dianne will all but ensure her defeat. Tactics such as these have been blessedly absent here in Naperville. No longer. It seems that the Democratic Party of Illinois, who have seemingly taken control of Dianne McGuire’s campaign, apparently lost the memo explaining that Karl Rove and his allies tactics have severely damaged the Republican party nationally, and here locally, tactics such as this mean certain defeat. Naperville deserves better.

Thom: I have read all of your posts and carefully considered them. Your claim that Naperville spends less per student yet realizes stupendous achievement results does NOT include the true costs of the investment. I often get sucked into debates by people who think good schools prop up property values and the money we spend is returned when we sell our houses as appreciation. Obviously a good school system is better for property values than a bad one but current markets demonstrate that the argument is fragile at best. Diane McGuire will continue to champion over taxation for teachers unions, administrators and the like while property values drop. She simply is bought and paid for by those interests. Homes are difficult to sell, they sell for less and people now will be less likely to increase taxes to pay for the excesses often desired by government education. The schools now will have to do more for less like everyone else will be required to do. And if Obama wins, the prosperity of this community in particular enjoyed will be diminsihed because the earnings and profits are going to be sent somewhere else in greater measure. Obama has always wanted education funding from the state or better yet, the federal government and not generated locally. Finally, I doubt anyone that reads these blogs and as you put it reads your prior posts will agree with you when you allege you do not necessarily support McGire. Of course you do.

thom,

My post: By Anonymous on October 26, 2008 4:42 PM
for some reason did not include my name.

It was mine.

Anonymous,

First I'm not defending PURE but you make a number of claims and I think you are wrong, or at the very least you're making charges but are offering no proof or explanations.

1.They missed many important deadlines,

What are the deadlines that they supposedly missed? Campaigns are not required to report right before, or right after an election. If you are spending above a certain threshold, in a specified time, then yes, more stringent rules kick in requiring you to report before an election.

For example QE203.org reported our D1 (statement of organization) on 4-16-07, after the election, and our D2 on 7-16-07. And we did so in complete compliance with reporting guidelines.

The Taxpayers ticket had to file in advance of the election on 3-15-07 because it looks like they passed the $3,000. limit that triggers reporting requirements before the election.

2. they failed to disclose their purpose and sponsorships,

No, The purpose is clearly stated:

To support endorsed candidates. If you click on the candidates link the three candidate's names are there.

3.they have data that is wrong and inconsistent with the filings of their donators,

I don't know how you can say this. There was only one doanator, NUPACE. If you look at NUPACE's D2 it foots exactly with PURE's.

4. they originally tried to hide their officers.....

How, what evidence do you have? McGuire's and Acklin's name were on the ISBE website from day one. Since PURE didn't filed an amended D1 they have to be the original names on the D1.

.

Again, I'm not interested in defending PURE, but I am interested in an honest debate. PURE was a one shot, limited effort committee that engaged one vendor to do two mailers and the robo calls. It wasn't a particularly complex, or long duration effort, so you can't expect a huge report.

So I guess I'm saying if you want to make claims such as yours above fine, but I think you have to "show us the beef"

How to boycott unions?

Most of the red states (Republican) are right to work states. Huh? Yes, unions are allowed, but workers do not have to join the unions.

The result? Teachers unions have no clout in Florida. If they strike, the District has the right to hire non union workers during the negotiations. And for the most part, the teachers do not strike since that is tantamount to losing your job.

If Illinois was a right to work state, Naperville would NEVER have a strike. The District has a work fair and more candidates show up looking for a jog than there are open positions. And that is based on knowing that the union process will result in only a 100 potential jobs.

Look at the auto industry. There are two auto industries. A failing "Michigan based" industry dominated by unions. There is a larger, far more successful nonunion industry in the right to work states that is succeeding. How to boycot the unions? Buy American made Hondas, Toyotas, Mercedes, BMW cars. Let the big three go into bankruptcy and close their losing American operations. We just don't need them. Ford and GM could maintain their profitable European and South American operations. They could come back to the US and locate in more corporate friendly states.

Oh, Obama wants to take away the right of states to allow right to work. We can end up with a Russian state economy that is failing except for oil.

Redskin.

You need to read my posts, starting with the very first on on this thread. I am in no way am supporting McGuire. But I am interested in a truthful conversation, and Davitt is so far gone into the BS machine over PURE it's laughable. He needs to make a truthful argument, irrespective what he or any of us think of McGuire's House campaign.

I also have a problem with your characterization that I am a big $ education proponent. As I continuously say, when you compare what other districts cost, D203 is a bargain.

There is not one school district in the Chicagoland area that has higher test scores at a lower cost.

Not One!

There are a bunch that cost more and post lower results, and the few that post higher results all spend more than D203, such as Stevenson SD125 I think is their number.

Take a look here:

http://www.qualityeducation203.org/20080205referendum/costperformance_mediasurvey.shtml

Thom,

Have you yourself reviewed the PURE filings from 2007?

They missed many important deadlines, they failed to disclose their purpose and sponsorships, they have data that is wrong and inconsistent with the filings of their donators, they originally tried to hide their officers..... they are a complete mess! As I said, I find it hard to believe it was done through ignorance.

I would NOT assume/depend on DD or MD's lack of action as proof of anything. In my past dealings with the ISBE, they often require a legal write-up prior to initiating any action.

Their reasaning is sound: They have SO MANY that they cannot keep up with them all, so they use the complaintant's legal advice (and $$$) to do their preliminary work for them.

As a taxpayer I appreciate such frugality, though as a voter I am outraged by it!

Oct 29th!

Thom,

Thanks for pointing us to Davitt's anti-McGuire site. What a sick joke it is. My favorite page is the one where he urges us to boycott unions. Just how does Davitt expect us to "boycott" a teacher's union or a plumber's union? Home-school our kids? Install our own pipes?

What a coward that man is.

Thom: You seem to be the most ardent proponent of Big $ Education on this blog. The more you try to dig for Diane McGuire the deeper she appears as an unacceptable candidate. Who do you think you are kidding? She is no servant of the taxpayer. Rather, she is the union hack and democratic machine candidate. If by some chance she wins, one should rather think she is bought and paid for by the aforementioned champions of those interests and not those of the voters such as you and I. When she was going door to door in the spring, I had the distinct pleasure of confronting her about my irritation with the Democratic State of Illinois when she knocked on mine. From the inability of a one party state to pass a budget, the potential passage of the gross receipt tax to my hope and prayer that Blago is frog marched out of his office in handcuffs and sent to a Federal prison where it is my opinion he belongs. Of course her reply was; "it sounds like you will not be voting for me". Thus it was my pleasure and that of my wife to vote against her when we voted early on Friday morning. If she does not win, she can spend her time as a volunteer at Edward Hospital. The Champion.org shows her receiving an excellent retirement salary in excess of six figures. Ripping off the interests of the taxpayers to feed the interests of the teachers union and the Big Ed establishment is not acceptable while many of us are cutting expenses in our home budgets to deal with such financial obligations as our own retirements and other equally important expenses coming at us. Like Big Daddy Obama, Diane McGuire will do nothing but take more money out of our pockets.

Bob,

You know I've no wish to get into a disagreement with you, but will you please back up your claims? What specifically are you claiming PURE did wrong?

My understanding is that the ISBE is really vigilant in these matters. In fact, I remember hearing about one of D203's critics making a complaint against the Build The Future committee as they didn't file their initial report quickly enough after receiving a certain amount of donations, as they misunderstood the procedure. They expected to receive a nominal fine for it. So I have a hard time believing that PURE got away with anything. We both know Davitt and Denys would be all over the ISBE if there was anything amiss.

Thom,

You wrote " .. the unfounded accusations regarding PURE’S timing and nature of their reporting to the ISBE, .... are all complete BS. Gross hyperbole."

I have to tell you: I have reviewed the PURE filings and every accusation concerning the PURE filings is correct. They were incomplete, in error, missed deadlines, etc. I would go as far to say they were in sad shape that I cannot imagine it was done so poorly only through sheer ignorance.

For anyone interested, they are esy to get ahold of and you can see the data for yourselves.

Ladies and Gentlemen we have a new anonymous website attacking Dianne McGuire! YEAH!!!!!

http://diannemcguire.org/Home_Page.html

There’s no new ground plowed here, but the author ( my, who could it be??) seems to have jacked up the hyperbole a ton. Here’s my favorite bit:

P.U.R.E. did the union's dirty work by orchestrating a misleading and outrageous telephone push poll, and a sleazy direct mail campaign. Without a doubt, the most despicable direct mail piece was one that claimed the fiscally conservative candidates would hire bus drivers who might turn out to be sex offenders

Despicable? Sleazy? Really?

Here’s the actual quote from the mailer

The Taxpayers Ticket candidates wants to outsource transportation and custodial services to private companies, losing the control to strictly screen employees for sex offenders and qualified drivers."

PURE put out two innocuous mailers. The above quote was one of a couple of bullet points and was not the subject of the mailer. Sadly, in an attempt to conflate the issue into something it’s not, “loosing control to strictly screen for sex offenders…” becomes, “conservative candidates would hire bus drivers…………”

Readers know that I agree that PURE should have disclosed its union funding. But the rest: the so called “outrageous push poll” claims, the unfounded accusations regarding PURE’S timing and nature of their reporting to the ISBE, and the bus driver silliness are all complete BS. Gross hyperbole.

So, who’s doing this? Who’s so angry?

From my perspective, all roads (websites?) lead to Mike Davitt.

He’s angry because he managed the difficult trick of loosing he bid to get re-elected to the school board, and failed in getting his buddies elected as the Taxpayers Ticket. He won’t accept it was because of his anti-teacher, anti public school platform (my characterization) so he blames PURE, the local newspapers, the Chamber of Commerce and my organization qe203.org.

The McGuire campaign’s mis-steps ( boy is that a an understatement) of the use of offensive, untruthful mailers against Darlene Senger have given him a huge opportunity to offer a little payback. Fine, I understand. But he should be honest in his criticism, and not just make it all up.

What I find so interesting here is that Mike used to be willing to have his name attached to his work. It was clear who mikedavitt.com and the Taxpayersticket,com were, but after he lost the election the anonymous websites started cropping up. The first one was therealnuea203.org. When I outed Mike as the owner, as, while he operated it anonymously, he hadn’t learned to register it anonymously, it disappeared. In its place we currently have hold203accountable.org and now, diannemcguire.org. Both registered anonymously, (on the same platform and using some of the same material) . For someone such as myself who follows this, it is abundantly clear that these are his work.

All in all, it’s fascinating to watch. Mike Davitt goes on and on about “integrity” and unloads on McGuire for her lack of it, and her lack of disclosure, all the while being guilty of the very exact same thing! I mean talk about irony, on every page of the new website he has “A person’s actions revel their true character”! Yes it does Mike, yes it does.

Truly, all the claims and adjectives he uses against Dianne (as far as the PURE mailers and efforts) are more justifiably leveled against him. Though, if you compare the current set of mailers the McGure campaign are using against Senger, then I guess its a push.

Or, to paraphrase Pogo,

Mike Davitt has seen the enemy and it is him!

TB,

Have no fear TB! I have no interest in or for this thread and will not follow you nor do I follow you from thread to thread as you falsely allege or imagine.

I only focus on a few threads that interest me.

I only came on this thread because a blogger accidentally used my handle. That should be OBVIOUS!

I was very appreciative to him/her for changing his/her handle. That is the ONLY reason I blogged here. I want to be responsible for what I say and not what others say. I think it is important that every blogger have an identity and maintain his or her credibility!

This thread is all yours....you won't catch me arguing in an area where I know little to nothing. I know better!!!

I don't argue for the sake of arguing. I have better things to do!

Please continue to have your civil and meaningful discourse with Mr. Thom Higgins. I will not interrupt! The floor is yours!

Have a nice weekend, TB!

To: Thom Higgins on October 22, 2008 9:30 PM

You are a little loose in you desriptions! [See ("and the majority of voters, thanks be to God")].

I'm surprised you bring in God given the whole church & state thing.

Only one Board candidate received a majority of votes (Price, barely!).

The rest were all below a majority. In fact, a proper election would have held a run-off for the highest BELOW a majority.

I learned today from a co-worker of mine that it used to be illegal for the teachers union (and all public employees) to strike back in the 1970s. Is this true? So my question is...what happened? How and when did this law get overturned?

Can someone confirm? Thanks.

AA –

What you fail to see on this thread is that I was not debating or claiming to be a master of anything, but rather offering my opinion of the teacher’s union following this PURE fiasco. I think what the union did hurt their credibility. This is sure to be an issue when their contract is up and if they ever try to strike again.

Thom Higgins and I don’t see eye to eye on all topics, but we can have a civil and meaningful discourse. This is a topic we discussed once before, as I mentioned in an earlier post. I happen to like most of what Thom says regarding education, except when he goes soft on PURE (I know, Thom, we can agree to disagree here…no need to respond as I know your position).

As for you, AA, once again you’re the instigator of bringing up the Napergate crap by calling me anti-Napergatian. What relevance does it have on this thread or with this topic? It appears you have nothing better to do than follow me from thread to thread and stalk me with misinformation.

Respond if you must, AA, but let’s try to let this thread stay on target, OK?

T.B.

To Anonymous: Is there any subject you are not an expert on? Every single topic that is posted on this blog has your arogant responses. Do you look in the mirror every day and argue with yourself? Do us all a favor, take a break and find something else to do with the 20 hours a day you spend blogging!!! If you are a retiree with nothing but time on your hands, go do some volunteer work at Edward Hospital!!

Once again, the issue is simple.

Per Thom Higgins, DIANE MCGUIRE DECEIVED THE 203 TAXPAYERS.

And she deliberately tries to DECEIVE THEM AGAIN.

Thom, you should form your own blogs for your rantings that are not on point. And Mike, Jerry, and I were very transparent about our positions even as others yourself included tried to mis cast them. You proved that on a previous blog. On a personal level, I wish you would objectively state your positions and respect others rather than being so vile.

Focus on your relevant comment, the DECEPTION BY DIANE MCGUIRE.

A couple of posters have asked my thought regarding teachers striking. I will surprise them perhaps by saying that my general feeling is teachers striking a school district is a very divisive event that tears at the communities fabric. I can't think of anything that teachers do that has a more negative impact on the communities feelings towards their schools than calling a strike.

So, while I'm not about to start the petition drive myself to make it illegal in Illinois, if it was proposed I'd look at other states that outlaw it and see what their experience has been and decide from there. If it was evident that there was no real harm done to the teachers and the schools then I'd support it. But I'm not interested in doing it so we can stick it to the teachers. I have no beef with them.

Good question. I would strongly support making it illegal in Illinois for teachers to strike. Very few states allow it and for good reason. It prevents teachers unions from holding students and schools hostage to their salary demands. It takes the power away from the unions.

Mr. Higgins, would you support banning teachers strikes in Illinois?

I too do not wish to get into a long debate/argument about how all of these issues have been handled in D203. As a 30 year resident I went through Madison and Central with Dianne McGuire as my 7th grade reading teacher. I have no argument on how she was as a teacher in the classroom (back in 1979-1980). She taught, I learned and she did her job well. I resented her militant tactics as the union president years later and now in her current campaign against Darlene Senger, which has been vile at least.

As easy as it would be to blame her for some of the tax increases in D203, I think more of the blame rests with school boards past and present for not taking a harder stand against the union's demands relative to the private sector. Also, voter turnout in Naperville has been dismal so we deserve what we get. The current board was lucky to pass the last referendum earlier in the year because there is no way it would pass (in its current form) in November, especially with the drastic change in our economy since then.

If I am correct, Illinois is one of a few states that allows teacher unions to strike when the school year is in session. This definitely stirs emotion and anger and puts the public at a big disadvantage to negotiate what is fair to us (the taxpayers). We need people in state government that will make this practice illegal and Dianne McGuire in no way would be one of them.

Dan,

I'm not diverting or deflecting the conversation in any way. If you will look above you will see when we veer off the topic,
I'm responding to comments made by others.

And as the first post in this thread is mine criticizing Dianne's campaign's tactics (which I repeatedly do here), your claim that I'm in the bag with Dianne and PURE trying to deceive anyone is pretty funny.

And Dan, I'm sorry but face it, we had you and Mike pegged from the start last election.Honest and transparent? Your own words utterly convict you. No help needed from me. The Taxpayer Ticket website, Mikes many websites, his infamous "I don't hate teachers I despise them", and your amazing comment about how "Good Republicans are sending their children to Wheaton Academy", among a multitude of mis-statements and fabrications that you have made against D203 and myself, help any person who takes the time to listen to you two understand where you stand. That's why you lost Dan, and why you and Mike will never be elected to hold office by the residents of this community.

Hmmm, in Iowa they generally have poor small community schools with low pay, compared to Naperville and they do astoundingly well on standardized test in that state. Hmmm, so it must not be the money or facilities. I wonder what it could be that accounts for such great students in Iowa.

I don't hate teachers, I hate teacher unions like the NEA, NUPACE, etc. This state should make it illegal for teachers to strike.

Higgins would you support such a move?

To all,

This entire web site is about the TACTICS of DIANE MCGUIRE, not about 203. That debate can be put on a separate blog for that purpose.

So don't let Thom H. divert attention from the real issue. She "deceived" (Thom H. characterization from above, one of the few times he is on target) voters in 2005. Don't let him deflect this point.

And we are still waiting for Ms. McGuire to send back the democtratic and union money that supports a doubling on the income tax on Naperville citizens. Otherwise, she supports their position.

SHARE THE WEALTH (using our money)

Her silence is another attempt to DECEIVE Naperville voters again.

And by the way, thanks for the support for the REAL issues raised by myself and others in the last election, not the DECEPTION of PURE and Thom H. through QE 203. We need honest, transparent elections rather than misrepresentation of the positions.

First to the original Another Anonymous I didn't mean to steal your hand, the name just came out because the post before me was "Anonymous".

Now to Thom, it seems you always advocate that because the cost is only a little above average the amount of taxation is acceptable. However before 1999 and the start of the massive contracts the costs were below the average and that was one of the 02 Referendum selling point. On this point Mike is correct, the quality of education in the district has been high and the large increases haven't bought us anything extra.

To your second statement about the teachers not having a clue, initially when the mailers came out that might have been true but since 100% of the funding came from IPACE, and Mr Griffen didn't condemn those mailing before or after the election there is a problem. If it is wrong they should be condemming the union and IPACE that didn't happen. I work in regulated industry and if I find something wrong and do not identify it to the proper personal I am just as guilty as the person who caused or initiated the problem. That type of standard applies here, there must be integrity in the district.

Also, if the teachers are so good how come when I teacher gets nailed for using old copies of state standardized tests the punishment is instead of being a Math teacher, she is now the Tech teacher in the Jr. High for the 6th grade exploratory class. I haven't seen other teachers speaking out and condemming that either.

Dianne McGuire is part of this problem, she was part of Union leadership whose contract demands have abused the taxpayers, she was part of the underhanded PURE campaign and now her campaign is being run the same way. She doesn't deserve to be in office.

The Sun received this letter on Wednesday:

Dear Editor:

An article published in the October 21, 2008 issue of the Naperville
Sun, "Attack ads challenged in 96th District:

McGuire downplays link to 'sleazy' tactics in D203 school board
elections," referenced a partisan group called "People United for
Responsible Education" and refers to the group throughout by the acronym "PURE."

Our organization, Parents United for Responsible Education (PURE), was incorporated in the state of Illinois in 1987. We are a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit, non-partisan, public school parent advocacy organization with a long and highly-respected history of service to public school families throughout the Chicago area.

The name of the group referenced in your article is nearly identical to the legal name of our 20-year-old organization. A quick Google search on "People United for Responsible Education" brings up our group's home page as the first entry. The use of this name which is so similar to ours may cause confusion about the identity of the organization in the public's perception.

The Sun article links the partisan "PURE" group to allegedly sleazy
tactics, describes it as a group created to support endorsed candidates, and says it failed to file required disclosures with the state board of elections, acted as a shell organization for the local teachers' union, and circulated questionable flyers to smear opposition candidates. Allegations about activities such as these may cause damage to the reputation and non-profit status of our organization.

We have already written to candidate Dianne McGuire, the treasurer of
"People United for Responsible Education," asking that they immediately cease using this name for political or any other activities.

We would appreciate a printed clarification from your newspaper as well.

Thank you for your attention. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Yours truly,

Julie Woestehoff
Executive Director

Mr. Thom Higgins,

Just so you know the person who wrote as "Another Anonymous" is not the real Another Anonymous who is me and has been blogging for months with that handle.

Therefore I will not be able to respond since I know nothing about this topic and have written nothing about it.

I wish Host Ted would not let imitators steal ones unique handle.

Bloggers should build their own credibility....not try to hijack someone elses.

I have a lot of respect for you Mr. Higgins, even though at times I disagree with you!

Good luck getting a response from the phony "Another Anonymous!"

I am strictly focused on City Hall corruption and improprieties. I will leave the school system for others to figure out!!!

I have got a full time job in downtown Chicago and a rather large family so I can not spread myself to thin and be qualified to debate any topic on this blog site in a meaningful way.

Bloggers like TB and Ken are experts in all fields. They will debate you for the sake of debating. Watch out for those 2 anti-Napergatians!!!

____________________________________________________________________

PS. Be assured, Mr. Higgins, I did not put any words in your mouth. The phony imitator who used my handle put words in your mouth. Hopefully, he will choose his own handle in the future and clear things up.

TB

Thanks for your comments. Let me say this, although we disagree with the severity of the "foul". We both are in complete agreement that PURE should have disclosed its teachers union relationship.

Believe me, I'm in no way interested in being seen as supporting the fact they didn't disclose, and had I been involved, those fliers would have had a short notice such as "Paid for by the NUEA." That's what drives me so crazy, it would have been so easy to add the notice. And the two mailers PURE did were harmless, especially compared to the ones being sent out against Darlene Senger. I keep getting new ones from my friends in the 96th. They are like a really bad joke. I'm utterly astounded anyone would think they will work in Naperville, and they exemplify the worst instincts in campaign tactics, especially the manipulation of the photographs of Darlene. Now that's disgraceful, and my Democratic friends are just as mad, (if not more so) than my Republican friends. Huge mistake.

But back to the teachers. 99.9% of the teachers hadn't a clue, or a say, in the PURE mailers. Please don't damn them for something they had no control over. I'll also go out on a limb and say that it seems the atmosphere between the teachers union and the district is much improved these days. We all forget how turbulent the Weber years were. On a number of fronts, this was a pretty dysfunctional district back then. Dr. Leis came and righted the ship, and has done an exemplary job rebuilding the relationship with the teachers (and the community too!).

Thom –

Like Bob S., I don’t want to get in the middle of an argument between yourself and DD. However, I will say that you at least make a logical argument in a sane and rational manner, something that should be emulated by some who oppose you.

My point about being PURE’s chief apologist was that I think you’re soft-peddling an issue that is of great concern to many taxpayers in D203. To say the teacher’s union made a mistake and try to put it in the past would overlook a serious breach of the taxpayers’ trust. The union, and McGuire, pulled one over on us. You may think the PURE campaign didn’t affect the election, but the attempt to mislead is serious enough.

The way the teachers union acted in that election leads me to distrust them at every turn. McGuire’s short-sighted strategy for this contract could and should come back to haunt the union in the future. I will not support the teachers in any future contract talks or strikes. I just don’t trust them.

I agree that your criticism of McGuire’s campaign is right on target. I just wish that going forward you could ad distance between yourself and her actions regarding PURE.

T.B.

Thom: we spend hundreds of millions of dollars to educate what, 18,000 students in D203 alone? And 204 spends hundreds of millions of dollars to do the same for about 20,000 students. To look at per pupil spending averages is actually not reality. At the least, it is not the true cost of public education. If spending about $17,000-$20,000 per student per year was the true cost, it would obviously be a bargin but of course, the expenditures are in the hundreds of millions of dollars during the life of just the bonds. We should support the elimination of property taxes and local school boards to generate revenue with tax referendums and have the money generated on a statewide tax and subsequently distributed by the Illinois Department of Education. It would also eleminate the corrupt relationship of the school board and teachers union and return it to Springfield where outside of Chicago and Cook County, corruption belongs.

Responding to Mike Davitt.

Mike. I marvel at your style. You’ve been carrying on forever about how kids were getting the same fine education when we were spending $100 million less. Now suddenly it’s $150 million less! Wow, some serious inflation going on here (better change your home page too!). Are we now to consider that there hasn’t been any changes in education since I guess the mid 1980’s when the budget was actually $150 million less, or say approximately 65% less than our current budget?

Yup, it’s all gone to those damn teachers who don’t really make a difference anyway. Forget about the huge increases in special ed, or the costs of no child left behind, technology, and specialized curriculum, or 20 years of inflation. Help me remember, what did a car or home cost in 1985, how much were you making then vs. now?. Nah, forget it, it’s not any of that, it was all a giveaway to those militant teachers.

And I’m sure the Asian community is really appreciative of your comment that the increases in ACT scores are all due to their increasing numbers. BTW Mike what year was it that the state or Feds required all students to take the ACT test, not just those that were headed to college wasn't it 2006? Are you really saying that the fact that 203’s ACT scores amazingly remained high even after every Junior was required to take the test, that all these kids who weren’t planning on going to college but were now required to take the test were all Asian, or is it that the Asians all aced the test and pulled up the scores to compensate for all those struggling Anglo's? My, how very racist of you.

Seriously, once and for all, explain to everyone why teaches and this administration haven’t any impact on our children's education. And tell us why others school districts, that have similar socioeconomic characteristics, many who spend more than D203, fail to have their students achieve the same academic scores 203 does. Are you really going to tell us it’s because of the number of Asians in our schools? Really?

You can call me, and the teachers any sort of names you want, but in the end, thankfully, the overwhelming number of residents in this town see you for what you are, a person who in on some sort of twisted crusade to wage war against teachers and dismantle public education.

Thankfully, you will never succeed in this town. Never.

Another Anonymous

Serious question for you. When you read Davitt’s statements, especially his infamous “I don’t hate teachers I despise them” or his anonymous website(s) that he hasn’t the integrity to admit to being the owner of, how on earth can you still feel that he is actually about fiscal responsibility? Or that he has even the slightest interest in public education? It’s crystal clear to me (and the majority of voters, thanks be to God), that he holds teachers in contempt, and is on some kind of anti-public education crusade. Seriously, do you really believe that he has the students best interests at heart? How can someone who seethes with contempt against teachers, the administration, school board, and any one who disagrees with him, be considered fit to hold a position on the school board? Or frankly, someone who’s grasp of the truth is shall we say somewhat impaired?

Also, I have real problems with you putting words in my mouth here;

Please stand on what your position is Thom and Mark and run for school board on the platform we need to spend more money and give it to the teachers.

I’m not advocating that we spend more money and give it to the teachers. I do advocate for the fact that D203 is a bargain when you consider that we spend just a little more than the state average per student, and considerably less than many other lower performing districts. I think it is self evident that D203 has been a very responsible steward of our funds, the district isn’t mindlessly throwing money at the teachers. And perhaps that’s where we part company. To me it is supremely evident that this district places a high premium on hiring excellent teachers, the majority I believe with advanced degrees. I believe that the district and its teachers are responsible for helping our students perform at such a high academic level. All you have to do is compare our costs and achievements against other districts to see that. I don’t know how you rebut it.

I guess you feel that you have been abused as a taxpayer, I understand, but after it’s all said and done, if you could wave your magic wand and change the past what would have been different? And by that I mean what amount of income to the schools would you have cut (My assumption being this will be your response), but also where do you cut from the budget? Teachers salaries? What then? Are you going to tell me that the majority of teachers would still be here when they could make more elsewhere? Are you one of the people who think teachers don't matter, and anyone will do?

Good Lord.

I hate to have to spell this out to people like Anonymous and Mike Davitt (and thanks to Mike for having the guts to use his name), but some things cost money. There are physical plant upgrades, equipment upgrades, and, yes, more money to teachers, teaching assistants, staff, custodians, and others. Or do you and your fellow Taxpayer Ticket zealots decline annual raises where you work?

And please -- please -- don't go down a path of racial stereotyping with your introduction of the concept of an increasing "Asian population" in Naperville as the reason for increasing test scores. You can't be serious, can you?

I already pointed out the problems with CPS. DC is another school system in disarray. The problem is, you and people like you aren't looking for solutions; you simply don't want to fund schools. You aren't looking out for the taxpayers; you're looking to stick it to educators. Why?

Clearly, militancy is in the eye of the beholder. You think teachers and the Board are militant because they want money. Others think you and your like-minded thinkers are militant because you hold teachers -- and the teaching profession -- in such obvious contempt.

When I attended the debate for school board candidates, not once did you even commend or compliment teachers. You clearly said that the only reason Naperville students did well was because of the parents. Nothing about well trained, qualified and committed teachers; nothing about exceptional physical plants; nothing about dynamic curricula. That's myopia at its finest.

Hey Mark, our schools were just as good when we were spending $150M less than today. Explain that one everyone. We're paying more for the same, and people like you and HIggins claim taxpayers are getting a value? What an idiotic argument. By the way, 203's ACT scores have increased at about the same rate Naperville's Asian population has increased. Are you going to credit teachers for that coincidence too? If paying our militant teachers more actually results in a better education for students, whey don't you and Higgins run for school board on that very platform. And how come D.C. doesn't have the best educated students in the country - they spend more per student than any other state? Oh, it must be because they don't have 203's teachers! You and NUEA shill Higgins clearly have it all figured out. If only you guys could enlighten the Chicago schools!

I would like to respond to a few of the previous posts. First for Anonymous at 12:28 pm I agree, more spending does not mean better results. On top of that one of the districts consultants, a retire professor from ISU who helped revamp the 1-5 math curriculum stated that the biggest reason for naperville school success is the large concentration of household with both parents with college degrees.

Next to the attack by Mark on Mike Davitt, you need to go back and read what the Taxpayer's ticket position was. It never was to cut spending but control it, meaning very simply that salary increases had to be limited by the expected increases in revenues. However, that was interpreted by the Union and individuals like Mr Higgins as cuts. A little history lesson, in 1999 to avert a strike a teachers contract was negotiated at 4 or so in the morning on the day school was to start. The contract gave the teachers large raises for 3 years which exceeded revenue/tax growth. So eventually the district determines that they will run a deficit and a committee was formed. The committee recomendations were that a referendum would be needed and had three amounts based on the next teachers contract being either 1, 2 or 3 percent above CPI (which was the limit on tax increases). So in December 2001 the board negotiated the teachers contract early and gave them average raises approximately CPI + around 2 to 2.5%. Then in Jan 02 approve putting the infamous referendum to the community. We all know the district took more money than it promised, see the Summer 2005 letter from Dr. Leis. Then in 2005 another big teachers contract which exceeded projected revenue growth. Very simply this district has a track record of abusing the taxpayers in the community, and Dianne McGuire was part of teachers union leadership during this time. We know what she stands for, more money for the teachers. It is simple if she claims property taxes will be controlled, then the only other way to grab more money is to raise income taxes. Dianne McGuire is another big government TAX AND SPEND Democrat. Sorry there are many who are tired and finally the Sun had the courage to expose the underhand nature of Dianne McGuire. Please stand on what your position is Thom and Mark and run for school board on the platform we need to spend more money and give it to the teachers. Otherwise, stop trying to justify the grab of more money by District 203 as legit. It wasn't.

Anonymous,

Your statement -- "It's time to stop the myth that 203 and 204 are great because of the teachers. That is false." -- is perhaps the most arrogant, short-sighted and self-aggrandizing thing I've seen in print on this subject.

Yes, parental involvement in education is critical. Yes, parental attitudes toward education and expectations of their children are critical. And yes, parental age, educational background and lifestyle are critical to a successful education. But don't you understand that parental age and educational background translate into economic terms? Don't you understand that good teachers are drawn to successful schools, not just expensive ones (that's why teacher turnover within 203 is so low)? And don't you understand that higher educational spending translates into superior equipment and more opportunites for students?

And please don't use CPS per-student spending to illustrate your argument. Chicago Public Schools do have a very high level of spend per student, but it is wasted on a corrupt and inefficient educational system. That's not the case here.

Your belief that teachers don't impact student performance is both absurd and flat-out wrong, and it illustrates your contempt for teachers and administrators in this very successful system. They deserve better.

Anonymous,

Just because it's an easy comparison, can you please tell us how your two predictors illustrate the difference in test scores between 203 and 204?

203 students consistently score significantly higher than 204. You are telling us that it's because 203 parents are older and more educated than 204 parents? Really? Does this explain why 203 students do better on standardized tests than say Wheaton, Barrington or St. Charles?

I'm sorry, and I'm trying to be civil, but to say that teachers (and I assume school district administrators too) don't matter is just plain wrong, and certainly is not the premise of the book you cite.

What is the greatest predictor of a students success in school? If you read Freakonomics you'd know. The two biggest predictors are level of parents education and if you had a child later in life. Not how much money is spent on education. If money spent was an indicator then CPS students would be rocket scientist and rural Iowa schools would be poor performers. As we all know the exact opposite is true. It's time to stop the myth that 203 and 204 are great because of the teachers. That is false.

Bye Bye Dianne. "I feel good!! I knew that I would now, dah dah dah!!!"

Thom,

Thanks for your post of 6:21. It's time that Davitt is publicly called out for what he is: someone who stops at nothing to advance his myopic cause of reducing education funding to as little as possible. He continually slurs teachers, Board members, public officials and anyone else who seems to believe that good schools lead to great communities, and that, like it or not, good schools cost money.

Davitt's supposed championing of the taxpayer is a joke. Why doesn't he understand that people simply don't support his short-sighted view of things? You'd think being booted off the Board by voters in the last SB election would have opened his eyes.

Redskin,

You are of course entitled to your opinion, but I don't think it comports with reality. It is a verifiable fact that D203 spends only slightly more than the state average per student. D203 has shown it's an effective manager of the funds entrusted to it, they're not spending money needlessly. Believe me, there are a host of districts that spend far more than we do.

It is also a fact that our students achieve greater academic results than other school districts who have comparable socioeconomic characteristics, many of which spend significantly greater sums of money for lesser results.

Lastly, no industry will have level salaries over broad geographic regions. If you think D203 can pay a teacher the same as a small town school district such as DeSoto, you are kidding yourself.

Our schools are one of the crown jewels of this community. It's one of the most important reasons why people move to Naperville. The overwhelming majority of residents in this community (many who do not have children in school currently), place a high emphasis on education. They appreciate the excellence of our schools, and realize that supporting our schools is vital to this communities children, and the economic well being of Naperville.

Here's a couple of links that help everyone understand the excellence of our school district and the absolute bargain they are compared to other school districts.

http://www.naperville203.org/about/ProudtoBe203.asp

http://www.qualityeducation203.org/20080205referendum/costperformance_mediasurvey.shtml

I think we finally put the nail in the coffin of McGuire's campaign, and I must say as James Brown used to say, "IFEEL GOOD!!!!!"

DIANE MCGUIRE IS A TOTAL ILLINOIS DEMOCRAT. Not a "blue dog", but a TOTAL

TAX AND SPEND

SPREAD THE WEALTH

TAKE YOUR MONEY

GIVE IT TO THE UNIONS (TEACHERS FIRST)

DEMOCRAT.

Yet she can bring herself to even put that on her web site. Does she think we are stupid or is she ashamed?

DON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN!!!! (From a former candidate who was fooled.)

My favorite ad is Diane's ad with the boxer taking a beating, representing the taxpayer getting new taxes socked to it, allegedly by Darlene's voting history on the city council. The same Diane who as president of the teachers union led a strike against the taxpayers that in the end, cost the taxpayers a fortune when the spineless school board gave up 5 or 6% raises per year during a three year contract subsequently negotiated after the strike. As I recall, it was about 2% per year more than a typical taxpayer would earn in raises in the real world of a 12 month work year. The point is that the education establishment in Naperville has succeeded in making public education in Naperville the biggest business in town. Both boards, 203 and 204 do not believe they have any responsibility to control spending. I was always opposed to funding education at the state level and not local property taxes however I now believe the only way to check out of control tax and spend people like Thom Higgins, Suzyn Price, the teachers union and others who think more money = better education is to make them compete with all the other school districts in the state for funding. Then we can have equal education and labor costs uniformly across the state. A ten year teacher in Naperville should not be making $30,000 a year more than a ten year teacher in say De Soto, Illinois. Lets not send a teacher to Springfield.

I want add some additional info and thoughts to what Mike, Dan and others have stated. The grand total through 10/20 contributions for Diane McGuire is $310,700 from the Democratic Party (98% Illinois Democratic Party) plus $55,400 from various Teachers Unions (IPACE, Ill Fed of Teachers and West Suburban Teachers Association Local 571). It is clear Diane McGuire is part of the Chicago/Illinois Democratic Party MACHINE and is in full agreement with the Madigan plan to increse the state income tax. However she is afraid stand up and say that because she would have no chance of getting elected. So instead, Just like PURE she is trying to say the State Party is doing all the dirty work for her and she is not part of it. That is absolute garbage because her campaign has accepted over $200,000 in funds from the Democratic Party. Since she has accepted these fund and has not denounced and returned the money from the Democratic Party she is an integral part of the Sleeze campaign. Last to comment on Mr. Higgens comments including the statement "it would serve them well to consider that it is the excellence of their candidates and the beliefs they espouse, that will offer them a road to victory". The only position Dianne has stated is she will control property taxes, but doesn't say how. Unfortunately all government bodies are looking for more funds, therefore if property taxes are controlled she is a supporter of the plan to raise the income taxes. That is a great plan, increase my income taxes so you can control property taxes. You are still looking to tax me more. No thank you, even with her flaws I support Darlene Senger.

No Surprise!!!! Diane McGuire was a bully in the classroom and now she is a bully on the campaign trail.

TB

I'm not interested in being anyone's chief apologist. But I have to call them the way I see them, and the in the main, the way Davitt and others go on and on about PURE is a gross over reach in my mind. Believe me, I'm all about calling a spade a spade, hence my criticism of McGuire's campaign, but also my unwillingness for Davitt and others to claim things that simply are untrue about PURE.

Which brings me to Bob S's comments. Bob, I am almost 100% positive that all you have to do is lodge a complaint with the ISBE (assuming that they themselves don't catch the infraction). Regardless, only they have standing with regards to any fines. No lawsuits or lawyers needed. And none retained, or fines levied, as no laws were broken.

Lastly regarding Mr. Davitt's comments. Frankly, as someone who operates hate filled anonymous websites it's pretty rich to see you chastise me for not having my name on my organizations newspaper ad when my name is easily found on our website, and I always post here in my own name. Lastly, no one believes your phony citizen group, union shill, collaboration nonsense. If I was any of that I hardly would have posted my critical comments regarding the McGuire campaign. Such anger, such hatred to those you disagree with. I pity you more than anything else Mike.

I am a teacher (although currently taking time out to help family.) We are a typical middle income family in the Waubonsie Valley area of Aurora. I grew up with a father who owned his own business and served on the local school board. When Dianne McGuire stopped by our home one afternoon, I thought that she might be someone I would support. She touted her support for education and small business. Then I received the ad with the hanger in the mail. And then another ad that had little about her, just more slanted info against Senger. She had started to lose me with the first ad, the second just put the last nail in her coffin for me. I refuse to vote and support someone who uses those tactics. Thanks to Diane's ads, Darlene Senger will get my vote.

Thom,

Your first post is a good one and the first part sums up what most in Naperville feel about McGuire's campaign. I found her vile.

Moving on, "illegal" is kinda a big word. But.....

It is pretty clear that PURE failed to properly and completely comply with the letter and intent of the State election laws in filing the activities of PURE with the State. A simple review of the filings show that they were filed late AND incomplete.

Per the published rules, PURE attempted to circumvent the clear intentions of the Illinois campaign disclosure act (section 9-10, 9-13, and 9-14) by direct means of either intentional, or incompetent, subterfuge.

So, if the shoe fits ----- I would with a clear conscious say PURE violated the law.

Thom, your logic that Dan D., Davitt, etc NOT jumping on it and suing as proof it was not illegal falls short in logic.

Why? You do not address the time & cost of such activities, nor the balancing of the same with the rewards of winning.

I can assure you that the State Election Board suffers from slow-acting inertia and prefers to wait for citizens to spend money on lawyers prior to getting involved. Since we all know each other, I think we can safely agree (?) that the odds of spending this type of money as a citizen are pretty low.

Finally, I do not want to get into one of those endless arguments you & Dan seem to have. I only signed on to read the blog on the Sun article as I really despise McGuire's tactics.

Let's spend our energy on something more productive, like Omnia, ROC development, and the Woods of Old Plank Road!

Thom -

I think you and I have discussed the PURE topic in the past. I think the word I settled on was "deceived". PURE deceived the taxpayers of D203. So how can McGuire be trusted now?

I really think you have a passion for quality education, but you're biggest fault is being PURE's chief apologist.

T.B.

The Illinois Ed Assoc has contributed $24,000 to McGuire and $5,000 from the Illinois Fed of Teachers as a thank you to McGuire for her years of strikes against Naperville families, resulting in 7% annual increases for teachers and skyrocketing property taxes for taxpayers. These teacher unions have a pro-tax agenda, and they know full well where McGuire's allegiance lies (and it's not with the taxpayers). As far as the comments from the Sun's own professional blogger, T. Higgins...like McGuire, he also conspired with the NUEA to establish a phony citizens group (QE 203) to campaign on behalf of the same school board candidates the union endorsed. And just like McGuire, he forgot to associate his name in the QE 203 ads (perhaps like McGuire he too didn't know that he was a founder of the organization). Higgins' collaboration with the union shows he is a just a shill for the NUEA (with way too much free time on his hands I might add). Back to work, Mr. Higgins, you have property taxes to pay (unless you rent)!

Anonymous,

No one can comment on every single aspect of a issue. Any honest reader of my words will understand they they also apply to Sengersecrets.

As far as PURE Illegally filing their reports, well, here we go down the rabbit hole again. In the prior thread there were all sorts of accusations that PURE broke the law. However, that's all they were; accusations. Had PURE actually broken the law we can rest assured that Davitt et. al. would have been on it big time. Lacking any actual violation of the law, there are those who infer/claim it hoping unsuspecting readers will fall for it.

After the stuff I've read the last few weeks, I am embarrassed by all the McGuire signs in my neighborhood. What a nasty, lying troll. I am going to do everything possible to persuade my neighbors to vote for Senger.

Politics is dirty business, especially politics in Illinois. If you disagree then maybe you can offer an explanation as to why Illinois is rated as the single most corrupt state in all of America.

Politicians lie all the time. They make campaign promises that they know they can not deliver on once in office. They lie about their competition. They lie about the issues. And we all know it and put up with it. There is no legal precedent for "truth in politics" like there is with "truth in advertising".

Despite promises and best efforts even the campaigns that start off on the most civil of terms tend to get ugly when it becomes apparent that one of the candidates is the underdog. That is when things usually take a turn for the worst, the mud starts flying, and the gloves come off.

Why does anyone even pretend to be shocked, surprised, or even insulted by this? This has happened in nearly every single election for as long as any of us can probably remember. With the competitive nature of Americans do any of us actually expect that whoever is trailing in the polls will not "do whatever it takes" to better their chances of getting elected?

Rather than belly ache about something that isn't very likely to change any time soon it would be more productive to take most of this for what is... hollow campaign rhetoric. Voters who have made up their mind with regard to the issues and the candidates have long demonstrated that they do not change their vote based upon this type of negative campaigning. If you are a voter who has already decided on how you will cast your vote please realize the negative campaign messages are not even aimed at you.

People who don't actually get out and vote do not make a difference in this type of campaign either, though each party will always try to have a better showing than the other parties... the idea being is that such a small percentage of people vote that if they can influence more people to not be apathetic that they can actually get elected by beating the odds.

The only voters who might be a good target for this type of campaigning are those who are undecided. The question, of course, becomes how many undecided voters there are in any given election because the numbers do vary. The smaller the number of undecided voters the less of an impact this type of campaigning will have. And historically the statistics are not in favor of undecided last minute voters shifting the results of an election. Very poor odds indeed.

Anyone else notice when Mrs. Kravitz (Higgins) discusses PURE he never mentions the fact that they ILLEGALLY filed their reports?

I don't like negative campaigning and I never have. The only exception might be if the negative claim were thouroughly researched, absolutely true, and inoffenseive to any innocent parties. Diane fails this test badly. I think of myself as independent and this election (at least in the 96th district) I will vote Republican.

Thank you, thank you, Naperville Sun for finally exposing Dianne McGuire! She is the treasurer of PURE and she can't even file reports on time! But again, I am convinced she did it on PURPOSE knowing she would face little penalty. That alone should show anyone how sleazy this chick really is.

Oh and one other thing Mrs. Kravitz. You keep on hammering Davitt for supposedly having anonymous websites, etc. How about www.sengersecrets.com? Where is your moral outrage for that site? There is a difference. Davitt isn't running for anything so as far as I am concerned he can have as many anonymous sites as he wants. McGuire is running for something yet she still has anonymous sites. You sir, are a hypocrite.

Forgot one thing.

The Illinois Democratic Party is financing Diane McGuire's campaign. They want to double the income tax on Naperville residents (I think this is part of the "SHARE THE WEALTH" welfare program.

She has been VERY SILENT on this matter. Does she agree with this policy? If so, will she demonstrate that she is so opposed by returning their money? She can take a loan out on her house and borrow against her pension to repay them.

Humorous.

"I had a minor role to play." Couple of comments. Diane McGuire is the face of PURE, she put her name on the organization. By doing so, she accepts FULL RESPONSIBILITY for the actions of PURE. Now if there are others, fine. Tell the Sun. Expose the people behind the deception of the taxpayers.

On the other hand, if she is too ignorant to understand responsbility, then she has to accept the consequences.

In any event, how can anybody, that's right, ANYBODY vote for somebody who is either too stupid to understand what she did or unwilling to accept the responsibility for what she did?

As Harry Truman stated, the buck stops here (with Diane McGuire). Either expose the people or accept defeat.

Like so many Dems, especially in this election year, McGuire will obviously resort to any low life tactics, lies, and distortions to get elected. I don't trust her and would never vote for her. Trust is still a big issue for anyone seeking public office and it's getting harder and harder to find that quality.

Kudos to Mike Davitt for continuing to expose the manipulative tactics of the NUEA, the District 203 teacher's union! They have too much power over this school district.

As far as the McGuire mailers go, if the Democratic party wants to make inroads representing this area, it would serve them well to consider that it is the excellence of their candidates and the beliefs they espouse, that will offer them a road to victory.

Factually incorrect, and offensive mailers, such as those sent by the Ill Democratic Party in support of Dianne will all but ensure her defeat. Tactics such as these have been blessedly absent here in Naperville. No longer. It seems that the Democratic Party of Illinois, who have seemingly taken control of Dianne McGuire’s campaign, apparently lost the memo explaining that Karl Rove and his allies tactics have severely damaged the Republican party nationally, and here locally, tactics such as this mean certain defeat. Naperville deserves better.

But regarding the comments regarding PURE and the last school board election, I have to demur. Yes, PURE could have saved themselves a lot of trouble by inserting a disclaimer that it was funded by the Teachers Union. I don’t think it would have matter one bit, and personally I think would have been the right thing to do, Here I agree with Davitt somewhat. Although to be fair it is typical of how advocacy groups operate.

However, I do reject the claim that the PURE mailers were sleazy. Mike Davitt goes on and on about the PURE mailers, and usually conflates the following sentence into claiming that the mailer said they wanted to hire sex offenders. I report, the reader can decide;

The Taxpayers Ticket candidates wants to outsource transportation and custodial services to private companies, losing the control to strictly screen employees for sex offenders and qualified drivers."

PURE was formed in the last weeks of the campaign because the teachers (correctly in my view), saw the Taxpayers Ticket for what they were, a threat to public education in Naperville. Mr. Davitt’s own words have proven to verify that opinion as correct. In this very blog Davitt offered that opinion that “I don’t hate teachers I despise them”. Taken in conjunction with what is most assuredly his website, http://hold203accountable.org one would be silly not to take him at his word. He does despise teachers and our public education system, we are well rid of him.

As a personal disclaimer, I am part of QE203.org that also opposed the Taxpayers Ticket in the last election. We are an independent resident group that is not affiliated with any other group or organization. You can click on my nane and it will take you to our website. We have a 2007 election link on the left side of the page and also a link that talks about Mr. Davitt's various anonymous websites.