It's Only Fair
Since 2003, D11 residents have been kept well informed as to who supported the 4 candidates who were elected to the Board that year. However, the local press has shown no interest in the backers of the 2005 slate, even though they spent over $1 million to purchase those seats. It is only fair that the public gets to know the people behind the money that was spent on D11 in 2005.
Pam Zubek wrote an article for the Gazette in November 2003 that gave background information about supporters of the reform slate that was running for the Board. Zubek mentioned John Seaman and Ed McVaney, and she told the public that these men supported vouchers and school choice. Following are exerts from her article:
Republicans Edward Mc-Vaney, founder of software giant JD Edwards and Co., and communications executive John Saeman and his wife, Carolyn, have given more than $15,000 to four candidates. Willie Breazell, Craig Cox, Eric Christen and Sandy Shakes have received $1,900 each from McVaney and $1,900 each from the Saemans.
Each of us received $1900 from these supporters, and $15,000 was given in total by these men. That was considered a big story. Both McVaney and Seaman are well known for their support of school choice. Both men are on the record as believing that choice strengthens our schools, and that it gives parents leverage over their childrens' education. Both the Gazette and Citizen's Project publish candidate surveys prior to each election. In those surveys, all 4 of us candidates (Willie Breazell, Eric Christen, Sandy Shakes, and myself), publicly declared our support for school choice. To this day, our opponents decry the influence of what they call, "Denver money" in that race. The question is, what is it that concerns them? All 4 candidates claimed to support choice, and the Denver supporters sent money to the 4 candidates who supported choice. The logical outcome, of course, is that we would be influenced to support choice, which we already do. Based on election results in El Paso County from 1996 (the last time a voucher amendment was on the ballot), the majority of El Paso County residents also support choice. What is the issue?
Another supporter of ours who gave money to our campaigns is local businessman Steve Schuck. A recent Gazette article dispelled rumors that Schuck is out to destroy public schools. In fact, Schuck supports choice and any other program that helps kids to get a quality education. Again, the big fear here is that Schuck might influence 4 people to support choice when those 4 people are already inclined to do so.
Now let's look at the supporters of the 2005 slate. The big money in 2005 came from the teacher's union, Tim Gill, Pat Stryker, Jared Polis, and the Progressive Majority. Of those 5 people or entities, none reside in Colorado Springs. The Progressive Majority and the headquarters of the union are based in Washington D.C. What do these entities stand for and what influence do they want to have over their D11 Board members?
First of all, let's compare the donations from 2005 to 2003. The teacher's union contributed at least $200,000; Tim Gill contributed $150,000; Pat Stryker added $70,000; Jared Polis threw in another $70,000; The Progressive Majority paid over $250,000 to fund these campaigns. The $1900 that was a "scandal" in 2003 looks pretty paltry in comparison. So what do these groups and people stand for and why are they buying seats in D11?
Union leaders from across the nation have proudly proclaimed that they do not represent kids or parents. They represent teachers. The union has always contributed to Democrat Party and liberal causes whether they have anything to do with education or not. The union has recently joined forces with the AFL-CIO to increase its ability to be militant. The union wants to control the local school districts, so they must control the boards. Unions are adamantly opposed to any type of reform that would improve the state of education. They are opposed to rewards for high performing teachers, and they are opposed to removing poor performing teachers. If teachers are removed from the system, then the union loses their union dues, which are used to fund liberal causes. The agenda of the union is much more important to its leadership than is the education of kids. Despite its ability to purchase school boards across the country, the union leadership has never offered any ideas on how to improve our struggling public schools. The school board members who are supported by union money are required to be void of ideas as well (another blog post will deal exclusively with the agenda of the union).
Tim Gill not only supported the 2005 slate, but he was a major contributor to the current recall effort against Sandy Shakes and Eric Christen. Remember, this homosexual activist lives in the Denver area. What is his interest in D11? What is Gill all about? The following information comes directly from his own website:
The Gill Foundation, established in 1994 by software entrepreneur Tim Gill, seeks to secure equal opportunity for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression. The Gill Foundation is the nation's largest funder focusing primarily on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights.
Tim is an avid snowboarder, parasailer and hiker, recently reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Tim and his partner Scott Miller live in Denver, Colorado.
While the bulk of the (Gill) Foundation's grants go to glbtq causes, some are awarded to other entities such as libraries, children's charities, and arts organizations. Gill feels that it is important to make "straight folks aware that the organizations they know and love also get gay support."
Gill, who is gay, founded software-maker Quark Inc. in 1981 and pocketed hundreds of millions of dollars after selling his stake in 2000. He poured roughly $200 million into the Gill Foundation, begun in 1994 to support gay and lesbian causes.
In recent years, he has become more active politically, supporting Democratic Party causes. (Denver post  11 October 2006).
What influence does Gill have over John Gudvangen, Tami Hasling, and Sandra Mann? Why did he pour so much money into the 2005 D11 race, and why is he funding the recall effort? What do his 3 candidates owe him for his $150,000 donation?
Pat Stryker is a Ft. Collins billionaire. What does she stand for and what causes does she support?
Pat Stryker was born into one of the wealthiest families in the country. Forbes has estimated her net worth at more than $960 million...Stryker gave ($100,000) July 10 to Coloradans for Fairness and Equality, which is campaigning for a measure that would give gay couples many of the benefits and responsibilities afforded to married couples. It is on the ballot because of legislative action.
What interest does Stryker have in D11, and what influence does she have over the 2005 slate in return for her $70,000?
Jared Polis is a member of the Colorado Board of Education. Of the 3 liberal millionaires who helped to purchase the 2005 slate, Polis has the closest background to having an interest in education. According to his website:
Jared Polis FoundationMission: We encourage individuals and organizations to be proactive by supporting and pursuing education and technology in Colorado communities.
From the Boulder Daily Camera 7/1/06: And, 2-1/2 years into a relationship with a male partner he declined to name, Polis says he'll be supporting a domestic-partnership measure this fall. That he is gay  no surprise to family and friends  hasn't been widely known, but Polis says he's visible enough in the community that he's made "a personal decision to share this."
Why is Polis interested in D11 to the extent that he spent $70,000 here? What ideas does he want his 3 candidates to implement that will improve D11?
The Progressive Majority is a D.C. based organization that strives for a liberal majority at all levels of government across the country. While local liberals complain about "Denver money" in 2003, where is the outcry over the money from this organization, which espouses the following on its website:
Progressive Majority has a clear and bold purpose: To elect progressive champions who will help change the direction of this country. We will do this by building a nationwide member network that will provide much-needed early support to progressive candidates - helping them to win elections and bring our values back into the halls of government.
Progressive Majority is your one-stop connection to innovative and idealistic candidates working to build a practical  and progressive  future. Progressive Majority will foster the emergence of a talented "farm team" of future progressive leaders and decision-makers. We know it's not going to happen overnight. But it can happen with disciplined strategies, determination and yes, your dollars.
It's time to turn up the heat. Progressive Majority members need to lead the way against the anti-worker, anti-family, anti-environmental agenda being pushed by conservatives in power. But that's not all. Progressives must also challenge and embolden Democrats to fight against the conservative tide at the local and state level across the country.
Progressive Majority uses its website to brag about the victory of Gudvangen and Hasling in 2005.
Who are the 3 liberal millionaires who paid heavily to control the D11 school board:
 Tim Gill was the founder of software company Quark, where he made a fortune that Forbes Magazine estimated at more than $425 million.
 Pat Stryker was born into one of the wealthiest families in the country. Forbes has estimated her net worth at more than $960 million.
 Jared Polis is a member of the state board of education. His parents founded the Blue Mountain Arts greeting card company, and he helped them create an Internet site that was sold in 1999 for $900 million.
If we are to have a discussion about the influence of "outside money" in D11 politics, why do we not include this money and these people and organizations in the conversation? If 4 proponents of choice are in danger of being influenced to support choice by donations of $15,000, then what is the influence of $200,000, or $150,000, or $70,000 on the 2005 slate? What do these donors want for their money, and how do their wants match up to the wants and needs of the parents of D11 students?
Pam Zubek wrote an article for the Gazette in November 2003 that gave background information about supporters of the reform slate that was running for the Board. Zubek mentioned John Seaman and Ed McVaney, and she told the public that these men supported vouchers and school choice. Following are exerts from her article:
Republicans Edward Mc-Vaney, founder of software giant JD Edwards and Co., and communications executive John Saeman and his wife, Carolyn, have given more than $15,000 to four candidates. Willie Breazell, Craig Cox, Eric Christen and Sandy Shakes have received $1,900 each from McVaney and $1,900 each from the Saemans.
Each of us received $1900 from these supporters, and $15,000 was given in total by these men. That was considered a big story. Both McVaney and Seaman are well known for their support of school choice. Both men are on the record as believing that choice strengthens our schools, and that it gives parents leverage over their childrens' education. Both the Gazette and Citizen's Project publish candidate surveys prior to each election. In those surveys, all 4 of us candidates (Willie Breazell, Eric Christen, Sandy Shakes, and myself), publicly declared our support for school choice. To this day, our opponents decry the influence of what they call, "Denver money" in that race. The question is, what is it that concerns them? All 4 candidates claimed to support choice, and the Denver supporters sent money to the 4 candidates who supported choice. The logical outcome, of course, is that we would be influenced to support choice, which we already do. Based on election results in El Paso County from 1996 (the last time a voucher amendment was on the ballot), the majority of El Paso County residents also support choice. What is the issue?
Another supporter of ours who gave money to our campaigns is local businessman Steve Schuck. A recent Gazette article dispelled rumors that Schuck is out to destroy public schools. In fact, Schuck supports choice and any other program that helps kids to get a quality education. Again, the big fear here is that Schuck might influence 4 people to support choice when those 4 people are already inclined to do so.
Now let's look at the supporters of the 2005 slate. The big money in 2005 came from the teacher's union, Tim Gill, Pat Stryker, Jared Polis, and the Progressive Majority. Of those 5 people or entities, none reside in Colorado Springs. The Progressive Majority and the headquarters of the union are based in Washington D.C. What do these entities stand for and what influence do they want to have over their D11 Board members?
First of all, let's compare the donations from 2005 to 2003. The teacher's union contributed at least $200,000; Tim Gill contributed $150,000; Pat Stryker added $70,000; Jared Polis threw in another $70,000; The Progressive Majority paid over $250,000 to fund these campaigns. The $1900 that was a "scandal" in 2003 looks pretty paltry in comparison. So what do these groups and people stand for and why are they buying seats in D11?
Union leaders from across the nation have proudly proclaimed that they do not represent kids or parents. They represent teachers. The union has always contributed to Democrat Party and liberal causes whether they have anything to do with education or not. The union has recently joined forces with the AFL-CIO to increase its ability to be militant. The union wants to control the local school districts, so they must control the boards. Unions are adamantly opposed to any type of reform that would improve the state of education. They are opposed to rewards for high performing teachers, and they are opposed to removing poor performing teachers. If teachers are removed from the system, then the union loses their union dues, which are used to fund liberal causes. The agenda of the union is much more important to its leadership than is the education of kids. Despite its ability to purchase school boards across the country, the union leadership has never offered any ideas on how to improve our struggling public schools. The school board members who are supported by union money are required to be void of ideas as well (another blog post will deal exclusively with the agenda of the union).
Tim Gill not only supported the 2005 slate, but he was a major contributor to the current recall effort against Sandy Shakes and Eric Christen. Remember, this homosexual activist lives in the Denver area. What is his interest in D11? What is Gill all about? The following information comes directly from his own website:
The Gill Foundation, established in 1994 by software entrepreneur Tim Gill, seeks to secure equal opportunity for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression. The Gill Foundation is the nation's largest funder focusing primarily on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights.
Tim is an avid snowboarder, parasailer and hiker, recently reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Tim and his partner Scott Miller live in Denver, Colorado.
While the bulk of the (Gill) Foundation's grants go to glbtq causes, some are awarded to other entities such as libraries, children's charities, and arts organizations. Gill feels that it is important to make "straight folks aware that the organizations they know and love also get gay support."
Gill, who is gay, founded software-maker Quark Inc. in 1981 and pocketed hundreds of millions of dollars after selling his stake in 2000. He poured roughly $200 million into the Gill Foundation, begun in 1994 to support gay and lesbian causes.
In recent years, he has become more active politically, supporting Democratic Party causes. (Denver post  11 October 2006).
What influence does Gill have over John Gudvangen, Tami Hasling, and Sandra Mann? Why did he pour so much money into the 2005 D11 race, and why is he funding the recall effort? What do his 3 candidates owe him for his $150,000 donation?
Pat Stryker is a Ft. Collins billionaire. What does she stand for and what causes does she support?
Pat Stryker was born into one of the wealthiest families in the country. Forbes has estimated her net worth at more than $960 million...Stryker gave ($100,000) July 10 to Coloradans for Fairness and Equality, which is campaigning for a measure that would give gay couples many of the benefits and responsibilities afforded to married couples. It is on the ballot because of legislative action.
What interest does Stryker have in D11, and what influence does she have over the 2005 slate in return for her $70,000?
Jared Polis is a member of the Colorado Board of Education. Of the 3 liberal millionaires who helped to purchase the 2005 slate, Polis has the closest background to having an interest in education. According to his website:
Jared Polis FoundationMission: We encourage individuals and organizations to be proactive by supporting and pursuing education and technology in Colorado communities.
From the Boulder Daily Camera 7/1/06: And, 2-1/2 years into a relationship with a male partner he declined to name, Polis says he'll be supporting a domestic-partnership measure this fall. That he is gay  no surprise to family and friends  hasn't been widely known, but Polis says he's visible enough in the community that he's made "a personal decision to share this."
Why is Polis interested in D11 to the extent that he spent $70,000 here? What ideas does he want his 3 candidates to implement that will improve D11?
The Progressive Majority is a D.C. based organization that strives for a liberal majority at all levels of government across the country. While local liberals complain about "Denver money" in 2003, where is the outcry over the money from this organization, which espouses the following on its website:
Progressive Majority has a clear and bold purpose: To elect progressive champions who will help change the direction of this country. We will do this by building a nationwide member network that will provide much-needed early support to progressive candidates - helping them to win elections and bring our values back into the halls of government.
Progressive Majority is your one-stop connection to innovative and idealistic candidates working to build a practical  and progressive  future. Progressive Majority will foster the emergence of a talented "farm team" of future progressive leaders and decision-makers. We know it's not going to happen overnight. But it can happen with disciplined strategies, determination and yes, your dollars.
It's time to turn up the heat. Progressive Majority members need to lead the way against the anti-worker, anti-family, anti-environmental agenda being pushed by conservatives in power. But that's not all. Progressives must also challenge and embolden Democrats to fight against the conservative tide at the local and state level across the country.
Progressive Majority uses its website to brag about the victory of Gudvangen and Hasling in 2005.
Who are the 3 liberal millionaires who paid heavily to control the D11 school board:
 Tim Gill was the founder of software company Quark, where he made a fortune that Forbes Magazine estimated at more than $425 million.
 Pat Stryker was born into one of the wealthiest families in the country. Forbes has estimated her net worth at more than $960 million.
 Jared Polis is a member of the state board of education. His parents founded the Blue Mountain Arts greeting card company, and he helped them create an Internet site that was sold in 1999 for $900 million.
If we are to have a discussion about the influence of "outside money" in D11 politics, why do we not include this money and these people and organizations in the conversation? If 4 proponents of choice are in danger of being influenced to support choice by donations of $15,000, then what is the influence of $200,000, or $150,000, or $70,000 on the 2005 slate? What do these donors want for their money, and how do their wants match up to the wants and needs of the parents of D11 students?
posted by Craig Cox | 9:40 AM
1 Comments:
Finally someone tells "the rest of the story"; but could you answer the repeated question? What interest do you think these out-of-towners have in our school district and what do you think they expect of their purchased board members in return? Surely it isn't to slow down progress towards positive changes? I'm not being facetious, I seriously wonder if the '05 electees will "roll back" any of the things that have been voted into place, especially in the last six months (site based initiative, performance based pay incentives, reduced central administration).
What do you think the expectation is? Thanks for putting this information out here in easy to read format. Lots of people either don't know about these folks and their financial support, or they are choosing to adopt the "it's different" mentality because it supports their pro-homosexual agenda. Which is what public education really should be all about, right??
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