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 Read comments (24)BREAKING NEWS: Parker retains School Board seatThursday, August 7, 2008 ~ Updated 8:50 PM
Incumbent Dixie Parker has retained her seat on Bedford County Board of Education, defeating challenger Robert Allison in the only contested local race in Thursday's general election. Parker drew 398 votes to Allison's 213 in election machine totals, with only paper ballot totals yet to be announced.
"I think the people in District 1 spoke very loudly and clearly today," said Parker when contacted Thursday night by the Times-Gazette. "It's not a vote for me, it's a vote for the children of Bedford County." She thanked the community for its support. Comments  Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please Login or Create an account first, and then you will be able to flag a comment as objectionable. Please also note that those who post comments on t-g.com may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
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Elections BREAKING: Special election dates set for state House seat (07/02/09) UPDATED: Cobb resigns to take Chancery Court post (07/01/09) Another 'tea party' scheduled Saturday at park (07/01/09) Mudslinging starts way too early (03/19/09) Evans announces for Congressional seat (03/06/09)
Schools and education
Time again to 'Stuff the School Bus' (06/30/09) Commissioners hope for budget passage Tuesday (06/28/09) Filling the gap: summer food program serves and teaches (06/28/09) State 4-Hers swarm Calsonic for annual horse show (06/26/09) A 'hairy' fairy tale (06/25/09)
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Its real easy for those of you who point the finger at Ms.Parker.And sit and wish Mr.Allison would of won.
Well he didn't and I'm sure he would want those of you to support Dixie,instead of tring to be little her. We need to pull together and make a difference for our children.
Way to go Dixie. Keep smiling and keep up the work you are doing. And for those of you who thinks shes not the person for the job. Why don't you try doing it. Because she sure doesn't do it for the Pay....
More of the same is right, Mr. Allison seems like he would have brought a little something different and very much needed to the table, but because of dirty small towm politics Mrs. Parker will keep her reign. Mr. Allison i wish you would have won, but what can u do! I have a comment though, why did i never see any signs for u Mr. Allison, i saw a ton for parker but not many for u, was this an oversight or something more (like dirty politics) maybe not by parker herself (i dont think she has the energy or stamina to go sign collecting), but by her supporters. This is a terrible and worthless town with a worthless school system, i sacrifice alot to send my child to private school
Bell Buckle 08 -
I think that it is "rude, disrespectful and extremely confrontational" of you to insult me without giving your name.
I am going to continue to stand up for what I believe in. I am going to do so using my own name and with no apologies.
As long as Bedford County citizens continue to elect leaders for the wrong reasons, then they will continue to get the wrong results.
It may take time but one day, those who believe in honesty, education, openness and community planning will prevail. I hope that I am there to see it.
I have only spoke with Robert Allison a few times, and each time he was rude, disrespectful, and extremely confrontational. I would not want anyone with these qualities representing me or my family.
I do not agree with the dress code policy and I hope that the issue gets revisited this year. However, I will take my chances with this before I would ever vote for someone of Allison's character.
Parents have attended school board meetings, well before election time.
SSA forum set for Jan. 17
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
By John I. Carney
"At the Liberty School forum in November, both opponents and supporters of SSA spoke, but the Cascade forum last month featured all negative comments about the program.........."
SSA opponents dominate third forum
Friday, January 18, 2008
By John I. Carney
"The third of four public forums on Standardized School Attire drew heavy criticism of the proposal, which is often described as more than a dress code but less than a uniform.
"It is not right to tell anyone what to wear," said Connie Hasty, one of the speakers.
The forum was held Thursday night at the Community High School auditorium. All of the speakers Thursday night were in opposition to SSA, and some of them expressed their points passionately, drawing applause from others in attendance.
One school administrator, who is not part of the decision-making process on this issue, later told the Times-Gazette he knew of a private citizen who attended planning to speak in favor of SSA but who kept quiet because she felt intimidated by the overall atmosphere at the forum.
The school board has circulated a draft SSA proposal, although board members say it is just a basis for discussion and could well be revised before the final vote. The proposal disallows T-shirts and jeans in favor of solid-colored collared shirts and khaki-style pants (or skirts) in a limited number of colors.
Supporters of SSA claim it improves school atmosphere and safety and helps to downplay class differences between students. Opponents dispute those claims and say SSA unfairly penalizes students and parents.
The first public forum, held in November at Liberty School, was divided between SSA supporters and opponents, but December's forum at Cascade was, like last night's, unanimously opposed.
"Does this [forum] matter?" asked Mark Smith, one of Thursday's participants. "Or is this a foregone conclusion?"
"This is not a foregone conclusion," said Bedford County Board of Education Chairman Barry Cooper......"
School board will revise attire proposal
Monday, January 28, 2008
By John I. Carney
"Three public forums held so far -- in November at Liberty School, in December at Cascade High School and this month at Community High School -- have drawn extensive criticism of the proposal. Although the Liberty forum was equally divided between positive and negative comments, the Cascade and Community forums had exclusively negative public comments....."
Last attire forum brings civility, dialogue
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
By John I. Carney
"At the first three forums, school board members made little response to public comments, answering direct questions only when forced. But at Tuesday night's forum, Cooper announced that school board members, now that they had a sense of the public's mood, would be much more forthcoming in responding to the discussion, and that was indeed the case......"
On the bedford county school board website you will find the contact information for ALL school board members. They have their addresses posted there. The public can write them letters to influence their policies. Also, the board meetings are open to the public. People can criticize all they want but if you really want change, you'll attend the meetings. How about all of them? They meet the 3rd Thursday of every month. If I were considering running for the school board to replace any of the candidates, I would attend every meeting from now until election time. Problem is, everybody is an armchair critic; But they stay home to watch Fox News instead of going to the school board meetings and REALLY getting a grasp of the personalities on the board and the issues they confront. It's easy to be critical, it's much harder to be part of the solution. If Cascade wants fresh ideas and new representation, they should find someone willing to attend the current board meetings, get a handle on what they are dealing with and be able to make efforts for changes by influencing the current board now not wait three months before next election to complain about how things were run. If someone has fresh ideas, let Dixie know now, go to the meetings...speak up...
All I can say is unfortunately we are in for more the same :(
The best man for this job did win, It just happen to be a " WOMAN".
Way to go Dixie,am so glad you won.Just let all the negatives roll off.And think of the ones who supported you,and will always have faith in what ever you do to help our kids.
And to those who have never walked in her shoes. Should try to be half the person she is,shes a wonderful,honest,caring and one to always be there with a helping hand if ya need her.Even leaves on her lunch break from her job to help those who need her.
Those of you who have their own opinions, remember what opinions are.....it won't take long for you to see everybody has one, some are used more then others.....
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK DIXIE
Bedford county missed out on a good one thursday night, Robert Allison would have been so much better for our children and school system. The good ole boy system sux, hope you start doing a better job Dixie, next vote you may not be as fortunate.
I would like to thank all of those who worked so hard for my campaign and the idea behind it - that the purpose of school is to inspire children to become scholars. It has been and continues to be my position that this can only be achieved when those in charge of our schools are scholars themselves.
Until we adults start casting our votes based on the qualifications of the candidate rather than on petty personality conflicts and political allegiances, we will always short-change our children.
I hope that in two years, a like-minded candidate in another district who is a better politician than I will run and win. If this happens, it could be the start of something big for Bedford County's children.
Again,
Thank you!
Robert Allison
Gottago,
I'll tell why I didn't even consider voting for Mr. Allison, I witnessed him loose his temper once and it was totally uncalled for. I don't want anyone representing me or my child who is like that!
Textileartist,
You are absolutley right!! It seems however many in this county actually prefer those with stale ideas and backward-thinking mentaliy.
Mr. Allison is a very intelligent,educated man and it stinks that many simply do not appreciate that.
way to go Dixie!
I was very disappointed that Robert Allison did not win this election. He would have dramatically improved our school district with his fresh ideas and forward thinking. Sometimes the house needs to be cleaned!
Dixie,
Thanks for all that you have done~ Congrads on your win~~ C -ya @ the football games..
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You know, even though I wanted Robert Allison to win, and feel that there are some issues and changes that the School Board needs to address, I am hopeful that Dixie Parker will fulfill her duties responsibly on the School Board.
However, I find her comments after winning to smack of gloating. I think it would have been in much better taste to congratulate Allison for the clean race that he ran, and to assure all voters that she will do her best to represent them.
Every person who voted took time out of his or her day to vote for the children of Bedford County, and 213 votes for Allison is not a paltry amount. The fact that over 1/3 of the voters *didn't* want her to serve another term is something that should give her pause. I hope she works to discover just why some parents in this district are displeased with her actions.
You know, even though I wanted Robert Allison to win, and feel that there are some issues and changes that the School Board needs to address, I am hopeful that Dixie Parker will fulfill her duties responsibly on the School Board.
However, I find her comments after winning to smack of gloating. I think it would have been in much better taste to congratulate Allison for the clean race that he ran, and to assure all voters that she will do her best to represent them.
Every person who voted took time out of his or her day to vote for the children of Bedford County, and 213 votes for Allison is not a paltry amount. The fact that over 1/3 of the voters *didn't* want her to serve another term is something that should give her pause. I hope she works to discover just why some parents in this district are displeased with her actions.
You know, even though I wanted Robert Allison to win, and feel that there are some issues and changes that the School Board needs to address, I am hopeful that Dixie Parker will fulfill her duties responsibly on the School Board.
However, I find her comments after winning to smack of gloating. I think it would have been in much better taste to congratulate Allison for the clean race that he ran, and to assure all voters that she will do her best to represent them.
Every person who voted took time out of his or her day to vote for the children of Bedford County, and 213 votes for Allison is not a paltry amount. The fact that over 1/3 of the voters *didn't* want her to serve another term is something that should give her pause. I hope she works to discover just why some parents in this district are displeased with her actions.
Congrats Ms. Dixie! I personnally think you have done a great job on the board. I know you have put your heart and soul into it. Anyone who knows you, knows you never meet a stranger. You shine your light on everyone you meet. It's all about the children and NOT about the political gain. P.S. The dress code actually saved me money :)
Way to go Mrs. Dixie! Great to see you retain the School Board Seat. We all know your there for the kids and support you 100%!!
Maybe Ms Parker should think about WHY those 213 people voted against her. I don't doubt she cares about kids, but it's obvious by all the bored members that they don't care about the FAMILIES that are trying to survive paying bills, feeding those kids and then having to buy ssa approved clothes.
I wonder, will she and her fellow "bored members" wear dress code approved attire all year round? Or are they more of a do as we say, not as we do bunch of hypocrites?
Woo-Hoo!!! Congratulations! :)
This IS wonderful news for our children. Dixie believes in looking out for ALL children. I've seen her at Cascade School events and also at other Bedford County School events.