The current "No Child Left Behind lawsuit" is now in the state supreme court. I voted no everytime to the continued lawsuit because of the expense to the taxpayers of Reading,Pa.
Currently $35,000 dollars of taxpayers monies have been spent on this lawsuit.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Monday, March 27, 2006
Attack Against Keith Stamm
Reading School District Board of Directors
800 Washington St.
Reading, PA 19601-3616
Dear School Board Members, Dr. Chapman and staff:
Mr. Keith Stamm's obvious disdain for Keith Haring's depiction of a transsexual - or, as Mr. Stamm preferred to say at the February board meeting, the "he-she" - exemplifies the very attitudes and prejudice that should preclude him from being a board member.
After viewing Haring's work at the Reading Museum, I see that he was most concerned with the celebration of life, even under the most depressing of circumstances, and an obvious desire to bring unity and understanding to disparate groups of people.
Haring's image that Mr. Stamm finds so offensive perhaps depicts gender confusion felt by many adolescents or is perhaps a Jungian archtetype for the balance of the feminine and masculine; but it is certainly not, as Mr. Stamm so obviously believes, some sort of sexual perversion.
Mr. Stamm's obnoxious reaction, moreover, is certainly rooted in misconceptions about and prejudice against transsexuals and hermaphroditism.
Most transsexuals, or more appropriately those who opt for gender reassignment, do so for physical or physiological reasons; especially because of hormonal imbalance or because they were born as hermaphrodites. For many, the search to become comfortable with their bodies is also the search for peace of mind.
I am both appalled and saddened that Mr. Stamm does not, or chooses not to understand the complex issues that underlie Haring's art. His preference to censor Haring's art rather than understand it only reinforces prejudice, stifles creativity and discourages learning about the diversity and beauty of the world we live in and is yet to be discovered.
All of these traits are contrary to what our school district teaches and should not be exemplified by any member of the school board.
Sincerely,
Wayne Jonas Bealer
800 Washington St.
Reading, PA 19601-3616
Dear School Board Members, Dr. Chapman and staff:
Mr. Keith Stamm's obvious disdain for Keith Haring's depiction of a transsexual - or, as Mr. Stamm preferred to say at the February board meeting, the "he-she" - exemplifies the very attitudes and prejudice that should preclude him from being a board member.
After viewing Haring's work at the Reading Museum, I see that he was most concerned with the celebration of life, even under the most depressing of circumstances, and an obvious desire to bring unity and understanding to disparate groups of people.
Haring's image that Mr. Stamm finds so offensive perhaps depicts gender confusion felt by many adolescents or is perhaps a Jungian archtetype for the balance of the feminine and masculine; but it is certainly not, as Mr. Stamm so obviously believes, some sort of sexual perversion.
Mr. Stamm's obnoxious reaction, moreover, is certainly rooted in misconceptions about and prejudice against transsexuals and hermaphroditism.
Most transsexuals, or more appropriately those who opt for gender reassignment, do so for physical or physiological reasons; especially because of hormonal imbalance or because they were born as hermaphrodites. For many, the search to become comfortable with their bodies is also the search for peace of mind.
I am both appalled and saddened that Mr. Stamm does not, or chooses not to understand the complex issues that underlie Haring's art. His preference to censor Haring's art rather than understand it only reinforces prejudice, stifles creativity and discourages learning about the diversity and beauty of the world we live in and is yet to be discovered.
All of these traits are contrary to what our school district teaches and should not be exemplified by any member of the school board.
Sincerely,
Wayne Jonas Bealer
Saturday, March 25, 2006
FOOD AT READING SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
Food has returned this year at all school board meetings. Recently the food was moved to a separate room . This is so the tv camera doesn"t show certain directors eating food. This food is being paid for with tax dollars. WHAT A SHAME!!!!!
Thursday, March 23, 2006
STAMMS ENERGY SAVING IDEAS FOR SCHOOLS
(1) Place all lighted marquees on timers.
(2) Turn thermostat to 68 f during winter months
(3) Have motion detector type lights in restrooms
(4) Add insulation when replacing old roofs
(2) Turn thermostat to 68 f during winter months
(3) Have motion detector type lights in restrooms
(4) Add insulation when replacing old roofs
Stamm Commends School Directors
Keith R Stamm , praised school directors for not fighting at their meetings. Most meetings have open and civil debate.
Stamm did this at the stated meeting of March22nd, 2006
Stamm did this at the stated meeting of March22nd, 2006
MEETING OF READING SCHOOL DIRECTORS March 22nd,2006
Chicago vacation was approved for three board members on a 7 to 2 vote.Directors Stamm and Cinfici voted no due to the costs of over $4,800 charged to the district for this trip.
( Vacation ) is actually national schoolboard convention.
Other business discussed and voted on was a 6-3 vote for Turner construction,Directors Stamm,Cinfici and Storch voted no.
Cinfici raised the issue of the ongoing investigation of citywide corruption. He hopes that school district directors and officials are aware of the penalties of recieving kickbacks.
( Vacation ) is actually national schoolboard convention.
Other business discussed and voted on was a 6-3 vote for Turner construction,Directors Stamm,Cinfici and Storch voted no.
Cinfici raised the issue of the ongoing investigation of citywide corruption. He hopes that school district directors and officials are aware of the penalties of recieving kickbacks.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor:
Your editorial about the Keith Haring exhibit at the Reading Public Museum made my point that the Reading School District is not responsible for the decision of which works of art are exhibited there, even though the school district owns the museum.
The premise of your editorial seemed to be that because the district does not financially support the museum, it should not have a say in which artwork is exhibited. You mentioned some $10,000-$15,000 in district contributions to the museum, although you dismissed this amount as insignificant. However, it is significant that the museum, as a public facility, does not pay real estate taxes. Additionally, the taxpayers pay for the museum's water and sewer bills. It is reasonable, therefore, for the district at least to question the appropriateness of the exhibit, especially because the district sends it's schoolchildren there.
Indeed, all I did was to ask* whether, under it's contract with the museum, the district could distance itself from the exhibit. It would seem that in the spirit of opposing "censorship", you would not have criticized me for exercising my right as a school director to ask appropriate legal questions.
William Cinfici
Reading School Director
1238 Linden st.
Reading,Pa 19604
* In Amy Anuszewski's otherwise accurate article, she reported that I made a statement that the district should distance itself from the exhibit, but a review of the videotape would reveal that I put it in the form of a question to the district's solicitor.
Your editorial about the Keith Haring exhibit at the Reading Public Museum made my point that the Reading School District is not responsible for the decision of which works of art are exhibited there, even though the school district owns the museum.
The premise of your editorial seemed to be that because the district does not financially support the museum, it should not have a say in which artwork is exhibited. You mentioned some $10,000-$15,000 in district contributions to the museum, although you dismissed this amount as insignificant. However, it is significant that the museum, as a public facility, does not pay real estate taxes. Additionally, the taxpayers pay for the museum's water and sewer bills. It is reasonable, therefore, for the district at least to question the appropriateness of the exhibit, especially because the district sends it's schoolchildren there.
Indeed, all I did was to ask* whether, under it's contract with the museum, the district could distance itself from the exhibit. It would seem that in the spirit of opposing "censorship", you would not have criticized me for exercising my right as a school director to ask appropriate legal questions.
William Cinfici
Reading School Director
1238 Linden st.
Reading,Pa 19604
* In Amy Anuszewski's otherwise accurate article, she reported that I made a statement that the district should distance itself from the exhibit, but a review of the videotape would reveal that I put it in the form of a question to the district's solicitor.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor,
Jason Bruderick implied that County Commissioner Mark Scott was reading sexuality into Keith Haring's art.Bruderick then stated that any art depicting sexual activity, like many of Haring's works, would not be the first shown at the museum. Perhaps Bruderick is the one reading sexual acts into art, for no one is aware of any examples of obscene art having been exibited before.
I note that the Reading Eagle itself could not publish these works. Yet Bruderick criticized several Reading School Directors for trying to "censor" part of the Haring exibit. Government would be engaging in censorship if it banned the exibition of art on private property. Exercising discretion over what government exibits on its own property is not censorship.
Moreover , I was exercising my right and responsibility toward our school children to question what power the school district has in regard to exibits at the museum, which it owns. Apparently, Bruderick would silence school board members in the name of preserving free speech.
I am proud to stand with Mark Scott, several of my fellow school directors, and others around the country like Rudolph Giuliani , who have opposed the exibition of indecent art at taxpayer- supported facilities.
Sincerly ,
KEITH STAMM
1622 n 15th st
Reading, Pa. 19604
Reading School Director
Jason Bruderick implied that County Commissioner Mark Scott was reading sexuality into Keith Haring's art.Bruderick then stated that any art depicting sexual activity, like many of Haring's works, would not be the first shown at the museum. Perhaps Bruderick is the one reading sexual acts into art, for no one is aware of any examples of obscene art having been exibited before.
I note that the Reading Eagle itself could not publish these works. Yet Bruderick criticized several Reading School Directors for trying to "censor" part of the Haring exibit. Government would be engaging in censorship if it banned the exibition of art on private property. Exercising discretion over what government exibits on its own property is not censorship.
Moreover , I was exercising my right and responsibility toward our school children to question what power the school district has in regard to exibits at the museum, which it owns. Apparently, Bruderick would silence school board members in the name of preserving free speech.
I am proud to stand with Mark Scott, several of my fellow school directors, and others around the country like Rudolph Giuliani , who have opposed the exibition of indecent art at taxpayer- supported facilities.
Sincerly ,
KEITH STAMM
1622 n 15th st
Reading, Pa. 19604
Reading School Director
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor:
The Keith Haring saga continues with articles in "Voice" that moved me to do a web search as Mark Scott suggested.
I think we are being blindsided by selective information. The Keith Haring foundation site is more honest. It tempers praise with honesty.
Timothy Leary was first in his gods. His motto "Just say know" was proudly posted on Haring's studio door. Drugs expanded his world. That may explain why he posed naked in Time Square, his body painted to emphasize body parts while cameras clicked.
Not all his works were happy, frenzied cartoons. Among others desribed, one depicts seated people whose backs are pierced by crucifixes. Enough said.
Be careful, lest your narrow portrayal of him forms a pied piper to our youth. He should elicit more pity than praise.
Berks County has many contemporary artists, Randy Rowe, Jack Coggins and others that would not warrant such controversy.
Rosemarie Eshbach
Alsace Township
The Keith Haring saga continues with articles in "Voice" that moved me to do a web search as Mark Scott suggested.
I think we are being blindsided by selective information. The Keith Haring foundation site is more honest. It tempers praise with honesty.
Timothy Leary was first in his gods. His motto "Just say know" was proudly posted on Haring's studio door. Drugs expanded his world. That may explain why he posed naked in Time Square, his body painted to emphasize body parts while cameras clicked.
Not all his works were happy, frenzied cartoons. Among others desribed, one depicts seated people whose backs are pierced by crucifixes. Enough said.
Be careful, lest your narrow portrayal of him forms a pied piper to our youth. He should elicit more pity than praise.
Berks County has many contemporary artists, Randy Rowe, Jack Coggins and others that would not warrant such controversy.
Rosemarie Eshbach
Alsace Township
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