Your source for community topics and thoughts

Sounding off on anything but alcohol…
“Am I supposed to take my son trick-or-treating on Saturday or Sunday? I’m getting mixed answers from everyone and not sure which day to do it.”

“You asked a good question. I went up to City Hall and asked that question. They told me that the council would not decide on which day to Trick or Treat. It is up to each family. I know some Hartselle churches are having their Fall Festival and/or Trunk and Treat on Saturday (East Highland, First Baptist, Tunsel Baptist Church, and Pattillo Street Church of God). Also, a few churches are having their events on Sunday (West Hartselle and Promise Land). If I was a child, I would want to go both days! My advice to those going Trick or Treating door to door in neighborhoods only go to the house with their lights on. If I had to guess, you would get more candy on Sunday evening.”

“If you are happy with your elected city leaders raise your hand. If you raised your hand then you should vote yes on the elected board. If you did not raise your hand you should vote no. It seems like most are not happy with the ones we get to elect now so why should we think we can elect a board that would be any better. While the appointed board is not perfect I say it’s a far better group than the group we have elected to run our city. There are many things that are wrong with Hartselle but the school system is not one of them. Why should we change something that is working when we have other issues to deal with like electing a city government that is effective in its management of our city. When we have that under control and all of those positions filled with quality people and have others waiting to run for office then we can elect a school board. Think about it. How many times in the last 15 years have you been happy with the elected leaders of this city? Well, they are from the same pool of candidates that we will have to choose from for an elected school board. Again I’m not saying what we have now is perfect/ They have problems also but for the most part its working so why change it and take a chance of messing up one of the few things that we have going for us here in Hartselle? Put your thoughts of “the right to vote” aside and really think about it. Is it best for Hartselle?”

“Over 94 percent of school systems in the US are elected. Why is that? Could it be that elected boards are more responsive to the public will? Electing members increases public interest in the schools as it ensures that people have a direct voice in the selection of the school system’s governing body. Elected school board members have greater independence and freedom to act in the best interests of the school system than do appointed board members.
An elected board is in a better position to work closely and effectively with its superintendent and professional staff than an appointed board. Alabama law states the board member “must be of good standing in their respective communities and known for their honesty, business ability, public spirit and interest in the good of public education.” Well, we can toss the honesty part of that out the window, for they have some serious shortcomings in that respect.”

“An elected school board eliminates “quid pro quo” between the council and the board. Lord know that over the years, we have seen this over and over. An elected board gives myself and others a voice and a choice. A school board has very little, if anything, to do with educating students. Boards are merely the legislative and administrative aspects of a system. It’s teachers that do this, not boards!”

The Hartselle Enquirer’s e-sound off is an  opportunity for residents to provide anonymous comments about community issues. All comments are subject to editing. The Editor reserves the right to refuse publication. In the event of several submissions on a single topic, a representative comment may be used. Comments can include your thoughts on local issues, questions about policies or procedures or praise for a community group, business or person. Email your comments to news@hartselleenquirer.com with “Sound-off” in subject line.