tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203221.post8640773094679390797..comments2008-11-04T07:34:46.392-08:00Richard Spraguehttps://profiles.google.com/115406681666947616195noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203221.post-58149069492290541322008-11-04T07:21:00.000-08:002008-11-04T07:21:00.000-08:00I've known Marcie for about 5 years, she has always been very "fair weather friend" to me and some of the people I know. Heaven forbid if you dont buy a house from here. You would be blacklisted. This is why she would not make a good representative...If you didnt vote for her, you would probably have no representation. With a nose like hers, she should'nt be representing anybody.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203221.post-89718531511108812152008-06-27T23:19:00.000-07:002008-06-27T23:19:00.000-07:00Thanks Edward for your thoughtful comments. I think you're emphasizing the aspect of Marcie's background that I like and respect most: she's a tireless advocate and will get the job done.<BR/><BR/>My experience is that being globally competitive requires bold, often unpopular choices that will upset the status quo. I also believe this region in particular is losing in that competition, in part because there aren't enough people advocating for <B>effective</B> changes.<BR/><BR/>That's what I'm hoping to see in the coming months from Marcie (and Steve): specific, bold ideas. You (and her website) list the motherhood-and-apple-pie issues: how could anyone disagree that we "need to prepare students for world class jobs"? The question is how. Through new tax structure? different levy lids? teacher pay-for-performance? toll roads ? -- positions on those issues is how I'll make up my mind.Richard Spraguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470273961021829567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203221.post-4595115144428752092008-06-27T16:08:00.000-07:002008-06-27T16:08:00.000-07:00Wow, Edward, I'm convinced! What an endorsement.Samnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203221.post-59659536288099416942008-06-26T08:01:00.000-07:002008-06-26T08:01:00.000-07:00Richard, I've known Marcie for years and you don't describe the Marcie Maxwell I know.<BR/><BR/>Marcie understands and is experienced with world class companies and trade. As Chairman of the Renton Chamber of Commerce and a Renton Blue Ribbon Council member,she has advocated for Boeing and others regarding<BR/>business competitiveness and skilled work force needs.<BR/><BR/>Marcie believes and speaks often about our public schools preparing<BR/>students for world class jobs and global competition. She is truly<BR/>committed to access to higher education for all students. I know that she maintains close personal connections with and provides opportunities for many local students to set their goals high and attend leading higher education institutions in our state and around the country.<BR/><BR/>Marcie knows about the global economy and her experience with it is real. She is elected to lead in a school district where students speak 81 different languages.<BR/><BR/>Marcie's daughter is not employed as a chef as you referenced, she is<BR/>a Registered Dietition (RD) at a Bellevue medical clinic.<BR/><BR/>Marcie is a tireless advocate for our kids and our community as a whole. She has been a leader in every organization she has belonged to, not because she likes the titles but because people know that Marcie will get the job done. She has been a go to person in Renton and will do the same for the 41st.Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03923413482388157325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203221.post-73631794173792203392008-06-24T06:14:00.000-07:002008-06-24T06:14:00.000-07:00Thanks, I fixed the Steve endorser link.<BR/><BR/>Marcie didn't say anything about unions; I did, to point out that international competition does not put a teacher's livelihood at risk in the same way that it does mine, although I suppose there are people who argue that with proper school board and statewide governance, that's a <B>good</B> thing because it enables teachers to focus on the students.Richard Spraguehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470273961021829567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203221.post-37221637490087251782008-06-23T23:18:00.000-07:002008-06-23T23:18:00.000-07:00It's unfair to attack a woman for a truncated quote! It hardly allows for the nuance I'm sure she recognizes is inherent in all labor matters (and most issues, for that matter)samnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203221.post-6239624626603682862008-06-23T21:49:00.000-07:002008-06-23T21:49:00.000-07:00Regarding your coverage of Marcie Maxwell, you quote her as saying:<BR/>"...Strong unions can protect teachers,"<BR/><BR/>Obviously she has never been a public school teacher. Have you yourself, Richard, every belonged to a union? Oh sure, they might be good at negotiating contracts but the reality is that school teacher union chapters become a driving force in areas where they shouldn't be. Teachers yes, union representation, no.<BR/><BR/>She is obviously being backed by the WEA. Having taught in high schools myself for many years, I am totally turned off to a comment such as hers about "strong unions" as if it is a positive for the students. Baloney! It's for the teachers and it should stay out of the rest and let and make the school boards more accountable to taking care of the education programs.<BR/><BR/>Maybe we should support the candidate who admits there are teacher union concerns but stresses the importance of the local control that our state constitution put in place.<BR/>MartyMartynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8203221.post-66080180000645774262008-06-23T14:05:00.000-07:002008-06-23T14:05:00.000-07:00I think your link to Steve's endorsers actually points to Marcie's endorsers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com