Rochester School Board Candidate Rejects Democratic Party's Status - Quo Politics

Howard J. Eagle's nominating/acceptance speech at the Monroe County Democratic Party's 2003 Designating Convention <!--break--> As the best candidate, the most knowledgeable candidate, and the only professional educator in this race --- I eagerly accept the nomination for school board Commissioner. I must say that there are people in this room who worked to deny me the opportunity to be considered for the Party's designation. That is because some are afraid of me. They are afraid of me because they know that I won't support the status - quo. They know that once I am elected, not only will I rock the boat, but I will attempt with all of my might to turn the boat upside down. A vote for me is clearly a vote for significant educational improvement and change. The bottom line of our campaign is significantly improved academic achievement --- as measured by competent high school gradutes. In spite of what you might have heard from the gate - keepers of the status -quo and the uninformed --- our campaign is anxious to work with any individual and/or organization that is genuinely committed to doing whatever is necessay and possible to produce fundamental educational improvement and change. I seek your support based on my knowledge and understanding of solutions as it relates to the ongoing crisis within the Rochester City School District. My knowledge and understanding is based on 16 years of experience as a classroom teacher, and over 20 years of experience as a community activist --- with a proven, consistent record of advocating and fighting for educational improvement. This is in addition to my experience as a Rochester City School District parent. Lastly, I must tell you that I'm becoming a little tired of people telling me how much they admire, respect and appreciate my passion, but not backing up their words with action.Y ou have a historic opportunity today to back up your words by designating me as one of four candidates to be supported by the Democratic Party for school board Commissioner.

<p>Howard J. Eagle's nominating/acceptance speech at the Monroe County Democratic Party's 2003 Designating Convention</p> <!--break--><p>As the best candidate, the most knowledgeable </p> <p>candidate, and the only professional educator in this</p> <p> race --- I eagerly accept the nomination for school </p> <p> board Commissioner. I must say that there are </p> <p> people in this room who worked to deny me the</p> <p> opportunity to be considered for the Party's</p> <p>designation. That is because some are afraid of me. </p> <p>They are afraid of me because they know that I won't</p> <p>support the status - quo. They know that once I am</p> <p>elected, not only will I rock the boat, but I will attempt</p> <p>with all of my might to turn the boat upside down. A </p> <p>vote for me is clearly a vote for significant </p> <p>educational improvement and change. The bottom line</p> <p>of our campaign is significantly improved academic</p> <p>achievement --- as measured by competent high </p> <p>school gradutes. In spite of what you might have </p> <p>heard from the gate - keepers of the status -quo and </p> <p>the uninformed --- our campaign is anxious to work </p> <p>with any individual and/or organization that is </p> <p>genuinely committed to doing whatever is necessay </p> <p>and possible to produce fundamental educational </p> <p>improvement and change. I seek your support based </p> <p>on my knowledge and understanding of solutions as </p> <p>it relates to the ongoing crisis within the Rochester </p> <p>City School District. My knowledge and understanding </p> <p>is based on 16 years of experience as a classroom </p> <p>teacher, and over 20 years of experience as a </p> <p>community activist --- with a proven, consistent record </p> <p>of advocating and fighting for educational </p> <p>improvement. This is in addition to my experience as </p> <p>a Rochester City School District parent. Lastly, I must </p> <p>tell you that I'm becoming a little tired of people telling </p> <p>me how much they admire, respect and appreciate </p> <p>my passion, but not backing up their words with </p> <p>action.Y ou have a historic opportunity today to back </p> <p>up your words by designating me as one of four </p> <p>candidates to be supported by the Democratic Party </p> <p>for school board Commissioner.</p>