Comments on Main Street Oshkosh: School Board Candidates Answer PFLAG Questions

“Can't we all... just... get along?” Rodney King ...

2008-03-18T13:02:00.000-05:00

“Can't we all... just... get along?”
Rodney King quotes

Stop thinking you have to give a second vote to so...

2008-03-16T19:08:00.000-05:00

Stop thinking you have to give a second vote to someone. Just because you CAN vote for up to 2 people doesn't mean you HAVE to.

BTW, Lemberger wouldn't give his second vote to Schneider at all.

Schneider has three children at Traeger. One was ...

2008-03-16T18:50:00.000-05:00

Schneider has three children at Traeger. One was at Cabrini for pre-school last year an is now in kindergarten.

Someone should ask Lemberger who he would give his second vote to. I think it would be Schneider.

For those of you that critisize Mr. Schneider for voting "no" really have to look at what he voted no against. Why should he vote "yes" for a budget that he clearly thought was misappropriated?

How anyone who doesn't support Schneider can vote ...

2008-03-16T11:19:00.000-05:00

How anyone who doesn't support Schneider can vote for Monte is beyond me... she has aligned herself with Schneider, Becker and one of her "supporters" is Esslinger... not who I want respesenting our district.

Copy and paster strikes again at 11:07. He'll use ...

2008-03-14T11:11:00.000-05:00

Copy and paster strikes again at 11:07. He'll use any foum to rerun his sermon. Too bad he keeps missing the most appropriate forums, those in front of elected officials.

So he volunteers his time. That doesn't qualify hi...

2008-03-14T11:08:00.000-05:00

So he volunteers his time. That doesn't qualify him for sainthood. Many people volunteer their time to their schools, their communities, to other non profits and such. The original point was he answered the question about schools legal forming groups by stating his personal beliefs about the issue. His bigotry should not be tolerated. If he misread the question on something as important as his reelection, can he be trusted to properly read and/or interpret more important documents regarding school district business. Maybe that's why he's always at the opposite end of the spectrum from other board members.

Schneider and Monte will get my vote.Conservative ...

2008-03-14T11:07:00.000-05:00

Schneider and Monte will get my vote.

Conservative said-
"Like any of you would have voted for Schneider and Monte anyway. They are clearly conservative and this is clearly a liberal crowd."

I'm generally "liberal" but I do have issues with the power our public sector unions have. They are protected by arbitration and are able to increase their collective wages and benefits at the expense of the average property tax payer. That would not be a liberal position, but yet I hold it.

I am fed up with both greedy corporations and greedy public sector unions. Neither serve the good of the average middleclass American.

Boy, with all the talk of gay and lesbian issues t...

2008-03-14T08:48:00.000-05:00

Boy, with all the talk of gay and lesbian issues that started this, and the demand for tolerance, it sure seems those that don't agree with Schneider are the ones that are guilty of intolerance. I wonder how many anonymous posters have dedicated as much time as him to volunteer efforts on behalf of children. I heard he coaches 3 basketball teams and has a great reputation for being a coach. I wonder how much coaching and volunteering "anonymous" does? Strip out the rhetoric. Like his views or not, this guy gives the youth of this community his all. At least give him that. He even teaches catechism at Church! How many of you volunteer as much of your time to children as he does? Maybe that is why he doesn't have time for blogs, because he is more productive with him time!

Just some thoughts.

Wow! What a great discussion here! And mostly civi...

2008-03-13T21:39:00.000-05:00

Wow! What a great discussion here! And mostly civil as well.

I'm voting for John Lemberger and Michelle Monte. I don't buy this Schneider-Monte versus McDermott-Lemberger business.

Lemberger is not pandering when he talks about not closing schools. I've talked to him about it - he sincerely believes that we can save ALL of our schools and that doing so is the most fiscally sound move, and the best long term plan for Oshkosh. I agree with him.

Who can say if Monte is "conservative" or "liberal" - these labels just do not apply to local non-partisan races. And religious affiliation means nothing to me - what is more important is what a person does and says. I doubt I agree with Michelle on every issue but I think she brings a fresh perspective to the school board and at this point she is no rookie.

I don't think Michelle has a problem with GSAs or gays & lesbians. I don't think you can make assumptions based on a given denomination of faith. But you can draw conclusions from statements - which is why I will oppose Schneider's candidacy.

As for GSA's in the high schools - bullying, harassment and both physical and verbal intimidation against gay, bi, & lesbian students is out of control. The school district MUST take steps to offer some degree of support, protection, and affirmation of their students that are taking an emotional beating right now. It isn't a religious thing, it IS a moral thing.

The church teaches that we as individuals shall no...

2008-03-13T21:15:00.000-05:00

The church teaches that we as individuals shall not pass judgement on others despite the life choices that they may make. God will judge when the time comes and those that are worthy shall pass.

If the people choose to exercise their legal right to pursue a homosexual relationship at school or otherwise, let them. They will have to live with the consequences of their lifestyle on judgement day.

I respect Schneider for his bold but short statements and hope that people can understand that religious upbringing cannot be turned off with a switch. Besides, unless the laws change, there is little to nothing that the board can do legally for these groups. At best, they can try to prevent repercussion to those who are brave enough to go against the grain to form the groups.

Godspeed.

I have no idea what Mr. Schneider means when he sa...

2008-03-13T19:49:00.000-05:00

I have no idea what Mr. Schneider means when he says he wants to provide "results orientated decisions." There is no such thing as being "results orientated." Geez Louise.

Schneider has also made fun of people in the audie...

2008-03-13T18:16:00.000-05:00

Schneider has also made fun of people in the audience who he thought were scoffing at his ideas. Which by the by, we've seen plenty of his friends making faces at forums toward people they don't like. Yes, respect is a two way street. If Schneider is so intent on flaunting his religious values, he should ask himself What Would Jesus Do and be the bigger person. Two wrongs don't make a right.

Respect works both ways. Someone needs to tell We...

2008-03-13T17:57:00.000-05:00

Respect works both ways. Someone needs to tell Weinsheim and Bowen their whispers and sighs when Schneider and Becker speak are very clear on radio broadcasts. I have also heard quite a bit about how they act at the board table. It is one thing to repeat, even ad nauseum, expertise in finance. It is quite another to blatantly direspect someone's right to speak simply because they are not in agreement. Disagreeing with the majority and being focused on finances does not mean he doesn't care about the entire district. He is a numbers guy, that is where his attention is going to focus. Besides, someone needs to be watching spending or there will be no money for any of the students.

By my view, Schneider doesn't play well with other...

2008-03-13T17:12:00.000-05:00

By my view, Schneider doesn't play well with others. I'm not saying that you have to agree with everyone, I just think that you need to have respect for your fellow school board members. I've watched the school board meetings and Schneider seems to try to showcase himself, putting aside the best interests of the ENTIRE school district.

As an aside, 3:24 inferred that someone active in church has a corner on morals. Can you say Ted Hagman? Non church goers can have morals too.

I've added the link to the answers to the PFLAG qu...

2008-03-13T16:39:00.000-05:00

I've added the link to the answers to the PFLAG questionnaire at the bottom of the original post.

I can’t speak for the rest of “the crowd”, but I’m...

2008-03-13T16:33:00.000-05:00

I can’t speak for the rest of “the crowd”, but I’m active in my church, too, and I don’t have a problem with religious folks unless their theology starts creeping into public school policy. I don’t recall saying that I wouldn’t vote for Monte or that I would vote for McDermott. I also said that Monte gave thoughtful responses to the questionnaire.
I’ll take you word for it that Monte is a religious person and that her religion is not welcoming to LGBT people. She certainly didn’t indicate that in her responses. Ms. Monte said that she “sees nothing wrong with two people of the same gender attending prom together whether as dates or as friends.” So, if her religion teaches that same-gender relationships are wrong, she either doesn’t subscribe to that particular tenet or she can put it aside in the best interests of the school district. Ben Schneider doesn’t seem to be willing to do that.
If (and it’s a very big “if”) I were to pick two candidates to cast votes for based solely on the basis of the PFLAG questionnaire, I would probably choose Lemberger and Monte.

4:08, go back and read the thread of posts. Some o...

2008-03-13T16:26:00.000-05:00

4:08, go back and read the thread of posts. Some of us don't have time for handholding. The question sounded rhetorical anyway.

And Monte will only close those school where her s...

2008-03-13T16:25:00.000-05:00

And Monte will only close those school where her supporters don't have children. She has learned at the feet of master panderers.

What doctrine from Catholic Faith regarding homose...

2008-03-13T16:08:00.000-05:00

What doctrine from Catholic Faith regarding homosexuals are you referring to that you wonder if Monte and Schneider follow?

Mrs. Monte CAN'T have a problem forming gay groups...

2008-03-13T16:06:00.000-05:00

Mrs. Monte CAN'T have a problem forming gay groups on campus. The law protects groups and allows GSA groups in schools under Equal Access. Monte has no control over it no matter what she thinks or practices at home. That still does not mean she agrees with it. Did she say she agrees with it? From reading Kay's assessment of the comments, the candidates were not asked their personal beliefs and only Schneider offered his.

Lemberger's "save all the schools" is pandering for votes without a doubt. No one wants their schools closed, so he uses that for his slogan. McDermott changes to supporting K-5 after having his a$$ handed to him in the primary. Like that wasn't for votes.

In my opinion, that is far from sticking to your guns and is only to get votes at the last minute. Attacking Schneider and Monte is another cheap way to get Lemberger and McDermott votes in the 11th hour. Like I said, my opinion.

His kids may attend Traeger this year, 3:35 PM but...

2008-03-13T15:59:00.000-05:00

His kids may attend Traeger this year, 3:35 PM but the blogger said at least one of them attended Cabrini last year. Get it?? Why not join Schneider in a comprehensive reading program before responding to any more posts you either don't understand or didn't read properly. Until you do so, you'll always be on the outside looking in.

First of all, to stick to a principal is to stick ...

2008-03-13T15:49:00.000-05:00

First of all, to stick to a principal is to stick to the leader of a school. What you meant to say was "stick to your principles," wasn't it?

Secondly, you are saying that liberals do not have religious values or are not active in their churches. You are not only wrong on both accounts, but your superior attitude is hardly based in the same kind of faith as Jesus demonstrated when he walked on this earth.

What's "queer" here, but predictable, are religious zealots who toss around their religion but don't practice it in every day life. I wonder if Mr. Schneider and Mrs. Monte follow so strictly every doctrine of the Catholic faith that you praise them for following where homosexuality is involved. Doubtful. For the record, Mrs. Monte didn't have a problem with gay groups being formed on campus. You should probably go back to the drawing board and find a better point to make. It's also not about what they approve of these groups or not. It's about what the law allows.

Lastly, while you're busy saying other candidates will say anything to get a vote, please provide specific. Messrs McDermott and Lemberger have had enough brass to stand up to you hypocrites, even when their positions have been unpopular with you. By doing so it seems clear they neither care about nor want your votes.

Newsflash folks, Schneider is conservative. Did y...

2008-03-13T15:39:00.000-05:00

Newsflash folks, Schneider is conservative. Did you just find that out? He is fiscally AND socially conservative. How about, if you don't like that, don't vote for him as you have plently of liberals on the board already and running as candidates, and if you want a fiscally disciplined individual vote for him! Can't we just leave it at that or will more distribute lies??

I would be nice to him, you may need to borrow some money from him someday!

I thought Schneider had 3 children at Traeger? Ca...

2008-03-13T15:35:00.000-05:00

I thought Schneider had 3 children at Traeger?
Can you blame a guy who chooses not to participate in blogs in which false information is distributed so frequently. Why distribute lies?

I thought Schneider was a Finance major in college? Not an englesh major!

It seems queer to me that people are upset with Be...

2008-03-13T15:24:00.000-05:00

It seems queer to me that people are upset with Ben and Michelle because they stick to their religious beliefs. I'm not real religious myself, but I'm glad we have two people running for elected office that actually have some morals.

Stick by your principals Ben and Michelle. YOU HAVE MY VOTE!