Tuesday, April 08, 2014

No politics at Bright Futures Volunteer Breakfast, date chosen for sentimental reasons

Those attending the fourth annual Bright Futures Volunteer Breakfast this morning at East Middle School were told the event was being held today, not because it is election day, of course, but because today is the fourth anniversary of the first volunteer breakfast, an event that was planned even before the organization had its name.

The reason the timing of the event is suspect is because today is election day, taxpayer-financed facilities are being used, and because the co-chairman of Bright Futures, Joplin R-8 Superintendent C. J. Huff's protege Shawn McGrew, is a candidate for the board of education.

In addition to McGrew's role in the organization and at the breakfast, Huff introduced the Board of Education members who were attending- Board President Jeff Flowers and Randy Steele, both of whom are candidates, Mike Landis and Annie Sharp.

Not mentioned, since that would smack of politics, were three other candidates, Lynda Banwart, Debbie Fort, and Jeff Koch, who attended the breakfast.

Interestingly enough, last year's third annual volunteer breakfast was held April 24 at College Heights Christian Church.

Everyone knows how important that fourth anniversary is.

5 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:09 AM

    The administration of Joplin schools is so fake and just a bunch of lying, non transparent jokers! It is ridiculous what they get away with, but I guess when everyone is spending the night with each other no one tells! People need to vote these jokers out! Enough is enough

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  2. Anonymous9:20 AM

    I wish that for ONCE.... you could applaud the volunteers that the event was held in honor of this morning. For ONCE, you could see that Bright Futures is about more than politics and all the other junk you throw with the name. Bright Futures is changing lives of kids. Giving kids hope that someone believes in them enough to care about their future. That even though many of their parents (probably ones who are your loyal followers) are wrapped up in the nonsense of the world, there are people who will take time out of their day to sacrifice for them --- whether that looks like a pair of shoes, a lunch once a week, a note of encouragement or just simply asking about their day.

    Hard to believe that you were a teacher in a school at one time but yet now, cannot see past the anger and the rejection that clouds every article you write. Yes, some of the stuff that you "report" may be true but as one of the volunteers who pours countless hours into kids of the Joplin School District, it shows your character when you have to be so negative on EVERY Joplin School issue. There are many, many, many positive things going on in the school district.

    I was at the breakfast this morning. It was very well planned and executed. Politics did not shine through. Yes, Jeff Flowers and Randy Steele were mentioned. They are current BOE members who were thanked for backing Bright Futures for the past 4 years. McGrew serves countless, unpaid hours on the BF board. Maybe getting plugged in and involved would be a better avenue for many of you than the one you are taking.

    It was refreshing to see on this election day that we could be reminded of why programs such as Bright Futures, TREK, lunch PALS, etc. are in place. We need people to love on our kids. I am proud to be part of the Joplin Schools' family. Part of being a family is working through the tough stuff that comes along the road.

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  3. Anonymous9:52 AM

    Ironically, the one thing we all can see through is their lies.

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  4. Anonymous12:46 PM

    920- hate to break the news but they could be giving a lot more to students if funds were appropriately dispersed! I know for a fact that in our schools some students need new shoes yet bright futures does not even reply to the emails asking for them. I can see you are believing the lies of the Huff administration, but then again Huff wouldn't be as powerful if someone didn't!

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  5. Anonymous12:52 PM

    Isn't the gift for the 4th year an election :) The administration thinks they can buy influence. They would have done better by donating the money it cost for their event to provide something for the kids and tell the volunteers what they did. If they are really there for the kids it would make more sense.

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