02/28/2007

Letters to the Editor

New math stinks!

Since Traverse City is always about 10 years behind things downstate, I'm shocked to have to relive exactly what I saw 10 to 15 years ago downstate when I lived there: arrogant, overpaid school officials who think they know what's best for children rather than parents, forcing a needlessly complicated curriculum down our throats.

Of course, if parents were more involved, as I was, you get more instances like the other night, and school board officials start watching their backs a little more.

I have three girls, all over 18, and while I love them very much, they are walking proof that this new math stinks! They are all intelligent girls, but their math skills are horrendous! It's like if you kept someone in a box for 10 years and let them out.

Go back to basics, times tables, being able to make change, normal tasks that we adults can do, but kids today can't. And these kids are our future? If I say we have ourselves to blame, that includes parents, school officials. And Howard Jarvis, who started the whole anti-tax snowball years ago, when the U.S. had good schools.

David Caluory
Traverse City

Needs a time-out

We no longer have Molly Ivins to help me get my blood pressure up each morning so I have to look elsewhere. The Record-Eagle editorial is now my first stop.

I almost never agree with the R-E editor, but the views expressed on Feb. 21 about Gerald Morris, head of the Traverse City board of education, got my attention. Morris sounds like a character straight out of Gilbert and Sullivan.

Maybe he should change his title from president, Traverse City Area Public Schools Board of Education, to Grand Poo-Bah. According to Wikipedia, the Poo-Bah is someone who is self-important or high-ranking and who exhibits an inflated self-regard.

Sounds like Morris needs a time-out or at least a couple of days in detention.

George Kobernus
Traverse City

Financial fraud

I commend you for keeping your readers informed of the financial exploits of the employees of Estate Growth Management ("Convicted duo await sentencing,” Feb. 14.)

AARP is also trying to keep its members informed about financial exploitation. A recent survey found that 55 percent of Michigan's members think they are now more likely to be the victims of financial fraud.

AARP has two free books available: "Smart Investing” and "Weapons of Fraud” that can be obtained by calling (866) 227-7448. "Smart Investing” features a chapter on Ponzi schemes, the scheme mentioned in your recent article that defrauded many individuals in Traverse City.

Thomas E. Kimble
Clarkston
The writer is executive council volunteer for
Economic Security and Work, AARP of Michigan.