'PRAYERS TODAY FOR TOM FOLEY BEFORE HIS DEBATE TONIGHT' By Reverend Barbara Sexton www.DearOnesHealingMinistry.blogspot.com

courtesy www.JellyMuffin.com

PRAYER FOR TOM FOLEY & TEAM BEFORE THE OCTOBER 5, 2010 GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE TONIGHT

Please join me in prayer for TOM today...those of you who are so inclined:
LET US PRAY:
Lord, we come to you with thanks for giving us 'clear vision' and determination to make things better for our state, our country and our world, today.

We know the road ahead will be difficult and thus we ask that your steadfast Love guide us at all times and in all ways.  Help us with your great Wisdom.

As those of us with more daunting tasks to bear move forward, be with us.  Enable us to never stoop to the level of those who oppose us and ever remind us to never bear false witness under any circumstances. 

Especially shelter, protect, equip and embolden our brother Tom Foley this day and evening as he prepares for his debate for the Governorship of the State of Connecticut. 

In this 'One Nation Under God', please help Tom and those of us on his 'team' to prevail against their 'detractors' under all circumstances.  May we remember to be merciful to all, if we, ourselves, expect to have your Mercy, dear Father.

In the 'Land of the Free BECAUSE of the Brave', have us remember to honor and cherish every single life...especially those who love liberty and freedom.

And finally, please, dear God, uplift our Tom to the elected position we all need him to be in so that our state and nation may be restored to it's former glory.

We pray these things in the traditions of our individual heritages, united fully in our love for You.
AMEN.

With Love in Christ,
Reverend Barbara Sexton
http://www.dearoneshealingministry.blogspot.com/
"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"

FROM TOM: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000919424310#!/thomascfoley
Join Team Foley-Boughton this Tuesday in Danbury to watch me debate Dannel Malloy at The Bushnell. Stop by for food and phonebanking. Contact Chris Syrek and tickets. Hope to see you there! Can’t make it? Watch me talk about my plan for Connecticut live on Fox CT at 7 PM, tonight.-TOM

CSyrek@tomfoley2010.com for more information
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000919424310#!/thomascfoley

courtesy http://www.williamkalutaphotography.blogspot.com/

free Wallpaper for personal use  CLICK TO ENLARGE!

'6 WAYS TO COMMIT VOTER FRAUD at SBC Restaurant & Brewery, Stamford, TONIGHT Oct 4 7-9 pm' By Reverend Barbara Sexton "The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"

MONDAY, OCTOBER 4



Regular Monday Night Meeting


back at SBC Restaurant and Brewery


131 Summer Street


Stamford CT


7-9pm


Open discussion from 7-8pm


THEN from 8-9pm...


6 WAYS TO COMMIT VOTER FRAUD


A presentation by Fred DeCaro and Lucy Corelli


Greenwich and Stamford Republican ROVs share there expertise on a topic near and dear to their hearts. Lucy had hands on experience unraveling a costly voter fraud exposure in Stamford during the 2008 election.


Learn how to detect and prevent voter fraud. How do they do it? And what can you do to stop them from stealing your vote?

The buck stops here.
DON'T MISS THIS ONE!  VOTER FRAUD AFFECTS US ALL!--Rev. Barb
PROUD MEMBER OF THE TEA PARTY PATRIOTS!
Reverend Barbara Sexton
"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"
http://www.dearoneshealingministry.blogspot.com/

'CT TREASURER Denise Nappier: 12 YEARS Is Enough for This Self-Described Activist'

Trinity Chicago UCC  http://www.tucc.org/  Screenshot above.

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer"

AMEN

Psalm 19:14 (NIV)

UPDATE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/12/samuel-l-jackson-obama-vote-black_n_1271797.html

Dear Ones: 

     Above is the 'church tradition' I unknowingly aided and abetted as a member of FCC Stamford www.fcc.stamford.org   Note renowned JAMES H. CONE and 'father' of  BLACK LIBERATION THEOLOGY highlighted on the Trinity UCC website of 'retired' REV. JEREMIAH WRIGHT, which is now lead by Rev. Otis Moss. 

     SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG WHEN A 'CHURCH' ADVOCATES FOR ONE SKIN COLOR ONLY"     

      Don't be deceived--it's happening all over Connecticut!

     I took the above 'screenshot' today, September 29, 2010.  In my efforts to redeem myself for what I have unknowingly promoted, I present the following here. 

     The UCC I belong to (for 22 years, but now on paper only) is the 'Wright/Obama' Church.  It was not until June of 2007 at Synod 2007 that I realized how DEEPLY 'my church' was into racist politics and I didn't even know it.  All I knew was that we were 'doing good work' at the Soup Kitchen and shelters and elsewhere in the community. 

     Truthfully, for many years, I personally carried much of the load--both as a church member, but mostly individually first as the founder of the "DO NOT WORRY WORKERS", and then with my healing ministry, http://www.dearoneshealingministry.blogspot.com/ .  Until the current Pastor in Stamford, no one was particularly interested in dealing with 'undesireables'--I'll give Cari that.

      But all she--Rev. Cari Jackson-is interested in is black, gay politics.  Worse still, she's one weird promoter of all things Islamic:

      I 'took the heat' for bringing blacks, prostitutes, drug abusers and the mentally ill (as well as those with 'dual diagnoses', i.e. being mentally ill and having substance abuse problems), into the First Congregational Church of Stamford, which is also known as "The Pilgrim Church".

     Nowadays, things are very different, although the Sr. Pastor at FCC likes to 'brag' about 'this church built on a rock'...SHE who was brought in for purely political and fiduciary reasons only the United Church of Christ can truly elaborate upon.

     I attended Synod 2007 in Hartford, CT at the request of FCC Stamford http://www.fccstamford.org/ and was astounded to see and hear then Sen. Barack Obama's FIRST PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN SPEECH at a  CHURCH MEETING IN HARTFORD.

     Everyone in the UCC DENIED IT, of course, but I didn't.

      My intention is to atone for not recognizing and countering the rabid ANTI-NON-BLACK HATRED and RACISM promulgated by the United Church of Christ. 

     And I'm DOING IT through politics.... just as President Obama, the UCC and Rev. Jeremiah Wright have done for it their purposes.

      All I write below...and indeed ALL of my current POLITICAL ACTIVISM is a result of what I saw at Synod 2007 in Hartford.  Please do not dismiss me casually, for I have much to say. 

     As a member of the TEA PARTY PATRIOTS, here is my 'political testimony' regarding Connecticut politics. 

      Please, if any of you have the LEAST interest in fairness and equality for all, PLEASE listen to what I say and do your own homework.

     Our state deserves 'better' than it has now.  Yes, it's political.  God forbid I should bear false witness in my new political venue, but I will continue to speak up against the corruption and injustices I see for all with the current progressive-lib Dem politics.

     I am taking this opportunity to take CT TREASURER DENISE NAPPIER to task and I want her and her supporters to know where I am 'coming from' so that they may rebut appropriately. 

     Let's see how the 'outcast' from Stamford's 'BLACK GAY CHURCH' makes a difference.

God Bless You & God Bless America

Reverend Barbara Sexton

"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"

http://www.dearoneshealingministry.blogspot.com/

Denise Nappier- CT TREASURER SINCE 1998 and "ACTIVIST"

First Elected in 1998, again in 2002 and in 2006.

We love ya', Denise, but-

Connecticut is BROKE AND

IT'S 'TIME FOR A CHANGE'! 

VOTE FOR JEFF WRIGHT FOR CT TREASURER and

Get Connecticut Back On Track

Preserve PENSIONS

Restore Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability for ALL...

(and not just for progressive-lib Dem 'special interest groups'!)

This is AMERICA. 

Make CT 'BUSINESS-FRIENDLY' ONCE AGAIN!

      Leave it to the MS MAGAZINE to hold within the withered pages of it's archives, just a little too  much of THE TRUTH about CT TREASURER DENISE NAPPIER to be believed. 

      DENISE has been CT STATE TREASURER for a VERY, VERY LONG TIME...since 1998, in fact.  Denise, don't you want to...'expand your horizons' elsewhere in some OTHER CAPACITY? 
We sure would like you to!

GADSDEN FLAG

     CT TREASURER DENISE NAPPIER's opponent is JEFF WRIGHT FOR CT TREASURER-- who is my pick as a TEA PARTY PATRIOT!

Yet, incredibly, in Ms. Nappier's own words, she tells us that she uses OUR MONEY to engage in 'INVESTMENT ACTIVISM'  also known as 'SHAREHOLDER ACTIVISM'....for us...on our BEHALF!

     Isn't that special?  We have another 'ACTIVIST' a la President Obama on our hands here. 

     But don't take my word for it.  Read here:

"Think about it. If you had $20 billion to invest, you could do more than just make a whole lot of money. You could also create a wealth of positive change in the companies whose stocks you hold.

At least that’s how Connecticut State Treasurer Denise Nappier has been using her power. Entrusted with the pension funds of the state’s 160,000 working and retired state employees, Nappier demands not only a good return, but good citizenship."
http://www.msmagazine.com/spring2005/denisenappier.asp
     Well now, how did we EVER conduct ourselves and have 'good citizenship' before you, Denise?
"With power plays like these, Nappier, an African American native of Hartford, is helping shape policy inside the nation’s traditionally clubby, white male corporate boardrooms. Not surprisingly, her efforts, along with those of like-minded others who manage multibillion-dollar pension funds, have incurred the wrath of business groups — most notably the U.S. Chamber of Commerce."
http://www.msmagazine.com/spring2005/denisenappier.asp

http://hatcityblog.blogspot.com/2008_10_26_archive.html 

Last Thursday, the Danbury chapter of the NAACP held it's annual gala at the Plaza hotel. From those who remember, last year's gala was a memorable event with the key note speaker had a few words to say about mayor and those involved in the racist email scandal (and who can forget Boughton running out of the room after THAT speech). Well, this year, with the economy on the minds of everyone, the NAACP found the perfect speaker who knew a thing or two about the number one issue in America...State Treasurer Denise Nappier.

With it being the end of the election season, the politicians were out in force. Most absent all Republicans running for office...for the exception of Mayor Boughton (who reportedly gave a rather cold shoulder to ARC member/immigrant rights supporter P.J. Leopold while at the table of Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi...very classy Mark).
From last week, here's highlights of the NAACP gala including remarks from State Treasurer Nappier.
     DON'T MAKE THIS ABOUT RACE, PEOPLE!   You underestimate the character of your Connecticut voters when you do so!
     Check out this NAACP event video.  Can you find where CT Treasurer admits to 'her own CLOAKING DEVICES?"  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leuN5mSxFwk&feature=player_embedded  
     As bad as it was TWO YEARS AGO, ABOVE, today CT is an EVEN MORE UNFRIENDLY PLACE TO DO BUSINESS, Thank you , Denise.  We didn't NEED that at all.      Old Ms Magazine got you right on one thing, though, when they said, "But investors with an eye to igniting social change largely regard Nappier as an impressive trendsetter."
http://www.msmagazine.com/spring2005/denisenappier.asp
     'TRENDSETTER'????
    WHAT?????
"Being in the vanguard is nothing new for Nappier, who in 1998 became not only the first African American woman to hold statewide office in Connecticut but the first African American woman to hold a U.S. state treasurer’s seat. She’s building on a 40-year tradition of shareholder activism by demonstrating how vast a stock owner’s influence can be, yet she is helping remake that tradition by insisting her activism is first and foremost in service of garnering the best financial return."
http://www.msmagazine.com/spring2005/denisenappier.asp
     PLEASE DENISE NAPPIER...You've HAD your RUN and CT is BROKE.  It's time for thinking CT citizens to VOTE YOU OUT OF OFFICE PRONTO and save the fiscal life of our fine 'NUTMEG STATE'.  As even your little puff piece in this 2005 Ms. Magazine article says,
"Still, not everyone in the corporate world buys the idea that the shareholder activism of Nappier and others is strictly bottom-line
 motivated."
http://www.msmagazine.com/spring2005/denisenappier.asp

Denise Nappier CT Treasurer & Rev. Al Sharpton, 2nd and 3rd from left

http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/4219 

"Nappier is one of 12 current female state treasurers or controllers, but to expect similar activism from the other 11 might be a stretch. Because of variations in state law, few enjoy the influence of Nappier, who is the sole fiduciary of retirement funds in Connecticut."

http://www.msmagazine.com/spring2005/denisenappier.asp 

      I'm endorsing and voting for JEFF WRIGHT for CONNECTICUT TREASURE and I urge YOU TO DO LIKEWISE. 

    We are BROKE and we need HELP in CT.

     We've had just about as much 'activism' as we can stand in this state....just as we have nationwide with ACORN and voter intimidation.

     Let's get back to remembering what AMERICA stands for FOR ALL AMERICANS....not just the few.

     'Special interest groups' favored by those who attempt to do 'SOCIAL ENGINEERING' through their elected offices don't realize what they are doing to themselves, their causes and their country.

     Keep bashing business and donations will keep disappearing

     I grieve for what is happening in this country.  'My church' (the UCC-United Church of Christ aka the Wright/Obama church) placed itself firmly in the national spotlight by sponsoring, endorsing and campaigning for then-Senator Barack Obama at Synod 2007 in Hartford, CT, which I attended.

     After that experience, I became 'political' for the first time in my life!

    Politics, race, sex, money and religion....NOT A GOOD MIX. 

     We don't need 'ACTIVISTS' to provide us with 'TEACHABLE MOMENTS'. 

     What we need are decent, qualified candidates like JEFF WRIGHT to represent ALL of us no matter what color, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual-preference, age, health, socio-economic status, business sector, wellness group, education level, lifestyle, political-leaning, etc. group or groups we may belong to. 

     Twelve years is long enough for you, Denise Nappier, as CT State Treasurer.  You've made inroads and you can rest on your laurels.  But you need to move on to your next life challenge.

      This is my prayer and I thank God for giving me the STRENGTH to speak as I do.

With Love in Christ,

Reverend Barbara Sexton

"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"

"I say, Not GOD DAMN AMERICA, BUT GOD BLESS AMERICA"

"I rue the day I realized how 'POLITICAL' and 'prejudiced' my beloved church was, but such is the state of man".--Reverend Barbara Sexton  http://www.dearoneshealingministry.blogspot.com/

'Students Concerned About The Future Of CT-Jeff Wright' By Reverend Barbara Sexton "The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttl82t3inrY

courtesy http://www.leatherneck.com/dougkidd/contents.html 

Honoring Marine Corps Dads like JEFF WRIGHT

GOD BLESS YOU AND GOD BLESS AMERICA

Friends,


As Connecticut students have started another school year, many parents are planning for their children’s college education including cashing in on their investments in Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) 529 college savings program. Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with some college students and they are very concerned about the direction of our State.


I'm appalled at current State Treasurer Denise Nappier’s decision to retain the services of TIAA-CREF to administrate CHET when the plan's return on investment has consistently ranked lower than the vast majority of other states’ college savings plans.


As a certified financial planner, if I was to see this type of low- level performance for any of my clients’ funds, those individuals would not be clients for long. One cannot help but call into question Treasurer Nappier’s judgment in retaining the same firm that has failed when compared with similar programs across the country.


It's time to stop the out of control spending in Hartford. I'm going to need your help on the campaign over the next 40 days to help us achieve victory. Please sign up here to help our movement to send a Cash Cop to Hartford. I'm going to need volunteers all over the State who are willing to help us spread our message. I need volunteers to help us hand out materials, make phone calls, put up yard signs and attend rallies and stand outs when I'm in your area.


As the father of three young children, I recognize the concern parents have regarding the ability to pay for college, and the sacrifices families make to provide their children with the best educational opportunities. Connecticut families deserve a Treasurer who promises to aggressively research and pursue the best return for their education saving dollars - not a 12-year incumbent who promises more of the same.


Please sign up today and get your limited edition Cash Cop sticker and let's show Hartford that we mean business: http://wrightforct.netboots.net/sign-up-here-to-get-your-limited-edition-cash-cop-sticker-badge
Thanks for all your support!
Jeff Wright

Semper Fi

'Foley for CT Governor Campaign Update' By Reverend Barbara Sexton www.DearOnesHealingMinistry.blogspot.com

Foley for Governor Campaign Update

September 24, 2010

Tom Unveils New Health Care Policy

Yesterday, Tom took a tour of the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain and unveiled his new Health Care Plan for Connecticut. As Governor, Tom would set ambitious goals for health care, including making Connecticut the healthiest state in the country by 2020 and reducing the cost of health care services by 10% over 5 years.


To learn more about Tom's Health Care Plan for Connecticut, click here: http://www.tomfoley2010.com/?p=2403

High Unemployment Numbers Highlight Importance of Gubernatorial Race

This week the Department of Labor released state unemployment numbers, showing Connecticut's unemployment rate increasing to 9.1%, another sign Connecticut government's tax, borrow, and spend policies are driving the state off a cliff.


To read Tom's response to the increase in unemployed Connecticut workers, click here: http://www.tomfoley2010.com/?p=2370 


Union Backed Endorsement Shows Malloy is in a Poor Position to Bargain for Taxpayers


On Monday Dannel Malloy was endorsed by the Union backed "Working Families Party". The endorsement shows Malloy will be unable to bargain effectively on behalf of Connecticut taxpayers if he is elected governor.


To see what Tom Foley for Governor Campaign Manager Justin Clark said about the endorsement, click here: http://www.tomfoley2010.com/?p=2401

Join Tom on the Campaign Trail:

Tom is busy traveling around the state discussing his Plan Forward for Connecticut and he would love to meet you. This weekend you can find Tom at:
Saturday
Wallingford Gardeners Market, Railroad Station Green, Wallingford
Fire Truck Meet & Greet, West Hartford
Avon Day, Thompson Brook School, Avon
Durham Fair
Sunday
Heritage India Festival, Fairfield Town Hall Green, Fairfield
Durham Fair
"A Night to Remember" to build CT Vets Memorial in Rocky Hill, East Windsor Banquet House, East Windsor

How Can I Get More Involved?

Want to help Tom and get more involved in the campaign? The easiest way is to become a Fan of Tom on Facebook, and to follow Tom's updates on Twitter:

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thomascfoley

On Twitter:  http://twitter.com/tomfoley2010  

'Rev. Barb Joke Corner Original: A Tea Party Joke' By Reverend Barbara Sexton "The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross" & TEA PARTY PATRIOT

Myspace Funny Picture Graphics courtesy http://www.jellymuffin.com/
A FUNNY TEA PARTY JOKE
I think
by Rev. Barb

Sooooo.....The other day my husband says, "You've been working too hard lately.  Why don't you take a night off and we'll go out for some dinner and dancing?"
     Not one to turn down a terrific invitation like that, I say, "Sure...Why not?"
     So we go to a local place we like, order dinner and while waiting for it, hubby and I get up to dance and he accidentally steps on my toe.
      I couldn't HELP myself.
     I couldn't help myself and YELPED--

(wait for it.....).....)

(wait for it... : P~~~...)

"HEY, WOULD YOU MIND 

 NOT TREADING ON ME???"

And that's all I've got for now.
And if you're lucky, I won't come up with any more : )

Rev. Barb

http://www.dearoneshealingministry.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000919424310#!/profile.php?id=1008260460&ref=ts 

"DOES DAN MALLOY HAVE A PROBLEM TELLING THE TRUTH?-Tom Foley & All Of Us Want To Know'' By Reverend Barbara Sexton

courtesy www.GospelGifs.com   God Bless You, Jim Sutton

"³¹So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

— Jesus Christ, Matthew 6:31-33 (NIV) 

UPDATE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/12/samuel-l-jackson-obama-vote-black_n_1271797.html
Dear Ones:
      Sometimes it's the 'small things' that really get to us.  What may seem to be small matters to some, can be a VERY BIG DEAL to others.  Sometimes, solitary issues can even impel us to think about doing things we really shouldn't do.  And in some cases, we actually 'go through with it' and SAY or DO things that just are not right for anyone to utter or act upon. 
     Such is the case, especially, in POLITICS.  Emotions and 'good intentions' run high and we can all get 'caught up' in making our cases. 
     It's a 'stickey-wicket', alright, especially since in the sense of 'absolute truth', God is and will ever be our Judge in the end, and no one else.  Until such time, the best we can do is to NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, EVER.
     This is easier said than done, because man's inclination is to push the limits.  Many people think that Scripture tells us 'not to judge'.  Actually, we are told that we may judge, just so long as we hold ourselves to the same criteria with which we judge others.  JESUS SAID,

1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  Mt 7:1-2  (NIV)
http://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/7.html
     Yet here is a modern-day example of how the emotions of politics can obfuscate people's abilities to discern between the truth and the 'non-truth' and between what they can say and what they should say:
DOES DAN MALLOY HAVE A PROBLEM TELLING THE TRUTH? From TOM FOLEY CANDIDATE FOR CONNECTICUT STATE GOVERNOR

September 15th, 2010
Dan Malloy’s latest taxpayer funded negative ad is untruthful and begs the question whether Malloy is loose with the truth.
THE FACTS ARE THESETom Foley saved the Bibb Company, a struggling textile company, he bought in 1985. Bibb employed over 3,000 more people in 1996 when he sold the business than when he bought it. There were never 2,000 jobs lost and Tom Foley never fired anyone at Bibb. When he sold the company he ensured that workers’ pensions and medical benefits were protected. When the new owners closed a plant in Columbus, Georgia two years later, Tom had nothing to do with the business. Tom Foley never made $20 million from the Bibb Company.
Dan Malloy is not only not being truthful about Tom Foley’s record, he has been caught in a lie about his own record. In his latest ads Dan Malloy claims he created thousands of jobs in Stamford, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics disagrees. According to Chris Keating of the Hartford Courant, the BLS shows that Stamford has lost 13,000 jobs since 2000 and has 5,000 fewer jobs than when Dan took office in 1995.
“On the campaign trail Dan Malloy says if he is governor he will tell us the truth. If that’s the case, he’s off to a very bad start. Dan’s misrepresenting my background and being caught in lie about his own seriously call into question his qualifications to be Governor.”“Character counts in Connecticut. More than ever, Connecticut needs strong leadership it can trust. Dan Malloy’s latest ads sound like a typical career politician who will do and say anything to get elected. Connecticut needs more than that in its next Governor to set a new direction for the state, bring jobs and the economy back, and solve our daunting fiscal crisis without raising taxes,” said Tom Foley.
http://www.tomfoley2010.com/?p=2229
     Calling someone 'a liar' is a rough thing to do.  As such, you've got to be SURE, knowing that YOU will be held accountable yourself, for what you do and say.   Just fyi, in this 'Bibb' matter which I've been following and looking into for a while, I'm pretty certain that what's being flung at Tom Foley stems more from 'union politics' than anything else, but what do I know? 
     I'm just a political 'newbie' from the Obama/Wright church making my way through the political morass afoot this election year.
     Is Dan Malloy 'lying' about Tom Foley and Bibb?  I sure hope not.  Maybe the heat of the moment just got the best of Dan, for surely no good can come from a political strategy based on outright lies. 
     Not only is it wrong to bear false witness against political opponents, but lying about that which is readily verifiable just makes one look 'weak and silly'. 
    CT is an abysmal place for corporations.  I feel certain that Tom Foley along with Mark Boughton are the guys to get this state in order.
Reverend Barbara Sexton
"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"
http://www.dearoneshealingministry.blogspot.com/

    

'Tom Foley's Education Plan for Connecticut' Posted By Reverend Barbara Sexton www.DearOnesHealingMinistry.blogspot.com

http://www.tomfoley2010.com/?p=2217 

Tom Foley's Education Plan for Connecticut



In addition to being the Jobs Governor, Tom Foley would like to be the Education Governor because he believes every child in Connecticut deserves a good education and he knows how important our schools are to the economic future of our state.

Connecticut faces serious challenges in its K-12 educational system. We are trailing behind our neighboring states in academic achievement, and, shamefully, we have the largest achievement gap in the country.

Every two years the U.S. Department of Education conducts the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which assesses student achievement across the nation for 4th and 8th grade students in reading and mathematics. The most recent NAEP results from 2009 show that most of our neighboring states, including Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire and Vermont, are outperforming Connecticut in student achievement. In fact, Massachusetts now ranks first in the nation in reading and mathematics for 4th and 8th graders. This is noteworthy because Massachusetts and Connecticut had nearly identical NAEP rankings in the mid-1990’s, are demographically similar, and spend the same amount per pupil. Policies adopted in the mid-1990’s allowed Massachusetts to make significant gains in their NAEP rankings over Connecticut and the rest of the country.


The 2009 NAEP also confirms that Connecticut has the unfortunate distinction of having the largest achievement gap of all 50 states. The performance of our 8th grade students who are eligible for free or reduced priced lunch is three full grade levels behind our 8th grade students who are not eligible for the lunch program. Connecticut has had the largest achievement gap in the country in both mathematics and reading in 2005, 2007 and 2009. Our large achievement gap is confirmed by the results of the state’s annual assessments given to students in grades 3 through 8 and in grade 10. Free or reduced price lunch students account for 25% of our K-12 student population, or over 140,000 children.


Connecticut can and must do better. We are failing too many of our students and impairing our state’s ability to compete in the 21st century economy. We should strive to be the best in the country, and do so for each and every demographic group. Massachusetts’ success and common sense tell us that with better policies and leadership from the top we can do much better.

Plan for Action


1. Leadership from the top.
Tom Foley will make improving Connecticut’s schools a top priority of his administration. He will set an ambitious goal of replacing Massachusetts as the state with the highest scoring NAEP students and he will significantly narrow the achievement gap during his administration. Tom will create a sense of urgency within state government about the importance of this challenge and will link all government policy to ensuring that his education goals are met.


2. Appoint reform-minded people to the Board of Education
The next Governor will appoint a majority of the members of the State Board of Education. Tom will appoint members who are reform-minded and who share his vision, goals and sense of urgency about improving Connecticut’s schools. He will appoint board members who are focused on the needs of students and improving school and student performance. Tom will appoint members to the Board who concur that we need a reform-minded and action-oriented Commissioner of Education who will:
- Set rigorous academic standards for the state and develop accompanying standards-based assessments.
- Implement accountability frameworks for schools and districts including closing or taking over chronically under performing schools and appointing new Boards of Education in under performing districts.
- Develop a statewide system for tracking longitudinal data related to student achievement, teachers, schools and districts and making this data publicly available on a timely basis.

3. Ensure that all Connecticut teachers and principals are excellent
Student performance is very closely correlated to the quality of teachers and principals. Connecticut has many excellent teachers and principals, but we must make sure that every student in Connecticut has excellent teachers and an excellent principal.
Tom will implement policies that require the following:
- Regular assessments of teacher and principal effectiveness that, rather than seniority, determine who is promoted and how much people are paid
- Teachers and principals who are ineffective will be given the opportunity for professional development, but if they remain ineffective they will not be allowed to remain in the system.
- Eliminate the barriers to attracting great teachers and principals by continuing to expand certification routes for teachers and principals and by extending full reciprocity on teacher and principal certification with other states.

4. Give parents a choice of other public school options when a school isn’t performing
School choice is essential to developing excellent schools statewide. In school districts where a public school doesn’t meet minimum performance standards, the state should require that there be other public school options for parents, such as a charter or magnet school or the opportunity to attend a public school outside of the district.
School choice fosters competition that will favor those schools that are performing well and allow them to grow and will curtail those that are under performing. In addition, competition improves student achievement, an effect that has been found to be very strong over the past decade in Florida and other locales that have made expanded school choice a feature of their reform strategies.


5. Maintain state current levels of state funding, but reform how those funds are allocated
Public education in Connecticut is funded through a combination of local property taxes and state grants to districts, magnet schools, technical schools and charter schools. On average, K-12 spending in Connecticut is among the highest in the country at $13,000 per pupil. Although proportions vary significantly from town to town, on average 38% of the spend comes from the state, 58% from local property taxes and 4% from the federal government. Spending in the poorest 20% of districts is about equal with the spending of the wealthiest 20%, indicating that overall funding levels are reasonably consistent across districts. The good news is that Connecticut has been spending at a level high enough to achieve Tom’s goals and we have achieved a high level of funding equity across the state.


The bad news is that the current funding system is complex, opaque and has created a number of inefficiencies and other problems that impede the state's ability to achieve Tom's vision and goals. For example,
- Connecticut is paying for a student who attends a magnet or charter school but is not reducing the financial grant to the district that is no longer educating that student. In addition, the state’s Open Choice program funds students choosing to attend schools in neighboring districts with approximately $2,600 to the serving district while 100% of the state and local education funds related to that student remain in the home district. Thus, in many cases, the state is paying twice to educate the same student.
- Charter schools are underfunded and only receive 75% of the average per pupil allocation from the state, even though many of these schools are among the best performing schools in Connecticut.
- Adequate funding is not being provided in many cases for children who need additional resources to succeed academically (i.e. poor children, English language learners, and children with disabilities).
A funding system where money follows the child and where each child brings the appropriate amount of financial resources with him or her creates a powerful incentive for schools/districts to attract and retain students since successfully doing so will directly contribute to their resource base. Conversely, failing to attract or retain students will decrease their resource base and may ultimately lead to closure. School choice combined with money following the child will result in funding going to schools that are performing well and away from schools that are failing, an essential “market” element of improving schools statewide.


6. Modify some structural aspects of our school system
Tom will instruct his education appointees to pursue implementation of key structural reforms across the state:
- Building on the State Board of Education’s recent adoption of the Common Core standards for math and English language arts, ensure that Connecticut updates its academic standards to an equally rigorous level across all grades and subject areas, beginning with math and science.
- Working in concert with other states that have joined the Common Core standards initiative, ensure that Connecticut makes the most of federal and philanthropic funds to develop new state assessments matched to the state’s new academic standards and capable of accurately measuring students’ academic growth across all grades and subject areas.
- Replace the current patchwork quilt of district and state data sources by implementing a single longitudinal data system that tracks individual student achievement, teacher performance, school performance and district performance and provides all users real-time access to the data. Such a system must also be integrated with the state’s higher education institutions and be capable of tracking student outcomes into the labor market.
- Building on the existing statutory and regulatory framework develop a comprehensive statewide accountability framework for students, educators, schools and districts that, at each level, defines success and failure and establishes appropriate rewards and corrective action when needed.
- End social promotion in grade 3 for students who earn the lowest score on the state’s annual standardized test (retention must include a remedial program rather than mere repetition of the grade).
- Require students to pass an exam (or a series of end of course exams) to graduate from high school, and offer early graduation and/or free in-state college tuition to students who can demonstrate outstanding competency
- Introduce an A through F grading system for schools with defined consequences (e.g. closure, takeover or other intervention) for failing schools.
- Set-up a triage system where the State Department of Education’s oversight and intervention focuses on school districts that are performing poorly and leaves alone school districts that are performing well.
- Use the state's longitudinal data system to link the classroom effectiveness ratings of incoming teachers with the programs that trained them, and annually publish the results for each teacher training program, as Louisiana has done successfully.
- Drawing on federal Title I school turnaround funding, create capacity at the state level (either internal or contracted) to turnaround or reconstitute failing schools.

These initiatives will give Connecticut a strong start towards reversing the deterioration in our schools that has occurred over the last two decades. Tom will look to other states such as Massachusetts and Florida, which are doing better than Connecticut at improving their schools, for best practices and other policies that work. Working together with educators, municipalities, and our legislature, Tom will re-establish Connecticut as a leader in education and the state with the best performing schools in the nation.
LINK: http://www.tomfoley2010.com/?p=2217 

GO TOM & MARK!!!

Endorsed by:

Rev. Barb 

JEFF WRIGHT For CT State TREASURER-"The Cash Cop" Endorsed By Reverend Barbara Sexton "The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Yf2o3z90pA&feature=player_embedded#!

http://www.wrightforct.com/

WHAT JEFF WRIGHT SAYS (and why he is the candidate for Rev. Barb):

I am running for State Treasurer because I want my three young children to want – and be able – to live in Connecticut when they grow up.

We have serious economic challenges and I want to help a Republican Governor stop the spending and borrowing that has led to record deficits. As State Treasurer, I can bring my professional and government experience to help erase the red ink and help get Connecticut’s fiscal house in order.

The state pension fund is underfunded at 65 percent where normal funding levels are close to 80 percent. In addition, the investment returns on the fund are not keeping up with demand or with the general average of other state funds. Recently, the national rating agencies downgraded Connecticut’s bond rating, potentially making borrowing more expensive in the future.

Recent reports suggest the state unfunded pension liabilities and unfunded health care pension liabilities could top $40 billion.

We cannot keep using the Treasury as a credit card without limits. We need to close the state’s purse tight, stop the endless borrowing and start to rebuild our assets so our unfunded obligations do not further erode our state’s ability to be competitive.
Those are Jeff's own words and here is his Bio:
ABOUT JEFF WRIGHT

•Mayor of Newington, second term and former seven-year MDC commissioner
•Married to Marina Wright, three children Luke (9), John (6) and Grace (2)
•Owner of Jeff Wright, CFP, independent financial planning practice, Certified Financial Planner
•Served in United States Marine Corps Reserve, Honorable Discharge 1997
•Graduated from Marist College 1994, B.A. Economics
LINK: http://www.wrightforct.com/bio
 Even though I admit I am a bit 'prejudiced' because I am the wife of a Marine I think you will agree that JEFF WRIGHT is MORE than qualified to be our state's 'CASH COP'  Please check out his website: http://www.wrightforct.com/
and his Facebook Page:  http://www.facebook.com/WrightforCT 
Thank you and God Bless You for taking the time to read this and for watching the video above!
Reverend Barbara Sexton
"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"
http://www.dearoneshealingministry.blogspot.com/