When Lee DeCesare http://leedrurydecesarescasting-roomcouch.blogspot.com/

commented in her column in La Gaceta http://www.lagacetanewspaper.com/ourhistory.htm
that Ms.Elia did not follow proper hiring practices with her administrative office staff; Ms. Elia promptly paid a visit to Patrick Manteiga (editor and owner of LaGaceta) and intimated (or is that intimidated?) that the ad money from the school system would cease if Ms. DeCesare was allowed to continue her reporting on the hiring practices. As well, it was mentioned that a lawsuit could ensue.

Then: (and these are just three I’ve brought today)
Coincidentally, Ms. Elia and Gov. Crist (among others of course) attended Tiger Bay Club http://www.tigerbayclub.com/Cats.htm

as guest speakers. Ms. DeCesare is (was) a staunch member and these public figures faced questions that they may not have liked but that were on the minds of many who attended. Nonetheless, they are public figures serving at the pleasure of the public (or that’s how it’s supposed to work) and that is what Tiger Bay is all about. Asking the tough questions, getting the answers.
I am following and expanding on the sentence in this article by Ms. Robinson which states that Ms. Elia couches her replies in ‘thinly veiled attacks.’ This is a pattern. This is not the first and surely not the last incidence of intimidation by the school system. The schools are also the best place they can get to you through your children if they want to intimidate you. One Superintendent, one cooperative teacher in fear, that’s all it takes; your child at their mercy. Forget the bully scenario, some of it comes from the top.
IF this pattern of intimidation and those who are utilizing it could be stopped, many problems would dematerialize. Teachers would not be forced into an unwieldy regime-like setting, the unholy competition over the FCAT could finally end. Maybe kids could have music and recess and reality again. When bureaucrats are so willing to go along with a plan that so many parents and educators are against — that’s a real problem. We need to direct the school system not them throwing their weight around and telling US what is good for our children and our society.
I’ll let everyone draw their own conclusions but it appears Ms. DeCesare’s civil rights to free speech are being attacked once again. And, if anyone can; people like her can help stop this intimidation and flagrant dismissal of student rights and teachers’ ability to use their power to educate.
I hope that no one minds that I draw a bigger picture because it’s NOT just the teachers and the students that this is effecting. It’s all of Hillsborough County and surrounding counties. It’s showing our children that if they don’t like something someone says they can just shut them up rather than discussing the issue and coming to some mutually satisfactory, above board agreement.

The following is an email that addresses what I relayed above. Please read.

To the entire Tiger Bay board:
I am surprised and disappointed that the Tiger Bay Club is helping to make Tampa Bay a dumb place to live. I was under the belief that Tiger Bay was supposed to ask tough questions of local and state politicians. I was under the impression that members were encouraged to “grill” politicians/guest speakers.
Lee DeCesare told me the other day that she was told she was too confrontational and the board did not like her questions. Her questions have turned off politicians, according to the board. Therefore, she will not be called upon, and it was implied that she was blacklisted.
I find this outrageous. Asking tough questions, confronting issues, and critiquing the system is the way things get better. I believe Lee’s questions made Tiger Bay more exciting, made better politicians out of the politicians, etc. If local politicians can not handle Lee’s questions, why are they in politics? Good politicians need to know how to handle confrontation and pointed questions. If they can’t hack it, they need to get out of the kitchen.
I can not believe that Tiger Bay wants to be a toothless club that is in bed with the politicians. What’s the point in an organization like that? Who needs an organization like that? Why exist?
I believe that medocrity thrives when there is no criticism. Mediocre writers never had their writings corrected in red ink by a smart English teacher. Mediocre artists never received criticism on form or content. Tampa and Hillsborough County remain mediocre, b/c no one wants to “rock the boat” or tell it like it is. Vivid personalities are squelched. Lee is the only person in Tampa Bay that seems to do this. Everyone else just wants to kiss each other and make nice. Therefore, mediocrity thrives. What I find ironic is that the very same people who talk on and on about being “respectful” and “civil” are just the opposite. I had a school board member yell at me in a public place only to watch her go on and on about how everyone needs to be respectful and civil in the school district during her campaign. When the shoe is on the other foot, suddenly everyone needs to be respectful. This is a problem in Hillsborough County. People like Lee are supposed to act “civil” when others deem it necessary (so they can make friends with politicians and get them to come to Tiger Bay), but this treatment of Lee is not civil. It is such a double standard.
I am thoroughly disgusted. I consider this to be an assault on free speech by Tiger Bay. Only cowards want to shut down free speech. Politicians with no business in politics want to avoid questions and a Tiger Bay with no teeth wants to shut down free speech.
Lee has been a staunch supporter of Tiger Bay getting me to join even though I can hardly attend meetings. She has gotten others to join also. She is always trying to get people to join. I know from being cc’ed that she is constantly giving ideas for topics. But since Tiger Bay just wants to be a quaint little tea party where everyone is kissy poo nice and nothing “difficult” is discussed, I guess it is best that she quit after this past Friday. I just don’t understand why you all don’t just disband the whole club and just meet for tea somewhere to socialize.
Sincerely,
Bart Birdsall

Bart Birdsall
2309 W. Bristol Ave. Tampa, FL 33609
home (813) 258-8817
cell (813) 362-7937
Montolino@aol.com

It’s so refreshing to see Ms. Robinson stand up for what is right. It’s downright astonishing to listen to Lee shine the truth around.

Please support the truth.

Subject: lee drury de cesare’s casting-room couch blog

http://leedrurydecesarescasting-roomcouch.blogspot.com/

Bay Area political piffle and all the gossip that’s unfit to print

Elia is MUCH worse than all of that. Here’s a fact that I have published elsewhere and can prove. She has actually stalked me twice because of an email exchange I uttered concerning her (and I believe as being involved in every scam in the county she’s hooked up with the bunch who are trying to intimidate me out of my property) but this is witnessed, twice in one week stalking after (dates and proof in the emails and witnesses) another educator and I exchanged not very kind words concerning her …. you know in my life, I’m sure people have said unkind things about me but I have NEVER EVER stalked anyone over it.

The WORST thing is that our CHILDREN are being ignored by what has evolved in to the most wretched educational system in this ENTIRE country and we are spending millions (65 I believe) to import more of this ilk when there is no real support in place for the REAL teachers that we have.

The above blog is a pretty droll friend of mine who is very supportive of teachers and ALSO has had more than her share of exchanges with Lennard and Elia. Please enjoy.

And, seriously, THANKS. And, YES, it is true about the stalking. If it sounds crazy consider the source of the stalking. Does a lucid person make these types of decisions? I know I don’t have to remind anyone here of the sad state of this system; it didn’t get here by itself.

Tommy has given us all a home here. I, for one, am eternally grateful.

Oh, and by the way – my balls are pure platinum, baby. Believe it.