Maybe David Picker is indeed a politician for our times. Cynical. Self-aggrandizing. Patronizing. Petulant.
Sadly, these are adjectives that too often describe the state of politics today and Mr. Pickler’s uncanny ability to give meaning to them is an even sadder commentary on the sorry state of affairs in “county” politics.
It’s also the reason that the entry of Ken Hoover into the race for county school board was met with so much positive reaction. More to the point, his candidacy clearly is bothering Mr. Pickler as he plays his version of the race card more and more.
To listen to Mr. Pickler, he has been the little boy with his finger in the dike, protecting the cowering masses who are huddled together to protect themselves from consolidation and the wave of African-Americans that threaten to sweep over them. That no one running in Germantown for any elected official would ever be for consolidation is a fact that eludes Mr. Pickler in a campaign known for its obfuscation.
Apparently, Mr. Hoover is a formidable candidate and gaining traction in this race (he was the highest rated candidate this year by Coalition for a Better Memphis). His increase in success directly corresponds to Mr. Pickler’s increase in mud-slinging. We still think that in the long run, Adlai Stevenson’s admonition is still right more often than not: He who slings mud generally loses ground.
Misleading Quote
We’ve written before about the willingness of some people to say anything to get elected. And we mean anything. We’ve seen it by former Memphis Mayor Willie W. Herenton and we’ve seen it by Mr. Pickler. His latest salvo – like many of his policy decisions in the past (can you say Southeast Shelby High School) – are little more than veiled bigotry.
He castigates Mr. Hoover for a quote that he shortens for his benefit: “I like the idea of having the opportunity for Memphis students to attend our schools…” The entire, accurate quotation by Mr. Hoover actually said: “I like the idea of having the opportunity for Memphis city students to attend our schools, so long as they don’t become the dominant presence in our schools.”
And omitted of course is that it was the Shelby County Schools Superintendent John Aiken who told the school board that he’d like to discuss with Memphis Superintendent Kriner Cash the possibility of city students attending county schools. To give the pretense of validity, the Pickler mailer includes footnotes to give the impression that he has solid research to back up the bold, oversized letters attributing the misleading quotation to Mr. Hoover.
The use of the quote by Mr. Pickler is tantamount to racial code words. Read “Memphis students” as the code words for “all those black kids.” Just the mere suggestion that Memphis students could attend county schools apparently is enough for Mr. Pickler to beat the drums of stereotyping and bias.
The First Victim: Facts
We presume that Mr. Pickler assumes that a Germantown district gives him the liberty to play this kind of political game. Although Germantown is the only town in Shelby County that saw a drop in African-American population this decade, we think that by and large, residents of Germantown don’t condone these kinds of tactics.
But Mr. Pickler wasn’t done. He then contorts simple logic to link the possibility of Memphis City Schools students attending county schools to consolidation. His mailer says he “opposes opening county schools to Memphis City Schools students and other policies that would open the door to city-county school consolidation.”
It’s a breathtaking connection between two unconnected concepts. In fact, Shelby County Schools already admits Memphis City Schools students – those who are the children of its employees – so it’s hard to understand why Superintendent Aiken’s interest in allowing transfers from city schools was a slippery slope toward school consolidation in Mr. Pickler’s mind.
As he regularly does, Mr. Pickler ignores the facts. The charter for the new government being created by Memphis and Shelby County Charter Commission does not include schools and leaves the operations and structure of the city and county school districts to the elected officials voted into office to manage them.
Mangling the Facts
In his questionnaire, Mr. Pickler wrote: “While proponents of governmental consolidation point out that the schools issue has been removed from consideration, the facts remain that school district consolidation has a history of following in close order behind governmental consolidation. We will continue to oppose any effort to consolidate our schools.”
Actually, that’s untrue. (We won’t even get into his speaking in the plural, an attribute that Mark Twain once said is reserved for royalty or people with worms.) There is no history of consolidations that shows that schools consolidation inevitably follow government consolidation. As we pointed out in a recent post, Louisville consolidated schools decades before it did the same with its government, and Denver and Indianapolis still have multiple school districts. Then again, Chattanooga and Knoxville consolidated school districts while continuing to have city and county governments.
If there is a lesson in Mr. Pickler’s terms in Shelby County Schools, it is the authority with which he can state erroneous information and convince members like school board member Joe Clayton that it’s the gospel. It’s also a primary reason that he has no allies on Shelby County Board of Commissioners, the legislative body for the county schools largest local funding source. Mr. Pickler continues to claim responsibility for blocking single source funding for schools although it was Memphis City Schools’ reluctance to support it that spelled its doom.
His mailer says that single source funding would have increased county taxes 26% with the additional funds going solely to Memphis City Schools. That too is a stretch if not an untruth. The truth is more akin to Memphis City Schools’ reason for backing out of a single source agreement: It would produce a windfall for Shelby County Schools as a result of the Average Daily Attendance law.
All Students Matter
Finally, his claim that he “defeated every city-county school consolidation attempt” is merely a lie. Such a conclusion would require a fairly exalted view of himself, but the truth is that the “attempts” have been nothing but preliminary and there were reasons far more compelling than Mr. Pickler’s opposition that doomed them.
We presume that the Pickler brain trust prefers to keep voters focused away from issues like his stance to give the school district taxing authority. As Mr. Hoover rightly pointed out, ““As a conservative, it’s intuitive to me that the more people who have taxing authority, the higher taxes will be.”
We’ve made no secret over the years that our opinion is that Mr. Pickler is a force for division and divisiveness when all of us need to be pulling together for the academic achievement of every student, regardless of where they live or how much their parents earn. We admire school board members on both city and county boards who are able to see beyond their own parochial interests to support students in the other district.
Enlightened Self-interest
While we find much about Mr. Hoover to commend, here’s a statement by him that caused our Germantown colleague to sign up as a supporter on the spot. “Memphis City Schools is not the enemy,” he said. “We have the same objective. We do have differences…but there are so many areas where our interests are aligned…I feel sometimes that our district has not been as good of a neighbor as it could have been.”
Truer words have never been spoken, and they are exactly the kinds of words that we hear parents of county school students saying all the time. They have no interest in their leaders doing anything to harm students inside Memphis and they tire of rhetoric that uses the city district as whipping boy, because they understand that every child matters and every child counts.
That philosophy alone would be a breath of fresh air on the county school board, particularly if it replaces an incumbent who sucks all the oxygen out of the room and who already has had 12 years to do whatever he wants to do.
I voted for Hoover; he would be a real asset, he’s sharp, tough and has really put the “skeer” on Pickler. Pickler has his minions out waving signs, and will probably win on name recognition, but he’s in a real fight. Everything you said about Pickler is accurate, he is a self-aggrandizing arrogant know-it-all who wants taxing authority so he can bypass scrutiny and the County Commission. He’s a liar.
Interesting. I have no dog in this hunt b/c I’m not in this district but I do have an Aunt who’s a teacher in the Shelby County School system and also lives in Germantown. The last time I saw her I asked her what all the Hoover signs in the yards were for. She said it was about the school board and then preceeded to tell me why this Pickler character must go. Her main reason why she wanted him gone was because he wasn’t concerned about other Shebly County schools and only cared about what Houston High did. She said the Germantown community was definitely split on this issue. Her family all voted for Hoover so hopefully this Pickler fella will be voted out.
>>>We won’t even get into his speaking in the plural …”
Oops.
The SC School Board is the last vestige of the Good Ole Boys and Pickler is the GOB in Chief. As a Memphian I do have a dog in this fight. It’s in the interest of the overall community to have a cooperative relationship with educational interests county wide.
I agree with everything you said about Pickler and Hoover and I am hoping that better, more logical thought prevails this time.
I also appreciate your mentioning of my old HS principal, Joe Clayton. He wasn’t that good of a principal and went on to built up one of the largest segregation academies in the area before retiring to become one of Pickler’s lackies on the Shelby County School Board. Joe’s retirement or defeat next time would be a definite plus for the Board.
Let’s see. Smart City Memphis, a pro-consolidation organization, is opposed to a candidate who opposes consolidation. Imagine that. So you support a candidate who became know for his leadership of “Germantown Schools for Germantown Kids,” a group organized to keep the “wrong kind” of students out of Germantown schools. You then accuse his opponent of playing the race card.
Unfortunately for you, consolidation opponents are not that easily intimidated, as you will see this November.
The Facts:
First of all, we’re not an organization. We’re a company.
Second, we support a candidate to replace Pickler who is also against consolidation.
Third, if you’re so sure consolidation can’t pass, why are you so worried about it?
1. You’re a company — that makes a big difference.
2. I’m not worried about consolidation because, despite the best efforts of Memphis elites, county leaders — and voters — will not back down.
3. Any open minded review of Mr. Hoover’s political history will find that his entry into politics was motivated by opposition to school rezoning that increased the number of African American students in Germantown schools. I leave it to the reader to decide if his motivation was race-based.
It strikes me that one reason that the problem of race persists in this community is that people are quick to accuse other people of making race based decisions, or using “code words”, without much evidence other than their own opinion that it is so. And if Pickler’s opponent really did front an organization whose goal it was to keep the “wrong kids” out of G-town schools, it is extraordinarily hypocritical for SCM to ignore those comments while attacking Pickler for making much less explicit comments than that.
Wow, it’s a hissy fight.
Not a surprise.
I hope consolidation does occur and we get rid of this ver kind of political banter. One less thing to choose the lesser of two lessers.
The problem of race persists in Memphis because of two core institutions, SCSS, and MCS and both of their boards.
The black members of their boards do not dare think of themselves or ever utter that they are in fact racists, let alone admit it to themselves, and it’s the same with the white members.
But they are racists. They won’t be able to overcome ANYTHING or ever achieve any common ground till they acknowledge the truth of that, at least to themselves. Too busy looking at each other to look at their own results.
Pathetic.
I could not agree more with your comments concerning David Pickler.
To “The Facts”, you are incorrect about Mr Hoover’s entry into the rezoning issue. I worked with Ken on the parent’s proposal to the SCS board. The parents plan was based on the premise that students should attend the school closest to their home. A parent that doesn’t have to drive 10 miles to a PTA meeting after a day at the office is more likely to attend and be a participant in the school’s activites. The parents asked for reasons behind the SCS / Pickler plan that put 16 miles between the northern and southern most homes in the GHS district. No reasons were ever given and the parents’ plan was ignored. Bartlett parents felt the same pain as their pleas for more students for the Bartlett High zone fell on the same deaf ears. Ken was disgusted by the lack of transparency in the process. That is why he has spent the last 4 years working to make SCS better. Had Mr. Pickler been willing to truly represent the parents of District 5, he might not be fighting to hang onto his position that he has held too long.
When GHS was overcrowded in 2003 with 2100 students, 8-10 rented portables (at tax payer cost) and serious concerns over student safety the board voted to relieve the pressure at GHS..two voted against it…David Pickler (our representative) and Anne Edmiston (his personal employee). Even his homers on the board in Joe Clayton and others voted to help GHS. Pickler said there was no money but meanwhile Houston High was getting a $1 million dollar band room (his kid/kids participated in their band). Pickler didn’t want to relieve the pressure for one reason….race!!! He didn’t want the “black” kids south of winchester in his school that would get shifted from GHS. Once Pickler lost this battle, the new Southwind High was built fairly quick.
Ken Hoover is not a racist. If you knew him you would know this. There were some concerned parents against Pickler before the rezoning but when Pickler showed his bias again then the campaign was on. As a parent of GHS students, I don’t want a lily white school. We just want the “core” of our school to be neighborhood kids…maybe 60-70% then fill the school with students that the board has a responsibility to educate. GHS currently contains less that 30% of students from a Germantown zip code. Kids that live off Houston Levee Rd just north of Briarcrest Highs drive right past Houston High to go to Germantown. That is not a black or white thing…Pickler zoned HHS with the kids he wanted and then dumped kids from around the county in GHS making it a very transient school. Pickler is not for all kids but the few. His childere get a band room and the other kids get a 45 min bus ride each way to school at the taxpayers expense.
Also, Mr. Pickler has threatened board member Diane George and said he would find somebody to run against her…why? Can he not handle diversity? Can he not handle someone with a different opinion? He’s not a leader but a dictator!
Pickler has not protected SCS…the city could drop their charter tomorrow and we would be instantly consolidated. He has tried for 10 yrs to get special school districts and has failed!!! So tell me again how he has advanced our cause against consolidation?
Picker is the county’s version of King Willie…no different except the color of their skin. Pickler may win the battle due to money and lies that Mr. Hoover may not be able to overcome but concerned parents will continue to expose Pickler along his path. Pickler himself has killed his ultimate desire for a bigger role in TN politics.
The Fall of Pickler is coming!!! I may be through the election or personal matters but it is coming!!!
You reap what you sow!!!
Pickler needs to focus on hawking high-fee annuities with fat commissions to trusting teachers (that’s financial “planning” for you) and get out of politics. He’s just as bad as Herenton.
The Facts:
Because of your self-named moniker, we figured you cared about the facts.
By the way, we’re not sure about all these Memphis elites pushing consolidation. We simply think that the facts are convincing about the need to shake things up. It’s more than peculiar that the people who complain the loudest about Memphis and make inane statements like “we don’t want Memphis to come out here” as if it’s not already are the ones who then take the position of not changing anything.
Doing nothing is not an option. That is, if you care about the future of this community in the first place.
Give us the facts, The Facts, and tell us why you are against a better, more streamlined, more efficient form of government.
Concerned citizen reply. You are on target about Germantown. I must add, that in 2003/2004 there were around 2,450 students enrolled at GHS vs 1,749 at HHS, and those portables were on leased land adding more cost to the tax payers. Beside portables, there were a dozen floating teachers. Therefore, there were approximately 700 more students at GHS. It all started when the growth from the southern corridor just boomed. Mr. Pickler and Ms. Sullivan ignored the growth, and ignored the questions and concerns of parents trying to get answers for years as to where the expected enrollment of an additional 500 students would go. (GHS was at one time over 2,600 enrolled and was built to recieve 2,000 students, As was HHS)
Mr. Lollar who was on the board stated “put more portables at the park beside GHS” First of all, portables have to be installed 200′ from an existing interior bathroom, that’s code. So now violation of codes, including fire, and MORE over crowding just to save HHS. It started to become very clear. Mr. Pickler stated in many meetings prior, he would relieve this over crowding, but after years of hearing it, parents had to really get involved.
Mr. Pickler was at Pastor’s Lasima Gray’s church at least on one occassion during all of this, and then shortly the race spin starting hitting the Commercial Appeal that GHS parents were racist. Why were parents at GHS racist when there were over 50% African Americans at GHS, and less that 5% at HHS? The attempt was not and was never of race, it was where are the additional students going because of the existing overcrowding? And how could it be fair to them. After a dinner with Pastor Gray, the articles ceased. The comments to us from the HHS parents, were that they did not want those children in their neighborhood schools. There are two high schools here in Gtown that SHOULD serve all. The comment from Mr. Pickler was that the Houston High School parents did not want portables and the “infrastructure could not accommodate any additional students” An architect proved him wrong, and then and only then, the funds were found to build an addition on to HHS to receive students coming in the fall. Finally there was a place for the students to go. Super. Bobby Webb agreed to that. Hence, the division of Germantown was made thanks to Mr. Pickler.
Mr. Hoover began getting involved prior to the next district changes of 2007. He saw that it was most unfair to have Pickler approve lines once again against parents knowledge and wishes, and this district change brought students in from the extreme Northern area to the extreme Southern area. Children on buses that long, PTA and extra cirricular activities are being made very difficult. When in fact the northern area could be enrolled at HHS, as it is closer for them. Transparency is what Mr. Ken Hoover wants for parents. This change could do all good.
He is very well qualified for many reasons to make a great change for all the schools, all the children. visit http://www.kenin10.com
To: Smartcitymemphis
Thank you for covering the truth in this well written article “politics as usual Incumbent county school board race” We have been waiting 10 years or more for a company like yours to present the real facts! Excellent article!
Thank you again.
Pickler will not even take a debate, any time, any where, that is the truth, that is what was requested from Mr. Ken Hoover and His campaign Manager Mike Agee.
Also, he was broad casted today on am 600, would not take any questions. Mr. Pickler stated just a couple of weeks ago, he wanted the “good people of G town to make the decision” How can anyone really make the informed decision if he will not address the issues, refuses to come out and debate, and refuses to answer question?
You tell me. Mr. Hoover is running on merit alone, no spins, now negative campaigning, not a lot of funds either. It seems ( if you go to kenin10.com) you can find the information that is required for REAL information. I certainly do not want any one to vote if they are not informed. Mr. P has only 5 gtown people donating to his campaign. Interesting. Read it on downloads from Kenin10.com. He has spent 32,000 of his own money to run against a man who is honest. Ask , never mind asking, find out honestly why P did not go for the senate seat.
Adultry, lies, no honesty. We are sick and tired of him.
He has a problem.
Control Freak. the good people of g town are smarter than he is. Get ride of him now after 12 years and wants 4 more which equates to 16 years. A United States President would never earn the right to be there that long.
No consolitation, visti http://www.kenin10.com
Be opened minded for all the children, for both High schools, all of our property values. do not divide Gtown like Mr. P has done to our community. Parents are angry, property owners are furious.
It will filter to the other side, you better believe it please know that. Lets keep gtown great.
Lets visit the truth and the merit of a real concerned parent. Let us not give politics a reason, let it be about all children.
jstroids, some of us are aware of Pickler’s personal issues, but it’s not appropriate, imo, to air them on a public forum. I voted for Hoover, btw.
I’m going to take up for jstroids. It may be just your opinion about Mr. Pickler’s personal history and the fact that it did not need to be aired, however, if this type of behavior effects a vote on the panel of 7 of a school board, then it would not be wrong(imo) to put in on public forum. But, it seemed quite clear this was what was happening then, maybe not now, don’t really know. I’m sure that this comment was personal with facts and was not to damage Mr Hoover, as you can tell from the message respectfully. It seems that the truth be known when it comes to voting, a conflict of interest is certainly questionable when it come to students and doing what is fair. A conflict of interest is noted, as this woman works for Mr. Picler’s wealth advisory firm. So lets be fair all the way around By the way I voted KH also.