Patch Readers Weigh in on School Board Battles: Feedback Friday

First of all, we picked up another 14 Facebook likes this week, bringing the grand total up to 341! We would like to thank our new likes for supporting the Chicago Heights Patch Facebook fanpage.

Now onto the weekly business of drawing attention to the conversations Patch users are have been having this week.

Moving our Remarkable Residents column to Mondays must have been  a smart move, because plenty Patch users read and talked about Ray Deabel, our SuperDeacon with a garage full of dirt. Here are just a couple of the comments:

: I worked with Deacon Ray for 5 years in the Heights. The 5 years zoomed by. He has a wonderful, angelic (just see all the angels in his office) spirit. I just wish I had his heartfelt love of everyone. I won't forget Ray.

: I must say that Deacon Ray is a wonderful Man. He preformed my Marriage back in 1987. He has also baptized my children and Gave a wonderful service for my Father-In-law who passed away. I feel like Deacon Ray is apart of my family. He is a Great Man who Serves God in a Very Very Special way. He has made a special bond in everyones life that he has met. God Bless you Deacon Ray :).

District 206 board members Robert Rossi and Henry Drake couldn't see eye to eye on firing law firm Sraga Hauser or hiring Drake's wife as the administration office's accounts payable clerk. Who was right? Readers disagreed as well:

: Is it (hiring a family member) wrong? Absolutely. It is a conflict of interest and should not be allowed. Another conflict of interest....are any of Drake's school buses transporting District 206 students? His family owns DLM bus company. His company transports Ford Heights students as well....and he served on the board there. Is that not a conflict of interest too? Hmmmm

: Obviously Mr. Rossi is hypocritical. It was OK to hire his family and former board President Nardoni's wife, but not Mr. Drake's wife? I wonder what the difference could be?

: Mr Drake - hmm, where does it end? A job for his wife with good pay and probably good benefits (remember - Mr. Drake claims he doesn't work), carte blance with Bloom's checkbook through her position....add in what can potentially be voted in by this gang of highwaymen and you have a recipe for corruption stew. I wonder if they root for Blagovich in his trial.

There were plenty of other comments on this article. Head on over to it and join the conversation!

Our big story today also came from School District 206. Patch found out Supt. Glen Giannetti has been buying tickets to South Chicago Heights Mayor David Owen's fundraiser with money from school pop machines. Giannetti says the money is from a separate discretionary fund allocated to the superintendent. 

Some of the State's experts weighed in on the subject, but we would like to hear from you. .

Thanks for another great week! Make sure to tell your friends to "like" Chicago Heights Patch on Facebook!