Olsen backs Garesby for governor

FORESTVIEW, Harvannah--Former ambassador and prominent Democratic-Reformist Bernie Olsen announced his support for Conservative gubernatorial candidate George Garesby at a press conference today in southern Bourneham County.

Olsen, who placed second in the 2007 special election for governor against Nationalist Mark Andres and Conservative Julia Giorchani, told reporters George Garesby is the most-qualified and least divisive candidate.

"I've known George Garesby for years. He has always displayed rarely-seen intelligence, dedication, and diplomacy in every endeavor he has pursued and been apart of. There is no doubt in my mind that he will make a great governor," Olsen said during his roughly five-minute speech.

Olsen also took incumbent governor Mark Andres to task for his "failure of leadership" and "failed policies."

"It's no contest," Olsen feistily remarked, when asked if Garesby would make a better leader than Andres. "The governor we have in office now has failed to show leadership. He has brought division to this state and has encouraged discord, with the Air Force, with the state legislature, with the neighbor islands."

"When it comes to intelligence, there's no contest. George Garesby is smarter. When it comes to commitment to the job, there's no contest. George Garesby is more dedicated to the welfare of this state. When it comes to who can do a better job unifying our state and bringing bipartisanship back into the governor's office, it's no contest. George Garesby is a unifier," Olsen said.

Garesby, who stood by the former ambassador's side during the press conference, told reporters he was "deeply honored" to have Olsen's endorsement.

"Bernie and I have been friends for a long time, and, beyond our friendship, I see him as a leader in our state and our community, and I am humbled and delighted to have his support," Garesby said.

Olsen's endorsement is evidence of a wave of multi-partisan support for his candidacy, Garesby added.

He pointed to an endorsement he received last week from Nationalist Jim Vassater, who ran for governor in 2007 but lost in the primary to Andres.

"Last week it was Jim Vassater, this week Bernie Olsen. I think what you're seeing is a lot of people, a lot of public officials and political leaders saying, 'You know, who's the better candidate? Who's more qualified? Who's more able to bring about real change and to work across party lines?' That candidate is me, and I'm happy to say it's not just Conservatives supporting me, but Nationalists and Democratic-Reformists and independents too."

The Andres campaign had no official comment on the endorsement.

But the Mark Andres campaign Twitter account posted a tweet immediately following the press conference, saying, "Another old dude endorses George Garesby. #BernieOlsen."

Schools initiative creates strange alliances

CLEVEY SPRINGS, Harvannah--This coming November, voters in Harvannah will be presented with a new proposal for the state's public schools system.

The proposal is officially called Initiative 93 (I-93), but is more commonly referred to as the "schools initiative" or "education overseer initiative."

I-93 calls for an amendment to the state's constitution that would require the citizens elect a public schools commissioner to oversee the state's public schools system.

Under the current system, the governor appoints a secretary of education. The secretary answers only to the governor, and can be fired at any time for any reason.

Proponents of I-93 say an independently-elected commissioner or overseer is necessary to ensure autonomy, and to improve public school performance. They contend the schools system would improve if the head of the education department had to answer to the voters instead of simply the governor.

"Right now, our schools are failing in this state. Particularly in low-income and rural areas," Dawn Haggerton, who heads the "YES on I-93" campaign, told The Island News. "Our schools are failing largely because the governor oversees the secretary, and there is little accountability and little incentive to improve the schools."

"Electing a commissioner independently, where we can circumvent the governor altogether, allows for more autonomy, greater transparency, and ultimately, more accountability when it comes to governing our public schools system."

Opponents of the measure say creating a new position will also create a new bureaucracy, which will lead to more tax dollars being misspent. They also argue that a separately-elected schools chief will not necessarily improve performance.

"If this passes, it's going to create a new bureaucracy. We're going to be wasting millions more dollars on a new department, and the schools probably are not going to improve all that much," says John Diamonte, who leads the "NO on I-93" side.

Some opponents add that electing a schools chief takes that authority away from the governor. They believe it diminishes the governor's power, and they believe that is a drawback.

"Our state constitution calls for a strong governor, that has not absolute power, but has enough power to get an agenda sent through the legislature. The governor's authority over schools is clearly defined in the constitution. If this initiative succeeds, the governorship will be significantly weakened, and the governor will no longer have any say over the future of our schools," Dr. Kevin Russler, professor of government at the University of Harvannah--Ashford's Landing told the NPF.

Both sides have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for their campaign. The YES campaign reported $437,000 as of July 31. The NO campaign reported $222,000.

But what's most interesting about the schools initiative is the strange alliances it has created.

Most of Harvannah's elected officials--Nationalist and Conservative--are in support of the measure.

George Garesby, Conservative candidate for governor, has spoken out in favor of I-93.

"Our schools are in need of change. We have a system that is failing our schools, failing our communities, and failing our young people. Having someone that is elected independently would put more accountability in the process, and it would give voters the ultimate say," Garesby told the Ashford Current.

Both federal Senate candidates, Cal Sulley (N) and Robert Faller (C), have voiced their support, as well as both candidates for attorney general, Julio Emaria (C) and Kate Morelda (N), Conservative lieutenant governor candidate Todd Kren, and Assemblyman Steve Frenitch (C-Londigan).

Assembly candidates Hugh Brogan (C-Gilbourne) and Don Pinter (N-Londigan), as well as Lex Martin (N), who is running for president of the Western Harvannah Metropolitan Council, are also in favor of the schools initiative.

Governor Mark Andres (NAT) and Lt. Gov. Mia Xhi have come out against the proposal, saying it will weaken the governorship and is unconstitutional.

"The governor needs to have the power, the constitutionally-sanctioned power, to oversee the schools system. This initiative is going to strip that power from the governor, effectively removing the governor from having any say in the education system in this state, and that's wrong and it's unconstitutional," Andres, a lawyer, said.

Xhi, also a lawyer, agrees.

"I think this proposed plan is going to negatively impact the governor's contribution to the education system. And it's going to put all the power in the hands of one person. I don't think that's a good thing for Harvannah."

Joining Andres and Xhi in opposition are Assembly candidate Ray Augustino (N-Ducheffrey) and WHMC presidential contender John Gulliver (CNS).

Both major candidates for Ashford-Northshore are opposed. Liberal Jill LaFraniere and the far-right Hal Swenson oppose the measure, but for different reasons. LaFraniere believes it undermines the governor's authority, while Swenson opposes the matter because of the potential bureaucracy and spending increases.

Only two of Harvannah's political players--Conservative Assemblyman Frank Kerenbury of Ducheffrey and Nationalist Assemblywoman Marin Holsh of Gilbourne--have remained neutral on the schools issue.

"I'm going to let the voters decide what's best for our schools," Kerenbury told a reporter Friday, as he attempted to dodge a question about the issue.

Holsh said she personally believes the governor should have the authority to deal with school matters, but said it's up to the voters.

"I have my beliefs, but at the end of the day, it's not about what I believe but it's about what the voters believe."

The voters will have the final say this November at the general election. If the measure garners a majority of the vote, then a special election will be held three months later to elect the first commissioner. If the measure does not pass, the governor will maintain authority over the state's education system.