Frank Hancock, my battalion commander from Desert Storm, is writing a book on the soldiers of the 1-327th Infantry . Should be a great story. www.ThinkingSoldiers.com
Saturday, April 06, 2024
Wednesday, August 07, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Crazyland: The Coming Tax Increases in Shelby County and the Waste of Civic Energy over Consolidation
 |
| Shelby County Politicos Burning Tax Dollars So many politicos in this town have wasted civic energy on consolidation efforts that were never going to improve our community, both metro and school consolidations. Now they are asking us to pay for their craziness. Time is Money and they have burned through it for several years now. Please stop the madness. |
Monday, January 16, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Logan G's - Chomp Burger - Sandwich Competition
My son, Logan (9 years old), likes to cook. So he entered a national sandwich competition (link here - http://www.jif.com/Promotions/Most-Creative-Peanut-Butter/CastVote), where he placed in the top 10.
He also has a food blog (link here – http://thetasteofmemphis.blogspot.com).
So now he is both a chef and a critic.
The top 5 from the sandwich contest go to New York City for the next round.
You can vote for him, Logan G. from Memphis, TN – “Chomp Burger”. Vote Early and Vote Often.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Paper Moon Construction ( How To Make a Papermoon )
Along time ago, folks had their picture taken on the moon. (see photos above).
Here's how we made a paper moon for our friend's wedding.
Plywood and a plan.
Several coats of paint.
Paint the face and check camera shots with "sepia" filters.
Steady camera and add backdrop.
Floating on the moon.
Photo with bride and groom. (in sepia)
Need to rent a moon. E-mail me at tomguleff at gmail.com.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
101st ABN
I receive emails from my old Army Division (101st Airborne Division) every so often. Here's one that came through with a photo. Vintage World War 2. 
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Friday, January 07, 2011
The Surrender Has No Clothes
What was the original reason again for the Surrender of MCS Charter?
No one knows .....
No one knows .....
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
WMCTV Channel 5 Poll - Surrender Not a Sure Thing
According to today's WMCTV Channel 5 Poll :
If the Memphis City Schools charter surrender vote was held tomorrow, how would you vote?
Yes
No
I'm not sure.
I don't care.
Latest Results: Here are the results so far:
Yes 36%
No 52%
I'm not sure 4%
I don't care 8%
Special elections are tough to predict.
If the Memphis City Schools charter surrender vote was held tomorrow, how would you vote?
Yes
No
I'm not sure.
I don't care.
Latest Results: Here are the results so far:
Yes 36%
No 52%
I'm not sure 4%
I don't care 8%
Special elections are tough to predict.
http://www.wmctv.com/
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Why The Rush to Surrender MCS Charter ?
The message is UNTRUE.
Memphis City Schools (MCS) will not lose 50% of their funding if Shelby County School (SCS) District becomes a special school district.
So how much will MCS lose due to a Shelby County Special School District?
The answer is ZERO.
After all the screaming and the “fake faints”, MCS doesn’t lose a dime. The architects of all this drama will continue to spin another story, but here’s the truth and the numbers.
According to their (MCS) numbers, the sources of funds are as follow (proposed MCS 2010-2011 Budget) (General Fund):
State of Tennessee: 50.5% or $450.3 million
Shelby County: 28.6% or $254.9 million
Local Sales Tax : 9.99% or $ 89.1 million
City of Memphis : 8.78% or $ 78.3 million
Federal Funds : 0.89% or $ 7.9 million
Local Funds : 0.22% or $ 2.0 million
First off, + 50% of MCS budget is derived from the state of Tennessee. Alike, the local sales tax, city of Memphis, Federal Funds, Local Funds would continue.
That leaves the contribution from Shelby County (commission) which makes up 28.6% of the budget. This is where the smoke and mirrors come in. These dollars don’t disappear from the MCS budget, if special school status is given to SCS.
The bottom line is: The Shelby County Commission cannot exit the ADA and MOE requirements. The combined contributions of the Memphis City Council and Shelby Commission cannot go away by law.
In the future, the county commission dominated by city interests will remain in place. The Shelby County Commission would still be obligated to fund at least the current $254.9 million. Unless of course, Memphis City School’s ability to count students is questioned again by city council members.
So why the “fake faints” over all this?
Tom Guleff
Memphis, TN
901-413-7804
Here's the link to the proposed MCS 2010-2011 Budget (General Fund) of $891 million:http://www.mcsk12.net/forms/Budget/2011%20Proposed%20Budget%20Revised%20-%20Web2.pdf
Link to lawsuit between MCS and Memphis City Council http://www.abc24.com/media/lib/10/6/0/7/6073965a-93af-48ae-b567-f0b1adf37caf/State_ex_rel_BoardofEducationofMemphisCitySchools_v_Memphis_OPN.pdf
Memphis City Schools (MCS) will not lose 50% of their funding if Shelby County School (SCS) District becomes a special school district.
So how much will MCS lose due to a Shelby County Special School District?
The answer is ZERO.
After all the screaming and the “fake faints”, MCS doesn’t lose a dime. The architects of all this drama will continue to spin another story, but here’s the truth and the numbers.
According to their (MCS) numbers, the sources of funds are as follow (proposed MCS 2010-2011 Budget) (General Fund):
State of Tennessee: 50.5% or $450.3 million
Shelby County: 28.6% or $254.9 million
Local Sales Tax : 9.99% or $ 89.1 million
City of Memphis : 8.78% or $ 78.3 million
Federal Funds : 0.89% or $ 7.9 million
Local Funds : 0.22% or $ 2.0 million
First off, + 50% of MCS budget is derived from the state of Tennessee. Alike, the local sales tax, city of Memphis, Federal Funds, Local Funds would continue.
That leaves the contribution from Shelby County (commission) which makes up 28.6% of the budget. This is where the smoke and mirrors come in. These dollars don’t disappear from the MCS budget, if special school status is given to SCS.
The bottom line is: The Shelby County Commission cannot exit the ADA and MOE requirements. The combined contributions of the Memphis City Council and Shelby Commission cannot go away by law.
In the future, the county commission dominated by city interests will remain in place. The Shelby County Commission would still be obligated to fund at least the current $254.9 million. Unless of course, Memphis City School’s ability to count students is questioned again by city council members.
So why the “fake faints” over all this?
Tom Guleff
Memphis, TN
901-413-7804
Here's the link to the proposed MCS 2010-2011 Budget (General Fund) of $891 million:http://www.mcsk12.net/forms/Budget/2011%20Proposed%20Budget%20Revised%20-%20Web2.pdf
Link to lawsuit between MCS and Memphis City Council http://www.abc24.com/media/lib/10/6/0/7/6073965a-93af-48ae-b567-f0b1adf37caf/State_ex_rel_BoardofEducationofMemphisCitySchools_v_Memphis_OPN.pdf
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
It’s Now Time To Reform Memphis City Schools
Friends and Neighbors,
It is unfortunate that the Memphis City School board has not only surrendered their charter but also their voice on the debate of reforming the city’s education system.
In the coming weeks, there will be much debate on how to reform a broken and failing Memphis City School system. Although the politicos have surrendered and given up, the citizens have not. We are asking voters throughout Shelby County to help in providing input on this future reform movement.
Since receivership falls upon the Shelby County School system, we will demand that reform be instituted immediately and without delay. Our community must create our own education "Marshall Plan" and commit to making this the Manhattan Project of Memphis. Our children have been left behind for far too long. Reform need not be painful, but it is necessary for the welfare of the children! MCS must be transformed from a failed system (that many believe long ago "devolved" into a city jobs program with bloated payrolls and patronage) to a cadre of professional and effective educators empowered to make a difference.
Excuses can no longer be accepted nor tolerated. There should be no "sacred cows", everything should be open to reform. We have been given an opportunity. Now we must lead.
There is much work to be done. The following must be executed during the critical transition period:
1. Reduce the influence collective bargaining has on our system. SCS has a teachers organization in place and it should remain as the single recognized agent for all teachers.
2. Eliminate the current optional program system.
3. Close all schools that are no longer viable to operate.
4. Outsource / privatize services wherever possible to eliminate waste.
5. Eliminate duplicate administrative staff positions and reduce overhead costs. We do not need two administrations!
6. Serious consideration should be given to approving new charter schools, and funding homeschool cooperatives.
7. Decentralize decision making, transfer power to principals, and empower great teachers.
8. Institute mandatory after school tutoring, adding another period to every teacher’s schedule.
9. Remove all current MCS department heads, review and assign the most qualified teachers based on TVAAS scores.
10. Assign SCS transition managers to all schools and empower them to make personnel decisions.
11. Immediately institute longer school days and school year to close the gap between our students and their peers both on a National and Statewide basis.
12. Set an immediate goal of lifting the former MCS children's ACT scores to a level of parity with the former SCS children. Graduating students who require remedial education to gain admission to one of Tennessee's public four year colleges or universities should no longer be acceptable.
We need your input, now!
Failure is not an option.
Save Our Students
It is unfortunate that the Memphis City School board has not only surrendered their charter but also their voice on the debate of reforming the city’s education system.
In the coming weeks, there will be much debate on how to reform a broken and failing Memphis City School system. Although the politicos have surrendered and given up, the citizens have not. We are asking voters throughout Shelby County to help in providing input on this future reform movement.
Since receivership falls upon the Shelby County School system, we will demand that reform be instituted immediately and without delay. Our community must create our own education "Marshall Plan" and commit to making this the Manhattan Project of Memphis. Our children have been left behind for far too long. Reform need not be painful, but it is necessary for the welfare of the children! MCS must be transformed from a failed system (that many believe long ago "devolved" into a city jobs program with bloated payrolls and patronage) to a cadre of professional and effective educators empowered to make a difference.
Excuses can no longer be accepted nor tolerated. There should be no "sacred cows", everything should be open to reform. We have been given an opportunity. Now we must lead.
There is much work to be done. The following must be executed during the critical transition period:
1. Reduce the influence collective bargaining has on our system. SCS has a teachers organization in place and it should remain as the single recognized agent for all teachers.
2. Eliminate the current optional program system.
3. Close all schools that are no longer viable to operate.
4. Outsource / privatize services wherever possible to eliminate waste.
5. Eliminate duplicate administrative staff positions and reduce overhead costs. We do not need two administrations!
6. Serious consideration should be given to approving new charter schools, and funding homeschool cooperatives.
7. Decentralize decision making, transfer power to principals, and empower great teachers.
8. Institute mandatory after school tutoring, adding another period to every teacher’s schedule.
9. Remove all current MCS department heads, review and assign the most qualified teachers based on TVAAS scores.
10. Assign SCS transition managers to all schools and empower them to make personnel decisions.
11. Immediately institute longer school days and school year to close the gap between our students and their peers both on a National and Statewide basis.
12. Set an immediate goal of lifting the former MCS children's ACT scores to a level of parity with the former SCS children. Graduating students who require remedial education to gain admission to one of Tennessee's public four year colleges or universities should no longer be acceptable.
We need your input, now!
Failure is not an option.
Save Our Students
Saturday, December 18, 2010
11th Hour Plea to Mayor Wharton and Mayor Luttrell - “Bring Schools To The Table”
Friends and Neighbors,
Once again, we are asking the mayors of Memphis and Shelby County to do whatever is necessary to bring the two school systems to the table to discuss recent developments around special school districts and a potential school charter surrender.
These far reaching issues deserve cooler heads. Our top political leaders can no longer talk about the issues; they must bring the parties together.
Emotions are running high, and a vote on the charter surrender resolution scheduled for Monday should be avoided at all cost.
Our community must have real discussions on reforming our school systems. This is not the way to travel the difficult road of reform.
Contact info:
Mayor@memphistn.gov Office (901) 576-6000
Mark.Luttrell@shelbycountytn.gov Office (901) 545-4500
Your action is required. Sincerely, Tom Gule
Once again, we are asking the mayors of Memphis and Shelby County to do whatever is necessary to bring the two school systems to the table to discuss recent developments around special school districts and a potential school charter surrender.
These far reaching issues deserve cooler heads. Our top political leaders can no longer talk about the issues; they must bring the parties together.
Emotions are running high, and a vote on the charter surrender resolution scheduled for Monday should be avoided at all cost.
Our community must have real discussions on reforming our school systems. This is not the way to travel the difficult road of reform.
Contact info:
Mayor@memphistn.gov Office (901) 576-6000
Mark.Luttrell@shelbycountytn.gov Office (901) 545-4500
Your action is required. Sincerely, Tom Gule
Friday, December 10, 2010
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Luttrell and Wharton Must Bring Schools To The Table, Now !!!!!
Friends and Neighbors,To avoid another political tsunami, we are calling on the mayors of Memphis and Shelby County to become actively engaged in bringing the two school systems to the table to discuss recent developments around special school districts.
Political capital must be spent by Mark Luttrell and AC Wharton to bring the parties together and discuss the issue of schools before this storm spirals out of control. Groups are moving too quickly. It is a very complicated issue and the citizens deserve cooler heads in the room.
Our top political leaders can no longer simply stand on the sidelines, they must bring the parties together and force them to talk.
Recent discussions about efforts to dissolve the Memphis City Schools' charter and force consolidation of the county and city school systems are premature. Without information and dialogue, the intended solution may make the problem worse, which could include loss of funding and chaos within both school systems.
We need leadership, now!
Contact info:
Mayor@memphistn.gov Office (901) 576-6000
Mark.Luttrell@shelbycountytn.gov Office (901) 545-4500
Your action is required. Sincerely, Tom Guleff
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Let's Move on from Consolidation Debate
A new resolution supporting consolidation is a flagrant disregard for the voters of Shelby County. The politicians think they know more than us....
Here's the new book.
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