Louella Givens solidifies her resolve in BESE race - New Orleans Tribune

New Orleans Tribune - November 3, 2011 - BESE Board incumbent Louella Givens held an afternoon press conference today to bluntly and aggressively address rumors that she says have been circulating throughout the multi-parish region that is District 2.

Givens says that reports that she will not continue the campaign are lies.

"I have absolutely no intention of not completing my run for this office," she said Thursday on the steps of City Hall. "That rumor is being circulated around New Orleans and the river parishes, and it's a lie."

The press conference was an opportunity for the candidate to solidify her resolve to remain the District 2 representative on the BESE. Givens is asking 100 voters to join her Saturday, Nov. 5 at City Hall to vote in the Nov. 19 election.

Givens also directly addressed a campaign circular that she says she believes his being disseminated by or opponent in the race Kira Orange Jones in the river parishes that suggests that Givens has not worked on behalf of constituents there.

It's an outright attempt to mislead voters, Givens says, citing the fact St. John, St. James, St Charles and Assumption parishes were combines with much or Orleans and Jefferson parishes to comprise District 2 after redistricting was approved earlier this year.

Givens also took note of the outside interest that has been generated by BESE races and the large donations pouring in from out-of-state contributors such as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who made a $5,000 donation to the Orange Jones campaign.

"I am not afraid of Michael Bloomberg," she says. "All I ask you is to wonder is why is he so interested in fixing schools in Louisiana, when he can't fix schools in New York. I don't tell Michael Bloomberg how to run New York, and I ask him to leave us alone."

To view, Givens' press conference, click here.

State Headlines

 ·         Teachers' group endorses
Givens, Hewitt for BESE
 
LFT President says "the stakes are high this year, and the future of public education hangs in the balance."

 

Education activist and community volunteer Sharon W. Hewitt has been endorsed by the Louisiana Federation of Teachers in the race for the District 1 seat on the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The organization is also throwing its support behind current three members-Dale Bayard, Louella Givens and Keith Guice-of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education it says have proved themselves to be champions of public schools and deserve to be re-elected, according to the Louisiana Federation of Teachers.

 "These three members often find themselves in a minority on the board, and each of them has been vilified for their pro-public school positions. We believe they are fighters for real education reform, and are true advocates for all the children of the state," said LFT President Steve Monaghan. "And because of her commitment to public education, Sharon Hewitt was awarded the National PTA's highest honor, the Life Achievement Award, in 2010. That dedication, combined with her experience in management at a multinational corporation, makes her a well-rounded candidate for the state education board."

 

For more, click here.

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