With Louise Epstein the families in McLean and Great Falls, who pay the highest taxes in Fairfax, will get the resources they deserve! Louise has committed:

"I will deliver results to ensure that Langley receives its fair share of FCPS’ capital improvement funds."

"If elected, one of my top priorities will be to restore balanced class sizes and fair distribution of county resources for children in McLean, Great Falls and Herndon!"

It is time that McLean and Great Falls stop subsidizing the rest of Fairfax.

Listen bitch, take your whiney fucking ass over the fucking great falls.

This is a fucking campaign sign in my fucking forum.

Eat shit and die.

Langley sucks, nobody cares about it. Go play in nails.

McLean Mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> With Louise Epstein the families in McLean and
> Great Falls, who pay the highest taxes in Fairfax,
> will get the resources they deserve! Louise has
> committed:
>
> "I will deliver results to ensure that Langley
> receives its fair share of FCPS’ capital
> improvement funds."
>
> "If elected, one of my top priorities will be to
> restore balanced class sizes and fair distribution
> of county resources for children in McLean, Great
> Falls and Herndon!"
>
> It is time that McLean and Great Falls stop
> subsidizing the rest of Fairfax.

That's nice. I do appreciate the sentiment. Does she think she can snap her fingers and make it happen? Or maybe yelling about what the wealthiest communities in the county are entitled to will win over her would-be colleagues on the School Board.

It's a fair question to raise, but this notion that Louise Epstein, just because she is a tax lawyer who worked on Fairgrade, will make this happen if she and her supporters are obnoxious enough about the poor kids who "make out like bandits" is laughable.

As for Louise's telling her supporters not to call Janie Strauss "Granny Strauss," there are now new signs in the median strips that simply say "Janie Strauss Does Nothing."

Hard to think of any last-minute pitch that could more clearly demonstrate why Louise Epstein is an unfit candidate. She's run a truly ugly campaign, and raised major questions as to her judgment and basic decency.

fuckyoumcleanbitch Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Listen bitch, take your whiney fucking ass over
> the fucking great falls.
>
> This is a fucking campaign sign in my fucking
> forum.
>
> Eat shit and die.


ha ha, hey McLean Mom: Welcome to Fairfax Underground. It can be entertaining at times.

McLean Resident Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> McLean Mom Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > With Louise Epstein the families in McLean and
> > Great Falls, who pay the highest taxes in
> Fairfax,
> > will get the resources they deserve! Louise
> has
> > committed:
> >
> > "I will deliver results to ensure that Langley
> > receives its fair share of FCPS’ capital
> > improvement funds."
> >
> > "If elected, one of my top priorities will be
> to
> > restore balanced class sizes and fair
> distribution
> > of county resources for children in McLean,
> Great
> > Falls and Herndon!"
> >
> > It is time that McLean and Great Falls stop
> > subsidizing the rest of Fairfax.
>
> That's nice. I do appreciate the sentiment. Does
> she think she can snap her fingers and make it
> happen? Or maybe yelling about what the wealthiest
> communities in the county are entitled to will win
> over her would-be colleagues on the School Board.
>
>
> It's a fair question to raise, but this notion
> that Louise Epstein, just because she is a tax
> lawyer who worked on Fairgrade, will make this
> happen if she and her supporters are obnoxious
> enough about the poor kids who "make out like
> bandits" is laughable.
>
> As for Louise's telling her supporters not to call
> Janie Strauss "Granny Strauss," there are now new
> signs in the median strips that simply say "Janie
> Strauss Does Nothing."
>
> Hard to think of any last-minute pitch that could
> more clearly demonstrate why Louise Epstein is an
> unfit candidate. She's run a truly ugly campaign,
> and raised major questions as to her judgment and
> basic decency.


But is it her or her campaign manager? And I have wondered who recruited who?
Nevertheless, she has not repudiated the "makes out like bandits" remark so I assume she agrees with it.

Let's be realistic. The economy is not improving and no one expects the school budget to grow. Tough choices are ahead. Louise is a fighter. She will force the appropriate allocation with like-minded SB members.

Hey mom, you know what else Louise will bring to McLean/Great Falls?

Dat's right, me and my homies from South Lakes! We gonna be fuckin them rich white Langley bitches! If little Madison comes walkin funny you know why.

McLean Mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> With Louise Epstein the families in McLean and
> Great Falls, who pay the highest taxes in Fairfax,
> will get the resources they deserve! Louise has
> committed:
>
> "I will deliver results to ensure that Langley
> receives its fair share of FCPS’ capital
> improvement funds."
>
> "If elected, one of my top priorities will be to
> restore balanced class sizes and fair distribution
> of county resources for children in McLean, Great
> Falls and Herndon!"
>
> It is time that McLean and Great Falls stop
> subsidizing the rest of Fairfax.


Because that's what the two schools (Langley and McLean) with the lowest free/reduced lunch rates need ... more money.

Random Dude Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> McLean Mom Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > With Louise Epstein the families in McLean and
> > Great Falls, who pay the highest taxes in
> Fairfax,
> > will get the resources they deserve! Louise
> has
> > committed:
> >
> > "I will deliver results to ensure that Langley
> > receives its fair share of FCPS’ capital
> > improvement funds."
> >
> > "If elected, one of my top priorities will be
> to
> > restore balanced class sizes and fair
> distribution
> > of county resources for children in McLean,
> Great
> > Falls and Herndon!"
> >
> > It is time that McLean and Great Falls stop
> > subsidizing the rest of Fairfax.
>
>
> Because that's what the two schools (Langley and
> McLean) with the lowest free/reduced lunch rates
> need ... more money.

to increase their SAT scores, already the highest in the county (save TJ).

Random Dude Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> Because that's what the two schools (Langley and
> McLean) with the lowest free/reduced lunch rates
> need ... more money.

Langley and TJ have the lowest free/reduced lunch rates in the county. The FRL rates at McLean are also higher than those at Madison and Woodson.

McLean Mom wrote: "Let's be realistic. The economy is not improving and no one expects the school budget to grow. Tough choices are ahead. Louise is a fighter. She will force the appropriate allocation with like-minded SB members."

You could start by naming those like-minded SB members, I am sure they wouldn't mind being outed as cutting in other areas in order to further enrich McLean.

Let's be realistic, if Louise really cared and knew how to accomplish this, should should have put her energy into doing this for McLean years ago. If she has the seceret to getting this done, she should have passed it on and saved us all the negativity.

I don't know how she is going to get other people on the SB to give up their resources to enrich just McLean, who is not hurting. Having the PTA buy new toilet seats just doesn't really resonate with a voter as far as having made real sacrifices.

envious Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> to increase their SAT scores, already the highest
> in the county (save TJ).

The issue is mostly focused on reducing the class sizes in the elementary schools. How large do you think the elementary schools should be in McLean or Great Falls before the parents should ask questions? 40? 50?

High SAT scores are nice to cite, but that's due in large measure to all the SAT prep courses that Langley/McLean students take outside the classroom.

Realistic Enough Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You could start by naming those like-minded SB
> members, I am sure they wouldn't mind being outed
> as cutting in other areas in order to further
> enrich McLean.
>
> Let's be realistic, if Louise really cared and
> knew how to accomplish this, should should have
> put her energy into doing this for McLean years
> ago. If she has the seceret to getting this done,
> she should have passed it on and saved us all the
> negativity.
>
> I don't know how she is going to get other people
> on the SB to give up their resources to enrich
> just McLean, who is not hurting. Having the PTA
> buy new toilet seats just doesn't really resonate
> with a voter as far as having made real
> sacrifices.

That's the flaw with Epstein's whole campaign. It's based on the assumption that she'll be surrounded by "like-minded" members who all want exactly the same things that she does.

It's nice that Sandy Evans supported Fairgrade, but that doesn't mean she'll sit by while Epstein calls (loudly) for money to be sent from Mason to Dranesville.

And some of the others likely to be elected, like Smith, Hynes, Koufax and Storck, will be opposed to anything Epstein proposes as a matter of principle from the get-go, having been trashed by Epstein's campaign manager.

The hot air will deflate from the tire very quickly, and then she'll be sitting on the sidelines. I have much more confidence that Strauss can work toward meeting some of the current needs of Dranesville students.

"That's the flaw with Epstein's whole campaign. It's based on the assumption that she'll be surrounded by "like-minded" members who all want exactly the same things that she does."


I hadn't thought of it like that before, but you are exactly right. That and Lorenze who would keep the hot air blowing on everybody for the next four years if Louise is elected. Louise certainly hasn't made herself any friends in this election and it is impossible for her to go on the board with the credibility she will need to get anything done.

The student population is expected to rise while state and county revenue for education is expected to decrease. Louise Epstein will dramatically reduce central office staff to hire more teachers...but it will take a while to complete the reallocation. Bottom line: tough choices will have to be made soon. Louise will not let our children pay the price to maintain small classroom sizes in other areas. Once elected, she could call for quick teacher re-assignments to manage classroom size across Fairfax. In addition, she has said she will NOT support any redistricting studies focused on Langley and McLean. Louise is ready to fight for us!

McLean Mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The student population is expected to rise while
> state and county revenue for education is expected
> to decrease. Louise Epstein will dramatically
> reduce central office staff to hire more
> teachers...but it will take a while to complete
> the reallocation. Bottom line: tough choices
> will have to be made soon. Louise will not let
> our children pay the price to maintain small
> classroom sizes in other areas. Once elected, she
> could call for quick teacher re-assignments to
> manage classroom size across Fairfax. In addition,
> she has said she will NOT support any
> redistricting studies focused on Langley and
> McLean. Louise is ready to fight for us!

When the School Board and the Superintendent's Office are disbanded, and we replace them with an FCPS Czarina with unlimited authority, give me a call. I might vote for Epstein then. Or I might not.

But, until that happens, this "Louise will do this" and "Louise will do that" crap just makes me laugh. It's starting to sound like a personality cult.

Fact Checker Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Random Dude Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> >
> > Because that's what the two schools (Langley
> and
> > McLean) with the lowest free/reduced lunch
> rates
> > need ... more money.
>
> Langley and TJ have the lowest free/reduced lunch
> rates in the county. The FRL rates at McLean are
> also higher than those at Madison and Woodson.

My bad hair-splitter, Madison is at 8-and-change, McLean and Madison are both at 9-and-change. TJ is deliberately left out.

Nothing builds legislative majorities quicker than a baby throwing a tantrum screaming "give me what I want or else". DO THE MATH McLean Mom. No one single board member, even one from the sanctified McLean/Langley neighborhood, is in a position to dictate anything. Results can only be achieved by WORKING WITH other board members to build a majority. That "I will fight for you" and "keep our money here" crap is strictly for home consumption but it does not build majorities. Any voter who is DUMB ENOUGH to fall for it deserves what they get.

Bill.N. - I believe you are underestimating Louise. She has a Harvard Law degree and experience working with many of the (new) School Board members as well as Dr. Dale's administration. She will master any budget/proposal put forward and be prepared to debate all the issues. I wonder how many others will be as prepared as Louise will be.

Are you sure you aren't Louise.....hmmmmm

McLean Mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Bill.N. - I believe you are underestimating
> Louise. She has a Harvard Law degree and
> experience working with many of the (new) School
> Board members as well as Dr. Dale's
> administration. She will master any
> budget/proposal put forward and be prepared to
> debate all the issues. I wonder how many others
> will be as prepared as Louise will be.

I think you have little understanding of how the School Board operates. Folks aren't in awe of an Ivy League degree in this county. Her experience with Fairgrade will only go so far once she starts advocating to pull resources out of poorer districts and redirect them to McLean and Great Falls.

She can debate the issues to her heart's content, but it's very unlikely she'll be the Chairperson of the School Board, who can control the meetings and work sessions and cut her off at the knees. Relatively few members of the new School Board will share her agenda, and some of them have surprisingly sharp shoulders as well. She would over-sell and under-deliver.

Assessment for Dranesville Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That's the flaw with Epstein's whole campaign.
> It's based on the assumption that she'll be
> surrounded by "like-minded" members who all want
> exactly the same things that she does.
>
> It's nice that Sandy Evans supported Fairgrade,
> but that doesn't mean she'll sit by while Epstein
> calls (loudly) for money to be sent from Mason to
> Dranesville.
>
> And some of the others likely to be elected, like
> Smith, Hynes, Koufax and Storck, will be opposed
> to anything Epstein proposes as a matter of
> principle from the get-go, having been trashed by
> Epstein's campaign manager.
>
> The hot air will deflate from the tire very
> quickly, and then she'll be sitting on the
> sidelines. I have much more confidence that
> Strauss can work toward meeting some of the
> current needs of Dranesville students.


ABSOLUTELY correct! Louise Epstein has already complained that Sandy Evans hasn't done what she ought to have done.

Louise should have run at-large to play devil's advocate.

If all the money goes to McLean area I say we all claim homeless and move in

Get the word out that Louise is not a team player and won't be able to deliver on her promises. I think one of the things that sometimes frustrates people about Janie is that she seems noncommital. What's really going on is she's thinking what she can do to deliver and doesn't want to promise before she knows she can. I think that's what happened with Fairgrade, for instance, that made some Fairgrade supporters think she wasn't on their side. I hope she learns from this campaign and changes her style. But I know she will continue to do what it takes to get things dones, and that requires working as a member of a team.

McLean/Langley football game tonight. Both candidates likely there. I suggest one side yell MORE MONEY FOR US and the other side responds MORE MONEY FOR US. Let's pit McLean and Langley against one another for our tax dollars. From my standpoint I want to make sure we reduce class sizes at McLean! Get rid of those McLean trailers! MORE MONEY FOR US!

McLean Mom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Bill.N. - I believe you are underestimating
> Louise.

Perhaps I am. My only contact with her was through FCAG, and she was one of those who drove us to leave that organization. (They did put on an excellent summer camp fair though.) As for Fairgrade I agree with the assessment of my oldest who said "Now all those kids getting B+'s will end up with the same grade as me". Shifting the grade scale didn't put that many more Northern Virginia kids into top schools, but it did increase the competition within schools here.

What I do see is that if there is going to be any meaningful change in the way the schools are run, the school board is going to have to work hard together to wrest power back from Dail and the administration. Having someone out there saying "MY DISTRICT FIRST" isn't going to promote that kind of harmony.

Epstein has a vastly inflated sense of what she brings to the table.

Was she really a sociology major in college? If so, shouldn't she have some idea how to run for public office.