The Jeb Bush Nobody Knows - Part 7: FL's 'Other' Voucher Program, for Students with Disabilities

Responses to this Jeb series, from The Daytona Beach News-Journal's forum ^ | Dec. 19, 2001 | summer

[summer]

Many people outside of Florida may not realize that when Gov. Bush announced he was running for reelection as governor, his reelection papers were filed by a Hispanic mother of three, who is the parent of a severely disabled child - and, a Broward County activist on issues concerning the disabled.

Her decision to file Gov. Bush's reelection papers followed an extension dialogue she had with the governor about the disabled, and Gov. Bush keeping his promise to substantially increase funding for the disabled.

Although the press release from Gov. Bush's campaign web site, below, did not mention she is a Dem, I read that in several FL newspapers. Most FL newspapers carried her photo, and she can be seen, below, with her disabled daughter, speaking to the press after she filed the reelection papers for Gov. Bush.



For Immediate Release
Thursday, July 5, 2001 Contact: Karen Unger (850) 224-4532

MOTHER OF CHILD WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES FILES CAMPAIGN PAPERWORK FOR GOVERNOR

TALLAHASSEE - Praising Governor Jeb Bush for his commitment to Florida citizens with developmental disabilities like her own daughter, Lucy, Berthy De La Rosa-Aponte today filed the official paperwork with the State Division of Elections in Tallahassee to make Governor Jeb Bush a candidate for re-election.

De La Rosa-Aponte, 50, the mother of three children, was joined by her husband Milton and two of her children as she filed the paperwork for Governor Bush at the Division of Elections Headquarters office at the State Capitol.

Standing by her youngest child, Lucy, who has significant cognitive and physical developmental disabilities, De La Rosa-Aponte described Governor Jeb Bush as "a person that understands and believes in all people, people of different backgrounds, and people with different abilities like my daughter, Lucy."

"When Governor Bush ran four years ago he said that Florida could do better; well, Florida has done better. For the first time in a long time citizens with developmental disabilities in this state have done better too," De La Rosa-Aponte said. "I've spent my life advocating for people with developmental disabilities, and I'm in a strong position to judge this Administration's actions on an issue so critical to my family. Jeb Bush doesn't just talk about the needs of Floridians. He delivers."

De La Rosa-Aponte and her family met the Governor more than three years ago at Peaceful Haven Group home in Broward County, where they reside. At first De La Rosa-Aponte said she was skeptical of Bush as he toured the home, but quickly her opinion changed.

"Governor Bush has learned that people with disabilities have dreams just like any other citizen does. They want to contribute to society, to have a job, a home, a family, to be accepted as equal citizens," De La Rosa-Aponte said. "Lucy may not be able to speak, but that doesn't mean that she doesn't have anything to say, to share and to learn. We just need to open our hearts and listen. Jeb Bush has done that."

"I am honored and humbled to have Berthy and her amazing daughter Lucy place their confidence in me," Governor Bush said. "The example Berthy has set by raising such a wonderful child against numerous obstacles is an inspiration for me, and my candidacy. Leading this state has been the greatest privilege of my professional life. I know we have made a difference, I know we have done better for the people that need it most. Now, I want to finish the job."

Since Governor Bush took office, he has increased funding for the developmentally disabled by almost 75% -- for a total of $886 million. In addition, a waiting list for services that included thousands of Florida citizens with developmental disabilities has now been almost completely erased.

"This is not about politics," De La Rosa-Aponte said. "It's about making sure that all people's voices are heard and respected."

[summer]

Thought you might be interested in this editorial by Gov. Bush. It was published in the Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel in February 1999: "Helping the Most Vulnerable Among Us," by Jeb Bush

[summer]

Abbey, thanks again for sharing these great photos:

[summer]

Well, AmishDude, sometimes my links work, and sometimes they don't! Here is another try at the link for Article #1, mentioned above:

Article #1

[summer]

But, I can't seem to do a link with this URL, as it's not coming up in the "Source" link I posted above. Maybe you can try to post a link for this. Thanks.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/forum/Forum5 /HTML/000526.html

[summer]

Bumping for index.

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

an extension dialogue = an extensive dialogue

Well, sometimes I really have to make the correction. And, I almost got everything right this time! :)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

And, I should have written my first sentence like this:

Folks, our objective today is to discern the difference between fact and opinion. PERIOD.

Because after all, mere opinions need never be supported by fact!

:)

[Eagle Eye]

Rogers vows even hand in school budget cuts

I'm not one who equates money with education. Kids managed to learn arithmatic and grammar before computers and state certified teachers with MS/MA degrees.

[PogySailor]

Thanks for the ping.

Long read. I'll get back to this later.

[AmishDude]

The elusive Article #1

summer, the problem was that space after "Forum5". HTML doesn't recognize URLs with spaces. That's why there are so many of these: _

[AmishDude]

summer, I was only able to read part of the article today (I'm submitting grades as we speak) and I am a big fan of vouchers because I think that the group that best benefits are smart kids whose parents don't have a lot of money.

But I never realized that there was an option for special ed students. I guess because special ed students receive such a large proportion of the school budget.

Private ed seems like a great solution, with specialty schools. Plus, I am against mainstreaming mentally handicapped kids.

As a proponent of vouchers in general, I like what seems to be a "backdoor" approach. Special ed is sacrosanct! So, once vouchers are in for special ed kids, then it gets put into place for poor children that test with high ability/IQ. Then, maybe in general.

[Landru]

"Although the press release from Gov. Bush's campaign web site, below, did not mention she is a Dem, I read that in several FL newspapers."

That you read this all important detail in *any* of FL's newspapers has me talking to myself, dear summer.
Really; if you know nothing of me a'tall?
You must learn just how cynical, jaded, & angry I am with, "Journalists" overall.
As such, I'd rather cozy-up with a rattlesnake than listen to one single word written by the sycophants without first seeking their Leftist, "angle?"

In any event, the Jeb Bush campaign (as all other Rightwing pols) must make it a point of announcing the support they're recieving from those registered voters of our loyal opposition.
Yes they should.
The Left would never pass-up such a sweet opportunity a political changling represents to their twisted cause; moreover, they've been known to twist the facts even moreso to themselves even when they already have the truth in their favor.

...to ever rely on our lying Lamestream media for the Devil's Details is a sucker's bet.

-BTTT-

[summer]

Re your post #14 -- AD, wrong label, right link!

Thank you for doing this, AmishDude, as you correctly linked to the Daytona NewsJounral forum, which I could not link to in my Source link.

(But, you mislabeled it the "elusive Article #1," which I eventually did link to, above.) :)

[AmishDude]

My bad, sorry. But the space issue is still true. If you want me to tell the moderator to pull my post, go right ahead. (The only reason I wouldn't is I am generally against bothering moderators.)

[summer]

Then, maybe [vouchers] in general.

Maybe the assumption you are making is why they did not mention this program on their campaign web site -- as I do not ever want to see all public schools abolished, since that option IS an option desired and preferred by some parents, and is sometimes the one option available for kids. Also, speaking only logistically, there is very much a need for public school, as not all private schools are large enough, nor do all private schools want to accept all kids.

I am very much in favor of the most options in a big mix -- and that mix, to me, always should include public schools.

[summer]

No, no pulling posts! But, if want to re-label it and post it again, as: SOURCE link: The Daytona News-Journal forum, that would be fine! :)