Common Sense (Where Is Thomas Paine When You Need Him)

By Baffled
Published/Last Modified on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 4:42 PM CDT

Business owners seem to have common sense, the government apparently has very little. People who own businesses, even businesses that are non-essential after a hurricane, were smart enough to buy a message machine and bring it to their store so after hours  when customers called they could find out if and when the store would be open. One thing that is very important to residents is when the schools will be open. I called the school board expecting to either talk to a person, or at least hear a recording telling me when schools will be open. Instead, I received the normal "the school board is closed, our business hours are 8 to 5, yada yada nothing."   WHAT??????? ARE YOU KIDDING???? So today I call and ask to speak to the superintendent, but the best I get is his "Girl Friday" and asked her why they did not have a message giving us the info. The answer I received is they could not do that because you have to be there to do it, you can not call from somewhere else. Okay, but there are two responses for that. 1)Why does not someone go down to the office and put a new message on the machine?  2) I can call my house from anywhere in the world and change the outgoing message on my answering machine, can't the school board buy an answering machine to use after hurricanes? We found the info on KANE's website, and God bless them for posting it, but with all the misinformation in the world, especially after a hurricane, do we want second hand info, or do we want it straight from rthe horses mouth? If you are relying on the government, you are in trouble.

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Comments

    Master Sparks wrote on Sep 21, 2008 2:25 PM:

    " To Tigger: Out of the almost 100 forum topics currently running, I've responded to 5 of these and by your counting, that means I comment on everything? That's only 5% of a responce back. But thanks for you 2 cents anyway. The original topic was only a request for a simple recording from a piece of equipment that's been around over 10 years ( a remote controlled answering machine) and the IPSB can't handle that. Education does not make equal common sence. I know people with Masters degrees in education and absolutly no common sence. "

    Master Sparks wrote on Sep 21, 2008 5:42 AM:

    " To Tigger: I misspelled one word and you lose it. Sorry to disappoint you,but I own 3 businesses, of which I started. I'm also paid for my opinions and expertise in my field. My dealings with the school board are 1st hand. I saw them from both sides. Yes I taught at NISH, and I'm a parent. What makes you the "Comment" police? My statements pretain to the subjects discussed. I only comment on the issues that stike a nerve or amuse me. Do you need to defend the IPSB cause you now work for them? God help you. "

    Master Sparks wrote on Sep 20, 2008 5:15 PM:

    " To Tigger: I misspelled one word and you lose it. Sorry to disappoint you,but I own 3 businesses, of which I started. I'm also paid for my opinions and expertise in my field. My dealings with the school board are 1st hand. I saw them from both sides. Yes I taught at NISH, and I'm a parent. What makes you the "Comment" police? My statements pretain to the subjects discussed. I only comment on the issues that stike a nerve or amuse me. Do you need to defend the IPSB cause you now work for them? God help you. "

    Tigger wrote on Sep 19, 2008 6:59 PM:

    " Not every uneducated person comes from our school system. Look at our district scores. We are not so bad. My problem is that Master Sparks has a comment on EVERYTHING. I say "GET A JOB". "

    Response To Tigger wrote on Sep 19, 2008 10:33 AM:

    " Have you ever considered that Master Sparks (and his grammar you have a problem with) is most likely a product (i.e. victim) of the school board you so vehemently defend? Have a nice day. "

    to Master Sparks wrote on Sep 18, 2008 8:27 PM:

    " You obviously need to get associated with the school board. Your grammar and spelling are horrible. You couldn't even spell "proposition". Give us a break from your sideline psychoanalyses (I hope that big word didn't throw you too far off). Get a job and get a life, would you. I'm tired of seeing you on EVERY thread. Oops, I almost forgot---what is your marvelous profession? Oh, you probably don't have one. Ta-ta-for-now! Love, Tigger "

    No electricity wrote on Sep 18, 2008 2:31 PM:

    " When we were at home without power I ran my cell phone radio on speaker to listen to anything we needed to know. All the radio stations gave out information OVER & OVER and if you didn't have access to that all you had to do was make a call to almost anyone you know. New Iberia is a small town and as fast as gossip spreads here I'm sure you could have found out quickly. I think some people have nothing better to do than complain. Make the best of a situation!!!!!! "

    One More Thing wrote on Sep 18, 2008 2:06 PM:

    " Jammed phone lines are indeed out of anyone's control, but jammed phone lines make it all that more important to get the info you need on the first call, as in the call you make to the school board to find out about schools. You should NOT have to call KANE from Shreveport to find out about schools. "

    This Is to Couldnt Resist Posting Under Innocent By-stander wrote on Sep 18, 2008 2:04 PM:

    " Maybe you did not say LAPTOP, but you said I should'nt have had a because "YOU USED THE INTERNET." So you meant the internet (laptop or desktop) is the answer. I mentioned Shreveport because that is where the family was that called me for help about school openings. As for as an old fashioned answering machine not working without power, mine has a battery backup, that is why I picked that model. "

    Innocent By-stander wrote on Sep 18, 2008 1:01 PM:

    " To Karl...Please reread the forum. Couldn't resist did not say to use a laptop, Lynn did.

    To Baffled...You were probably not responded to because I find it very funny that no one stranded in Shreveport is complaining, you are.

    Oh and by the way...if the power is out old fashioned answering machine would not work either. And Jammed phone lines is beyond anyone's control.

    Let's all just step back and take a breath, It's going to be okay. "

    Baffled wrote on Sep 18, 2008 9:16 AM:

    " Hey "Could'nt Resist" I find it funny that you responded to Lynn (very rudely I might add) but you chose not to answer me about my point of someone still in Shreveport or elsewhere who does not have internet should be able to make only one call to the SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE to get the info. Plus, after a hurricane, even out of town, the phone systems are jammed and it often takes a long time to get through. That makes being able to make only one call to the IPSB for the info even more important. "

    Karl wrote on Sep 18, 2008 8:07 AM:

    " So "Could'nt Resist" has the answer. A laptop. So, you're at home in New Iberia after the hurricane, and you have power for your laptop. Terrific, but that will only work if your internet provider is up and running, and good luck if you are connected to Cox Communications, they seem to be offline often, even without hurricanes. Also, do you know that the battery backup in the modem for internet, and phone if you have the bundle, that battery only lasts 12 hours. "

    couldnt resist again wrote on Sep 18, 2008 6:59 AM:

    " LYNN, I own 2 of them, but thanks for that info....the batteries do not last forever. So please do not try to question my intelligence. My point was this person did not have to rely on the phone at the IPSB office. With items such as "LAPTOPS" that can be purchased EVEN at Walmart, websites such as KATC and KLFY could have been checked. ALL SCHOOL INFORMATION WAS POSTED.

    THANK YOU!!! "

    Lynn wrote on Sep 17, 2008 6:01 PM:

    " To: Couldn't Resist...I "couldn't resist" throwing this in... A battery operated computer would be called a LAPTOP. A laptop can run by electricity or battery. You can purchase one at any electronics store. Even Walmart sells them. I, for one, can understand the frustration of a lack of information. I evacuated, for Gustav, to Alabama, to a relative's house. We had no access to any New Iberia local channels, nor did we have internet access at their home. I had to rely on neighbors who stayed. "

    This Is To Couldnt Resist wrote on Sep 17, 2008 2:21 PM:

    " It amazes me how you totally missed the point. Yes, I had access to the internet, and 3 and 10. But you are still missing the point. Many did not have tv or internet. Ok, they should have a battery operated radio. But what about people who are still out of town or out of state, and no internet service? Do you not think if you are in Shreveport you should be able to make one call, and that call being to the SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE and get the information? Please start paying attention, it does'nt cost anything. "

    Tired of the Negative wrote on Sep 17, 2008 12:09 PM:

    " Instead of bashing the school board - offer a helpful suggestion. Like Baffled who said, "turn the existing system off, and plug in an old fashioned answering machine."

    If you want things to be different and you want your opinion to be heard, be helpful in what you say. "

    Kim wrote on Sep 17, 2008 11:26 AM:

    " My kids attend school in Lafayette Parish.We regularly receive automated messages called connect dead messages from their school to notify/remind us of upcoming events such as Leap test,or dates to return important forms.Before, during and after the storms they utilized this system which called our home phone,husband's work phone,and both of our cell phones to keep us updated on school closures and return dates.This proved to be very helpful especially for those who evacuated.Perhaps parents in Iberia Parish should ask their school system to contact the Lafayette Parish school system so this program can be implemented in your district. "

    Baffled wrote on Sep 17, 2008 9:02 AM:

    " If it is too cumbersome of a system to understand, can they not just turn it off and hook up an old fashioned answering machine? Another thing, even though it is after hours, how about having a human answering the phone and telling us whether schools are open? It is not like I called at midnight. After a hurricane people need to pump up the volume, and not just keep on with their 9 to 5 routine. But, I realize we are talking about government workers, so I know that thought of mine was way out of line. "

    Baffled wrote on Sep 17, 2008 7:40 AM:

    " No matter how complicated the system is, long before a hurricane comes our way they should know what they need to do, and then do it. One more thing, can they not turn the existing system off, and plug in an old fashioned answering machine? Businesses do the right thing because they need to. Government workers can give us this lousy service, and not have to worry about going out of business or losing their job. So why bother. If you think I am wrong, ever notice the "great service, and friendly workers" when you go to the DMV? "

    Couldnt Resist wrote on Sep 17, 2008 6:31 AM:

    " YOU have got to be kidding me. You can use the internet but can't watch TV Channels 3 or 10 where the scroll at the bottom of the screen gave this information OVER AND OVER AND OVER. Please don't reply you didnt' have electricity....YOU USED THE INTERNET...
    please inform everyone where to buy a battery operated computer. With all the world's problems....THIS you complain about. AMAZING "

    Master Sparks wrote on Sep 17, 2008 6:30 AM:

    " Judging from the pool of "Losers" the school board has hired in the past, you really expect any one over there to know anything. The educational leaders do drugs ,get caught with prostitutes,propersition & tatoo kids,and lie. Want to see wasted tax money? Walk in to the school board office and ask a simple question. You'll be lucky to recieve an answer in an hour, with at least 4 people contacted to ponder the issue,but only after they finish their gossip. "

    common thread wrote on Sep 16, 2008 5:50 PM:

    " It is not as simple as an answering machine. They use a PBX system. However, most have the capability to do what you say. Unfortunately, 99.99% of the time, no one knows how. They have to bring in a tech to do it. Sad but true. Lack of communication is a common thread running through all of our local goverment agencies. They can't think beyond the borders of Iberia Parish. Many of us were two states away. "

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