Friday, November 28, 2008
For the sake of the children...
For the sake of the children is not a blank check.
You can read a good post on the dispicable situation of Lori Drew here. The short version - a grown woman created a fictional identity on MySpace to harass a classmate or rival of her own daughter. The young girl committed suicide apparantly motivated by the emotional distress of the MySpace encounter.
Now. Tragic. A young girl is dead. A mean person has been prosecuted and found guilty of several insignificant laws and faces little to no real legal consequences. The prosecutor warped the existing laws to attempt to hold the grown woman accountable for the child's suicide. And....
Am I the only one who foresees a Megan's Law crusade and possible enactment of the law to further protect children from cyber-bullying and hurt feelings and emotional distress and clog up the already clogged courts with terrible stories of woe and wrong-doing that cause untold suffering to families if only there were a law to stop these mean people from whatever.... yadda yadda... the children, won't someone please think of the children... boohoo....
There are already enough laws. There are already too many child-protection laws. There is no need for a Protect-our-children-against-mean-internet-adults law. The parents of this child could have averted this at any point. Extreme cases make for bad laws (or something like that).
For the sake of the children is not a blank check.
A less extreme example. Playground safety. I have spent the last week correcting faults on playgrounds cited by the MSDH Child Care Licensure Inspector. It has cost my customers a significant amount of money. In all cases, there was no underlying code specific reason for the corrections. The non-credentialed inspector cited three exemplary programs for faults on otherwise impeccable playgrounds because she wanted to protect the children. It cost my customers financially. Moreover, there are real consequences for allowing creep in code enforcement. Many programs have playgrounds that have no equipment. The cost of having equipment that met with MSDH CCL approval appeared to be too much. Other programs with more financial abilities are wasting funds chasing after the inspector's ideal of playgrounds.
For the sake of the children is not a blank check.
A lifetime ago, I was a director of a local child care program. Most of the preschool teachers resigned when I was hired. I learned much later that the cohort of teachers had ruled the program by bullying the director and the board of directors with "for the sake of the children" arguments. The teachers would plead with the parents that their concern was only motivated by the best interest of the children. One teacher told me she would consider staying if I would approve the purchase of matching tables and chairs for her classroom of 4-year-olds. The existing furniture was not broken. The existing furniture was child-sized and appropriate for the children enrolled in the class. It simply did not match. THe program was in debt. I told her that as soon we were able I would consider purchasing new furniture. She resigned.
For the sake of the children is not a blank check.
"There are ought to be a law" is too quickly invoked. A child commited suicide. Tragic. I will lift her family in prayer. But prosecuting that heartless witch for her sins is not legally defensible nor should it be allowed. Having the best interest of children as a basis for action does not automatically justify our proposal. For the sake of the children is not a blank check.
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You can read a good post on the dispicable situation of Lori Drew here. The short version - a grown woman created a fictional identity on MySpace to harass a classmate or rival of her own daughter. The young girl committed suicide apparantly motivated by the emotional distress of the MySpace encounter.
Now. Tragic. A young girl is dead. A mean person has been prosecuted and found guilty of several insignificant laws and faces little to no real legal consequences. The prosecutor warped the existing laws to attempt to hold the grown woman accountable for the child's suicide. And....
Am I the only one who foresees a Megan's Law crusade and possible enactment of the law to further protect children from cyber-bullying and hurt feelings and emotional distress and clog up the already clogged courts with terrible stories of woe and wrong-doing that cause untold suffering to families if only there were a law to stop these mean people from whatever.... yadda yadda... the children, won't someone please think of the children... boohoo....
There are already enough laws. There are already too many child-protection laws. There is no need for a Protect-our-children-against-mean-internet-adults law. The parents of this child could have averted this at any point. Extreme cases make for bad laws (or something like that).
For the sake of the children is not a blank check.
A less extreme example. Playground safety. I have spent the last week correcting faults on playgrounds cited by the MSDH Child Care Licensure Inspector. It has cost my customers a significant amount of money. In all cases, there was no underlying code specific reason for the corrections. The non-credentialed inspector cited three exemplary programs for faults on otherwise impeccable playgrounds because she wanted to protect the children. It cost my customers financially. Moreover, there are real consequences for allowing creep in code enforcement. Many programs have playgrounds that have no equipment. The cost of having equipment that met with MSDH CCL approval appeared to be too much. Other programs with more financial abilities are wasting funds chasing after the inspector's ideal of playgrounds.
For the sake of the children is not a blank check.
A lifetime ago, I was a director of a local child care program. Most of the preschool teachers resigned when I was hired. I learned much later that the cohort of teachers had ruled the program by bullying the director and the board of directors with "for the sake of the children" arguments. The teachers would plead with the parents that their concern was only motivated by the best interest of the children. One teacher told me she would consider staying if I would approve the purchase of matching tables and chairs for her classroom of 4-year-olds. The existing furniture was not broken. The existing furniture was child-sized and appropriate for the children enrolled in the class. It simply did not match. THe program was in debt. I told her that as soon we were able I would consider purchasing new furniture. She resigned.
For the sake of the children is not a blank check.
"There are ought to be a law" is too quickly invoked. A child commited suicide. Tragic. I will lift her family in prayer. But prosecuting that heartless witch for her sins is not legally defensible nor should it be allowed. Having the best interest of children as a basis for action does not automatically justify our proposal. For the sake of the children is not a blank check.
Labels: Child Care, laws, playground maintenance, suicide
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Sunday, December 16, 2007
Mitt Romney is a Mormon and so what
Unless you have been living under a rock for the last few years, you should know that former Governor Mitt Romney is running for the Republican nomination in the 2008 presidential race. And, he is a MORMON. How another person feels about this issue is often revealed in the delivery.
Dismissive - Who? Romney? Oh, you mean the Mormon.
Shocked - I never believed I would live to see the day a MORMON could be in the White House.
Conspiratorial - Have you heard he is a (turn head both ways to check who may be listening and then lean in closely to almost whisper) mormon?
I would hope that your response to this issue (Romney is a Mormon) is a qualified "so what?" He is by all accounts: 1) a decent person 2) an effective elected official and 3) willing to stay out of my personal life. That would be my short list of qualifications for president. Not just POTUS. I would want the president of the neighborhood association to score high on those 3 issues.
A very smart person has written a brief article and a very long examination of the issue from all sides. Worth reading in my opinion.
My 2 cents on the issue is actually worth $1200 a month. That is how much in contracts I gave to my trusted assistant when I turned to him and said "I am moving my family back to Mississippi. Have the business. You have worked hard for me and you will do well. My customers trust you and I trust you to do well by them." Chris had to think about it and finally agreed. Yes, I gave him my business that I started in Knoxville. Contracts, tools, and a truck. Actually, my good friend (Gary) had just given me the truck for the business. I gave the truck to Chris with new tires.
Chris Yeager and I first met at Pellissippi State Technical Community College. He was a student in several early childhood courses that I taught. He made straight A's in my classes and was a constant positive influence on in-class discussion. I would learn through our ongoing conversations that he remembered just about every classroom discussion. Especially some of my sharper comments. I encouraged him to pursue a program that was more demanding because he obviously had more ability than most other students in the ECE program.
As soon as I started my business, I asked Chris to work part-time for me. I was stunned at how trustworthy he was. He was gracious to my customers, respectful to me, and kind to those around him. Yet, we shared a smart-elleck wit and humor. He was a model employee. A few minutes early was late to him. He balanced his commitments to his young family, education, and work without incident.
Julie and I had a stunning development and betrayal. I may post one day about it. Our immediate response was to move back to Mississippi to be near our loved ones. I had really just developed a good footing for the business and my customers supported me. I asked each one to consider allowing Chris to assume the contracts. Without fail, they all switched to Chris. I gave him the business. Some shirts, tools, a truck with high mileage, and my customers. I have checked back on the playgrounds that he maintains each time I am in Knoxville. The playgrounds look better than when I ran the operations.
The point - Chris is a faithful, practicing Mormon. And so what.
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Dismissive - Who? Romney? Oh, you mean the Mormon.
Shocked - I never believed I would live to see the day a MORMON could be in the White House.
Conspiratorial - Have you heard he is a (turn head both ways to check who may be listening and then lean in closely to almost whisper) mormon?
I would hope that your response to this issue (Romney is a Mormon) is a qualified "so what?" He is by all accounts: 1) a decent person 2) an effective elected official and 3) willing to stay out of my personal life. That would be my short list of qualifications for president. Not just POTUS. I would want the president of the neighborhood association to score high on those 3 issues.
A very smart person has written a brief article and a very long examination of the issue from all sides. Worth reading in my opinion.
My 2 cents on the issue is actually worth $1200 a month. That is how much in contracts I gave to my trusted assistant when I turned to him and said "I am moving my family back to Mississippi. Have the business. You have worked hard for me and you will do well. My customers trust you and I trust you to do well by them." Chris had to think about it and finally agreed. Yes, I gave him my business that I started in Knoxville. Contracts, tools, and a truck. Actually, my good friend (Gary) had just given me the truck for the business. I gave the truck to Chris with new tires.
Chris Yeager and I first met at Pellissippi State Technical Community College. He was a student in several early childhood courses that I taught. He made straight A's in my classes and was a constant positive influence on in-class discussion. I would learn through our ongoing conversations that he remembered just about every classroom discussion. Especially some of my sharper comments. I encouraged him to pursue a program that was more demanding because he obviously had more ability than most other students in the ECE program.
As soon as I started my business, I asked Chris to work part-time for me. I was stunned at how trustworthy he was. He was gracious to my customers, respectful to me, and kind to those around him. Yet, we shared a smart-elleck wit and humor. He was a model employee. A few minutes early was late to him. He balanced his commitments to his young family, education, and work without incident.
Julie and I had a stunning development and betrayal. I may post one day about it. Our immediate response was to move back to Mississippi to be near our loved ones. I had really just developed a good footing for the business and my customers supported me. I asked each one to consider allowing Chris to assume the contracts. Without fail, they all switched to Chris. I gave him the business. Some shirts, tools, a truck with high mileage, and my customers. I have checked back on the playgrounds that he maintains each time I am in Knoxville. The playgrounds look better than when I ran the operations.
The point - Chris is a faithful, practicing Mormon. And so what.
Labels: Chris Yeager, Mormon, playground maintenance
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Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Of all the gin joints in the all the towns in all the world...
To me, this is hilarious.
My daughter's leg was stuck in the playground equipment at school today. According to her teacher, Emily is not the first child to have her leg caught in the equipment. The staff had to apply lotion to her leg to get it out. According to Emily, it did not hurt until Ms. Eva tried to pull her leg out. According to Ms. Wyn, Emily's leg came out much easier than the other child.
I called to tell them that I would inspect and correct the equipment. It was hard not to laugh during the phone call.
Of all the kids to have their leg stuck in the playground equipment, it would have to be the child whose father owns a playground construction company.
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My daughter's leg was stuck in the playground equipment at school today. According to her teacher, Emily is not the first child to have her leg caught in the equipment. The staff had to apply lotion to her leg to get it out. According to Emily, it did not hurt until Ms. Eva tried to pull her leg out. According to Ms. Wyn, Emily's leg came out much easier than the other child.
I called to tell them that I would inspect and correct the equipment. It was hard not to laugh during the phone call.
Of all the kids to have their leg stuck in the playground equipment, it would have to be the child whose father owns a playground construction company.
Labels: humor, playground maintenance
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Monday, October 08, 2007
Is that broken?
I gave a presentation on playground design, construction, and maintenance twice last week at the Mississippi Early Childhood Association annual conference. Attendance was better on Friday. The presentation is mostly photographs with narration. Based on the audience, I would say that this is the most stunning example of a necessary repair. The men of this church built the playground. They cut a corner by using a deck board for support under the slide rather than a 2x6 as required. They probably thought little of the decision at the time. What you are seeing is the jagged end of the board that is broken.
I could not believe for a moment what I was looking at when taking the photograph.
Labels: playground maintenance
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Thursday, September 13, 2007
Is this really maintenance?
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Can you see this?I was called to a school to evaluate the repair needs of the school's playgrounds. To be kind, it was more than obvious that no maintenance had been conducted prior to my visit. The gentleman who replinishs sand under the equipment called their attention to the condition of the equipment. They called me. Yes, they knew the playground equipment needed some repair. They just did not know the extent.
I uncovered some installation errors on recent equipment, lack of maintenance on all equipment, damage to some equipment, etc... But no special training is necessary to see the broken picnic table on the playground. It is not nearly broken. It is not a little wobbly. This bench is no more. It is an ex-bench. Remove it immediately.
Labels: playground maintenance
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Sunday, September 02, 2007
Playground Maintenance
Before and after a playground maintenance contract -
The tire swing in the two photographs above is a good example of the difference between a playground without regular maintenance and one with regular maintenance. This particular playground was one of my first customers. There are two significant differences in the condition of the playground. Look closely to see if you can spot the differences.
#1 We added fall mats in the immediate fall zone of the tire swing. The mats take the abuse directly under the swing. You may notice in the before photograph that the all-too-common pit has formed under the tire swing.
#2 We turned the mulch. Most individuals would say we added new mulch. That is not correct. We simply turned the mulch that was already present on the playground. This playground had excellent retaining walls and good drainage. Because the playground was installed correctly, we simply had to turn the existing mulch. Over time, we would have added a little mulch at regular intervals. But most playgrounds I see have been built with poor-to-no drainage or retaining walls. The need to replenish the loose-fill fall surfacing is constant.
The playground fire in Arlington, TX, was caused by failure to turn the mulch and poor drainage. That can only occur when maintenance is lacking and the playground is installed incorrectly.
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The tire swing in the two photographs above is a good example of the difference between a playground without regular maintenance and one with regular maintenance. This particular playground was one of my first customers. There are two significant differences in the condition of the playground. Look closely to see if you can spot the differences.
#1 We added fall mats in the immediate fall zone of the tire swing. The mats take the abuse directly under the swing. You may notice in the before photograph that the all-too-common pit has formed under the tire swing.
#2 We turned the mulch. Most individuals would say we added new mulch. That is not correct. We simply turned the mulch that was already present on the playground. This playground had excellent retaining walls and good drainage. Because the playground was installed correctly, we simply had to turn the existing mulch. Over time, we would have added a little mulch at regular intervals. But most playgrounds I see have been built with poor-to-no drainage or retaining walls. The need to replenish the loose-fill fall surfacing is constant.
The playground fire in Arlington, TX, was caused by failure to turn the mulch and poor drainage. That can only occur when maintenance is lacking and the playground is installed incorrectly.
Labels: mulch, playground installation, playground maintenance
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