Mr. DiMillo could you talk about the SPSD and its state mandated role as a service center and how that relates to your comparison of the Cape Elizabeth school budget?  Does Cape Elizabeth shoulder the same kind of burden or are they free to educate a more gentrified population?

Albert:

Thank you.  I can’t tell you how often my last name is spelled wrong and normally I don’t care and I guess I got fired up when reading your post and took it as an intentional slight. I didn’t realize that the “M” in your name is capitalized.  I’ve seen it so often with a small “m” that it got imbedded in my brain that way.  I like Mark and Albert better anyway.

Mark

The fact of the matter is that anyone who listens to the school board knows that SoPo is over EPS as compared to the other towns because we have 5 elementary schools which the people VOTED for. So maybe Mr. Dimillo (and some of you other posters) need to become a little bit more educated about the reasons why. Mr. Dimillo has clearly stated that only 15% of voters pay for the cost of education and he feels that the other 85% shouldnt have to shoulder that burden. Who is he kidding? And I’m not necessarily critizing he and his facts as much as his blatant use of destructive tones such as “uneducated” “ridiculous” and so forth. At least if he wants to offer opinions in the city be civil about it. That’s all I was asking…is it so difficult to offer an opinion and have some respect for the other people? and I dont mean he has to be best friends, I’m just saying: stick to facts and keep your wet noodles (or other more disgusting tomes) to yourself. Lashing out puts the blinders up for me; I would be a lot more willing to listen if he were to keep it a bit less colorful and haughty.

Mr. Gandolfo,
I am sorry about the incorrect spelling of your name that was a mistake and was not an attempt to disrespect you. Most people including you misspell my name most of the time.  My last name is DiMillo not Demillo and not Dimillo.  There is a capital “M” in my name and your post before the last one had it wrong.

I didnt consider my post as a request for you to change, nor would I expect anyone to go back on their principals or core beliefs, but my question would be: why run if you arent looking to win? 

People are desperate for leadership, and leadership doesnt always equate to always having the best idea.  I dont know if you meant it this way, but your post suggests that if you are not elected, then the alternatives are a bunch of dim-wits, and that its your experience in financial analysis that will carry the day

As much as your experience and knowledge will be of tremendous benefit it sounds your candidacy comes with a price of little compromise of the other counselors who may not agree with you.  We are not governed by the checkbook and finance only.  I dont know of Ms.Beechers background, but Jim Soule has a profitable business and plenty of business acumen, Tom Blake has immersed himself in the SPLT and other ventures.  Their experience is just as valuable as yours and doesnt make them any less qualified to run. 

Anyway,  I still like your experience and will be looking for your candidacy announcement!

Mr. DiMillo:
My name is Gandolfo - even if you disagree with my point of view at least show me the respect and courtesy to get my name right. 

It is very clear that you missed my point. 

You have rightly asked the sitting council to show you the courtesy and respect you deserve and in my posting I was merely asking you to do the same to others.  For me, this is most important especially since you want to be an elected official.  This is what I expect of elected officials and I know you do because I’ve witnessed you asking for it. 

Also, I could care less about your smug statement that you aren’t in it to make friends.  You sound just like the politician you don’t want to be.  The people I vote for aren’t my friends they are my representatives. 

For what it’s worth, I hope that you stick to your guns and keep showing up at CC meetings and putting out facts on this blog.  There is much value to the salient points you make. 

Maybe I’ll vote for you and maybe I won’t - we’ll see.

I couldn’t have said it better.  Its time the voters got rid of the “homesteaders” like Maxine Beecher, Linda Boudreau, and Jim Hughes.  After listening to Tom Coward speak I think he will have to go as well and while I’m at it lets get rid of Mr. Gailey’s apologist Mayor Tom Blake. There is still hope for Jim Soule and the jury is out on Patti Smith.  Lets stop this irresponsible spending right now!

To Amy,
You stated the following to Mr. Dimillo: “I was trying to find out why you feel so visciously opposed to supporting the schools.” I agree with Mr. Dimillo that you don’t really read or understand his position. Where did he state he does not support schools?  In fact he stated the opposite; he supports good schools and believes that there is a proper level of costs needed to support good schools.  You on the other hand provide no support for why the South Portland school budget needs to be so much more than other schools in the area.  I can understand his frustration with your posts.

To Mr. Grandolfo and jpc,
Thanks for the advice, but I can’t change.  I hate politicians and will not become one. If my style fails to get votes, then so be it. Mr. Grandolfo, your approach didn’t work; maybe the angry man approach would have gotten you more votes. I voted for you, but really it was just a vote against Mr. Hughes. There probably wasn’t enough difference between your positions and Mr. Hughes.  The differences between me and Ms. Beecher will be very clear.  Many may hate me, but I am not looking to be friends will all voters. If voters want to continue wasting money and re-elect financially ignorant city council members like Ms. Beecher, then the taxpayers deserve to live with the consequences.

Mr. Dimillo, clearly, insulting the voters does not win you any friends in this community. Perhaps you feel my reading comprehension skills are lacking as you so eloquently put it, but I AM a voter in this city and I DO FEEL that since you blog on this website and voice your opinions so vehemently and openly that an explanation as to the history of your views would be helpful. I was trying to find out why you feel so visciously opposed to supporting the schools. I find your comments both on the SPCTV at city council meetings and on this blog to be very distasteful. I was TRYING to find out what your reasonings were for this behavior (and your fairly consistent attacks) because on occasion you actually do bring valid points. Insulting the school board, city council, the voters AND myself do not do much to help your case. As the previous poster stated, TONE it down a bit and you might actually get somewhere.