Corrupt Politicians and Tools of the Gulen Movement
Disclaimer: if some videos are disabled this is the work of the Gulen censorship which has filed fake copyright infringement complaints to UTUBE.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Students delight thousands in glorious Turkish Olympiads finale
Reporting from ERBU TV News (Gulen Channel) Erdogan invites Gulen Home to Turkey. How many American Charter school students were there?
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Meanwhile..back in Georgia lawmakers took strong stance for CLOSED Fulton Science Academy
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| Senator John Albers (R-Roswell) recieved over $4,000 in contributions from Fulton Science Acdemy in 2011-2012 and was still unable to save the troubled school. Better luck next time, save your money for the next state audit ...stay tuned.
An embattled charter school in Fulton County got some high-powered help in its unsuccessful quest to have its charter renewed by Fulton County Public Schools.
In December, 11 state legislators wrote a strongly worded letter to the Fulton school board expressing their disappointment that the charter of Fulton Science Academy Middle School had not been renewed that month. Such a move by lawmakers on behalf of a charter school is not common, said Louis J. Erste, director of Georgia's charter division.
Several people connected to Fulton Science Academy Middle School donated thousands of dollars to two state legislators, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution analysis. The primary recipient was state Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, who received at least $4,000 from FSA leaders in 2011 and 2012. He and Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers of Woodstock met with Fulton County Superintendent Robert Avossa in November to discuss FSA’s case.
The contributions to Albers, one of the 11 legislators who signed the December letter, were legal. Albers said he is very involved with all the schools in his district, and the people who donated to his campaign live in his district. The AJC analysis did not find donations to the other 10 signers, which included Rogers and Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones. Albers, who would only answer questions via email, said all of the signers helped craft the letter.
Fulton school officials, who have said they had long-standing concerns about the financial and structural management of FSA, were prepared to offer a three-year renewal, but school officials and their legislative allies wanted a 10-year extension. The state school board rejected the school's appeal in May.
An audit of the school released this month found a basis for some of those financial and management concerns. Leaders from the award-winning charter school say the audit's claims are "baseless," and they plan to release a detailed response this week.
FSA plans to convert to a private school this fall, but while FSA was fighting to remain a public charter school, several top leaders made donations to Albers. On Jan. 8, board president Ayhan Korucu and vice president Maria Beug-Deeb each contributed $1,000. Principal Kenan Sener donated $250. The donations represent a small portion of the $79,201 Albers has collected since January 2010, according to state campaign finance records.
Albers, who is vice chairman of the finance, public safety and science and technology committees as well as a deputy whip, said he had several fundraisers before the legislative session. He is also a member of the education committee and two others, according to his website.
Records show Sener made a $1,000 donation to Albers in July 2011. In an email, Sener said he lived in Albers' district until last September, and appreciated the work that he did for the district and the state.
"The public officials helped our school because they believed in our school and our students and our faculty and they have done so for years," he wrote. "The public officials who spoke out for us also spoke out for charter schools in general."
Korucu, the board president, said his January donation was the first time he gave to Albers’ campaign, but he has donated to other Republicans in the past. Korucu said that his donations had “nothing to do with the school whatsoever.”
“I admire Albers’ work with youth and education,” he said.
Tuncay Kucuktas, who at one time was listed as the school’s chief financial officer, gave $500 in 2010 to Sen. Curt Thompson, D-Tucker, who has spoken out in favor of charter schools but did not sign the December letter.
Avossa had been superintendent for only a few months in November 2011 when he met with Albers and Rogers. Avossa said the legislators did not direct him to extend the school’s charter.
“They had questions about the process, about timelines,” Avossa recalled.
Rogers did not respond to telephone and email requests for comment about his effort to get FSA’s charter renewed. Jones also could not be reached by telephone or email.
FSA has a record of high academic achievement. It was one of seven Georgia schools designated as a 2011 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. At the time of the meeting, the district had not yet asked for the audit.
“Had the [audit] information that we had been available at that point, would folks have felt differently?” Avossa said. “The timing of that information is critical.”
Albers said in an email that he has not reviewed all the findings of the audit and "will reserve judgment until all the facts are made available." He said concerns about his advocacy for the charter school were from a couple of political opponents who are trying to create controversy where it doesn't exist.
Charter schools are public schools that operate outside of the local school board, and money follows students from their zoned public school to their charter school of choice.
“What you have is legislators with an ideological ax to grind demanding that a duly elected school board do their bidding. And that’s not a good thing," said state Sen. Vincent Fort, D-Atlanta. "These decisions should be made on the merits.”
AJC data specialist Kelly Guckian contributed to this article.
CHARTER DEBATE
Questions about Fulton Science Academy Middle School's finances and organizational structure are sure to be raised again this fall as voters consider whether the state constitution should be amended to create another path for the state to create and fund charter school applications.
Republicans have generally backed charter schools as an important alternative for students in public schools that have poor academic track records. Many Democrats also back charter schools, but some argue that more money for charter schools means less money for already-cash-strapped traditional public schools.
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Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Herenton Suspects Ulterior Motive with Lack of Charter Funds - Gulen Cha...
Classic Comedy Herenton Style!
He claims he has no affiliation with Harmony Schools, merely put them down on the application as a "strategic partner" to impress school superintendents. But does have Cosmos Foundation on the application
(Cosmos Foundation dba Harmony Science Academy)
Say "good bye" Willie:
MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton won't be able to open several charter schools this coming year because the state ran out of money for his operations. The former mayor says one reason he thinks it happened is over allegations that a company he is considering working with has ties to a Turkish Islamic group.
Harmony Schools of Innovation operate charter schools in the southwest, and one in Memphis. There have been allegations over the years that they put money into the hands of Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish preacher who describes himself as a peaceful Muslim
But Herenton says one reason he thinks the state ran out of funding for his schools is because people in Nashville are linking Herenton with the Turk.
The man is an educator. It is how he started his professional career and it's how he's ending it.
"Very few people care about kids that are at the bottom," Herenton said. "I came from the bottom. I have a deep passion for helping these kids do better."
This is the reason Willie Herenton is working.
He's gone to the unified school board to get permits for charter schools, and was turned down along with a group of other charter applicants. He then went to the state and got his permits.
But while the other schools received start up money from Tennessee, when they got to the former mayor he was told, 'Sorry, we're out of money.'
"You know what this is really about? It's about power, control and money," he said.
Herenton isn't certain, but thinks the lack of money might be because of Harmony Schools.
It is headquartered in Texas; Harmony also operates one school in Tennessee. The group is controversial. Critics say they hire mostly Turkish teachers, buy Turkish furniture, and the money goes to support what is called the Gulen Movement. Gulen is what has been called a moderate form of Islam, with a goal of becoming world wide.
Critics say the followers are using Harmony Schools to get a foothold in the U.S. But, there has never been direct evidence linking the schools to the group, and the schools do not teach religion.
Herenton stated, "We do not have any relationship with Harmony. Harmony is mentioned as a potential strategic partner. I want to make a statement that from all ongoing research it is an outstanding charter managing organization."
Herenton said if he had ties to this group, which has been very successful in Texas, he wouldn't need the state's help for money. They'd fund the schools. But there is no relationship between the former mayor and Harmony Schools, so there is no money.
Harmony Schools of Innovation operate charter schools in the southwest, and one in Memphis. There have been allegations over the years that they put money into the hands of Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish preacher who describes himself as a peaceful Muslim
But Herenton says one reason he thinks the state ran out of funding for his schools is because people in Nashville are linking Herenton with the Turk.
The man is an educator. It is how he started his professional career and it's how he's ending it.
"Very few people care about kids that are at the bottom," Herenton said. "I came from the bottom. I have a deep passion for helping these kids do better."
This is the reason Willie Herenton is working.
He's gone to the unified school board to get permits for charter schools, and was turned down along with a group of other charter applicants. He then went to the state and got his permits.
But while the other schools received start up money from Tennessee, when they got to the former mayor he was told, 'Sorry, we're out of money.'
"You know what this is really about? It's about power, control and money," he said.
Herenton isn't certain, but thinks the lack of money might be because of Harmony Schools.
It is headquartered in Texas; Harmony also operates one school in Tennessee. The group is controversial. Critics say they hire mostly Turkish teachers, buy Turkish furniture, and the money goes to support what is called the Gulen Movement. Gulen is what has been called a moderate form of Islam, with a goal of becoming world wide.
Critics say the followers are using Harmony Schools to get a foothold in the U.S. But, there has never been direct evidence linking the schools to the group, and the schools do not teach religion.
Herenton stated, "We do not have any relationship with Harmony. Harmony is mentioned as a potential strategic partner. I want to make a statement that from all ongoing research it is an outstanding charter managing organization."
Herenton said if he had ties to this group, which has been very successful in Texas, he wouldn't need the state's help for money. They'd fund the schools. But there is no relationship between the former mayor and Harmony Schools, so there is no money.
Herenton Gulen Tool faces child support issues
Michael J. Herenton turned 5 over the weekend. It was a difficult transition.
He and his mother, Claudine Marsh, had to move out of their home in the Atlanta area because of flooding.
Meanwhile, Marsh has been talking by phone with her son’s father, former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton, about his recent decision to quit his job. Herenton’s last day in office was July 31.
The child support dispute went back to Juvenile Court just before Michael’s birthday as a petition for contempt and to modify child support was filed Thursday against Herenton in Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County.
The petition seeks to change the child support payments Herenton has been making since 2005.
Next steps
Marsh met Herenton in late 2003 while she worked at The Peabody hotel. Herenton acknowledged later he was the boy’s father. He agreed to pay $2,100 a month in child support and to provide health insurance for Michael as well as use any city pension benefits as security on future child support.
“He’s been paying his child support,” attorney Patricia A. Woods, who represents Marsh, told The Daily News. “It’s our position that the child support should be increased. The primary issue is that under terms of the 2005 order, Mr. Herenton was required and agreed to … take the city of Memphis pension and make those benefits payable to their minor child.”
The monthly child support payments were based on Herenton having 80 days of visitation a year with the child as well as his income as mayor.
“The more days you spend, obviously the lower the child support is,” Woods said. “In this case, there have been no days spent with the child.”
Woods said she and co-counsel, William W. Jones IV, filed the motion after repeated attempts to contact Herenton and his attorney. Herenton could not be reached for comment.
The first step in the matter will be a Juvenile Court hearing to freeze the $506,000 lump sum pension payment until there can be a hearing to determine how much should go to Michael. The motion also seeks $250,000 to be held in a trust fund for the child.
The civil contempt proceedings touch on some of the most controversial aspects of Herenton’s later years as mayor, his private business dealings.
“There are certainly political implications. We certainly understand that,” said Jones, who is serving as co-counsel because he lives in Mississippi. “We are not naïve enough to believe that there’s not going to be some blowback on this. … I don’t care if he’s running for anything. I care what kind of father he is.”
A federal grand jury has been investigating land deals as well as money from mayoral Christmas parties for about a year to determine if Herenton crossed the line separating public duties from private business.
Herenton repeatedly has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with any crime. He told The Daily News this month he has never been notified that he is the target of the grand jury probe. Herenton has also refused to talk in any detail about his outside business interests.
‘Legal responsibility’
In the Juvenile Court matter, Herenton might be forced to talk about those outside business interests in depositions that probably would be sealed.
“We’re not sure that the income was correct,” Jones said referring to the 2005 child support agreement and court order. “That’s all income. That’s income that should have been figured in. … And until we get a chance to depose him, we won’t know what his income is.”
Because the contempt proceedings are civil and not criminal, Herenton could not invoke his Fifth Amendment rights to refuse to testify if there was anything incriminating he didn’t want to admit to.
“If someone doesn’t answer the questions in a civil matter, then the court is allowed to assume that the answer would hurt whoever was supposed to be answering that,” Woods said. “And realistically we don’t want the court to put Mr. Herenton in jail.”
Herenton’s resignation to run for Congress in 2010 against incumbent Steve Cohen amounts to what is called “voluntary underemployment” in child support cases.
“You can’t willfully and voluntarily underemploy yourself,” Jones said. ”He can’t guarantee he’s going to win this election. There’s no income stream. And in light of that we’ve got to make sure these funds aren’t dissipated.”
Marsh has declined comment directly, Jones said. She has talked with Herenton in recent days, Woods said, and also has been forced to move because of flooding in the Atlanta area.
“Basically, what we’re asking the court is to treat Mr. Herenton the way they would treat any other non-custodial parent who quit their job without making provisions for their minor child,” Woods said. “He has a legal responsibility to this child and we’re asking the court to enforce it.”
Roland Wants Closer Look at Herenton's Charter Affiliations Gulen Charte...
Ex Mayor of Memphis in the news again with the proposed charter schools in Tennessee
under the Cosmos Foundation dba Harmony Science Academy. NOW he denies any connection to them.
MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton denies charges that his charter school group is affiliated in any way with a controversial organization from Turkey.
Harmony Schools is a Texas-based group that runs charter schools in several states. There have been allegations that Harmony is tied to an Islamic cleric who is trying to spread Islam into the U.S.
Harmony denies it, and Willie Herenton says they aren't working with him. Shelby County Commissioner Terry Roland now says he wants to know the truth.
Nobody has ever connected Harmony Schools with the Islamic group headed by a man named Fethullah Gulen, but they do business with groups that the government says sends money to the Gulen groups.
Willie Herenton listed Harmony as a consultant when applying for charter schools. Terry Roland says he wants officials to look into everything.
It's a long way from terry Roland's tire store in Millington to Turkey. The Shelby County Commissioner says if there's a possibility of taxpayer money being spent improperly, he'll look into anything. Even a group that so far, has no official ties into supporting any Islamic movements.
"If there is any connection to the Islamic movement or if they're just taking our public dollars and using them wrong, we need to know that too," Roland said.
Harmony Schools operates one charter school in town already, located in a business park in southeast Memphis. They operate dozens of other schools across the country.
When former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton announced that his group, the W.E.B. Du Bois Consortium of Schools, wanted to open charter schools, he listed Harmony as a consultant.
He said, "We do not have any financial, any contractual, any strategic relationship with Harmony, while I recognize they're a fine organization."
For Terry Roland, he wants an investigation and a closer look at the Herenton application.
"Mayor Herenton clearly stated that he just put it in there for fluff. Well, does that mean he falsified that application?" Roland asked. "Does that mean his charter application should be denied because of falsification of references?"
The former mayor says this whole fuss is about power, control and money, and says again, he is not involved with any deal with Harmony schools.
"We do not have any relationship with Harmony. Harmony is mentioned as a potential strategic partner. I want to make a statement that from all of my research it is an outstanding charter managing organization."
Roland wants to know why the state board of education approved the Herenton permits after they were refused by the school board.
What Roland didn't say, and maybe it's because he didn't know, is the school board denied all charter school applications this year for financial reasons.
After the state treasurer ruled against them, the state board of education approved all the charter school applications, including Willie Herenton's
Harmony Schools is a Texas-based group that runs charter schools in several states. There have been allegations that Harmony is tied to an Islamic cleric who is trying to spread Islam into the U.S.
Harmony denies it, and Willie Herenton says they aren't working with him. Shelby County Commissioner Terry Roland now says he wants to know the truth.
Nobody has ever connected Harmony Schools with the Islamic group headed by a man named Fethullah Gulen, but they do business with groups that the government says sends money to the Gulen groups.
Willie Herenton listed Harmony as a consultant when applying for charter schools. Terry Roland says he wants officials to look into everything.
It's a long way from terry Roland's tire store in Millington to Turkey. The Shelby County Commissioner says if there's a possibility of taxpayer money being spent improperly, he'll look into anything. Even a group that so far, has no official ties into supporting any Islamic movements.
"If there is any connection to the Islamic movement or if they're just taking our public dollars and using them wrong, we need to know that too," Roland said.
Harmony Schools operates one charter school in town already, located in a business park in southeast Memphis. They operate dozens of other schools across the country.
When former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton announced that his group, the W.E.B. Du Bois Consortium of Schools, wanted to open charter schools, he listed Harmony as a consultant.
He said, "We do not have any financial, any contractual, any strategic relationship with Harmony, while I recognize they're a fine organization."
For Terry Roland, he wants an investigation and a closer look at the Herenton application.
"Mayor Herenton clearly stated that he just put it in there for fluff. Well, does that mean he falsified that application?" Roland asked. "Does that mean his charter application should be denied because of falsification of references?"
The former mayor says this whole fuss is about power, control and money, and says again, he is not involved with any deal with Harmony schools.
"We do not have any relationship with Harmony. Harmony is mentioned as a potential strategic partner. I want to make a statement that from all of my research it is an outstanding charter managing organization."
Roland wants to know why the state board of education approved the Herenton permits after they were refused by the school board.
What Roland didn't say, and maybe it's because he didn't know, is the school board denied all charter school applications this year for financial reasons.
After the state treasurer ruled against them, the state board of education approved all the charter school applications, including Willie Herenton's
Controversial Claims over Charter School Connections Gulen Charter Schools
MORE NEWS ON EX MAYOR WILLIE HERENTON CONNECTIONS TO GULEN MOVEMENT
http://wreg.com/2012/06/12/controversial-claims-over-charter-school-connections/
“To impress the school district” what a liar!!!!
A Shelby county commissioner claims Former Mayor Willie Herenton's charter schools are connected to a controversial Islamic leader. Herenton's schools W.E.B. DuBois Consortium of Charter Schools were approved last Tuesday.
Shelby County Commissioner Terry Roland has asked the state to step in and investigate their connection to Turkish preacher Fethullah Gulen.
Gulen is described by national media as an exiled Turkish preacher trying to build an Islamic movement with him as its leader. He has over a hundred schools in several states, and Shelby County Commissioner Terry Roland believes Gulen is connected to former Mayor Willie Herrenton's W.E.B. DeBois Charter Schools.
"I know that the governor is a big advocate of charter schools. I want to know what he knows about this," said Roland.
The schools were approved last week and Roland is asking Tennessee's department of Education to investigate the connection before Shelby County tax payer dollars come into the mix.
"The general public needs to know where all are tax dollars are going. Why is it important? Because some of these organizations are getting twenty percent of the public money off the top to run these organizations," said Roland.
We could not get in touch with Willie Herenton for comment, but he told the Commercial Appeal there was no connection with his charter schools and Harmony Schools. He said he just included that in the application to impress the school district.
Roland says if that is true and there is no connection the application should be thrown out anyway because it is a falsified document. He's also concerned because the Harmony Schools have defaulted on some bonds in Georgia leaving the tax payers with the bills. He says he doesn't want that to happen here in Memphis.
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