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Covina City Council Threatens Voters

Paul Philips and the Covina City Council are once again crying poverty. In spite of record revenues, city hall simply cannot seem to do what every other family in Covina must do — stick to a budget that is reasonable. Instead, they choose to give our hard-earned tax dollars to a variety of special interests whose only concern is satisfying their own greed.

Their propensity to break the law has been proven, as has Paul Philips’ inability to manage taxpayer funds in a way that benefits taxpayers — a fact that should surprise no one, especially since he was forced from a previous city manager’s post for mismanagement.

As I am able to gather or am given information, I will post it on this site.

Meanwhile, the pressure must be kept on our so-called representatives to act in the best interests of Covina — which means, among other things, they need to stop making mean-spirited, childish threats to slash city services in order to blackmail taxpayers into submission. The money is there; they simply refuse to spend it the way it should be spent. It’s too bad they lacked the courage to take up my challenge to an open, honest public debate.

But, then again, that requires integrity.

Welcome, Marley!

My wife and I became first-time grandparents on October 16, 2007. Marley Karyn Schumann is her name, and she is beautiful. Marley weighed 8.25 pounds and was 21 inches long at birth. Mom is doing fine, and dad is taking well fatherhood. Caryn and I are looking forward to spoiling her — one of the privileges of being a grandparent. Below are a few pictures; for more pictures click here.

A Closing Thought

Like most of you, my time is filled to overflowing with many, widely-varying roles: husband, father, grandfather, active church member, community activist, student, and middle-school teacher. And, like most of you, I have a thought or two about life and living: In addition to being an instructional tool for my own classroom, these pages will allow me to share with you my thoughts and observations about issues faced by all of us. Hopefully, you will find them interesting, or perhaps even entertaining.

If you don't like what you read ... well, the web is a very large universe. There is only one requirement: Enjoy the journey!

Quote of the Month

To get what you've never had, you must do what you've never done.

LaTonya Johnson

CVUSD Job Interview

July 25, 2007

This site will eventually be organized into ten sections, each identified with a link at the top of this page. However, only those sections with information have active links; the others will be developed over time, and with great care. Active links are blue and underlined.

Mr. Mason’s Student Pages: Designed exclusively for Mr. Mason’s students, these pages provide information about assignments, projects, and tests — as well as helpful hints on how to succeed in school.

Local Government 101: Designed to explore issues surrounding local government in general. In most cases the focus will be the City of Covina; however, because the challenges faced by Covina are not necessarily unique to Covina, the issues covered will apply to local governments throughout Southern California.

Education: Issues and Answers: Explores the challenges associated with educating our children and the issues faced by local school districts.

Resources: Intended to provide links to a variety of services as well as government agencies and private resources.

Mason Family History Pages: Offered for the sole purpose of facilitating genealogical research and reporting as it pertains to the descendants of Lt. Col. William C. Mason.

The Journey Renewed: A series of personal reflections and writings and a variety of subjects, including some original poetry.

State Issues: Explores challenges faced by California and its government.

National Issues: Explores challenges and questions faced by our country, with particular emphasis on budget and tax issues, immigration, and the drive to yield our national sovereignty to the international community.

Social and Religious Issues and Commentary: These pages will explore family values issues, the dangers of big government, media, and other related topics.

Columbia Eagles: Specifically designed for students at Columbia Middle School. These pages will include the product of student journalists.