Zora Warren is exactly what our schools need, someone who has working experience to draw from and a real vested interest in our schools succeeding.

Yes indeed. She does have a "Vested Interest". By her own acclaimed resume - a vector that directly points to the Education/Industry Complex. A steathly cartel of connected insiders consisting of self-serving contractors, consultants, unions, grant writers, political operatives, lobbyists, suppliers, and career opportunists that shuffle in/out the public/private education sector. Let's not be oblivious to the obvious.

My support goes with Zora Warren!

Cool conspiracy theories aside ... I believe candidates like Zora are exactly what this school system needs.

Zora, like myself, is a parent of North Andover school children, she understands first-hand the impacts this school system has on our children. Like Zora, I also believe that public schools can provide a solid educational experience for our kids and a foundation for future success in higher education and in life in general.

Unless I am being completely oblivious, it is obvious that Zora more than any other candidate, understands that without parents, community leaders, and committee members who are engaged, vocal, and yes, "vested", in the process of establishing curriculums and communicating with school administration, we risk complacency, lack of improvement and failure to provide our kids with the best public education possible.

Good luck Zora.

I will not debate with someone who does not have the courage to use their own name when trying to besmirch the motives of someone they do not know. I know Zora and she is bright, hardworking and as far as I can see has one motive, to make sure her children and all of the children of North Andover receive the quality education they deserve.

cool fusion, I appreciate your input in this public dialogue, however prior to commenting on a candidate, you should really have an understanding of where a candidate falls on certain issues. I assume you are a North Andover resident. If this is true, surely you understand that having a strong public school system is fundamental to property values and ultimately we are compared to competing and aspirant communities. Surely as an educated person such as yourself, you realize how important strong performing schools are when young families consider where to settle. You should consider this when you cast your vote for the next school committee member. This is exactly why I put my full faith and confidence in Zora Warren. Why don't you try to meet her, and ask her where she stands on these issues.

This Republican is for Zora Warren! She is smart, an independent thinker and will be VERY helpful to our schools!

I wish Zora luck, I have not yet made a decision on who I will support. I hope whoever is elected will keep the taxpayers in mind.

I know Zora to be intelligent, hard-working and self-less in her efforts to improve our community. My support is behind Zora!

Just to clarify (again this year), the League does not endorse candidates, nor do we give any candidate an advantage over another in any way during our forums. I find it offensive, that many of us put so much work into making sure our local North Andover/Andover forums and voter service work is done fairly, only to be accused by anonymous posters of chartering candidates. If anyone else would like to do the work we do to help educate voters prior to elections and town meeting in a nonpartisan manner so that citizens can make up their own minds, please step forward. The more informed the voter, the better in my opinion. And I enjoy the spirited debate that often is seen here on Patch. But posting lies and accusing me and others of giving unfair advantages to and helping certain candidates is unacceptable.

You are not going to always agree with everything an organization does, there are pros and cons to being involved...
May 13, 2011
To the editor:
The League of Women Voters of Andover/North Andover (LWV-ANA) has been placed in the very difficult position of explaining the actions of League leadership at the state and national levels. Our local chapter of the League wants to go on record as strongly disagreeing with their decision to run ads singling out U.S. Senator Scott Brown for his vote in favor of the McConnell Amendment No. 183, limiting the powers of the Environmental Protection Agency.
The LWV-ANA was not made aware of these ads before they began airing. We have communicated our disagreement to the state and national League leadership.
The League of Women Voters was founded 90 years ago as a nonpartisan political organization with two main functions: educating voters and studying issues of concern to our communities.
The dedicated members of our local League have worked very hard to provide Andover and North Andover citizens with access to accurate information about issues affecting our communities and encourage active participation in the democratic process.
We do not condone the ads being aired. Our local League will continue to discuss what further steps need to be taken to preserve our vital nonpartisan role in the community.
Stefani Traina
Acting President
LWV of Andover/North Andover

Please stop attacking other Patch readers/posters. Discuss/debate like adults.

Bryan-Have you considered requiring real names on all posts. Just putting the idea out there. Thanks

I've come to a considered judgement on the postings of Mr. Quinlan and Coolfusion.
The vitriol of their comments lays clear their disdain for the democratic process. No contrary opinion should be heard. They have a monopoly on the truth. Anyone with ideas contrary to their own is an idiot.
I think our town, this site, and our country is better than that. I want this election season to be an opportunity for North Andover to consider the state of its schools, its biggest single expenditure, and what policies and leaders will help them improve the most. It is an important conversation in which we should all be engaged.
So, as my New Years resolution, I won't take the bait nor respond to the ad hominem attacks. I'll go to the candidates forum and hear from both candidates and when the election is over, I'm confident that whomever is elected will do everything in their power to make this community a better place to live.

Mike apparently you missed my comment in which I told everyone on this thread to stop attacking. I shouldn't have to babysit adults.

Candidates Forum March 6 at 7 PM live on Cable TV. Listen to the candidates themselves tell you what they stand for.

Michael I already did.

Seriously Michael? I've made it clear that no one is permitted to attack others regardless of where the person stands politically. You can relax, there's no conspiracy.

Also, no one is forcing you to read blog posts or respond to them. If you get that upset that you're documenting each response and imagining secret conspiracies from them, perhaps you should skip the blog posts entirely, or at least the comments section.

Would someone please tell Michael Quinlan and Cool Fusion, that we have met the enemy and they are ours, the TeaParty has been an abject failure.

Walter, we are all playing nicely in the sandbox now. Let's respect the democratic process and not resort to ad hominem attacks on our fellow citizens.

There was once a candidate from North Andover
To accede to the school committee was her endeavor
The "Special Interests" were energetic to endorse
And supported by tne League of Womens Voters Of course
Creating a stealthly ruse .. used to confuse
But allowing astute voters to be totally amused