“The Dodger Divorce and the philosophy of fear -- I know I'm scared - Los Angeles Times” plus 1 more

The Dodger Divorce and the philosophy of fear -- I know I'm scared - Los Angeles Times

Posted: 24 Jan 2011 03:54 PM PST

I'm thinking scare tactics must be the way to go in these legal proceedings.

Not sure who shook me to my little baseball bones more Tuesday, but you have to hand it to the attorneys for Frank and Jamie McCourt, they do know how to get your attention.

First one of Jamie's hired hands, Dennis Wasser, told The Times' Bill Shaikin that she is co-owner of the team and in order to keep the Dodgers in the family, she and Frank might have to become business partners.

Really, what could possibly be worse that being forced to run a company with the ex after a bitter divorce? The iron maiden? Sleep deprivation? Being forced to watch "Cougar Town?" My wife and I can barely agree on what to have for dinner, and we like each other.

What happens when, you know, they disagree on something? They could call the kids in for a tiebreaker, which would at least have a couple of them earning their six-figure salaries, but there are an even four of them.

This isn't the first time a Jamie lawyer has threatened this frightening scenario. Back in March, attorney Bert Fields told USA Today: "They agreed to be 50-50 [owners]. And she doesn't want to sell. She loves baseball. She has the ability to buy out Frank if he wants. If he doesn't want to sell, they'll have to figure out a way to run the team together."

They pull that off, and Dr. Phil will have to surrender his chair. The U.N. would fly them to the Middle East the next day. Also, pigs will fly.

Wasser said at the moment Jamie is less interested in becoming the co-boss than simply making sure her interest in the value of the team is protected. Shaikin wrote that Jamie is likely to ask for the Dodgers' most recent financial results and projections, including information on discussions with Fox for a new television deal.

And how do you think that will go over?

Meanwhile, an even more frightening comment was made by one of Frank's attorneys, Sorrell Trope, who said Frank would soon decide whether to appeal the decision he lost on the post-marital agreement or proceed directly to that new trial. Wasser said such a trial might not start before spring training opens — in 2012.

"You're not going to see the McCourts in trial for at least a year, and probably more," he said.

Ahhhhhhhh! Everybody scream altogether. Bud Selig, are you awake?

One theory is that Frank is simply attempting to stretch out all these legal maneuverings as long as he can, get his advances from Fox to stay afloat, and then cash in on either a new TV deal or a Dodgers station, enabling him to finally buy Jamie out.

The current Fox contract with the Dodgers runs for the next three seasons. Not sure if he can survive that long, but I'm doubting the rest of us can.

Of course, the first rule when listening to attorneys is to never believe a word they say. Every word comes with an agenda. And if their agenda is to frighten the bejebees out of us, mission accomplished.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Photo: Frank McCourt in 2006. Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

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A New Philosophy: Former North Syracuse teacher Helen Sakowski is the first principal for the ... - The Post-Standard - Syracuse.com (blog)

Posted: 03 Feb 2011 03:25 AM PST

Published: Thursday, February 03, 2011, 6:00 AM

By Mary Kay DeVore

Contributing writer

Since taking on her new role as Onondaga Central School Junior High principal last July, Helen Sakowski has been making what she says are positive changes in staff, student and parental involvement.

The aim: To help middle-schoolers achieve more and eventually succeed in high school.

Her appointment as the junior high's first principal was the initial step in a plan to improve graduation rates in the district. A committee researching the issue concluded nurturing middle school pupils and providing a good transition to high school could improve the graduation rate.

"My main goal for this first year is to fulfill the expectations of the committee who put the junior high philosophy into action," said Sakowski.

Sakowski said she works closely with assistant superintendent and committee member Debbie Grimshaw to further that vision.

"When a district looks at what can be done to increase student achievement, research has shown that by nurturing middle level (grades seven to nine) students, understating their specific needs, and by dedicating necessary resources to help them be successful, that this is a true recipe for success," Sakowski said.

The high school and junior high share the same building. Sakowski is responsible for academics and discipline of 150 seventh- and eighth-grade pupils. She also handles the discipline of the ninth-graders, while high school Principal Bill Rasbeck oversees academics for grades nine through 12 and discipline of sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

"Helen is a hardworking professional who is extremely dedicated to the middle school concept," Rasbeck said. "She has put in a lot of time and effort and some new programs that are age-applicable and appropriate — such as the Student of the Month and a skating party — that are very positive for the seventh and eighth grade."

Beyond placing a junior high principal, the committee has accomplished other goals.

One was to carve out an identity for the junior high. There is a working website dedicated to the junior high only. The seventh- and eighth-grade core team members — English, math, science, and social studies teachers — have a common planning period each day. The main focus of the core team is direct parent interaction. This direct contact cuts the red tape of going through various people to hear from and share information with a parent.

"Both core teams are great at communicating with parents in a timely manner," said Sakowski. "We have already had many parent-teacher meetings where the core team meets with parents to provide them with insight into their son or daughter's behavior and possible grades. The teams have received very positive feedback from parents."

Also new: Providing pupils with junior high experiences that focus on their particular age group and needs. They're not young children anymore, yet still not on the level of a high school student.

The key,Sakowski said, is to tailor the environment to their age, give them meaning in a variety of activities that will provide an atmosphere that fosters learning.

There was a "Welcome Back to School" picnic for all seventh- and eighth-graders before school started in September.

November kicked off the first award ceremony for "Student of the Month" that will become a monthly event. Students are nominated based on academics, citizenship and extracurricular activities. Parents are notified when their son or daughter is up for an award. The last award ceremony drew a large turnout of parents.

A ceremony Feb.16 will mark the end of the first semester at the junior high. Youngsters in the top 5 percent of each class, ones with 92 grade average or higher, the top three students and the Student of the Month will be recognized.

After the first marking period, an inline skating rewards afternoon was held and several parents volunteered to help supervise the event.

A transition ceremony is being planned for eighth-graders before they enter high school, to give them a rite of passage.

In December,seventh- and eighth-graders went to see "A Christmas Story" at Syracuse Stage. Each grade designed its own T-shirt to wear to the performance. Again, parents accompanied staff and students to provide additional support and supervision.

While the field trip was entertaining, it also was educational, Sakowski said. Teachers integrated the story into English classes.

"We believe in providing an education for the whole child," Sakowski said. "When kids come to school and really like school, they feel happy and usually work harder. Their parents support them and the school. The cornerstone of my success is if I have a strong parent base to support me."

Knowing that parental involvement is an important aspect for seventh- and eighth-grade students, the school is in the process of creating a junior high PTO. The group will be affiliated with the high school Booster Club and will benefit the junior high students.

Sakowski, among other jobs, taught junior high school in the North Syracuse school district.

"My past experience as a junior high teacher provides me with the first-hand knowledge of what it takes to be a nurturing, caring principal, who knows what is best for both students and staff," she said. "The most rewarding part of my job is definitely when students are looking forward coming to school, to a safe environment where we challenge them everyday academically."

About Helen Sakowski ...

Home: North Syracuse

Originally from: Graaff-Reinet, South Africa.

Education: Bachelor of science in health science from the State University College at Brockport, master of education in vocational education, certificate in advanced studies in educational administration from Oswego State University College.

Experience: Taught family and consumer science at Newark Middle School for one year, followed by three years at Corcoran High School in Syracuse, and three years at the junior high in the North Syracuse Central School district.

Current position: Onondaga Central Junior High School principal

Philosophy

Thursday, February 3, 2011