Bankrupt Cincinnati Public Schools Lobbyist Neil Clark: His Art Inventory Includes 24k Gold Leaf Pamela Anderson

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Superlobbyist Neil Clark couldn't make it on $72,000 a month. Now we know the art inventory listed in his bankruptcy filing includes three figures of Pam Anderson --Pam Anderson in mirrors, Pam Anderson in 24K gold leaf, Pam Anderson 3/4 life size. We can only assume it's the woman with the treasure chest because the figures aren't displayed in the court records. They show he also owns Marilyn, Liz Taylor, Liza Minnelli, Jane Fonda, Judy Garland, Joan Collins, Ann Margret, Sophia Loren, Stevie Nicks and Jackie O. Meanwhile, Clark was booked to give a rundown on Ohio's government financial picture to a group of executives in Columbus. Clark was set to explain why Ohio is "headed to a financial meltdown." With Pamela Anderson in the picture, maybe it would have been better to explain why the state could go bust.

The Ohio Society of Association Executives clearly viewed Neil Clark as a heavy hitter when they booked him to speak at their January luncheon. They noted he was a top Republican who served as senior financial analyst for the GOP Senate caucus in the days before he switched to lobbying. Here's the notice announcing Clark's talk:

"12/28/2009
January OSAE Luncheon - Maintaining the Status Quo Does Not Mean Inaction
Doubletree Hotel - Worthington
January OSAE Luncheon Program - Maintaining the Status Quo Does Not Mean Inaction
January's luncheon speaker, Neil Clark of Grant Street Consultants will discuss why he believes the State of Ohio is headed towards a financial meltdown. In addition to studying the causes for the meltdown, he will list the reasons used by both individuals and Ohio's leadership not to make the hard decisions.
Before launching Grant Street Consultants, Neil Clark served as Chief Operating Officer of the Ohio Senate Republican Caucus where he managed the planning, development and implementation of the taxing and spending priorities of Ohio's $32 billion biennial budget. In this position he functioned as both senior advisor to the majority leadership and as senior financial analyst for the Caucus. During his three decades in the political arena, he has structured and directed scores of successful campaigns for candidates and statewide ballot issues. In 2009, he was ranked for the ninth consecutive year in the top 25 of Smart Business Magazine's annual Columbus Power 100."

Cincinnati Public School's Lobbyist Files For Bankruptcy: $72,000 A Month Just Ain't Enough

CINCINNATI (TDB) - The news about Ohio super-lobbyist Neil S. Clark's bankruptcy filing in Florida is beginning to break today. He reported income of $72,000 a month. Clark's long list of clients as reported in state records includes corporations, charities and non-profits, including the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Museum and the Cincinnati Public Schools, which he worked for in 2009. At the moment, the fees he was paid are unknown. He also represented the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, payday lender Checksmart, and Apple Inc. Below is some of the data he filed with the state about his school lobbying activity:

Agent: Neil S Clark
File Date:
2/4/2009
Confirmation:
20090204EINA9986
I.
Engagement Date:2/2/2009
II.
Employer Information:
Name:
Cincinnati Public School
Real Party In Interest:
Type of industry:
Education
Address:
P.O. Box 5384
Address 2:
City:
Cincinnati
State:
OH
Zipcode:
45201-5384
Contact Person:
Jonathan L Boyd
Phone:
(513) 363-0425
E-Mail:
j
III.
Brief description of the Executive Agency Decision(s) to which this engagement relates:Decisions which would have an impact on the employer
IV.
Categorical listing of offices of Elected Executive Officials, Departments or Executive Agencies to which the engagement relates:-Attorney General-Auditor of State-Governor-Lieutenant Governor-Secretary of State-Treasurer of State-E-Commerce Center-Education-eTech Ohio Commission-Job & Family Services-Ohio Learning Network-Regents Board-School Facilities Commission-Schoolnet Commission, Ohio-State Controlling Board-Taxation-Youth Services

Russo's Right About Heavily Vetting Veep: Cincy's Lesson Today On Background Checks

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Tim Russo, who knows a thing or two about skeletons and closets, says resumes and candor seldom mix, and too many people conceal things that would chase them from applicant pools. He contends even Hillary Clinton needs to be closely vetted by the Obama camp if she is considered for the No. 2 spot on the Democratic ticket. Russo is absolutely correct to demand such screening. Why? So there are no surprises. None. This morning, Cincinnatians woke up to huge headlines disclosing that one of the candidates to replace Rosa Blackwell (Ken Blackwell's wife) as the city's school superintendent was caught in a long and grinding legal battle over sexual harassment allegations. He did not disclose the scandal to a search and consulting firm hired to scour the nation for Blackwell's successor.

Of course, Googler's and Yahooligans quickly found the details of the scandal on the Internet, which raises questions about why professional headhunters did not. Russo, writing on his BloggerInterrupted.com Website Wednesday, knew nothing of this when he said vetting and screening is a crucial part of the selection process for Veep. He said too many people have things to hide:

"It has not been a small issue with me that so many people in high positions; businessmen, lawyers, doctors, politicians, media, and their staff members; manage to hold their positions, salaries, and lives while carrying with them baggage that if disclosed on an employment application, would immediately remove their resume from the applicant pool. Marc Dann, and his entire staff leap to mind."

Right on, Tim. You can now add Earl Watkins to your list -- the chief of the Jackson (Miss.) Public Schools was quickly scrubbed from the semi-finalist list in Cincinnati after the revelations. He won't be in town for interviews next week.

Clark Montessori High School: Ohio Has America's Only Public Montessori H.S.

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Clark Montessori is one of the best things in the United States, and it happens to be a state-supported public school in Cincinnati. It is not a charter school, or a private school. It is a public school in the city system, a magnet open to children of all races and incomes, and it is highly successful. Amazingly successful, really. Kids from the suburbs enroll at Clark, even through their parents must pay tuition.

Seldom does a senior not graduate, and it is rated excellent by the Ohio Department of Education. The graduating classes tend to walk away with millions in academic scholarships that help them pay for college, and almost all go on to university.

Two of my kids are Clarkites, and I sent them there because the school is so damn exceptional. Example: They both spent nearly two weeks of their freshman year backpacking on the Appalachian trail. And there were other adventures that introduced them to the world per the philosophy of Maria Montessori. Clark is small -- only 92 seniors picked up diplomas this year.

I'm mentioning Clark because Thursday I proposed positive posts across the Ohiosphere that would promote our state. (And I missed my own 24-hour deadline to get the post up. Why? I didn't originally intend to include myself, but decided what the heck, jump in.)

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has backed Clark and studied it, and calls the Cincinnati public Montessori exemplary.

"The small design promotes opportunities to learn the skills and values involved in teamwork and group decision-making, in long term project management, and in service to the community. These have combined to with Clark's challenging academic courses to proficiency test results that are far above state norms."

This is a public school, a big city school, and it sits there in Ohio defying all stereotypes. It has long been described as America's first and only public Montessori high school, but there may be imitators out there somewhere. And what do they say about imitation -- isn't it the highest form of flattery.

[UPDATE: 5:30 pm EDT: In a comment below, Jill of the always erudite and informed Writes Like She Talks has gently pointed out that purists may not consider the school in Cincinnati a true Montessori. There could be some room for debate because Cincinnati is experimenting with Maria Montessori's philosophy and, so far (more than 30 years) has successfully adapted it to the American standard education model. There is a a lot of additional information in this article about Xavier University's program that produces certified Montessori teachers, (one can earn a master's degree) which is somewhat pioneering and defying of educational conventions in its own right. Xavier is in Cincinnati, and no doubt because of its influence, kids in Cincinnati can start in a public pre-school program and stay with the Montessori philosophy all the way through 12th grade. I suppose Jill is technically correct. Please read what she says below in her comment.]