Shame On Bill Black!
Via email from “Save More Mom”,
I am just a humble mom who has never been involved with politics but I care about my family, and my neighbors. David, Karen, Cut the Budget and Do the Math Man are right. The money belongs in our hands not the government’s hands.The articles in the River East today solidified my vote-it will be no. Ken, I am no longer with you in wishy washy no man’s land.
I now know that education does not have to make cuts and that they have a surplus, have stimulus money, money from a senior teacher retiring and money from reducing the superintendent’s position to part time and that Bill Black had the audacity to give them ADDITIONAL money from the town’s reserve so they have that too! Shame on Bill Black!
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation just came out with the results of a study stating that teacher quality trumps class size.
I was a supporter of the board of education but I am now disgusted by their lack of empathy and lack of understanding about the people of the town. The facts have changed. There is no longer a chance of teacher job losses, and there has been a lot of money found due to the surplus, stimulus funds, special education savings, retirement and a reduction in superintendent’s salary. They are acting like spoiled children who want more more more more more regardless of whether it breaks neighbors backs. Taking money from the town’s reserve was the last straw.
How do we recall Bill Black?
Please vote no on June 1st!!
I agree, recall Bill Black, recall Bill Black!
He needs to return the $20,000 that he took from the reserve and take the $20,000 from his salary.
Well said! Andm thank you for the compliment. It was pretty easy to see through the paper-thin veneer of the BOE’s “pull together, lets vote yes now” letters in the Rivereast, wasn’t it? I hope everyone who read those letters saw them for what they were, just as you did.
One of the most frustrating things I read in yesterday’s Rivereast was the letter from Jim Angelo, Board of Education member, in which he said, “Individuals from both parties are playing the political card and they are using this issue as a stepping stone.” As Chairman of the Marlborugh Republican Town Committee (RTC) I can not more strongly disagree. The RTC has remained out of this and instead we have trusted the members of the Board of Finance to do their job and to watch the backs of the taxpayers.
Shawn Fisher, Chairman of the Democratic Town Committee (DTC) took a clear position as early as last November when the DTC issued a letter to the Board of Finance calling for NO cuts for the Board of Education and the DTC has maintained that stance throughout this process by calling for people to vote NO on May 11th, in spite of teh fact that the proposed budget had no detrimental impact on teaching staff or class sizes. I and the the Republican Town Committee have focussed on trying to encourage taxpayers to become informed and to vote as they see best while encouraging the BOE and BOF to work together.
Is this “wishy washy”? I guess some would see it that way, but I would prefer that to the DTC tact which was to incite people with scare tactics. I am hoping that the vote on June 1st will find taxpayers making decisions based on facts rather than fear. We elected people to represent us and will do so again in November. I wish to thank our BOF members (Cathi Gaudinski, Pasquale Amodeo, Susan Leser, Cliff Denniss and Ed Bader) who have worked so hard for us. In addition to the Republican members I will also give credit to Dan McMahon (unafilliated) and Democrat Evelyn Godbout who both kept an open mind throughout the process.
The final descision lies with you, the taxpayers. I just hope that EVERYONE who has an opinion about the budget will take the time to come out on June 1st to voice it.
As far as Mr. Black goes, I was concerned when I read his comment in the Rivereast article in which he said, “If the majority of those in attendance want to do it by paper ballot, we’ll be prepared for that.” You mean that using a paper ballot is not the definate way the vote will be conducted? After everything we went through on May 11th the First Selectman still may not use paper ballots?
I understand that there will be a thorough checkin process to make sure that those in attendance are certified as eligible to vote. I hope we do not stop there and that we use paper ballots so that everyone can vote privately and without feeling intimidated.
PS: This just shows the importance of having a Board of Finance that questions budgets and is willing to work hard to scrutinize every line item. They provide the check and balance with the taxpayers having the final say. That is how the system should work.