RePost

JimAugust 25, 2013 at 12:23 PM
Well at least these latest actions by the school comity got people talking. I only wish that had happened before we got to where we are now. Seriously I think that any reasonable administrator should be able to live with a 10 % cut. Innovative solutions could help ease the pain. People should spend the towns money as wisely and with as much care as they use with their own. We should make every effort to work with everyone and try to find the best solution. Money can be found to make a new office as demonstrated by the last superintendent. Money can be found to build a scale model of a new elementary school prior to securing the land. Money can be found for 2 buses to take students and faculty on a trip to Boston to attempt to sway the vote to get land for a new school. All this and the voters have not approved a new school.
I do not wish to sound like I am bashing the school department however, couldn’t we have gotten a video teleconference going with the state house and saved a little money. Everyone knew of the situation happening with town workers and the financial situation of the town. Even that did not stop the school committee, they pushed their agenda forward. I saw money was urgently needed for band uniforms in the override request. I wondered how they were purchased 20 years ago. How did we afford it then? Let me tell you, students and facility got together and figured out a way to get the job done. Hard work, good ideas and dedication those were the lessons that were taught back then. Had they waited to be given new uniforms the uniforms would be 40 years old now. And really think about people doing the same amount of work for less pay each month and ask do we need these uniforms now, is there another way? Yet this is an urgent budget need?


We live in a town where 25% of the citizens are considered elderly. Most are on a fixed income and cannot afford more tax. That was and will be the answer we will have to live with. I wish we would all think about others and how the actions of one group has ripple effects on so many others. I also question what lessons are being taught to these children. Is it all for me and none for you? Or is it all for me and the heck with you? Most likely it is a little bit of both. Hopefully someone will teach the children to get involved in community and public service projects. Some of our elderly residents who have to decide between food and medicine will now have to figure out how to trim their budjets by 10 % to afford the new tax burden. Maybe we can get a community garden project going and make donations to the food bank to help them out. The people who do not have jobs and can hardly make it now will most likely move to shelters in the city and that should help save the town some money.


It reminds me of the golden rule to do to others as you would have them do to you.


May the good lord bless us and teach us to listen before we speak or shout out in anger. To consider others before we act for our just cause. May we learn to work together to resolve our problems.


This will hopefully not turn out to be one of those us against them battle. If everyone can get on the same page we can resolve the issues before they get out of control. Hopefully we can show that to the children and teach them some worthwhile values.

Reply


isteachAugust 25, 2013 at 2:16 PM
Excellent blog, Jim!! Excellent!! One day those who just think of themselves will see that some of the others were right. Julie has done a miraculous job of getting awareness out of much that has been broken in Templeton & the country. No one can do it all alone & I am guilty of not being a hands on person as much anymore. As many of us age we hope that the work principles we grew up with can be rekindled in the generations coming forward & see that you cannot Always have what you want, immediately & when you want it without working & waiting for it. This is what a large segment of the population in town has been trying to say when they have voted No at the polls. These latest measures at meetings (a lot of residents cannot attend for a variety of reasons) to push the same agendas through that were voted down by them only show that there is the entitlement faction that will pound through something in another way until they get it. This is a sad thing for me to see from our current educators (certainly not all, there are many many good teachers) that are at the helm at the present time. I feel that the economy is going to continue to get worse before it gets better (hope I am wrong). Therefore, it has been a shock to a good deal of people that cannot seem to wrap their heads around the fact that reshaping business as usual is a need that is sorely lacking from what I can see. In my opinion, this town needs Mrs. Farrell, but as of late, doesn't deserve her, especially with the horrid comments that have been flung at her for doing a superb, thankless job. It is my belief, that if she had not stepped into the "fire" we would be in State receivership already. Again, I say, how much can a person do for others & be slammed in ways that have been far worse than the comments she has made, she has asked to receive her apologies. That is more than anyone has done for her with the nasty things that have come her way. I feel her frustration from the entitlement few who have slandered her & discounted her advice on lack of funds, in what I think , at least in part, may have lead her to her recent commentary. If she no longer wishes to lead for the majority (at the polls anyway) then I wouldn't blame her. We can't Judge anyone until we have walked in their shoes. I felt that way for a long time about the SC & Supt. until I saw that there was no give & take or re-budgeting to fit the times. It appears that there is only take. Eventually the well they seek to draw from repeatedly, without replenishing, will eventually run dry. My thoughts & opinions this fine day. I appreciate those who contribute with theirs. Have a good Sunday everyone & as Jim says May the Good Lord Bless us & teach us. And in all things as we go through this life. Thank you!