On behalf of the next generation of New York taxpayers, I would like to thank the Southern Cayuga school district residents for electing me and reelecting Dean Winspear.
I'm a bit of a hot-head and I doubt Dean and I see eye to eye on everything, but together with Jim Wilcox and Len Jordan, there will be a majority of people who think of the students' well being beyond the flinging of the mortar boards.
It is now more important than ever to mark your calendar for the next budget vote. There are very few budgets that are tightened up for the second vote, and almost none get defeated. Simple window dressing and threats of “contingency” are enough to make people stay home or vote yes.
I have talked with a couple of the board members who think the budget increase could be zero percent, but certainly if it isn't ratcheted down below 4 percent, we will again be treading on our children's futures and should make every effort to get everyone you know down to the planetarium for another “no” vote.
If we cave into threats like “contingency,” how will we ever get expenditures in line with revenues? This isn't about a local jobs program. This isn't about contractors feeding at the trough of public education in Albany. This is about the children. This is about the future. Be prepared to make the tough choice. See you at the polls.
Joe Lonsky
Genoa
It is now more important than ever to mark your calendar for the next budget vote. There are very few budgets that are tightened up for the second vote, and almost none get defeated. Simple window dressing and threats of “contingency” are enough to make people stay home or vote yes.
I have talked with a couple of the board members who think the budget increase could be zero percent, but certainly if it isn't ratcheted down below 4 percent, we will again be treading on our children's futures and should make every effort to get everyone you know down to the planetarium for another “no” vote.
If we cave into threats like “contingency,” how will we ever get expenditures in line with revenues? This isn't about a local jobs program. This isn't about contractors feeding at the trough of public education in Albany. This is about the children. This is about the future. Be prepared to make the tough choice. See you at the polls.
Joe Lonsky
Genoa
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Post your comment - click hereThere are 5 comment(s)
thinksensibly wrote on Jun 4, 2008 3:04 PM:
Somewhere, that message has been lost... and parents/taxpayers are very discouraged. I think people are prepared to accept that cuts MUST be made... its just where they are being made and what is being kept, that is at issue. "
Farmer's Gal wrote on Jun 2, 2008 4:45 PM:
If we cut the budget more, we hurt ourselves because we hurt our kids, the future citizens of this region, unless we make it so bad they all move away.
If we pass a decent budget, we hurt ourselves on our property taxes.
It feels like a lose-lose proposition to me. Thank goodness my last child is about to graduate.
BTW, Karl -- I know Joe, a bit anyway, as you might, since he is a fellow professional musician. I don't always agree with him, but he is a very sincere person -- no need for cynicism in his case. Disagree when you disagree, but I think I could vouch for his authenticity, as could others in our community. "
movedsouth wrote on Jun 2, 2008 1:58 PM:
teacher1 wrote on Jun 2, 2008 12:29 PM:
karl wrote on Jun 2, 2008 12:14 PM: