tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859894191147478362.post8209890983983106570..comments2023-09-01T03:29:34.801-04:00Comments on New Paltz Gadfly: I voted no once, tooTPWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03264842579175313715noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859894191147478362.post-3707237521004686272010-02-17T13:22:13.948-05:002010-02-17T13:22:13.948-05:00Yes, what's done is done. I hope the townspeop...Yes, what's done is done. I hope the townspeople can let go of the battle that was, and press on to do the band-aid renovations that they signed up for! After all, it's all about what's best for the kids, right? right!? <br /><br />My biggest fear is that the yes and the no were so rowdy, so bullying, so mean to one another, that this place is going to become "a town divided", and we are never going to get ANYTHING accomplished. I hope everyone can put their pettiness aside and "do work" for New Paltz! It's not personal grudges that matter; it's the progression of New Paltz that matters.Mariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00909827979488728508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859894191147478362.post-23907549196864651962010-02-17T09:53:24.963-05:002010-02-17T09:53:24.963-05:00I haven't gone over to the school district web...I haven't gone over to the school district website to read all of that release, but the part you quote shows an attitude, if I may resort to my native ice hockey jargon, of getting ready to "rush the puck" again. That will bring on more aggressive backchecking from opponents, who will, with the scent of a massive victory still in their nostrils, start taking the school district more forcefully into the boards. (End of ice hockey metaphors.)<br /><br />If there is something pressing right now at the Middle School (like the roof), it should be taken care of. Anything else that presents itself as "severe" should be listed in order of priority. Then there can be a discussion about the best way to proceed. For instance, I have some doubt that re-doing the heating system will cost $7 million. Since that is the really big item, I would like to see it examined more closely for less expensive solutions.<br /><br />As to the urgency of these matters, they are entirely secondary to the budget for this coming year. That's the budget that will have to contend with a nearly bankrupt State of New York and cuts in aid to school districts statewide, which could be worse than anticipated. That will all also be befogged by this very political year, i.e., no one will be telling the truth.<br /><br />My opinion is that the school district should write its budget to conform with the cuts and not shift the burden of lost aid onto taxpayers. After that process is done, and voters have had their say on whether they can live with it or not, then the Middle School repair/upgrade can be looked at through a clearer fiscal window.<br /><br />The budget is the top priority.Martin McPhillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02702640115003772857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859894191147478362.post-36898472547265800562010-02-17T08:30:34.529-05:002010-02-17T08:30:34.529-05:00It's a valid question, John, and I've post...It's a valid question, John, and I've posted a new survey along the same lines. I'd like to ensure that our most, um, passionate commenters aren't making others less willing to play.TPWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264842579175313715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859894191147478362.post-40803095417156601182010-02-17T08:23:42.694-05:002010-02-17T08:23:42.694-05:00But why have a lively debate in person when you ca...But why have a lively debate in person when you can post anonymous, nasty comments right here?John Blighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06543592173944572738noreply@blogger.com