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Letters to the Editor: Without Concessions, Vote No on School Budget
April 26, 2011
To the Editor:
Our nation and NY state face a fiscal and unemployment crisis of historic proportion. Companies facing extinction by ever increasing entitlement taxes are choosing to go elsewhere. The resulting unemployment is generating an economic tsunami that is reshaping our lives.
Locally, we hoped that the CSD teachers’ union, receiving approximately two additional million dollars, and the superintendent of CSD, with a greater salary than Governor Cuomo, would contribute to share the taxpayer’s pain and generate a school budget with a 3- to 3.5% tax levy, in line with the tax levy of other districts. The CSD school nurses did step up with a contribution of $6,800 dollars. For such a small group they show honor and dignity. Well done, and thank you!!!
Friends, our superintendent, sadly, failed to lead and contributed “zero”. The teachers’ union contribution also was “zero”.
During the budget meetings, I saw the BOE early budget cuts being reversed as the teachers’ union applied pressure.
The union position meant “increase taxes”. The BOE was struggling. I felt their agony as approximately, 30 to 40 teachers were constantly pressing on them.
Only two lone voices spoke in support of the taxpayer’s hardships. The petite, quiet-spoken BOE member Barbara Manzari and I, limited by Mr. Berger's watch to three minutes for each meeting. So friends, the lack of taxpayers’ voices to balance the teacher union demands, increased pressure on the BOE members and all of them lacking fortitude, with the exception of Barbara Manzari, folded like wet rags, mumbling excuses!!!
The question is: Are we Americans who believe that helping each other in times of crisis is part of what makes us humans? Or do we believe it is “OK” to step over the children of families, soon to be homeless, step over the elderly on fixed income, or those with reverse mortgages ? In the muddy fields of Vietnam, I learned: “We Americans do not leave anyone behind!! We all, go home, body bags and all!!”
The BOE has kicked the can to the taxpayers; kick it back!!, by voting “no” on the budget.
The teachers’ union and the administration are free to voluntarily agree to contributions and regain their honor and dignity, disregarded oooh so cheaply!!!!
Friends, a “yes” vote on this budget will generate a higher tax increase next year. The BOE need to make hard choices, and stand up to the teachers’ unions!!!!!
Anthony Incanno
Cornwall
(Founder of Save Our Schools)
Comments:
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Mr Incanno,
I do think the teachers should of helped with the burden. However, your comparisons of "tsunami" and "body bags", are a bit extreme.
Further, what you failed to mention is that by voting no, you are hurting the future of our community, our children.
posted by d Baiocco on 04/27/11 at 4:10 PM
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I think you're being a little too politically correct. An "economic tsunami" is no different than saying "a tornado of debt," or whatever, and it shouldn't be regarded with horror just because there was a bad tornado somewhere last week. Or a tsunami a couple of months ago.
Nor was Mr. Incanno "comparing" body bags to anything; he was simply speaking a truth.
posted by Stephan Wilkinson on 04/27/11 at 6:37 PM
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Mr. Incanno, I agree with you, WITHOUT CONCESSIONS, VOTE NO ON THE SCHOOL BUDGET! The BOE is strangling us senior citizens on a fixed income. And the greed is showing from the refusal of the teachers union and the administration to make a few concessions. This union is no different than all of the other unions that are running the costs into unsustainability for our country. We just cant afford any more. Just today I read in the Local that the BOE is against the Governors attempt at imposing a cap on property taxes at 2%. Explanation:? The BOE feels that it might FORCE them to consider cuts to programs and staff next year. Well, golly gee, they might have to do what is right for the taxpayers. A yes vote will hurt our community NOW . VOTE NO ON THE SCHOOL BUDGET
posted by William Powell on 04/29/11 at 4:05 PM
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