Letters to the Editor
Baldacci plan is wrong for York
Dear Independent,As I understand it, Legislative Directive 1, or LD 1, which Maine voters approved in 2005, directs the state to increase its funding of education to 55 percent over two budget cycles, the second one being this year. In order for Governor Baldacci to honor this, he put together a plan to consolidate school districts and built his budget as if the plan was ready for implementation.
Several thoughtful studies have all suggested consolidation as a way to reduce educational costs while preserving Maine's generally solid educational system. There are benefits to thoughtful consolidation. For York, the governor's plan is not thoughtful consolidation, unless you are thinking how to undermine our town's buildings, our taxes, our education system, our local control and our property values.
Undermining our town's buildings: Largely, we have built our four schools with York property tax money that did not come from the state. Under this plan, the state would take the schools but not our debt, so we would still pay the debt, but not be responsible for them. We would also take over a share of the state debt that has built the other schools in the super-district of 17 schools/18,000 students. Once the Central Office on Route 1 has been vacated, it is not clear who would own that million-dollar building we bought with local York dollars and who has the right to sell it.
Undermining our local control: Our Home Rule Charter becomes illegal. Also, we have no School Committee. Maybe we would have one seat on a 15-person advisory board. Decisions about the education of 18,000 students would come from one office, probably in the Sanford area. All budgetary decisions would come from that office. If the mega-district voted down the budget in the spring, the budget that was voted down would still be imposed and the taxes collected if no agreement could be reached by July 1. Why vote?
Undermining our economic health: York will be the highest contributor to the district in the same way we are the highest contributor by far to York County. Currently, we pay for sheriffs in small towns who do not pay a police force. Under the governor's plan, we will pay for other schools but we will not be given back enough to maintain the quality of our school system even if you factor out the Central Office. We will have a mediocre school system with larger class sizes but will have to shoulder a large relative cost. It will become less desirable to live in a town with a mediocre school system that is a donor town to a larger district.
We need a different plan.
Come to the York Public Library today, Wednesday, Jan. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. to speak with and listen to our state representatives. Sign up for our e-mail messaging at yorkschools.org. Go to the Augusta Civic Center on the York bus for the public hearing on Monday, Feb. 5, and protest taxation without representation.
Patty Hymanson
Chairwoman
York School Committee
An open letter from Sen. Bowman
Dear Independent,Friends and neighbors, I hope you find this memo a valuable source for information relating to what is going on in the Legislature.
It is my goal as state senator to keep our community up to date with all issues of importance to York County. I am pleased to host a community forum open to all residents of York County on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 6 to 8 p.m., and the York Public Library, with other local legislative delegates.
Discussion is open for any topic; however, there will be a primary focus on the many educational bills facing the 123rd Legislature, with emphasis on school district consolidation or "regionalization." I hope to see you all there!
Please go to www.mainesenate.org and sign up for email updates or contact my legislative aide at 287-1515 for more information.
As state senator, I will work for what is best for this district and state. I am proud to maintain an open-door policy and I am available to hear any of your thoughts, concerns and input. It is important that we all work together as a community to do what is best for the residents of York County and for Maine.
If I can ever be of assistance, please give me a call.
Sincerely yours,
Peter B. Bowman
Senate District 1
Welcome baseball and softball parents
Dear Independent,Springtime is just around the corner and York Little League is planning a full season of fun and excitement for participating boys and girls. Here is your opportunity to join us.
Registration: Again this year, On-line Player Registration will be used and is now open on our website http://www.yorklittleleague.net.
The registration fee is $85 per person with a $10 discount for each additional child registered along with the first child through March 11. Late registration will occur from March 12 through 18 at a cost of $95. The registration ages are 8 to 16 for baseball and 7 to 16 for softball. Baseball league age is determined by how old you will be on April 30. Softball league age is determined by how old you were on Dec. 31. In both cases, this is the age that should be entered in the "League Age" question on the registration.
Note: All 2007 participants must register, regardless of whether they have played in the past.
Volunteers needed: York Little League is also looking for volunteers to help with a number of duties throughout the coming season. Please consider giving some of your time to make this a great season for the children. Volunteer questions are asked as part of the registration process.
Player Evaluation Process: After registration, the player evaluations for boys and girls will occur on March 11 at the York Sports Center. Players who played in Major League Baseball or Softball in 2006 are not required to tryout; however, all others should attend to be evaluated by the league. To make the Major League in baseball and softball players must tryout. Once player evaluations are complete, each player will be assigned to appropriate levels and the team rosters will be chosen through a draft system.
Practices will begin when the fields are ready.
More information can be found at our website http://www.yorklittleleague.net.
If you have questions please call Shari Pratt, VP of Baseball , at 361-2965; Jay Barrows, VP of Softball, at 363-7342, or Glenn Todd, Information Officer, at 363-8640, or send an e-mail to basehit@yorklittleleague.net.
Board of Directors
York Little League
Harbor Home provides a real home
Dear Independent,It was January 2006 - cold, dark and gray, and my mood matched the weather. Our doctor had told me that my 94-year-old mother must be cared for in a nursing home.
She was fortunate to be immediately admitted to the Harbor Home. It took a bit of adjusting at first, but she soon accepted her new "home." The nurses are very efficient and extremely caring. Each one brings love and expertise to each resident. The administration is also extremely caring, and treats each resident as an individual, so the resident does not lose their identity.
There is a close liaison with family, so that the needs of each resident are met on a daily basis. There are many activities including Friday cookouts in the summer. The Labor Day Lobster Bake was a high point. Bingo and bus outings are huge. Other important activities are a weekly church service and hymn sings. A Halloween Party, Craft Fair and many Christmas activities bring great joy to the residents. Hired entertainers are enjoyed by all. A fine hairdresser comes in twice weekly.
I have enjoyed many excellent meals with Mom - the best coleslaw in the Seacoast area and an awesome beef puff pastry tart are two of my favorites. Laundry provides Mom's favorite clean outfits - very important to her, and housekeeping provides a clean, tidy room.
In February ground will be broken for a new facility. It will be wonderful to have a nice, new structure, but more than boards and shiny new equipment, the love and caring will still be there.
Virginia Warner
Cape Neddick
The Independent Letters Policy: The Independent welcomes letters and opinions on any subject. We do not accept anonymous letters. Letters should be 200 words or less. We reserve the right to edit submissions for length, accuracy, and/or legal reasons and to reject any material considered unsuitable for publication. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of The Independent or its staff.
Send your letters to the Editor at PO Box 6, York, ME 03909 or via email to editor@yorkindependent.net. Deadline for publication is 12:00 noon on the Monday prior to that week's publication
