Samborski needs to apologize
Dear Independent,
As the chairman of the York School Committee, I was in attendance at the March 6 Budget Committee meeting where, during the school budget review, Mr. Samborski made the comments, "I see no evidence to make me not believe that the music program and the band program, as fine as they are, are somewhat of a catch basin for students who cannot qualify to get into more 'academic' programs," adding " ... I am of a personal belief that musicians should be chosen on a meritocratic basis, and consequently not everyone in the school should deserve taking music programs forthwith."
Hearing the words he uttered, I could not fathom how someone who has had a career in education could talk about any group of students in such a callous manner. Any undergraduate or graduate-level education class in this entire country clearly teaches that it is an educator's duty to promote high achievement for every student and to inspire even those students with learning challenges to reach for the stars. It is also the obligation of educators to never negatively label a student or make disparaging remarks about any student's ability. This should not be news to Mr. Samborski based on his years of experience as a headmaster at several private schools.
We must also remember that it is the obligation of a public school is to educate students of all abilities. We cannot be selective about whom we educate and we must provide educational opportunities and appropriate facilities to fulfill this mandate. It is our obligation to make sure the class valedictorian as well as the student, who has need of special education services, can equally share appropriate academic and co-curricular experiences.
Over the nearly five years I have served on the School Committee, we have had the opportunity to celebrate many fine achievements of our students, in all sorts of academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. As a community we should celebrate the diverse accomplishments of our children and young people.
Sometimes these so-called "catch-basin" students sing on the stage of Carnegie Hall as our YHS Chamber Singers did just a few years ago. Sometimes it is an achievement for these so-called "catch-basin" kids to learn a vocational skill because they want to enter the family business rather than go to college, but still want to take music education courses to broaden their horizons. Sometimes those "catch-basin" kids who find the social aspect of the teenage years challenging, find music a welcoming community. Still other times, one of those "catch basin" students is indeed the class valedictorian who plays several instruments and has gained a full scholarship to an esteemed college or university.
We have a lot to be proud of in our school district and we greatly thank the taxpayers of York for their support of the educational experiences provided for the children who go to school here. I also want to take a moment to thank the members of the York School Committee and the York Budget Committee for their tireless work in reviewing the fiscal 2009 budget.
It was during the Budget Committee's preference votes on the proposed YHS Music Instructional Wing that Mr. Samborski made his now infamous comments. He has had ample opportunity to hear from the public during these last many days and I believe he owes the students, their parents and the educators of our community a heartfelt apology for what he said.
I want to believe that Mr. Samborski made a very human error expressing those unfortunate comments due to the exhaustive process of the review of the proposed town and school budgets that the senior boards must undertake every budget season.
Should that be the case, his apology should come forthwith and I hope will be accepted by many in our town of York.
Marilyn S. Zotos, Chair
York School Committee
Toll plaza plan raises concerns
Dear Independent,
The Maine Turnpike Authority inspected 16 sites from Kittery to Wells and narrowed the choices to four locations: Mile markers 8.7, 9.9, 11.3 and 13.2 -all in York.
I live on Chases Pond Road near the mile 9.9 and mile 8.7 markers. The area will be negatively impacted by the toll plaza being moved north of its present location. The Maine Turnpike Authority held a public meeting on Feb. 27 at the York Middle School, but did not directly notify affected residents by letter or phone. By chance, I found out about the meeting from a notice in The York Independent. It was posted at the bottom of a page in the middle of the paper.
If the toll plaza is moved and expanded, residents will be forced to relocate, property values of any remaining homes will plummet and additional exhaust fumes and noise from stop and go traffic will increase. The town of York will lose taxpayers. Wildlife will be displaced and wetlands will be ruined. A handout I received at the meeting stated, "Because it (the present toll plaza) was constructed on wetlands sections of the plaza are sinking. This results in constant and costly maintenance and ultimately affects the efficiency and safety of the plaza for both employees and motorists." I am sure anyone who has been on Chases Pond Road has noticed all the wetlands that exist throughout the area. How would building a toll plaza on more wetlands prove to be a solution?
The handout also stated underground storage tanks and a prior petroleum spill at the old town dump site, which is located at mile markers 9.9 and 11.3. It is very likely that pollution problems will occur in the surrounding land and the Cape Neddick River if the ground at these locations is disturbed.
The MTA claims archaeological surveys will be required. When speaking with my neighbors I was told that in the woods near the 9.9 marker location there are gravesites dating back to the Civil War.
The MTA also mentioned a plan to tap into the York Water District located on Chases Pond Road. It is conceivable that a 6-7 lane highway near a public water supply would be a security risk.
Many people walk, ride bikes and drive Chases Pond Road every day. Anyone who has traveled Chases Pond Road on a beautiful October day - maybe on the way to Mt. Agamenticus! - soon realizes that the state of Maine has a significant portion of land on the west side of town that is a gem for residents and visitors to enjoy.
I strongly suggest that the MTA consider sites that would be better suited for the relocation of the toll plaza if a new one is needed.
I would like to urge all town and state officials to take an interest in this issue and support the residents in preserving a special place.
Barbara Matthews
York
Proposed town hall site is not right
Dear Independent,
Thank you, Cynthia Raymond, for voicing your thoughts on returning the property once belonging to Coventry Hall back to that historic house and seeking a pre-developed lot as the location for the next town hall.
All too often in this town woodlands and wildlife habitats are destroyed in order to construct new buildings when adequately suitable buildings or vacant lots are passed by. I, too, have long thought that the Long Sands Plaza would be a great location for a town hall, if the current location must be vacated. The land is already paved, the trees have already been felled, space is becoming available and the location is great.
It might or might not be a bit more costly to the town to work with a pre-developed lot but it certainly will be less costly to the character of the town and the ever-diminishing woodlands that complement our historic area.
Elizabeth Dutton
York Beach
Samborski's comments strike sour note
Dear Independent,
As an alumna of York High School and an avid supporter/participant of the arts I was intrigued by the statement made by Mr. Samborski of the Budget Committee that the music programs at my alma mater serve as a "catch basin" for students who are too unintelligent to participate in academic programs.
I, sadly, had been unable to write a letter to the Budget Committee about the importance of the arts at York High School because I was out rehearsing a play five days a week - which I followed up by foolishly doing homework and studying for exams. As a former freshman student of DePaul University in Chicago and a sophomore at the University of Maine, Orono, with a 3.5 average, I have participated in many outstanding arts, theatre and music programs along with other students who also routinely score A's in their academic pursuits.
Under Mr. Samborski's definition I am not qualified to write this letter; therefore, for his benefit, I will keep it simple. The music programs at York High School attract all kinds of students, including members of the National Honor Society. Students cannot join the York High School Chamber Singers unless they maintain high academic scores. The York High School music programs attract so many students because they are directed by Mr. Rob Westerberg, one of the most outstanding music teachers in the country - and Mr. Samborski isn't qualified to polish Berg's baton.
Sincerely,
Sarah Mann
York
A letter to Mr. Steve Samborski
Dear Independent,
On Friday, March 7, my daughter came home from York High School in quite the mood. She could not get the exact words out of her mouth because she was furious. She told me that you, Mr. Samborski, a Budget Committee member, said insulting things about her and all music students at your most recent meeting - a comment about music students not being "academic."
I remembered that you were once on the School Committee. I also recall you being a former teacher. Therefore, as a former educator, I would assume you would be aware of the huge benefits of music for students. I would assume you would be current in the research that shows a correlation between studying music and high academic achievement. (I just spent this rainy Saturday afternoon on my graduate school website finding current published articles supporting that correlation.)
I assume you have attended concerts at YHS and walked the facility where these bright and talented students are instructed by dedicated people. I assume you have noticed the lack of instructional space. I assume you have done your homework before making a statement in public.
Then if you have done your homework, why would you insult hundreds of these students in public? I do not understand.
You not only insulted my daughter, who is an honors student, but you insulted my other two children, who happen to play instruments. You not only insulted all YHS music students, but you insulted all music families and music educators. I am sure if we all got together to sing or play a song to reflect our feelings about your opinion, it would be heard around the world. You have insulted many.
I have a request. Try to open up your heart to music. Do you listen to music when you drive in the car? How about a little jazz? Classical? Have you ever heard something so beautiful musically it made you cry? How about a song that evokes a memory that is forever embedded in your soul? Those musicians that create the music you hear that stirs your emotions were involved in music education. Are they intelligent? I think so, don't you?
Lastly, here's a little extra tidbit - our oldest played an instrument for eight years in this school system, and he is at Boston College. I guess that is a school for the "non-academic?" I am sure there are hundreds of York HS graduates who are at fine universities who happen to have had the wonderful experience of being taught by the outstanding York Music Department.
Your comments are shameful.
Listen to music.
Nancy Cartier
Parent of three intelligent musicians
York
Where would we be today?
Dear Independent,
Where would our country be today if President Lincoln did not speak out against slavery?
Where would our country be today if Susan B. Anthony did not initiate the "Women's Suffrage Movement" and if Alice Paul did not continue on with the groundwork that Ms. Anthony had created?
Where would our country be today if Rosa Parks gave up her seat?
Where would we be today if John Walsh, John and Magi Bish and the parents of Polly Klaas just hid their pain in silence and made no effort to improve the civil rights of our nation's most precious asset - our children?
Where would we be as a society right now?
I have been up against a personal situation in which my civil rights as a human being have been violated in the worse possible way.
My daughter, who is only nine years old, recently drew me a picture and wrote, "I'll fight for my rights if you fight for yours!"
Thank you Kathy Welch, Sue Peterson and Sean Murphy for teaching my daughter about our "Five Freedoms" and about Civil Rights in general!
April is National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. Take the time to reflect on the progress that our culture and society has made in protecting our children. Support those who speak out against abuse and violence in all of its forms. Silence sanctions abuse. Activism prevents it.
Break the cycle. Break the Silence. Join the movement.
Suzanne Cyr
York
Quit using those chemicals
Dear Independent,
Did you know more land in the U.S. is planted in turf than corn?
Would you consider giving up herbicides/pesticides on your lawn this year?
The U.S. EPA estimates "80 million U.S. households dump nearly 90 million pounds of herbicides and pesticides on lawns in a year." Lawn care is as much a danger to our health and environment as conventional agriculture. This is one environmental problem we can solve.
Did you know synthetic fertilizers threaten wildlife, pollute our water systems and affect our indoor air quality?
If that doesn't concern you, think about the health of your family. Children and pets can't read the "keep off" signs on your lawn or your neighbors'; 50 percent of our contact with pesticides occurs within the first 5 years of life.
We choose organic. We don't stand out. Our lawn is as green as any. Organic lawn care can be purchased at our local garden center or you can choose to have a local organic service treat it for you. The choices we make effect us all.
Last year the York Parks and Recreation Department used organic lawn care on many of the town fields. I want to thank Parks and Recreation for their consideration. By choosing organic, our children can play baseball, soccer and lacrosse without seeing those warning signs to "keep off the grass." My hope is Parks and Recreation will go organic with all our fields and town parks. Keeping us safe is more important than seeing a weed or two.
Heather Henriksen
York
Samborski comments were wrong
Dear Independent,
With Steve Samborski's recent comments we seem to see the reason he hasn't been able to hold a steady position at a school. Further proof that great institutions, including Harvard, have their share of fools.
R. Duquette
York
Thanks to York Fire and Police Departments
Dear Independent,
When I came home from work Monday night, St. Patrick's Day, I found my house very full of thick smoke. Because of the speed of response from the 911 operators, to the first responders and all the fire and police personnel, my home is still standing and is structurally sound. My son lost everything in his room, but he and I are OK. He says, "it's only stuff." Cleanup will follow.
The worst part of watching outside for me was wet and cold feet, but a firefighter named Balentine gave me a dry pair of socks. I felt somewhat useless, except for answering questions, watching the assembled crew of York's "servants of the people" in the truest sense of the word, work swiftly but thoroughly to contain the fire to one room and prevent as much damage as possible.
I met Chiefs Bridges and Balentine, Inspector Apgar and Officer Owen. Thanks, Officer Owen, for rescuing my belongings from the back porch and for standing by. Those are the only names I remember, but there were more who aided me and reassured me, including the crew of the canteen who provided me with a cup of hot cocoa. Thanks, too, to the Ogunquit contingent.
I have learned during breakfast at Norma's that there were training sessions for firefighters and that is why there were so many vehicles and firefighters at my house that night. I hope the crews were able to learn things from this incident. There was certainly no lack of personnel and equipment. I'm always happy to support training, but did not expect to be the object of that training.
I've been through enough life experiences to have a perspective about the relative value among the things in life. I and my son, and my cat, Oreo, are safe and unharmed. I still do have a house. I'm not immune to alarm; this is, after all, my home, I just want to say that it was easier to remain calm watching the very professional town police and firefighters doing their job.
I wish to give them my heartfelt thanks and well-earned praise. God bless each and every one.
Carla Clarke
Cape Neddick
