$97,000 Piano?
As I opened my YDR dated June 25, 2008, and read the front page article regarding Southeastern School District's plans to purchase a $97,000 piano, my gut reaction was outrage. It became clear that when Ms. Shank put the piano out to bid, the bid was not just for a piano but, rather, a $97,000 piano which, evidently, left only the name out of the bid specification. Mr. Marston's somewhat cavalier remark, "Oh, the Steinway," did little to subside my outrage even though he mentioned the 18,000 negative e-mails he'd received.
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I can't help but wonder that had Mr. White, President of Southeastern Tax Reform Coalition, not "stumbled" onto this abuse while investigating another case of an ill advised "rumored purchase", we may have never been informed by the School Board until the purchase was history. I must admit, I draw a level of comfort, albeit small, that the awareness of the districts residents, made possible by the YDR article, may serve to curtail this purchase.
Now, however, I must make mention of, perhaps, the most egregious statement and one which we see all too often when citizens comment regarding the conduct of those placed in the position of representing the citizens: Ms. Childress's comment: "What the residents don't understand (place here all of the things we don't understand)..." In this case, we don't seem to understand that this will not have an impact on this year's tax rate because it will be paid for by a reserve fund. I do understand, however, that this fund, or surplus (def.: excess of assets over liabilities), was derived from previous years when the tax rate was, indeed, impacted. I suspect Ms. Childress doesn't understand that maybe, just maybe, we really do understand.
There seems to be a frame of mind that has developed amongst those whom we choose to represent us. That representation, marginal, at best, comes with a healthy dose of self righteousness and a full plate of arrogance. Still, though, we seem to keep returning these folks to these positions. I guess I just don't understand.
Bob Lind
Stewartstown
I have to wonder how many gallons of diesel fuel to run school buses would that $97,000 purchase? It is amazing that any school district would squander so much money, even surplus dollars, on such an expensive instrument when both student transportation and food costs are skyrocketing. What are they thinking?