Sunday, May 13, 2007
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
Beauty
Earlier today, I volunteered in Katherine's classroom as a chaperone for the walking field trip to the town hall. The system-wide art show was this week, and, each year, the elementary classes walk over to view the art. It was a great day for a walk, a little humid, but nice just the same. As I was walking down 105, I noticed, perhaps for the first time, how "photogenic" that area of Middleboro is. From the "mansions" that line the street, the oak trees that hover over the sidewalk, something struck me today that said, "You should come down here and photograph this sometime, Sharon." I have been to the town hall countless times for performances, have seen through the window of the car the beautiful Veteran's Memorial that was recently built, and have driven by the downtown shops more times than I can tell you. I think today, however was the first time I really took notice and saw how beautiful it all really is.
The art show itself was phenomenal. There were some paintings there done by some of the older kids that I wanted to make an offer on, and frame in my living room. The students, young and old, have some serious skills.
The art show itself was phenomenal. There were some paintings there done by some of the older kids that I wanted to make an offer on, and frame in my living room. The students, young and old, have some serious skills.
Why I Am Morally, Ethically, and Fiscally Opposed ...
...to a casino here in town, in list form because I am lazy.
1. It is a proven fact that a casino in town brings with it more people, choosing to reside in or near the host town. More people=more crime=more social problems=more gambling addictions=more bankruptcies filed=BAD NEWS.
2. Casinos are usually built in the style of a resort...with such things as hotels, malls, specialty shops etc. right on the premises. If the people that a casino brings in are shopping and conducting business at the casino that means that they are not shopping at local businesses. Again, BAD NEWS.
3. Casino's run by Indians are considered, "Sovereign Nations", which means they are not subject to the environmental, land use, and tax laws that apply to everyone else. There is also no developed federal law regarding what terms are enforceable between local towns and the Indians running the casino. BAD NEWS.
4. Much of the revenue generated by the state lottery system is redistributed among the cities in towns. A casino would more than likely have a negative impact on this. BAD NEWS.
5. The town of Ledyard, CT only get a measly 1 million per year back from the casino. I say measly because 1 million is probably not even close to a fraction of what Foxwoods makes. BAD NEWS. (FYI: I need to find the report in which got this information, and when I do, I will link it here, as it also shares other useful information on the negative impact Foxwoods has had on Ledyard).
6. The town would undoubtedly lose it's rural country character which, to me, and I am sure many others, is a big reason we live here. BAD NEWS.
Oh, and if I may just say that the people running this town, with the possible exception of one, are clueless. Not only did they sell the land before a deal with the tribe was even discussed, they did it without seeking the input of the town voters. The only one who may be exempt from that is the one who wanted to put a non-binding referendum on the next election surveying the thoughts of the town regarding the casino. The others shot it down, even though the Wampanoags would rather go with a town that supports them being there than not. Honestly, sometimes I wonder how these people get elected.
1. It is a proven fact that a casino in town brings with it more people, choosing to reside in or near the host town. More people=more crime=more social problems=more gambling addictions=more bankruptcies filed=BAD NEWS.
2. Casinos are usually built in the style of a resort...with such things as hotels, malls, specialty shops etc. right on the premises. If the people that a casino brings in are shopping and conducting business at the casino that means that they are not shopping at local businesses. Again, BAD NEWS.
3. Casino's run by Indians are considered, "Sovereign Nations", which means they are not subject to the environmental, land use, and tax laws that apply to everyone else. There is also no developed federal law regarding what terms are enforceable between local towns and the Indians running the casino. BAD NEWS.
4. Much of the revenue generated by the state lottery system is redistributed among the cities in towns. A casino would more than likely have a negative impact on this. BAD NEWS.
5. The town of Ledyard, CT only get a measly 1 million per year back from the casino. I say measly because 1 million is probably not even close to a fraction of what Foxwoods makes. BAD NEWS. (FYI: I need to find the report in which got this information, and when I do, I will link it here, as it also shares other useful information on the negative impact Foxwoods has had on Ledyard).
6. The town would undoubtedly lose it's rural country character which, to me, and I am sure many others, is a big reason we live here. BAD NEWS.
Oh, and if I may just say that the people running this town, with the possible exception of one, are clueless. Not only did they sell the land before a deal with the tribe was even discussed, they did it without seeking the input of the town voters. The only one who may be exempt from that is the one who wanted to put a non-binding referendum on the next election surveying the thoughts of the town regarding the casino. The others shot it down, even though the Wampanoags would rather go with a town that supports them being there than not. Honestly, sometimes I wonder how these people get elected.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
FYI
Adventures In Education has been updated. Be warned, it's a strongly opinionated, tell it like its is kind of post.
So Tell Me How You Really Feel, Sharon
Let me say point blank before I go forth with this post: In my personal opinion, cuts to educational funding should be considered a criminal act. No, I am not kidding, and yes, I feel that strongly about it.
The children of today are the future leaders of tomorrow. To be perfectly honest, even with adequate funding and available resources, there are still academic concerns surrounding such things as AYP and The No Child Left Behind Act. Cutting funds is certainly not the answer to this, or any other existing problems. How can a teacher be held responsible for a child's progress when they aren't provided with the tools to do so? I don't pretend to know the answer when it comes to resolving these and other concerns. What I do know is that if there is any hope of this ever being resolved, the money needs to be there. The feds have one heck of a nerve, if you ask me requiring such things anyway, unless they are willing to back it up with some cold, hard cash.
For anyone to even accuse the higher-ups at a school of being wasteful is not only ignorant, it's plain and simple not true. I not only have students in the school system, but am an active volunteer who actually sees, with my own two eyes how resourceful and creative school administrators and teachers can be, and in some cases have to be, in order to provide an appropriate education with the materials they have. Honestly? People who make accusations like that need only to go to the schools and see how wrong they are.
Yes, an override is needed. I think that the cutting of 36 positions, resulting in large class sizes and limited supplies more than justifies it. Does anyone really think the superintendent is making this up? If the override doesn't pass, you go to the schools next year and see for yourself. Maybe it is a form of theft, but, it's a legal one and I don't see anyone coming up with any better ideas. I'm sorry, but I think it is pathetically sad that someone wouldn't be willing to spend an extra $260 a year to support the future of the world. Further, we wouldn't be in this mess to begin with if someone, somewhere didn't screw up to begin with. I seriously doubt jeopardizing the education of the children will prevent this from happening again. No, I am not pointing fingers. Mistakes though, were undoubtedly made and even if those who made them are long gone, the children of today shouldn't suffer the consequences. It's just wrong.
If my landlord decided to raise the rent to cover the cost of the tax increase, I would gladly pay it. There is nothing more important than educating the children of today to provide for a better tomorrow. Nothing.
On a related note, it pisses me off to no end that people can make all kinds of judgements and accusations without having actually stepped foot in the school building to see what really goes on, not just what they think goes on. I assure you, what they think and what really is are two totally different things.
By the way, I too have serious doubts that the override will pass. So why bother, you might say? Well, because some one has to show the kids that can have a voice too, even if it is through their parents for now.
The children of today are the future leaders of tomorrow. To be perfectly honest, even with adequate funding and available resources, there are still academic concerns surrounding such things as AYP and The No Child Left Behind Act. Cutting funds is certainly not the answer to this, or any other existing problems. How can a teacher be held responsible for a child's progress when they aren't provided with the tools to do so? I don't pretend to know the answer when it comes to resolving these and other concerns. What I do know is that if there is any hope of this ever being resolved, the money needs to be there. The feds have one heck of a nerve, if you ask me requiring such things anyway, unless they are willing to back it up with some cold, hard cash.
For anyone to even accuse the higher-ups at a school of being wasteful is not only ignorant, it's plain and simple not true. I not only have students in the school system, but am an active volunteer who actually sees, with my own two eyes how resourceful and creative school administrators and teachers can be, and in some cases have to be, in order to provide an appropriate education with the materials they have. Honestly? People who make accusations like that need only to go to the schools and see how wrong they are.
Yes, an override is needed. I think that the cutting of 36 positions, resulting in large class sizes and limited supplies more than justifies it. Does anyone really think the superintendent is making this up? If the override doesn't pass, you go to the schools next year and see for yourself. Maybe it is a form of theft, but, it's a legal one and I don't see anyone coming up with any better ideas. I'm sorry, but I think it is pathetically sad that someone wouldn't be willing to spend an extra $260 a year to support the future of the world. Further, we wouldn't be in this mess to begin with if someone, somewhere didn't screw up to begin with. I seriously doubt jeopardizing the education of the children will prevent this from happening again. No, I am not pointing fingers. Mistakes though, were undoubtedly made and even if those who made them are long gone, the children of today shouldn't suffer the consequences. It's just wrong.
If my landlord decided to raise the rent to cover the cost of the tax increase, I would gladly pay it. There is nothing more important than educating the children of today to provide for a better tomorrow. Nothing.
On a related note, it pisses me off to no end that people can make all kinds of judgements and accusations without having actually stepped foot in the school building to see what really goes on, not just what they think goes on. I assure you, what they think and what really is are two totally different things.
By the way, I too have serious doubts that the override will pass. So why bother, you might say? Well, because some one has to show the kids that can have a voice too, even if it is through their parents for now.
Busy
This week has been that, for sure. My time has been occupied by many things, not the least of which is the designing of the Yes 4 Middleboro Schools website (which is just about done...YAY). I had meetings on both Tuesday and Wednesday and am volunteering at the school tonight as part of the Earth Week festivities. The kids have had all kinds of fun this week planting, recycling, and touring the Earth Balloon which was paid for by the PTA, and more specifically by the Cultural Enrichment Committee which I chair. The timing for Earth week couldn't have been better as it came just after the kids had received the awful news that they had lost one of their own...a six year old first grade student who died unexpectedly over the weekend. For privacy reasons, no one really knows how she died. Katherine's class specifically had a conversation about it (she too is in first grade and the classroom in which the girl was in was right next to hers). Katherine only knew the student in passing and she seems to be handling the situation well, mostly because I think she doesn't quite understand the whole thing (I mean she knows about death and dying but I don't think she understands impact and the grieving part just yet). Anyway, I think the Earth Week festivities probably provided a nice distraction.
I still need to update over at Adventures in Education, sharing my true feelings about the override, the casino and other town related concerns. Maybe I will get to that later, after food shopping and errands.
I still need to update over at Adventures in Education, sharing my true feelings about the override, the casino and other town related concerns. Maybe I will get to that later, after food shopping and errands.
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