Jim's responses in red to Chris Prost's Letter to the Editor.
Second chance for Croydon voters
I’m a Croydon resident and I’ve read bold claims about what has happened here. Over 100 registered voters of our town have petitioned the school board to hold a special school district meeting to reconsider the massive budget cut that was passed. We’ve been called “sore losers” and “crybabies” by some who claim this is part of an illegal plot to change the vote. In fact, we have followed the processes in RSA 197 to petition for this meeting.
Nobody that I’m aware of claimed the do-over vote, or the methods used to obtain it, were illegal.
Only 34 voters participated in the budget vote at the original school district meeting.
According to historical records, this turnout was typical, not low as often claimed.
We’ve been told that those who didn’t show up that day brought this budget cut upon themselves. They weren’t engaged, and now they have to face the consequences.
Apparently not, since you’ve managed to obtain a re-vote.
The special school district meeting is a new opportunity for the town’s residents to weigh in. Per the RSA, we need 50% of registered voters to participate, and that’s a good thing. It will provide a truer picture of the townspeople’s thoughts on this budget that will dramatically alter education in our town.
Insincere, to put it mildly. This meeting isn’t about finding out what townspeople think. It’s about trying to overturn the March 12th vote.
Would this revote have happened if the same 34 people voted against the budget cut? Would you have collected 100+ signatures for a do-over vote just to “provide a truer picture of the townspeople’s thoughts”?
Opponents attempting to express their thoughts at board meetings since the town hall were berated, ridiculed, and often silenced by the same people who organized the petition. That doesn’t sound like they want to know what others think.
However, many who favor the budget cut have decided not to attend the meeting and are telling other residents to stay home — including in letters printed in the Valley News. These are some of the same people who say residents brought this on themselves by not showing up to the first meeting.
The two meetings operate under different rules, and for good reason. You know this, but would like to trick opponents into helping you reach the quorum of 283 attendees necessary for any vote to take place.
There is no reason for any opponent of the 113% budget increase to attend the meeting. The way to vote “no” is to stay home.
You can’t have it both ways. Being engaged means voicing your opinion when the opportunity arises. I’m asking all Croydon residents to attend the special school district meeting at 9 a.m. on May 7 at Camp Coniston to make their voices heard.
And I’m asking all Croydon residents who don’t want a $900,000 increase in their property taxes to stay home. If you attend and plan to vote “no”, you will inadvertently help to pass the tax increase by bringing attendance closer to the needed quorum.
Attending the meeting helps pass the tax increase, no matter how you vote! They’re trying to trick you.
These people don’t care what you think. They just want you to show up so they can reach the quorum.
The best way to defeat the tax hike is to STAY HOME on May 7th.
“I don’t think we’ll get rid of schools any time soon, certainly not in my lifetime, but if we’re going to change what’s rapidly becoming a disaster of ignorance, we need to realize that the institution “schools” very well, but it does not “educate”; that’s inherent in the design of the thing. It’s not the fault of bad teachers or too little money spent. It’s just impossible for education and schooling to be the same thing.”
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