Come and Dance Your Brains Out for a Cause

Point-Counter point #3 Kudos to the Town Council

Dear Johnny,

I get it.  I get it.  You "conservatives" believe that in the long run Natchaug School is going to need a lot more work and cost a good deal more.  You do not see this property as a town asset and want to  get rid of it and you're upset that we didn't spend more money on a referendum so your defeated vote against the building would have been counted.

There was a public vote.  It was in a quite large auditorium.  Where were your 300 then?  I know it was dark out.  And no one can drive.  But if it was really important, why didn't you get a bus to bring you all.  You would have been welcome to vote.  Expediency was necessary if those kids were not going to all be cramped into that middle school for another year.  So a public vote at a town meeting (in my mind) was not even needed.  This should have been budgeted by the BOE years ago.  But that's the BOE and I don't want to go there right now.

The point is that enough people on the council understood that in this specific case and with the support of an auditorium full of people we just needed to fix the damn roof and move on.  I think our council deserves kudos for their work on this singular point.  You don't need a committee, or chorus or a council or a town to figure out if a roof should be repaired.  If there's a bucket in the middle of the room when it rains, you fix it when it stops.  A three year old could tell you that.  It is shocking to me that we call you all conservatives when all you want to do is knock things down, drill baby drill, kill with your guns and not contribute a dime to the community.  I think we need a new nomenclature for what you guys are.  Destructionists seems about right.  

That said.  Apparently there were discussions amongst individuals, Ortiz among them, about the roof and Natchaug and its possible sale.  The exact terms of which were unknown to me personally until it was too late to do anything about by then.  Why, exactly, this information was not fully elucidated I do not know and this does make me angry on some level, but, and/or unless the council did have this information in full and still decided not to referendum, I don't blame them for the vote they cast, and neither should anyone else.  They did not usurp the voice of the minority, they fixed a roof because that's what needed to be done.  

What's done is done.  Let us instead move on to something about which we can actually do some necessary work.

Let's get rid of the BOE.

David

P.S. What makes something historic? Longevity is certainly among the earmarks and Natchaug certainly has that. And, if you eat a little coleslaw now and then you might too.

David,

Please refrain from using "Dear Johnny" and "Conservative" in a nearby sentence. The last time I was a conservative Barry Goldwater was the Republican presidential nominee and I wasn't old enough to vote. When I disagree with you I don't call you a conservative. The difference between us is that I look at the big picture you don't.

"Kudos to the town council," when it's convenient you are flattering a body that is at the root of Windham's education problems.   A body that  recently took away our speaking rights at meetings, a body still populated with members that go back to a similar situation when a 1000 signature petition was ignored concerning the magnet school. Tell me David, when was the last time the town council criticized the board of education?  When was the last time they asked the board of education why they were short changing our students? The answer is never, never has the council/board of selectman even remotely questioned that inept body.

With town elections around the corner and the Democrats preparing to introduce their candidate, Dawn Niles, (Yes David, you led me astray) for mayor we are heading into more bleakness. Fifteen year chairmen of the Democrats and what has she done? She has assured that Windham continues, at best, its mediocrity. She has assured that those serving on the board of education have remained and have continued to cheat the future of our students. It has never occurred to her that 

 others may serve the students, not the party. If elected the only thing that the electorate can look forward too is her ability to take up more space than the present space taker.

Sweeney School went through extensive renovations in 1963, Windham Center in 1968 and North Windham in 1986. We had no "swing space" then. Windham did what every other town does, we utilized temporary class rooms. You would think that Natchaug students presently attending the middle school were schooled in a hovel. Give me a break, even as incompetent as our BOE is, they wouldn't endanger a child. If they did the state would move in . If there is a need for more room, which there isn't, add temporary class rooms. 

I envision Natchaug as a future community center or even a rehabilitated school. The east end of Willimantic needs such. It could be the genesis for a successful renewal  and redevelopment project. Unfortunately, after sharing my ideas with central office I received a reply stating that when the schools were finished with Natchaug it would be handed back to the town. So much for thinking outside  the box.

And no David, I'm not a driller nor am I killer. I did spend six years of life in the U.S. Army during an incident in Southeast Asia and because of that I do appreciate democracy and the freedoms that comes with it.

Did you even go to summer camp? 

Claire's Italian Garden

Clair's Italian Garden

Dick Kelly has never stopped giving to Windham
It's about time we recognize him

Italian Garden, a fixture on Main St Willimantic for over fifty years was known for the best pizza and pasta in our world. It was common occurrence to see several tour buses parked in front of the restaurant. Usually alighting, visiting athletes on their way or leaving an UConn athletic event. Big East Basketball teams seem to camp out at IG's especially if the couches last name was Pitino. Massimino or Carnescsca.

Between 1975 and 1985 Claire Meikle served up the best pasta and salads seven days a week Along with friendly advice, a big smile and a little gossip she managed to keep a constant flow of hungry customers happy, In addition she recorded the coming and going of her most favorite customers with her Kodak Pocket Instamatic.

Today we add the 16th batch of nearly 1400 photos that Clair will share with us. Please help us identify the unknowns in the comment section. Thankyou

Flickr, the  company that provides the software for Claire's Italian Garden, has changed the format and just about everything else of this site. You may notice that it runs slower and there are an assortment of problems. For this we say sorry but can't do anything about it.  Hopefully thing improve and they go back to the old Flickr. Thankyou

Visit Claire's Italian Garden

Point-Counter Point #2 , Windham Education

Point Counter Point

Hissy Fit Part #2

Dear Johnny,

I'm not sure what you mean by hissy fit or pot shots?  I just reported what happened at the meeting.  If that came across as pot shots...well you should see it live. It's quite a show!  And God knows how expensive!

I want the BOE to feel their authority challenged.  If they see that as an insult then it speaks more to their own character than what, in fact, it is.  If you really want to talk about insults, let's look at our current state of affairs.  Even under the guidance of a state appointed special master, who happens to be a pretty bright guy, they somehow managed to rip out music from the elementary schools claiming it costs too much and then hand back the town over 200 grand.  I am insulted by this and you should be too.  I'm not saying I've never made a mistake, but I've never made the same one over and over.  I make new and more interesting ones instead.

Windham Public Schools, Central Office

These people make the same mistakes over and over and over and ad infinitum.  And the children of this town...and therefor by extension the hope and future of this town has and continues to suffer for it.

The superintendent of schools in Mansfield said he would be "REMISS in his DUTY to the town of Mansfield were he to recommend Our Magnate school" to His students.  And Sewall says, well probably we'll have a lot more kids from Mansfield than their superintendent could number.  What the freak kind of medication is he taking?  They better start putting it into the water here or he's going to have a revolution on his hands.

And by the way, when your roof has a hole in it, you don't go off and garner the input of your near and distant relatives to see if they think you should do anything about it.  You fix the dam roof and be done with it.  I will grant you however, that if I had KNOWN Rheo would have bought that building even with a damaged roof... I would have been the first one to have given it to him.  But, I didn't know that in time, and the people who did, kept it to themselves.  Now I know what a jury must feel like when the information they're given isn't all the information and Casey Anthony walks away, and later they read about the stuff they weren't told.  Given that, our council did exactly the right thing and just fixed the roof.  All you good ole boys were perhaps on the right track but all the true information was not made known publicly until it was too late.  Ultimately though, the point is, we did save that building.  We actually saved a historic structure in our town and didn't just tear it down and that was indeed the right thing to do.

Uniforms, on the other hand, have nothing essential to do with learning.  If they did our middle school scores would have skyrocketed the last few years and not maintained or dropped.  But it's an easier function of the brain to talk fashion.  It's not as difficult as really understanding brain chemistry and how music feeds brain growth in children and how the rest of the brain benefits because of it.  But let me try to put it as plainly as I can.   Music feeds our ability to count and therefor to do math.  Music expands our understanding of time and space, and therefor allows us to better understand physics.  Music also feeds our humanity,  our understanding of language and what things mean and how things work together or don't. Harmony and discord anyone?  Saint Francis said singing is prayer squared..  Now wouldn't it be nice to allow a little of that into our schools without a big kerfuffle?

I mean for real, who doesn't like music, except for our teflon superintendent and apparently Our Board of Incompetence, I mean, Education that is. (ok, that was a pot shot;-)

Poor Dr. A.  Though he was vested in the robe of many powers the ONE power Adamowski was NOT granted was the power to remove our superintendent or our BOE.  He needs us to do that, and we would really be the purveyors of our own demise if we don't.  If we don't get rid, not of just most of this board, but reimagine its actual structure, we might as well just burn the schools down instead for all the good that will come with our BOE as it stands.  It is irreparably broken. 

It time to Change the Charter!  So, let's do it.

5 BOE members.  2 Year Terms.  Limit to 4 terms.  (if eight years is good enough for the President and the Pope might it not be good enough for our enmired  BOE?) 

So anyway, did you eat any vegetables today?

David,

Believe me you can talk of the incompetence and disfunctionality of the board of education till you are blue in the face. When you have time read my eight part series on Windham's schools and the incompetence of the board of education. I've also included the incompetence of the town council and the hiccups of a board of finance intent on playing advocate of the board of education during the budget crisis of 2010-2011. (Read It Here)

I agree with you that Dr. Adamowski is a pretty good guy. Shortly after being named special master I checked him out. He wasn't too popular in Hartford nor is he here especially with teachers and staff.  He's not running in a popularity contest.  He's here to  educate our kids.

I like his quote, "It's not the amount of money you have, it's how you spend it." So true in life, if you enjoy world cruises on a Block Island Ferry income, you are underwater. Our school system has been underwater for years. I don't like him returning a couple hundred grand to the town especially when the rudiments of our kids education are  being shorted. We will pay for it in the end. But think David, when was the last time you heard of the board returning excess funds? Never I guess. He is attempting to undo the credibility stigma that has evolved over the last twenty some years.  He is attempting to educate the board in approved financial management. He is teaching the board what honesty is all about.

The beef I have with Natchaug and its roof is the same as others. What's it going to cost to keep it going for the next ten years? This "swing space" rational is weak. Other school departments utilize temporary classrooms which  are state reimbursable. (Looks like the boe is thinking world cruise on a Block Island budget)

Finally, where do you get off claiming Natchaug School as an historic building? Am I missing something? Did William Bonin attend Natchaug? Did Rochambeau sleep in the parking lot? (according to history books he was a big sleep around guy, here in Windham County)

Windham Town Council: Chipping Away Demoracy

Councilor DeVivo

There is something about being elected to public office that sometimes infects participants with a pathogen that causes them to suffer a heightened proprietary sense.
Town records are their records. Meeting minutes are their minutes. Discussions and sessions dealing with problems are for them to resolve.
Getting the public involved just makes thing messier, doesn't it? 

                               From  Willimantic Chronicle editorial discussing a Lebanonfreedom of  Information issue                                                      

Observing the local political process and those that make (or don't make) it happen, I often wonder what goes on in the minds of those newly elected on election night. Exactly when do they become the "authorities" or the "experts" that many become? When do they shed that pre-election humility and concern for those that look up to  and support them? When does their listening ability cease?
Do these things happen when the last ballot is counted or is it a slower evolution?

 From  windhamweek, TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2012

Councilor Rivera

February 12, 2013 the town council ignored a petition signed by 262 Windham citizens requesting a referendum over a town meeting to replace The Natchaug School roof. Those choosing not to consider a town wide vote were: Tom DeVivo,Christel Donahue,Charles Krich, Arnaldo Rivera, Joseph Underwood and Kevin Donohue. Those voting against citizen rights claimed they were following the town charter. While the town charter condones a town meeting in cases like this, nowhere does the town charter prevent a town referendum. Others claimed their concern for those arriving to vote at the town meeting would be upset of the town meeting cancellation. Councilor Krich stated, "the charter requires what we are doing tonight, exactly what we are doing." Subsequently Krich said that a petition might have merited consideration two weeks prior," but not now with hundreds of citizen descending into the middle school auditorium. I might have had a different opinion if this petition was presented earlier."

Councilor Krich

So much for Krich's town charter hypothesis. Two weeks earlier the town council hadn't acted on the method of the Natchaug roof vote. Unconfirmed reports,has it, after the town meeting Mr Krich was observed attempting to extract his foot from his mouth The Natchaug roof proposal has been controversial from the start. A matter so controversial should have been moved to a town vote. Murphy Sewall, board of ed chair, even agreed that the vote should be moved to a referendum Following a board of finance public comment session Mr Sewall said, "given the lack of consensus, I think a referendum is what the community would want. A town meeting is a more appropriate decision forum when most people agree about what to do, he continued, A referendum is expensive and time consuming compared to a town meeting but it gives all sides a chance to come out and vote."

Councilor Donahuo

 Controversy stem from the fact that roof proposal comes from a board of education with little credibility. A declining school population (a district-wide projected decline in enrollment of 141 students FY 2013-14) Replacing the roof  of 100 year old building for$1,361,802 is the tip of the iceberg.  What other costs will be incurred to keep the Natchaug School operating for the next 10 years?  The BOE claims that the key to replacing the Natchaug roof is to utilize the building as "swing space" while the other town schools are brought up to current standards. This could be an expensive gamble for a 100 year old building. Most school districts utilized portable class rooms when in need of temporary classrooms.This option was never brought forward.

Councilor Underwood

The gang of six was confident to go against the democratic wishes of 262  citizen petitioners The gang of DeVivo, Christel Donahue, Krich, Rivera, Underwood and Kevin Donohue had to feel comfortable stealing the rights of the citizens they represent and right they were, knowing their vote would carry and be forgotten. Their political stars were lined up for another citizen screwing, this one in the wide open.

Being the majority it's easy to have your own way. Even easier having Mayor Eldridge and his Bottom Line Party representing the minority.  Eldridge's intentions have always been positive. He has built his political reputation on building consensus. Time and again his "lets work together" approach has come back too bite him. Consensus is not a word understood or used in Windham politics. At what point does Eldridge's consensus building turn into "fanny fancying?"

Days after the Democratic majority chose to ignore the town voter's wishes for a referendum   vote the Eldridge Party endorsed, whole heartily, the appointment of  Dawn Niles, a member of the majority party, to replace the late Councilor, Jerry Iazzetta to the town council' The tally: Nearly unanimous with only one dissenting vote from Mr Eldridge's party.

Eldridge's quote on Niles impending appointment Feb 19. 2013

“I don’t think there’ll be any­body to vote against Dawn coming on,” Eldridge said. “She’s an excellent person, and she will do an excellent job of finishing up Jerry’s term.”

Councilor C Donahue

The consensus stuff has been carried too far, it is to one sided. If the minority party wishes to continue their kiss-a*s stuff  it's time for a change. If you can't stand up for me, I can't stand up for you.

Winston Churchill once said, "people get the government they deserve." I suspect he was referring to Windham and its political shenanigans . . Yes, we civilians vote once, or maybe twice a year, and feel that we have fulfilled our participative obligations. But we haven't. 

260 citizens petitioned for a Natchaug roof referendum, 30 of them voted against the roof improvements at the town meeting, Where were the 230 citizens that signed the petition but felt it was not important enough to venture out to the town meeting to protect their signature? Democracy isn't easy, we know to well the the tens of thousands that have died protecting it.

It's easy to be a patio politician but patio politicians get the government they deserve. 

Mayor Eldridge

On Dec. 6, 2011, Windham's Town Council Democrates returned to their authoritative mode after the November elections. Election time is when most politicians pretend to listen to their constitutes. (Hard work, but a fact of life at election time.)  First on their agenda was changes how the council operates meetings including the controversial elimination of the second public comment period. The council voted 7-4 to change the operating procedures . They also took the right to speak a second time away from the electorate. The timing was perfect. two years till the next council elections and four years till the 2015 elections. The voters wouldn't remember. On that December night in 2011 the gang of Democrats deprived its citizens of their First Amendment Constitutional Rights.... freedom of speech

Voting in favor of the change were Democratic councilmen Charles Krich, Thomas DeVivo, Joe Underwood, Kevin Donahue, Arnaldo Rivera, Christel Donahue and Jerry Iazzetta -- all members of the majority, Democratic party. 

On Feb.12, 2013  Thomas DeVivo, Kevin Donohue, Christel Donahue, Charles Krich, Arnaldo Rivera and Joseph Underwood voted to ignore a petition signed by 262 registered voters who requested a referendum. Within fifteen months the Democrats removed two of our constitutional rights. At the same time four members of the minority (Bottom line) party chose to not whimper a word of dissension in protest.
 

The Natchaug roof is not the issue today. The issue is our abused constitutional rights  . I've voted for many of these people, I've supported a few via editorial comment. I expected that they would represent me, not jeopardize my rights. 


Chronicle Editorial
A Kick in the teeth to Democracy

 

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Point-Counter Point: Oh What to Wear?

School Board in Quandry
Decisions, Decisions



Dear Johnny,

How have you been. I know you don't have a TV, you hippie do gooder, so I know you didn't see the last board of education meeting on public access. I completely missed Undercover Boss because of the fireworks. Uniforms! Oh My. It hurts my brain to think so hard!This whole uniform thing has got them stumped. Last time they took a vote and 87% of the students' parents said they wanted uniforms. But the board didn't know if they really wanted uniforms or maybe everyone was just kidding. Now the parents are banging on the desk chanting WE WANT UNIFORMS! WE WANT UNIFORMS! demanding that their school wear uniforms, and the board can not figure out what to do. They are completely flummoxed. That big boy in yellow almost turned into a very large beet until sweet Sue snarled at him which seemed to calm him down. This is better than the Guiding Light. I wish the town wasn't paying for it in the education of its youth, but what drama. Of course I can't help but think that it's because of this bulls**t our students are saddled with among the lowest achievers in the state, except the DECCA KIDS who won 5 first place awards with the fewest member group. (Did I mention that program is being cut (Ana can't figure out how business and science might go together, gee whiz, imagine that)). So these uniforms! They need another survey, they don't need another survey, what does it matter? It doesn't matter, so if it doesn't matter why not have a survey. (these are quotes from the dialogue that occurred) Not even the Switch nor the good Dr. A could waylay the uniform avalanche completely. Oh yeah? Yeah! ANNNNDDD! We are not done with this. Our BOE is dedicated to figuring this whole thing out and don't you or anyone try to stop them. 
What the hell are these people doing?
Oh right, nothing. Or wait, not nothing, not nothing...all the wrong things. They've been working like mad at that now for over 20 years.
They can debate in grand exclamations and peculiar fervor about the importance of everyone looking alike in school (heil somebody anyone?) But when asked a direct and simple question about their budget sat in silence- mouths agape with perhaps a fly swooping in as they stared off into the distance.
Did I mention Ana brought them all cake for their hard work. Bravissima Mamacita! This chick certainly knows where her bread is buttered.
You know what I say?
Let them eat cake.

Let's charter them out!

Whaddya say Johnny? Let's cut the Board of Ed to five members with 2 year terms. Let's at least start there.

Hope you're well. Don't eat too many hot dogs! Too many nitrates and no one will be able to visit.

David

David

Why the hissy fit? Why the pot shots? 

It's a matter of a dress policy. If an overwhelming number of parents sign a petition endorsing a dress code.....so what. Didn't the town council ignore the voters wishes to a referendum over a town meeting? Hasn't the board of education been playing make believe until the state moved in and said enough? I often wonder when does the transformation take place. When does a civilian elected to office lose the ability to listen to those that elect him?

When does he or she become an authority running a school system or overseeing town government? Is it immediately after the returns come in or is it a slower evolution?  

Unfortunately for our students and teachers the board of education has never acquired the knack of overseeing Windham's education process. Some have served, for what seems, like before the invention of chalk.They have been mentored by the state for the last five years, they have been forced attend state BOE school. After twenty years of playing educator you would  think that our boe would be teaching, not attending Lighthouse Training classes. With  the arrival of Dr. Adamowski our schools were in complete disarray.(Absolutely read this) Asked at a state board meeting what the problem areas were, Superintendent Ortiz replied, "governance structure, decision makers and union contracts." Sorta sums up what a board of education is all about.

Let's forget the dramatics, the special master is in charge, while it appears he is granting some responsibility to the board after a year and a half of delegating "busy work." He is feeling the board out: have they evolved from a micro manager mind set to a policy making board. Are they comfortable delegating authority? Or do they stick their nose in the superintendent's staff business? Do they attempt to implement policy and still get involved in day to day affairs? It appears they are still in that micro manage mind set. Doesn't each individual school have the responsibility to determine a dress code? It's just a duplication of effort. Adamowski realizes, I'm sure, if the board isn't capable of making a dress code decision, what decisions are they capable of making? While I commend him for his patience with this dysfunctional group it maybe time for the state to reconstitute the board or must we wait for November elections? 

David, the board of education doesn't take criticism lightly. Every criticism is viewed as an insult; each opinion is viewed as a challenge to authority. Conversely, the board of education is quick to lay blame away from its door and on to factors like adverse media coverage, state mandates, parents, taxpayers, town hall, and the state board of education. Lately the board has adopted the rationale that students don't achieve because of the school's physical facilities. Tell me, when was the last time the board took the blame for a screw up? 

And David, have some respect for Superintendent Ortiz. She has yet to have an opportunity to put her stamp on Windham School's operations.  I also understand she bake's a great cake.

John

What is the most Irish town in Connecticut?

Connecticut Magazine

Harp on Church Recommended to all Connecticut

Where will St. Patrick’s Day be celebrated the most in Connecticut this weekend?

According to 2010 U.S. Census data, Tolland County has the highest percentage of population self-identifying their ancestry as Irish, at 22.1 percent. That compares to 17.1 percent of Connecticut residents statewide, and slightly more than runner-up Middlesex County at 21.3 percent.

The least Irish regions of Connecticut are Hartford County, at 15.3 percent, and Fairfield County, at 15.6 percent.

New London County is at 19 percent, according to the Census, followed by Windham County at 18.3 percent, New Haven and Litchfield counties, each at 17.1 percent.
Statewide, Italians make up 19.1 percent of Connecticut’s population, followed by the Irish at 17.1 percent, German at 10.1 percent, English at 9.9 percent, Polish at 8.3 percent and French at 6.3 percent. Read On

Harp on Church

Happy Saint Patrick's Day, March 2013

St Patrick's Day 2013

In Heaven There is no Beer

St Patric's Day Flash Mob, Sidney

Celtic Woman, You Raise Me Up

Celtic Women, Danny Boy

Liam McNally Danny Boy

Mill of the month #2

Windham Textile & History Museum

Museum presents:

MILL of the Month Program

Are you intrigued and interested in the rich and prodigious industrial history of Eastern Connecticut? Here is your opportunity to get your monthly dose of mill sites and villages.

March 23, at 10 am, it will feature the the Holland Silk Mills,
We will meet at the Museum. Cost: $8. per person.
(program and walk)

Future tours include study of small buildings and magnificent structures, water and steam powered factories, textiles and other products, mill reuse and preservation issues and much more. And of course there will be fascinating stories of both famous and ordinary people who lived and worked through the decades of our great industrial past.

Field trips are held on the last Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. OR 4 p.m. Please pay attention to time changes. Registration suggested by calling 860-456-2178. Each program lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. A passport will be issued to participants for $5 Each fieldtrip is $8. Attend 8 trips (get 8 stamps in your passport) and your admission to Lowell National Historic Park is free. ( does not include transportation. Programs held rain or shine. Please dress accordingly.

For more information contact Bev York, museum education, at 860-456-2178

Or visit the Mill Museum Website: http://www.millmuseum.org/

Future Programs

Sat. May 25 - 4 p.m. Stafford Springs with Jamie Furness

Sat. June 22 - 4 p.m. Hall Mill, South Willington

Sat. July 27 - 4 p.m. Merrow and Eagleville, Mansfield

Sat. Aug. 24 - 4 p.m. Gurleyville Gristmill,

Joshua’s Trust, Mansfield

Sat. Sept. 28 - 10 a.m. Taftville, Norwich,

Historian Dale Plummer

Sat. Oct. 26  - 10 a.m. Smith & Winchester, South Windham

Sat. Nov. 23 - 10 a.m. Kirby Mill, Mansfield Hollow

interior tour with Sam Shrifrin

Sat. Dec. 28 - 10 a.m. leave Willimantic at 9.a.m. Boott Mill

Lowell National Historic Park, Mass.

Windham's Music Education Taking A Hit

A fund raiser for Windham's  and music programs will take place at Willimantic Brewing Company Wednesday, March 13th, 6-9 pm. Come out, meet your neighbors and concerned citizen and rally for  Windham students.  Windham High's music program needs our financial support to help maintain and grow the program. 

FILL-anthropic - www.facebook.com/FILLanthropic

There is little doubt that terrific failures have been made in the Windham Public Schools over the last 20 years. If you want to trace it be my guest. This has been in no little fault due to the Board of Education. Unbelievably, though generally good, and rarely punctual, the people on this Board have systematically, made decisions to the Deficit of our children and our community and therefor our economy. This is mostly shocking to me personally because I have known members prior to their election, yet somehow getting on that board perplexes their ability to make rationale decisions any longer. For some magical reason I cannot comprehend we have allowed these people to take a once really vibrant exciting educational community and turn it into ... I don't even know what, but it's mediocre in general, perhaps even at best. The one good man they had they allowed their lovely and well spoken superintendent to fire. You'rewelcome Coventry! I mean, I believe that Ana Ortiz is a quite good soldier, but we need a General. Even just a one star general, but a general non-the-less. Every decision of consequence that she has made about which I have been aware, she made wrong, and your property value is suffering because of it.

The charter should just eliminate the Board of Ed and make the Superintendent run for office. Is that legal? Someone check it out;-)

But if nothing else: Give these children Great Music. How often are you playing Mozart at home? Or Bach or Chopin? How about Kander and Ebb, or Andy Williams, or the Andrew Sisters and Bing Crosby and Jazz. How often do children even just sit and listen to music, let alone perform it? In Windham, it's ten minutes less a week than mandated by the state. How is this possible? I honestly can tell you it is because until fairly recently, no one really gave a s**t. Oh, it's music, who cares, just cut it? We need more jock straps. And everyone would agree, of course, to geting more jockstraps, our boys can't pummel the crap out of each other unless their boys are fitted properly. So, just cut music. Just get rid of it. And they did. No joke here folks. Your Board of Education just did just that. They just simply eliminated music. These jokers, with few exceptions, have got to go.
The buzz of technology is all about us, it is all consuming and overwhelming. Hearing music, reading music, feeling music helps keep us alive. Even the remotest monks have music. Music is a universal language. You can go into any bar in Germany, or Peru and say, hey...Elvis Presley! You will immediately have friends. Run in and yell GO PATRIOTS! and see what happens.

The children of this community deserve to learn about music. Even if they're awful at it and tone deaf and can't hold a note in a bucket made of glass, expose them to it. They will always be thankful.

Music, grows the brain. It's good for you. It's been proven highly beneficial.

Why aren't we fighting for it in our schools?

Wait. I know why...we're too busy fighting to put more guns in our schools instead. Riiiggghhhhtttt.

David Fenn

Windham Center