Unanswered questions
Which canon of religious doctrine teaches bypassing due process of law through recall by ad hoc committee and hostile takeover of a democratically elected government body for the purpose of avoiding responsibility and solving problems by dumping on neighbors? Information is needed to help clarify the motivation behind the opposition to the proposed new schoolhouse for Greene County’s Southeastern Greene School District. During mid-July local newspapers carried an invitation to a meeting for anyone interested in the controversial proposal. Although I am not a resident of the affected school district, I did respond because of my concern regarding the sad state of public education.
Following chitchat, the gallant host, Mr. Tom Fox, arranged for the dialogue to be opened with an invocation. Fox explained that although he enjoys long-time friendships with several of the speakers he wanted to dispel any misgivings of being a “good old boy.”
One speaker was Greene County chief assessor, Mr. John Frazier. Fox introduced Frazier as an old college roommate at Waynesburg College, which is a religion-based school. During his talk, Frazier commented that he was warming up and feeling like a Baptist preacher.
The county chief clerk, Mr. Gene Lee, was introduced as Frazier’s “supervisor” and assisted with Frazier’s presentation.
Another speaker was introduced friendly to the cause. That individual is a candidate for a county office and has been associated with the faith-based Greene County Habitat for Humanity.
A current member of the school board, Mr. Gary Moser, addressed the gathering saying he opposed building a new school. Moser believes because of this he is being maligned and shunned by fellow members. When asked about reasons for students’ generally lackluster academic performances, Moser attributed that problem to the low “socio-economic” level in the district.
Most residents who addressed the meeting spoke of the school board members and school administration in sarcastically bitter terms.
Fox worries that should big-chunk taxpayer Allegheny Power fall into bankruptcy, the burden of paying for the Taj Mahal school will be dumped on other property owners. The idea of dumping on (merging with) neighboring Carmichaels area was repeatedly suggested. And why not?
Unlike Southeastern Greene, members of the Carmichaels school board and administration are instilled with stellar and sterling principles, plus our holdings are vast. Just ask anyone.
Demanding to be asked: Why is the ad hoc Taj Mahal committee not pursuing diversification of Greene County’s general welfare portfolio as they obviously have done with their personal portfolios? How many luxurious motor vehicles or manicured English Tudor estates evolve from placing all of one’s eggs in a single basket? The question demanding to be asked is at once demanding to be answered.
Paul Lagojda
Cumberland Township
As to the deficit
I hear the state of Pennsylvania is running a deficit. I wonder why?
Could it be funding football and baseball stadiums with taxpayers’ money? Could it be building palatial housing, a la Coolspring Street for welfare recipients? Could it be political patronage do-nothing jobs? Could it be overpaid and overvalued politicians? Could it be buying automobiles for welfare recipients? Could it be overpaid state employees? Could it be overtaxed, anti-business climate? Of course not.
The legislators and tax-and-spend Rendell have the solution – more taxes, more taxes. Of course.
David Gardner
Uniontown