[Local-Maine-Schools] op-ed on consolidation repeal

[Ralph Chapman]

text of attached pdf file contents pasted below

[20071221 contact Ralph Chapman 207-326-0899  rchapman at downeast.net]

That was then, this is now: time to repeal

Then, last spring with warmer weather coming, school years' end within
sight, and several months of acclimating to the reality that our newly
re-elected Democratic Governor was trying to implement his
secret-before-the-election school consolidation plan, only the state
legislature stood ready to inject some reason into the political
processes that seemed to have gone so astray.

Then was when those of us who were familiar with the issues were
desperately trying to communicate with any who would listen what
disaster lay ahead.  We argued with logic, with facts, and with
principle.  We confronted illogic, falsehoods, and hype.  We defended
against charges of "self-serving", "fiscally irresponsible", and
"behind the times".  We tried not to personalize the apparent
incompetencies, irrationalities, inconsistencies, and poor judgements
we saw flowing from our government.  We worked the system, it seemed
to budge some, perhaps not enough.  Of course it wasn't ideal.  Maybe
it was acceptable for some, maybe not for others.

Now, during the shortest days of the year, another school year half
over, and the state legislature about to convene again having passed
the school consolidation legislation more than a half year earlier, we
are collectively astonished at the position we find ourselves, quite
different from what we could have imagined.

Now, obvious not only to us but to many hundreds of volunteers who
worked very hard over the past half year to implement the
consolidation law, and to school board members and town officials
across the state, the consolidation law is set to cost the taxpayers a
lot more rather than provide any relief.  Many thousands of hours of
effort have not produced workable plans.  Even the proponents of the
legislation now agree that the law isn't working.  Not a single
regional consolidation plan covered by this law was completed by the
deadline three weeks ago.  Tens of thousands of signatures have been
gathered on a citizen initiated petition to repeal the law.

Wow.  A lot has changed.  With so many people now aware of the
incompetencies and inconsistencies, especially with the absence of the
hoped-for taxpayer savings, surely something will be done to correct
the problems that this legislation has brought.

Or will it?  Even as public sentiment has shifted against the
consolidation law, those in power are more entrenched by having
participated in its design.  Will our legislators, most of whom voted
to enact this, be able to correct the problems knowing that they,
themselves, helped cause the problems?  Is there anyone who can take
reasoned leadership on this matter?  Who will have the courage to
admit her or his own mistake and speak forthrightly about the need to
repeal the school consolidation law?

Now would be a good time to call upon your legislators lest they find
it easier to continue the pretense that the emperor is wearing some
fine clothes.  Now would be a good time to resolve to make your voice
heard by your government.  Now.  This is Now.

–Ralph Chapman
Brooksville
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 20071221 that was then.pdf
Type: application/pdf
Size: 26133 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://mainetalk.org/pipermail/local-maine-schools_mainetalk.org/attachments/20071221/83630e26/attachment.pdf>