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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>My response to Mr Carignan.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message -----
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=pgmurphy607@adelphia.net href="mailto:pgmurphy607@adelphia.net">Paul
Murphy</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=carignans@suscom-maine.net
href="mailto:carignans@suscom-maine.net">James Carignan</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, June 03, 2007 9:08 AM</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> school consolidation</DIV></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Mr. Carignan</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Just a note in response to your letter to the
editor regarding the "special interests" opposing forced school consolidation,
in which you exhort the public to "stand up for the children". My fellow school
board members and I, unlike you, Mr Carignan, are public officials, elected, not
appointed, not to represent our communities or the state, but rather the
students of our communities. Our mission is to take positions and make decisions
that improve the quality of education for our kids.While most of us believe that
fiscal responsibility is an important part of carrying out that mission, our
first eye is toward the quality of education. We are not in this for the money
or for personal power, we are in it for the kids. We put in lots of hours and
hard work for the kids.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I invite you to review the writings by all in favor
of forced consolidation. You will find precious little attention paid to the
quality of education or the kids. In fact, the governor's original proposal
called for increased class sizes for the kids. The one piece of the plan that
might have improved things in the classroom- laptop computers, was removed when
it became clear that the voo doo economics integral to this plan really wouldn't
cover the cost. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Your characterization of us and our efforts is an
insult and uses the most cynical of political tactics- can't beat the message?
Attack the messengers. Our positions on this legislation are sincere and are the
result of years of experience in our communities and our school. We have
presented arguments based on very close reading of the bill. Don't agree with
us? Present an argument that supports your position. It is beneath a man of your
intellect to resort to name calling.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>In addition, when you are writing publicly in
support of an issue that you're being paid to support, it seems to me you should
identify your paid position. Your letter makes you seem like a private citizen
from Harpswell, rather than a state employee appointed by the
Governor.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Your state and we elected officials deserve better
from a man of your caliber, Mr. Carignan. Shame on you.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Paul Murphy</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Board Chair</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Mount Desert Island High School</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
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