Letter to the Editor: Politics as usual
By Mary Fortune
To set the record straight implies the need to defend oneself.
Blaming others for the bad, while simultaneously taking credit for the good, is narcissism.
Men at the helm, attacking educated, successful women, is misogyny.
Claiming to know what others think, including their likes and dislikes, is self-grandeur.
Accusing consorts of defying rules while also having done so yourself is hypocrisy.
Stating all drama is the result of specific individuals or that the drama began only upon their arrival, is a red herring.
Public slander and divisive rhetoric fail all leadership tests.
Community real estate deals that benefit investors more than teachers, students, and taxpayers, definitely give way to quid-pro-quo.
When the president of the school board contributes to the dysfunction and refuses to accept accountability, that should be a red flag.
If you have served and led a committee for 16 years and the chaos and serious financial woes continue to get worse, perhaps you should find another calling.
Sadly, it’s politics as usual.
I couldn’t agree more.
I am not a native of Mahomet, but have owned a home and lived in town for about 15 years. My wife and I don’t have any children in the school system. We just contribute mightily to the cost of educating everyone else’s kids in the M-S School District. We do so because Mahomet is a great, safe, friendly town. Previously, I would have added that the community enjoys some of the best schools in the State of Illinois. However, as I pay greater attention to the machinations of the School and Village Boards, I don’t believe that is the current status.
I have emailed the current Board President on a couple of occasions. I wrote to point out to him that he’s been “in-charge” for 16 years and it appears the school district is worse for his tenure.
Selling the old Sangamon grade school certainly appears to be a boondoggle to the taxpayers, a gift to the buyer, and just downright short-sighted. Especially Since the sale was made under the leadership of one whose profession and years of experience, should have imbued him with a prescient knowledge of the real estate market, particularly in fast-growing Mahomet. However, I and many others, question his abilities to lead this important Board.
Locating the new grade school in an area poorly served by roadways, was also short-sighted. The fact that the newest school is already overcrowded just seems like a stupid, “rookie” mistake. The backed-up traffic on US-150 each morning is evidence of poor planning. The apparent goal of shifting that traffic to South Mahomet Road, with its unfinished extension through to Praireview Road, is a poor solution. Where was the real estate expertise in that decision? Not to mention cooperation with the Village Board.
So, it Is no wonder that both referenda failed. It is as much attributable to poor leadership, and lack of citizen confidence in the Board’s plan, as it is to the already exorbitant property tax levy we all pay each year. Good schools have driven property values in Mahomet for a long time. However, the case was not made for an additional $100, $200, and really more, additional per year, per household.
Further, in what is a clear indication of bad relations between the School Board and the Village Board; they have discussed a potential referendum for a $28 milion dollar pool/rec facility. That looks to us citizens as a “smack in the face” to the School Board.
Please get new leadership. Create some cooperation between School District and Village Board. Consider traffic issues when planning. Consider growth trends when planning. Consider the ability of the “average” (not the wealthy) citizens to bear the cost and burdens of your poor decision-making.