Speakout: May 12, 2009

May 12, 2009 11:00 am

— Elementary music
There are nine kids in Willsboro band this year (high school) but 20 in elementary school. None of those kids are graduating, and six kids are moving up from sixth grade. That would fifteen for next year. Plus, the new kids that are starting band, at least 25 a year. Lack of interest? Where? Almost every other school in Essex County has at least two music teachers. Why would they blame this on budget cuts?

Traps cat
What nerve; my neighbor is trying to trap my kids' cat, for reasons that I can't understand. This guy is throwing scraps of food out his door every day, feeding any stray animal/rodent in the area and then has the nerve to try to trap our cat. I can't believe that this is all he can come up with to do during the day.

Swine flu
Is our new president looking out for the welfare of the American public? I think not. He refuses to temporarily close the Mexican border, stating that the swine flu is already here. Why would we allow hundreds, if not thousands, of newly infected people, thus not yet showing symptoms, cross into this country? How many Americans will suffer and perhaps die due to this decision? But then it's not polite to embarrass the Mexican government. His only problem is to figure out how to blame the flu on ex-President Bush.

Real threat
Swine flu is a real threat. Joe Biden is right. Anyone who still thinks for themselves knows this. One must only remember the debate about secondhand smoke to realize that the greatest ventilation system in the world will not protect you from this virus. For your and your family's safety stay away from planes, trains and anywhere people are confined in closed spaces.

Speeding
I very much resent the fact that there is a Web site and so much talk about speed traps. I have written before about driving slower, and people wrote back saying I'm a menace on the highway. Not true, and as far as speed traps, no one has to worry if you would stay at the speed limit. You then wouldn't get stopped. That Web site should be removed.

Wallet
Thanks to the person who found my son's wallet on a Monday evening at Wal-Mart. He had just cashed his check and went in the store to make a purchase. He dropped his wallet somewhere in the store, not thinking of the hole in his back pocket. Whoever you are, whether an employee or a customer, you made him very happy because of your honesty.

Athletic directors
Taking into consideration the recent economic climate, are athletic directors really necessary for school districts? Why should we, as taxpayers, support the salary of an extra unneeded administrator? We need to seriously look at how our districts allocate our monies. I would rather see a school try to support academic programs and divide the duties of an athletic director accordingly.

Music
I just received my district newsletter explaining the budget at Willsboro. I am so disgusted and upset. What is the School Board up to? Cutting instrumental music is totally ridiculous, especially because the district has extra money because they do not have to demolish the old school. What are you people thinking? Why would you cut a program to save money to cut the tax levy and build a new bus garage? How will this affect the children's education? Let's put the kids first as they should be. Keep band.

Budget
The Willsboro School Board seems to have an explanation for everything, don't they? They have the lowest budget increase in the past six years. You can be happy about this I guess. But you had to cut instrumental music out of the program to do this. This is not acceptable. How much of a savings is $33,000? And, more importantly, how does this impact the kids?

Willsboro
The School Board and Steve Broadwell are wrong about cutting music to a half-time position in Willsboro. Music is important and students in grades K-6 need more than general music. They should be offered a chance to be in band if they wish. Any other school in Essex County offers band. I do not understand why we would try to decrease the choices of classes for our kids.