Vote for Kurkowski; she won't disappoint
In these challenging times, it is important to look at the big picture when casting your vote for new board members in the upcoming Tuesday Oneonta City School Board election.
Whether you vote "yes, yes, yes" or "no, no, no," you need to keep in mind that these serious times call for dedicated people that have the talent to address some tough issues.
Do your research and you will find that Sue Kurkowski has what it takes to be a valuable addition to the Oneonta School Board.
When the city of Oneonta was putting together its Comprehensive Plan, I witnessed Kurkowski's uncanny ability to bring people from opposite sides of the table to common ground.
She showed focus and used collaboration to bring landlords and homeowners together so both could exist while preserving the fabric of our neighborhoods.
She has experience serving people at the state, district and local levels. She is willing to take risks and has the skill to stand her ground. Most importantly, she is a dedicated mother who can think outside the box to solve problems. She has a daughter that graduated from OHS and has two sons currently in the Oneonta school system.
Kurkowski is balanced and knows the importance of fiscal responsibility. She will keep her eye on the prize, our children and will work to provide them with the environment they need, and the teaching professionals they deserve. She's worthy of a shot to serve. Vote for "Kurkowski." She won't disappoint you.
Vince Foti
Oneonta
Vote yes Tuesday for Oneonta's children
On Tuesday, residents of the Oneonta School District are being asked to make a choice about Oneonta's schools that will have an impact on our community for years to come.
We are being asked to choose between closing an elementary school and a smaller increase in school taxes (1.81 percent), or keeping all of the schools open and accepting a higher increase (5.15 percent). On average, these tax rate differences translate to an increase in taxes for property owners of about $100-$150 or less.
I realize there are those who think any tax to fund education is too much, but I hope that most Oneonta residents realize that the cost of closing a school without proper forethought and deliberation is too high a price to pay just to save $100-$150.
The outcome of the budget vote will speak volumes about the values of our community. These are the questions I hope all district voters will consider when casting a ballot Tuesday:
"¢ Are our children, neighborhoods, town and city important enough to maintain our schools, or does the desire to save a few bucks trump our duties as parents, grandparents, educators, taxpayers and community members to provide Oneonta's children with the benefits of small, neighborhood elementary schools?
"¢ Will we take the time and make the effort to ensure that any changes we make to elementary and secondary education are based on sound planning, or are we willing to let the decrease in state aid dictate the direction we take in redesigning our school system?
"¢ Will we teach Oneonta's children how responsible adults react to tough economic times, or will we teach them that saving a few dollars now is more important than investing in their future?
Please vote yes, yes, yes for the future of Oneonta's children, schools and community!
Christine Barberio
Oneonta
Vote no to Milford school's greed
Half of the houses are for rent or for sale. There are honest, hardworking people with two or three jobs just to make ends meet. Milford school budget salaries went up over $100,000, benefits went up over $170,000 from last year. The average raise for 42-plus teachers will be over $6,000.
Will you be getting a $6,000 raise this year, salaries and benefits? There are fewer students each year. How many farms will be hurt or put out of business? How many more homes will go up for sale? Will yours?
Other schools are cutting back, or even closing a school.
Not Milford! Don't they even care about their neighbors? Vote no to greed.
Robert Mindurski
Cooperstown
