Archive: Around Town

Mark S. LewisOn February 6th we felt short of our goal of improving the educational environment for kids. I regret that our argument was not robust enough to win the approval of the majority of the voters. We’ll examine our actions and engage the board of education in a discussion of alternatives going forward. It will be the board’s decision as to whether or not to propose another initiative to the Lansing public.

Almost 1300 district residents cast their votes either in favor of or in opposition to two district renovation and expansion propositions, the development of which took the greater part of eighteen months and thousands of hours of discussion and engagement of interested community members, the most recent of which occurred within the Facilities / Community Awareness Group that commenced its activity in March 2006.

The process used to review almost $70 million worth of possible construction items was that used by Corning, Inc. when it considers construction initiatives. I thank Mr. Marc Stammer for bringing this process to Lansing. It was a fair, objective process that resulted in the formulation of a “right-sized” proposal to place before the voters. On those occasions when the engagement within the committee was less than cordial, Marc skillfully refocused all of us to the task at hand, and did so in a respectful, non-threatening manner, despite the attacks that were directed at him on many occasions. At all times, Marc kept his eye on the overarching objective: creating an appropriate educational environment for children. Despite the outcome, Marc deserves the gratitude and respect of every member of the Lansing community.

Maureen Bell is another community member whose actions during the process were praiseworthy. She believed in the cause and courageously countered those who were forced to resort to spinning facts and creating brush fires designed to distract the voting public from the real issues. Maureen believed in the Lansing educational program and boldly challenged rumors and half-truths, and mitigated the vitriol that at times defined this process.

Michelle Stone, high school principal, warrants our gratitude as well. For Michelle, the February 6th vote was the culmination of a five-year sojourn on her part to improve the educational environment for “her kids”. She never tired; she never waivered. She manifests what it means to be dedicated to young people. Thanks, Michelle.

By now we all know that the efforts to improve the school setting for kids fell short. There are many understandable reasons for this occurring. I will be the first to agree that the property tax system in New York is oppressive, especially to those on fixed incomes, and it needs to be corrected. Let’s hope Eliot Spitzer has the intellect, fortitude, and charisma to do so. I reject, however, those who, in an effort to scuttle a forthright endeavor to improve our schools, saw no other means at their disposal but to manipulate the facts to achieve their goals. I have enough faith the Lansing community to understand that they based their decision to vote yes or no on the propositions on sound rationale, not someone’s propaganda.

Thanks to all who participated in the referendum, whether or not you voted to support it.

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