The opponents of Longmeadow’s New School project claim that we cannot afford “this project at this time.” Unfortunately, they do not offer any viable alternatives other than those already considered and rejected by both the School Building Committee and the Mass School Building Authority. They hint that “other capital needs” will be crowded out if we spend $44 million on the high school, but they NEVER say which ones should be prioritized over the high school. They also never mention that the SBC included officials from across the town departments and that they fully support the proposed High School project. What do the opponents know that the town manager, chief financial officer, and DPW director don’t? Who knows? And they’re not saying.The opponents paint a picture of Longmeadow’s future financial picture that would have you believe that we’ll never be able to afford anything. I wonder why they don’t describe Longmeadow’s financial situation in comparative context? I wonder why they don’t mention that Longmeadow’s future financial obligations to pay employees and retiree benefits, for example, are no different than any other comparable Massachusetts town, a dozen of which are building new high schools? How do opponents explain (to themselves) the fact that no community HAS EVER voted against state aid for a school building?
Since their arguments about costs have, are, and will be flatly contradicted by the facts, what is the real argument against the high school project? Is it that our senior citizens are struggling on the edge of financial insolvency? You might think so the way they go on about “senior citizens on fixed incomes.” Funny that none of the vocal opponents, all of whom are senior citizens, fit this description. Far from it! They are wealthy retirees sitting on homes worth up to 10 times what they paid for them. Are they just standing up for their less successful or savvy elderly neighbors who lost everything in the financial meltdown? I don’t think so. You don’t get to the point of retirement in this town without understanding retirement investing 101. As you age you reduce the risk in your investment portfolio.
Apparently, Mr. Nolet, Mr. Wojcik and Mr. Fregeau think that they are smarter than other Longmeadow seniors who must be destitute by now. Does anybody reading this actually know even one retiree who would lose their home or be financially stretched by a $400-$600 annual increase in property taxes than doesn’t even start until 2014 and that declines every year thereafter?
Take a look at the actual property values of the homes in town with NO signs on the lawn. It’s very easy. Just go to http://data.visionappraisal.com/LONGMEADOWMA/search.asp and type in the address (or owner’s name). Particularly revealing are the properties of the loudest opponents.
The reality is that Longmeadow retirees are retired from successful careers and are very economically savvy and secure. They are also, despite the fear mongering, mostly IN FAVOR of the High School project. If the fate of the high school were in the hands of Longmeadow's retirees I am frankly quite certain that the project would pass. The Rogenesses are much more representative of the wisdom and public spiritedness of our seniors than the Nolets and Wojciks.
The folks I’m worried about voting no are the residents that really are struggling; the families with two working parents who have to shell out thousands of dollars for their kids "public" education, thanks to the many fees and various "lessons" that now have to be privately obtained. I’m worried that some of these folks don't have time to monitor local politics and are not aware that the NO NO's are distorting reality.
Longmeadow retirees built this town and are proud to pay their share for its improvement and progress. They don't want their legacy to be destroyed by a few selfish and narrow minded fools. Only these few want to take the huge equity this town gave to them and deny today’s Longmeadow families the quality of life and education that they and their kids got.
Vote YES and tell the No No’s to stop running down our senior citizens.
My parents, who are senior citizens support the high school project. They support it because they have grandchildren in the school. They support it because they are financially savy (as you say) to plan for the future. And they support it because they took the time to study and see for themselves what a crumbling unfit building the high school is. If only anyone with a doubt would do the same thing!
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