I call on all Democrats who serve on New Milford boards
and commissions to follow the lead of Town Council Member Frank Wargo. His leadership is steadfast and unwavering
and, unlike many of his Democratic colleagues, his words and actions are
consistent.
Frank recently served on the School Facilities Committee,
a group of 25 Community leaders including
the School Superintendent and the former Chairman of the BOE, who were tasked to
determine the most effective and efficient use of our school facilities. After
an eight month Study with the use of a consultant, the Committee recommended
the closing of Pettibone School and redistricting. Frank was selected to serve because he has decades
of experience that he acquired as a former Member of the Board of Education,
current Member of the Town Council and many other roles in service to the Town.
Committee Member Wargo was one of the overwhelming
majority who voted to recommend to the Board of Education the closure of
Pettibone and redistricting. Consistent
with that vote, Town Councilman Wargo later voted to appropriate funds to help
facilitate the redistricting process.
Unfortunately, some of his Democratic colleagues seized the moment to
politicize the redistricting and the closing of Pettibone.
As public records reveal, Democrat and current Town
Councilman Walter Bayer voted "yes" as a member of the School
Facilities Committee to redistrict and to close Pettibone but at subsequent
hearings held by the Board of Ed, Councilman Bayer spoke against his earlier "yes" vote! It
gets even better...or worse. At a later
Town Council Meeting, Mr. Bayer voted to fund the redistricting and the closing
of Pettibone. In other words, "yes," "no," "yes." Seems confused.
David Shaffer, another Democrat and Member of the School
Facilities Committee, voted "yes" to redistricting and the closure of
Pettibone. Subsequently, however, as a Member
of the BOE he voted "no" to the closure. Then at a later BOE Meeting, he voted "yes"
to appropriate funds to redistrict. In
other words, "yes," "no," "yes." Seems confused.
Democratic BOE Member Bob Coppola, no newcomer to Town
service including prior stints on the Town Council and BOE, sometimes as a
Democrat and sometimes as a Republican, voted "no" to redistricting
and "yes" to fund redistricting.
In other words, "no," "yes." Seems confusing.
David Lawson, another Democratic BOE Member, voted "no"
to redistricting but the BOE Minutes show that he encouraged that the process
be expedited. Then, to play it politically
safe, he voted "no" to expend funds.
In other words, "no," "maybe yes," "no." Seems confusing.
If these political games were being played about
checkers, nobody would care much. But
this isn't a board game, this is the lives of our children and the future of
our Town. We can't tolerate this
flip-flop, flip flop. Democrats shouldn't
play politics with this very important decision that will affect the New
Milford Community for years to come. The
Schools require Wargo-like leadership and we don't have it.
Frank Wargo: yes, yes, yes.
