by Maria Brogna

Created on: March 19, 2009

The idea of giving municipal governments more control over education funds may come from the right place, but it will be executed so poorly that it cannot happen. I speak from experience. My city though not perfect at least had a proper public school system that could have been better, but it wasn't the worst. The public library provided computers and day trips for the children of the public schools in order to further education. The meager budgets that public facilities such as these survive on count on a great deal of dedication and compassion by its educators and administrators.

With the election of the new city mayor we here in Fitchburg, MA have quickly seen its demise and all in the name of progress. The new mayor has shut down the public library and removed all the money she was allowed to from the public school system. She doesnt address the complaints but continues to avoid or more to the point, snub those of us who are concerned about the future of our schools now that she is ruling with an iron fist. In her reign of terror she has been overheard saying while standing outside a local bar with friends, "That is the element I want to drive out of Fitchburg." The people to whom she rudely pointed were a middle aged, lower privileged couple in a used car picking up a pizza. The standard working man and his wife and kids. They apparently created some sort of disdain in her which allowed for her nasty and uncalled for comment.

Had this mayor power to take all funding from our public schools she would. She might even use the money that she would cyphen from public schools to create tax cuts for large utility companies that treat their customers unfairly. Or she may use the money to promote upscale restaurants and organizations moving into the city of Fitchburg. Even still she may use the money gained from the lost opportunities for underprivaleged children the sponsor elaborate parties and fairs for the organizations that she does support. She just may do that, but Im not saying that she has. ]

Her latest bright idea was to shut off 60% of the city's street lights in order to save money. She has managed to get rid of police officers and firemen as well in order to shave money of a budget that I have yet to see be used for any good. She she has left the city in the dark, not withstanding the neighborhoods she feels need the light (I wonder if she lives in one of those areas?), she has removed law enforcement and fire safety and taken money from children. Doesn't sound to me like she cares about the city, sounds to me like she cares about her person self interest.

That is the danger of allowing the decisions for education in the hands of a city governent, simply because you never know if your lending licence to an elitist until its too late.

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