The people spoke and they said, "We want a new school."
In a vote of 2,058 to 2,018, the $64.75 million new Morgan School passed at referendum today. It was a difference of 40 votes.
It was a higher-than-normal turnout at the polls. Registrar of voters said about 3,900 voters came out to vote. There were 165 absentee votes and 181 votes by electors, or those owning property in town eligible to vote.
"Side note: I wonder if the YES voters would be so 'it's over, let's work together' had they lost." Sore Loserman! Sore Loserman! Remember THAT one? The winners smile and the losers cry -- been that way since the first Clinton resident stole the sacred fire stick from the tribe next door. "Because at some point it's time to $h1t or get off the pot." Exactly. Say, I have an idea: instead of stirring the crumbs and aroma of this cooked, served, and eaten dish, why don't we all worry about the asteroid that statistically -- so it must be true -- is likely to hit the earth anytime between now and, say, 14 billion years from now? It's every bit as useful as all this sturm und drang about a referendum that passed. End of comments for me, this is just the same circular motion you see when you flush the toilet. Much of the same smell, too.
We were clearly divided on the vote. Between the town, 40 votes! But it gives us balance. Let’s all move forward. With both sides giving input to make sure this building is built well, without shoddy construction, without short cuts…this could be a source of pride and something that goes on for decades, without the mistakes made in the past. We owe the town, residents and children this chance to shine with our foresight and efforts. Lets do it RIGHT.
Now take out the $1,400,000 Willie spent (without consulting anyone) on Hurricane Irene and the other funding coming from the town's 'savings' account (since our 'checking' account is empty-if you don't believe me, read the minutes of the Bd of Finance and the Bd of Selectmen) and we're down to about $5 million 'in the bank'. Take $808,000 out of there for a balance in 'savings' of $4 million and we're at a 23:1 ratio of debt to capital. Did any yes voters do this math BEFORE the referendum or did they just keep sipping at the Kool-Aid? This is NOT how I run my life yet this is how Willie runs our town.
We're in trouble here folks.
Nothing sinister meant; I only mentioned it because what I was reading here was contrary to what I (and others) heard many of the more "active" Yes voters saying....similar to what Fred alluded to (above). You've seen some of the follow-ups to defeated budget referendums and how nasty they got. That said, I also wouldn't rule out someone on the No side attempting to force a second referendum (it sure won't be me..but I'd probably sign it..esp. if to be held in Summer) The reason I wouldn't start that movement is that it still wouldn't change what MBC voted out nor the information they put out. It is what it is. It has been passed. My focus now is watching the hiring/spending/etc. as closely as I am able. We don't need another project needlessly going over planned expenditures....even if at least one of the MBC members spoke to 'spend every bit' of the contingency. Note: they are fully entitled to do so because 20/21 people were convinced to vote yes instead of no. Thanks for your opinions. Steve
As the one general public person excused from the room (a sec'y and an environmental guy were the others), only part of the meeting was in executive session...about 20 minutes of a very lengthy meeting. Remaining were the Supt of schools and Asst. Supt., the Chairman of the BoE, the conceptual architect and his asst., the Gilbane rep, and the person the MBC were meeting with. I think that was it. Who and why might appear in the minutes when they come out. Expect input to come from the Committee and the school system.
So, it doesn't definitively answer whether they were informed by the town (most logically they would have been notified from the tax collector list), but he thinks that somehow, some or all of them knew.
Let's move forward... Old news is just that, Old News. "With both sides giving input to make sure this building is built well, without shoddy construction, without short cuts…this could be a source of pride and something that goes on for decades, without the mistakes made in the past." With a collaborative effort we can do this the right way!
I follow the Madison Patch as well since that's where I grew up and it's where my parents still live. I can assure you that there are some ugly comments posted there too. I can also assure you that had the Madison Patch been around when the new DHHS went to referendum years ago the comments would have been on par with what we saw here recently. Building a new DHHS was as divisive in Madison as building a new Morgan was here in Clinton. I'd like to state to other individuals who may be looking at properties in Clinton that the people who comment here represent a miniscule percentage of the population in this town, and I personally know some of them. I've lived here for almost 24 years and I love this little community. My son received a very good education, K-12, and went on to study at UCONN Storrs. The Clinton Patch provides a unique forum for all of us to voice our thoughts and opinions. However, one must also use some common sense when taking the word of people who post behind pseudonym names as Gospel. The truth can be found somewhere in the middle of both sides, on everything.
I do see the value of the new school which includes an efficient heating system, a location outside the commercial zone, and possible commercial income (to name a few). However, I believe that the vote for the school was based more from an emotional standpoint rather than a fiscally responsible one. I understand that if I could only focus on the benefits of the new school alone I would have fewer worries. In the seven years that I have been a home owner in Clinton, I've seen my taxes go up on average $200/year. That's about 5.5% increase each year in taxes for my family. If this keeps up, I'll be paying an additional $800 in three years which includes the average annual increases and the school budget. I'll do my best to focus on the benefits of the new school, but throw in the sanitary sewer taxes I may be dead with a heart attack. Maybe you can understand my and many people's perspective on the referendum. That said, we can see many people have been speaking out, over 4,000 people voted, teenagers were holding up signs and getting involved. I challenge myself and everyone in Clinton to get involved, lets take action, lets develop a plan for Clinton, draw the types of businesses that will maintain Clinton strong points, the small town atmosphere, the historic colonial structures on Main Street and everything that drew use to this wonderful town. Please, continue to speak out.