The Stigma.

It seems the new middle school building has already acquired in its short existence, a severe undesirable stigma, the symbol of all that’s wrong with this community and what I consider, one man’s Hitler mentality – former Chairman of the School Board John Farris. Remember how this school was conceived in a manner with the vast majority of taxpayers in this district unaware of the plan for the building of the new middle school.  This new building symbolizes the manner of how underhanded, selfish, mean spirited, and unethical this project was accomplished. This building is a perfect example to the students of this district of how, if you have ethics and principles, you would never deal in this manner with your fellow citizens.

I was astounded to be informed by citizens of the community, that John Farris would willingly inform taxpayers they should have saved though their lifetime of working, to ensure they have the money for such things as this new school building. How arrogant to make a statement to hardworking people who are just trying to make it week to week to support their families.

If you remember the ground breaking for the new building (you were allowed to attend only if you received an invitation) they made it appear that they did not want the people who were paying for the new middle school to attend the event.

During this time, in my opinion, you had several individuals jumping on Facebook providing inaccurate and misguided opinions: Hope Manion and La Brea Huff.  I was shown posts made by these two individuals, concerning the building of the new middle school. La Brea Huff apparently had a video of an Upper Hanover Township meeting concerning the school. At this meeting Planning Commission member Stefan Laessig made a statement. La Brea Huff posted a version of his comment on Facebook that had no similarity to what he actually stated.

It apparently had been heavily edited to change the whole implication. I know Stefan well and without question he is one of the most upstanding people of this Valley.

After reading their texts, I more than ever realize why I would never be using Facebook as a viable means of communication. I came away feeling you can post comments with bias and little if any validity. After reading the texts I feel Facebook can be used by self-serving bullies, and malicious, venomous individuals. I will not be part of Facebook as I feel it is a form which provides so much misinformation by many of those on the site.

If you remember a construction worker was killed on the construction site while the building was being built. What a horrible thing to happen. I understand his wife has since died as well, I certainly hope it had nothing to do with his death.

Then we had the unbelievable suicide of a member of the school board.  He was the member who changed his vote, outraging the majority of taxpayers, allowing the building to continue to be raised. His questionable voting, will burden us for years to come, causing some of us to be unable to continue to live in this district.

In spite of that, I would hope the citizens of the community would treat his family with no animosity and allow them to live their lives in a normal manner in this community.

Remember, during the construction of this building we had a major fire in the High School.  This fire caused major consequences at the time for all involved and cost a considerable amount of money. As if that wasn’t enough, the school district developed a significant problem with mold, again this happening during the construction of the New Middle School and once again costing taxpayers a phenomenal amount of money.

With the issues mentioned in this article and the poor behavior shown by various individuals in the Valley, you can understand why this new building has anything but a good aura about it.

On the flip side, I’m extremely pleased with several new members of the school board. They have had to deal with several people in the district which could be considered perfect examples of bulling and childlike behavior. In spite of this the Facilities Committee, headed by Melanie Cunningham, has done an excellent job with this negative situation dumped in their laps.

Remember the thirty thousand dollar imported Italian benches with dramatic LED lighting, John Farris and his cronies allowed this to happen. I look forward to see how these benches will be improving the grades of the students. I understand this whole pathetic needless undertaking at least came in under budget, I believe in large part, thanks to Melanie Cunningham and her associates on the Facilities Committee. Thanks to Melanie Cunningham, Raeann Hofkin, Kerry Drake, and Steve Cunningham for you doing your best with an immoral situation.

My parting comment concerns a letter to the editor addressing the controversy involving the plaque for the new school building. I believe many of us totally agree with Mr. Snip Russo when he stated the plaque should list all the taxpaying citizens opposed to the new building.

Lastly, some food for thought,

“The problem with socialism is that you eventually RUN OUT of other PEOPLES MONEY”

Margaret Thatcher

Former Prime Minister of Great Britain