Dateline: Gambier
Spring has arrived in Central Ohio. It had a brief visit last week too (along with Matt Lavine, evidently) but didn't stay terribly long (also like Matt Lavine). Anyhow, the weather has generally triggered lunacy among the students, home repair among the locals (two new driveways on Brooklyn Street alone), and quibbling about the fate of the Wiggin Street School.
A little background on that last one: the Wiggin Street School is a 100-plus-year-old structure, and the only school in the village. It serves grades K-5; after that year, students need to go to Mount Vernon. It is also in fairly wretched shape, and in need of major systems work. Renovations would cost about 88% of the cost to just build a new school.
One proposal put forward by the Village Council would be to move the village offices into the old school, and move the students into a new building on the site of the current village offices - a land swap. Not a bad plan overall, although it does not address the systemic problems with the old building; it merely changes who has to deal with them. It is certainly a question that should be discussed openly, and I would certainly suggest that anyone who has kids, plans to have kids, or generally has an interest in the situation should start going to Council meetings. They're the second Monday of each month, 7:30, at the Community Center. People should go. They should do the research. They should find out what they believe about the situation.
Unfortunately, the only person who seems to want to discuss the matter has decided to approach it from the "Village Council is THE MAN" angle, by posting an open letter in the post office. He may have some valid points to make, but he comes off as petulant and ranting. His credibility is futher diminished by the fact that he "resigned" (read, was asked for his resignation) from the Village Council less than a year ago.
Jim, if you're reading this (and I know you aren't), try to remember that, in general, people don't respond well to ranting diatribes, and they almost definitely won't like hearing about how you are the only person who really cares. Even if it is true, it won't win you any supporters.
garden progress: artichokes, peas, and tomatoes repotted (but the chokes are looking a little sad)
house progress: none
what's for dinner? probably something reheated
posted by Alison @ 1:51 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
-
At 4:34 AM,
WTDT held forth...
- Wow, you make me sound like some kind of mysterious drifter. ("We never got his name, but he sure cleaned up this town. He also spent a lot of time and money at the Bookstore.")
Actually, I realized as I was leaving that I'd forgotten to introduce myself to Joe (your...husband? it seems?), but I'll be around for Reunion if y'all would like to shake hands. -
At 5:09 PM,
Alison held forth...
- We'd be delighted. Actually, between tommyspoon, Hugh, and teacherrefpoet, we may need to host some sort of shindig.
You will be happy to know that, in your absence, spring has actually returned, and looks to be sticking around.