Okay, let's try and develop a game plan going forward.
Town issues? Number one should be what is the game plan for getting all the ducks in a row for the FY 2017 budget that will be thrown into the lap of the new TA.
Also on the burner, what to do with two old buildings. Heck, should be at least five people out there with solid plans, right?
Give them away? To anyone? No restrictions, time frames or concept of reality?
Hire a bulldozer?
Save them at any cost?
As far as the "we should have done arguments", let's keep them in the box. Many of the people who like to point out what we should have been doing years ago, are the very people who wouldn't vote to spend a plug nickle on what we should have been doing years ago.
Maybe another committee?
Seems to be the solution so many people think is an answer to everything.
Anyway, we need a game plan, right?
Will figure it out by the time the regular season starts.
Just a thought on another matter. Our governor's call to expand the charter school concept.
As attractive as that may sound to many of you out there, be very careful what you wish for. The money for these schools comes out of your pocket. Yes, the concept has a great deal of appeal. It also has an effect on all the other schools.
I find it extremely interesting that setting up schools that don't have to deal with all the same issues, problems and rules is a solution to dealing with all the issues, problems and rules that public schools must deal with.
On the energy front, well the Plymouth nuclear plant is going to shut down. Whatever your position on such plants, the shutdown is going to have an adverse effect. You just don't replace 17% of a regions electricity by snapping your fingers. Plymouth will be scrambling to replace big, big bucks in tax revenue. The 600 employees will be looking for work. There will be ripple effects from this for years.
Just a rambling thought I guess.
While I am rambling though, I can't help but tripping over the things bouncing around out there, not to mention the stuff bouncing around in my head.
I have seen many ideas over the years. Some of them described as "nutty", not by me but by the actual proponent. But we do in fact need ideas. That will work. that won't tear this town apart needlessly.
Lament all you want about the loss of neighborhood schools. Simple fact this town has neither the student population, nor the financial resources to support a true neighborhood school concept. Heck,if we weren't essentially Acushnet's de facto high school right now, we wouldn't have the resources to run what we have. Not at the level it is being run.
If you have complaints about what's going on now, feel very fortunate that the odds are your kids will get through the system before that well dries up.
Claim victory over the turbines and hope it will be the complete victory we were promised. At the end of twenty years though, the cloudy crystal ball says we end up with two landmarks and not much else.
We are in a Catch 22 right now folks. Everyone wants solutions, but every faction insists only on its own.
Is there a compelling need for a change? Some things yes, some things no. Change is not always good, but change certainly can be.
The point to remember is when you argue against change, and use the "if it ain't broke argument" remember that sooner or later, odds are most things do break down. Timing and what you replace it with are the key components. A concept many who argue change seem to forget.
We will soon hear from three,four or five how they are the best and brightest to lead us forward. What I doubt is we will hear any really bright ideas about what some they are going to do differently. Could be surprised, though.
Some different and unique styles will be coming forth, I am sure.
Okay, again just rambling. There is a rough draft of a game plan though. You have a few ideas for a play or two, feel free to share. While silly season has started, I guess it would be more appropriate to say we are playing preseason games right now. No point in revealing the entire playbook until the final roster is set.
Scratch your heads over this one, until next time.
Maybe another committee?
Seems to be the solution so many people think is an answer to everything.
Anyway, we need a game plan, right?
Will figure it out by the time the regular season starts.
Just a thought on another matter. Our governor's call to expand the charter school concept.
As attractive as that may sound to many of you out there, be very careful what you wish for. The money for these schools comes out of your pocket. Yes, the concept has a great deal of appeal. It also has an effect on all the other schools.
I find it extremely interesting that setting up schools that don't have to deal with all the same issues, problems and rules is a solution to dealing with all the issues, problems and rules that public schools must deal with.
On the energy front, well the Plymouth nuclear plant is going to shut down. Whatever your position on such plants, the shutdown is going to have an adverse effect. You just don't replace 17% of a regions electricity by snapping your fingers. Plymouth will be scrambling to replace big, big bucks in tax revenue. The 600 employees will be looking for work. There will be ripple effects from this for years.
Just a rambling thought I guess.
While I am rambling though, I can't help but tripping over the things bouncing around out there, not to mention the stuff bouncing around in my head.
I have seen many ideas over the years. Some of them described as "nutty", not by me but by the actual proponent. But we do in fact need ideas. That will work. that won't tear this town apart needlessly.
Lament all you want about the loss of neighborhood schools. Simple fact this town has neither the student population, nor the financial resources to support a true neighborhood school concept. Heck,if we weren't essentially Acushnet's de facto high school right now, we wouldn't have the resources to run what we have. Not at the level it is being run.
If you have complaints about what's going on now, feel very fortunate that the odds are your kids will get through the system before that well dries up.
Claim victory over the turbines and hope it will be the complete victory we were promised. At the end of twenty years though, the cloudy crystal ball says we end up with two landmarks and not much else.
We are in a Catch 22 right now folks. Everyone wants solutions, but every faction insists only on its own.
Is there a compelling need for a change? Some things yes, some things no. Change is not always good, but change certainly can be.
The point to remember is when you argue against change, and use the "if it ain't broke argument" remember that sooner or later, odds are most things do break down. Timing and what you replace it with are the key components. A concept many who argue change seem to forget.
We will soon hear from three,four or five how they are the best and brightest to lead us forward. What I doubt is we will hear any really bright ideas about what some they are going to do differently. Could be surprised, though.
Some different and unique styles will be coming forth, I am sure.
Okay, again just rambling. There is a rough draft of a game plan though. You have a few ideas for a play or two, feel free to share. While silly season has started, I guess it would be more appropriate to say we are playing preseason games right now. No point in revealing the entire playbook until the final roster is set.
Scratch your heads over this one, until next time.
The way things happen in the town we will probably create a turbine department to keep supplying power to the DPW. Stop the bleeding of town funds ,give the buildings away or take the present offers,it seems like we have enough zoning an building codes to keep the wolves at bay. The school issues are like sleeping dogs ,leave them as is or they wake up and start barking for more.Charter schools are a good concept ,and the funds follow the students ,the teachers will get what they are always complaining about smaller classrooms.
ReplyDelete