The long or the short of it all

Today is one of those day's where one has to wonder whether your really give a darn. Another day under the "new" time.  Could be the fact that neither the dogs nor my internal clock could be programmed to turn back to standard time has something to do with it. Waking up an hour early never does well for my day.

Roughly thirty days to official post time in town.  It could take a bit longer to have the line-up become official.  I know, you are all bubbling with excitement.

Saw a few posts on the social media regarding one of the proposals for one of the schools. Seems there is a potential charter school component.  A quick review of the actual proposal bares that out a bit.  The proposal seems to highlight the full tax structure anticipated.

Just what that is however would remain to be seen, especially since the use of a building for business/commercial purposes does factor into valuation for tax purposes.

All that aside, just how a potential charter school, multi organizational use and the host of other things in one proposal avoids traffic problems that are being cited about the other proposal, would be interesting to see.  You cannot argue against housing because of traffic and ignore such concerns about a multi-use proposal and its traffic effects.

Indeed, you don't need to be a traffic engineer to figure out that a site used for programs, activities and other uses proposed will in fact heighten traffic and at multiple times create periods of high congestion.

The last thing our fair haven needs, and in truth most if not all communities need is the creation of an essentially second publicly funded school system. Whether this is in fact a serious component, who really knows. The fact it has been mentioned however makes it something that needs to be seriously considered.

In pure concept, charter schools are wonderful things, for the children who actually get to attend that is.  In reality you create a two tier system for public education. Resources being drained from the system that must school the children who don;t get into the charter.  

Not enough time or space to delve into the depths of the whole debate of the charter school concept. We as a community may not be able to prevent such an institution from coming into existence, however we also do not have to blindly aid and abet it into existence either.

One point of view. I am sure there are others.

Now the delays in resolving the matters with the schools I am sure will be a bone of contention for some. Reality in this matter is that such things move unfortunately at a glacier pace.  Especially when the process gets delayed from the get go.  Factor in the "save our history" position, and you are always between that rock and a hard place.

It is extremely easy to say knock them down.  Heck, I know how easy that one is to say.  Just as it is extremely easy to give them away to simple promises to do the right thing.  

Bottom line is at some point it will come down to the bottom line.  When and what that will be will be determined by when the town has collectively reached an end point in its patience.

Politics folks is always a balancing act.  As annoying as the recent commercial with the C & W song about playing cards, the lyrics often are prophetic as far as dealing with issues.

For whatever reason, way back when, when a decision was initially made, it was decided that one committee would deal with the future of the two "historical" buildings.  Now, while my let's say personal aversion to committees for everything has been previously expressed, dealing with the disposition/reuse/whatever of the two buildings in one process by a single committee has been less than ideal.

Anyway, we are where we are, and where we go is really being dictated by certain realities.

Call me anti whatever you want, however I said a number of years ago that any serious attempt to try and revitalize the North Fairhaven school site should take a serious look at the parking lot concept. We are collectively so wrapped up in the concept of preservation of everything, I sometimes wonder about the thought process that truly goes on about the real benefits to our future.

The concept of what is the best thing for our historical burb is truly baffling at times.  To wit, see this week's edition of The Fairhaven Neighborhood News. While I have tended to side with the position of the Beautification Committee on some recent issues (note not necessarily complete agreement though), the utility box thing is a bit perplexing.  Just a thought, but couldn't the "paintings be required to be rural in nature where appropriate, and a historical blend where appropriate?

Now certainly if the public safety officer weighed in on the driver distraction rationale I might be a bit more inclined to accept that argument. But designs reviewed to make sure the boxes blend in rather than distract shouldn't be beyond capabilities to determine.  This isn't a brand new concept.  It is and has been happening throughout the country and other countries.  

Sorry, but on this one the head needs a scratch or two.

So does some of the stuff a candidate or two is putting out there.

When you tout your common sense, just how much common sense have you exhibited in the past?

Part of the problem for all issues, really isn't it.  What makes sense to one side, seldom makes sense to the other. But I digress ...

For some issues, it is readily apparent when proposed solutions make little sense to most people.

People best remember past actions and decisions.  Short memories are like short arms, neither serves you well when attempting to pat yourself on the back.

Anyway ... keep putting that stuff out. Nothing better than accumulating heaps of information.

Until next time.