Milford High School Merger Considered

Some years ago, I wrote an article here on this blog discussing the merger of the two High Schools. This discussion was at a time when few saw that our student population was in a sustainable decline. This decline has now arrived and a Long Range Planning Committee has taken it to task. Milford Patch has been the local sounding board for numerous objections, conclusions, and criticisms of ideas proposals and suggestions they have thus far put forward, none-the-less the issues of limited resources, and financial strains are are the forefront of how to get the best result for Milford's future pupils.

Thus far it has become very clear that Milford has its share of critics, including Mr. Chaucer who is yet again on record objecting to the High School merger and leading the opposition at town hall meetings where he is very clear about his opinions. This issue was on record some years ago, at the link below I have documented Mr. Chaucers concerns as I have my own.

There is no doubt that our kids deserve a world class school, and there is no doubt in my mind that big changes are on their way in the not so distant future. These changes are just as I predicted they would arrive and no I did not read into the "Tea Leaves" to arrive at my conclusions as so many of my liberal critics would allege.

The answer to the present situation, and its associated future trends is rooted in Game Theory, whereby you look to important factors like school age kids born today, the state of the local economy, the mill rate, the financial obligations of the city, the condition of the present schools, and the assumption that our city planners make decisions that save money, serve the interest of the department of Education and yes you have a pretty solid idea that our schools are in for a big change like or not.

Regardless of what is decided, the only concern I have at the moment is that more adults than kids are involved in the open meetings of this long range planning committee. With the schools impacting the daily lives of our towns teenagers more so than their parents I grow weary that their input is not complete or capable of delivering a well rounded discussion with intelligent and viable solutions. Hopefully school board members will reach out to the Kids for their thoughts and ideas on their education future in Milford. This is the type of approach I would like to see happen if we are serious about coming up with a well rounded solution that as few people as possible will object to,

For now, however it is pretty clear that we are not going to satisfy everyone, and the ongoing debate and challenges are healthy regardless of what I personally believe. It is my hope that this long Range Planning Committee will be successful in its endeavors and our school system will emerge stronger and better despite the confusion and added complication of yet another controversial Bill Gates program called Common Core at the center of its deployment objectives.

The following article below is my position on Chaucer's thoughts back then, and they still stand today now that this committee is tasked to address some long overdue education restructuring concerns.

http://ronpaultv.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-reply-to-tim-chaucer-leading-high.html

Ben Blake "The Snake" Raising Taxes AGAIN!

Why?! Bailouts of the pension fund. Raises to city workers, outrageously higher Obama care insurance costs and least but not least a Million dollars in interest on banker borrowed money... But do not worry Blake say's the picture could be "Rosier" next year as our schools are being targeted to pay for FAILED Liberal programs. http://milford-now.com/2014/02/18/milford-residents-facing-tax-hike-next-year/

Despite the Obvious, Liberal Blake defender and Democratic Party Chair Richard Smith said the Pension fund was "Not being bailed out." Without citing a reason or perhaps being unaware,of what Brian McReady reported in his new Blog "Milford Now." McReady alleges to have personally sat down with Mayor Blake and has gone on record with the below reasons for why our taxes are going up "slightly" or in my opinion a rosy word for "slighting" the residents of Milford year over year incrementally rather than exercise the will and courage to stand up to the "long train of fiscal abuses" that are ongoing and never ending regardless of what party holds office. Here are the reasons for being "slighted" yet again by Blake:

1. The city has to make a $2 million payment to fund its pension fund for municipal employees next year. Blake said the city’s pension fund is still strong and ranked one of the top five in the state, but the city is still feeling the effects of the stock market decline from 2008-09.

2. The city has to pay an additional $1 million for debt service next year. The city’s debt service has grown with the recent completion of past capital projects including $95 million in major sewage treatment plant upgrades.

3. Health insurance costs continue to skyrocket costing taxpayers an additional $1 million next year. The national trend is a 9.2 percent to 9.7 percent average increase.

4. Contractual obligations, including salary increases for municipal employees, which averages 2-2.25 percent

My response, to Mr. Smith was as follows...

The best way to reduce your taxes, is to subsidize them with Liberal programs. There is the Home Affordability Modification Program (HAMP), EBT Benefits and EBT Cash Cards for Food and pocket Money, Energy Assistance through TEAM, Husky D Free healthcare (For Low income family members), Life line can eliminate your Cell Phone Bill, there are also Property Tax rebates at city hall for Veterans and Seniors, if all else fails sell your jewelry, get rid of a spare car or eat out and vacation less... or you could ask yourself do I really need to live in this Liberal Mecca called CT and Milford. Anyone who investigates life outside of CT quickly learns that life here is by far the hardest of most any state in America. Its going up a "little bit" every year no matter who you elect..... Keep voting Liberal Imbecile and this is what you get!

And

Rich how about, WE DO NOT BAIL OUT THE EMPLOYEE PENSION FUND, how about WE QUIT SIGNING STUPID CONTRACTS GIVING PAY RAISES DURING A NATIONAL DEPRESSION, how about WE QUIT BORROWING MILLIONS FROM GREEDY BANKERS... Ohh I have an Idea how about WE DEMAND MORE FROM OUR CONTRACTORS FOR LESS MONEY! Just saying you know before we gut our schools or in other words MAKE THE TOWNS KIDS PAY WITH THEIR FUTURE.

Despite the FACTs Rich is of this opinion..

"Of course Rocco. Brilliant as always. Hate to respond to one of your posts but I see you still say whacky things. No one is bailing out a pension fund and the small raises our hard working city employees are getting are not paid during a depression. And, wow, why didn't I think we should just tell contractors to do more work and ask for less pay. I'll write that down." 

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