Jonathan Foran High School

Perhaps the High School name is a bit odd but it is the only play on words I can think of when it comes to the very idea of merging the two schools into one.

Milford's budget continues to be hampered by the economy, its associated deflation in tandem with long term unemployment, and of course taxes, taxes and ever increasing property taxes.

Well last week after looking at the city's proposed budget and reading the repair and improvement costs on Milford's schools I had to pinch myself. The nightmare of $100,000,000.00 in repairs just seemed like I was trapped in a taxpayer nightmare, a nightmare where everyone gets 3%-5% raises while massive teacher layoffs loom on the horizon yet again. Only problem was... well I am not dreaming and yes I was very awake and if you are not, then you need to wake up for this one.

Today I made several hasty phone calls, sent lots of e-mails, spoke to countless experts and concluded that our two High Schools will have to eventually merge into one. The benefits of doing so are immense. The risk of not doing so and applying expensive "band aids" certainly not a smart option.

The green movement in town has been pushing for more ecofriendly projects, and with the "skyrocketing" cost of school repairs a "green Leeds" certified "world class" high school is starting to make sense. A Leeds certified High School would be the first of its kind in CT and would save the city a great deal of energy costs.

The best way not to throw away good tax dollars on crumbling buildings, is to challenge the logic of spending the equivalent of a new school, on two old energy inefficient buildings that need endless and costly repairs.

The epiphany is coming, and when it does our leaders will hopefully realize it is more cost effective to build a brand new H.S.from scratch. Milford's schools I believe have entered into this reality, but has yet to embrace enough conservative proponents.

The main challenge (at the moment) is to locate a suitable building site. Thankfully I did some research and found a good candidate. The building site that I propose involves the recently purchased 7.6 acres on Burnt Plains Road. The property abuts other sizable lots, also owned by the city and is right near the Milford YMCA of which offers a great Indoor swimming pool, and a soccer field. It would also be in the company of Platt Tech and far away from the fast food chains that tempt our kids into poor nutrition.

This would certainly be the best answer for a new school that would house apx 3,000 kids in a centrally located part of our city. Since Milford already owns the lots land costs would be minimal to none. Some costs to the taxpayers, could be recouped by leasing out the old High Schools, relocating crowded middle schools, or converting them into senior living centers.

The, consolidation would be costly at first but over time would save Milford's taxpayers millions of dollars, while in tandem increasing our local property values. Fewer resources and personnel will be dedicated to the maintenance, and daily management of a well designed facility.

With strong momentum, favorable support, and a serious effort Jonathan Foran High School could be a reality within four or Five years if we start taking education costs seriously now.

(Photo of Comcast Center A Leeds Certified Building)

What To Buy For The Holidays This Year

This year is expected to be a lean one for retailers, but that does not mean the spirit of Christmas is not alive and well with the 54 plus thousand people here in Milford. Bargain shoppers are out there, and some people I have talked to this holiday season has brought back the "gift closet."

The "Gift Closet" is that special place where you accumulate those gifts that did not fit you, were not your style, or was such a summer bargain that you could not say no. This is one of the most novel ways to have something to give without actually going deep into debt.

Kids on the other hand, are a more creative and each year never do I expect anything over the top from my kids, but none-the-less that feeling of giving is an important one and Mom's and Dads can help them feel special this holiday by doing creative things.

One of my kids favorites is having them spend their allowance at the dollar store and purchase some extra large frames, we then go through some old photos of the family and our most memorable times and make a montage of memories. Writing a letter and then gluing it to the back of the picture will make it all that more meaningful in the years to come, especially when years go by and the person who received it has that extra bit of information to remind them where it came from.

However, some families are not at all that easy to please, so one thing that my step-daughter likes to do is go to the Christmas Tree Shoppe here in town and buy some very inexpensive cookie tins, and then fill them with home made baked cookies that she generously shares with all her friends and family. These are also accompanied by a small holiday greeting card with a message of holiday cheer.

For all those other folks out there that still like to give gifts, I found lots of those bargain items sold on T.V. can be interesting items to give, especially if I know someone who has commented on something they saw. It is also a great way to avoid the holiday rush and have items delivered to your doorstep.

These are most of the secrets that my family and I utilize each holiday season to keep in spirit with the gift giving tradition and also avoid placing that undue stress that a personal sense of obligation can bring. The holidays are a time of unity and togetherness and I would sincerely hope that people take a conservative approach to remove the undue hardship of protracted credit card payments and future indebtedness.

Happy Holidays

Spalthoff And Salvatore Call For Zero Based Budgeting

Democrat Genevieve Salvatore on Wednesday called for "zero-based budgeting," saying that as mayor she would allocate money only when justified.

Rather than use each previous year's city budget as a starting point and then consider incremental increases, she said, the zero-based method allows an in-depth analysis of how money is being spent.

"We don't want to re-invent the wheel every year, but we want to rethink how we budget,'' said Salvatore, a lawyer in private practice here. "Department heads know what they are doing and know best how to do it.

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