Today, I am frustrated and angry with the voters in Manhasset. To those voters who were fine with the increased taxes but assumed the budget would pass because other people would vote, it didn’t.
The other voters in town were not enough to get this budget passed with the new supermajority law.
Today, your kids needed you. And, the town needed you. Where were you?
For the parents who voted no because they wanted to send a message.
What was your message? I’m sorry. I don’t understand it.
Are you mad that a teacher you don’t like has tenure and can’t be fired? Congratulations. You voted no and that teacher still has tenure and can’t be fired.
Are you mad that the teachers still have their pensions? Congratulations. You voted no and the teachers still have their pensions.
If you have a message to send, then do it. But, please send your message to the right people that might be able to make the changes that you would like.
Write to your representatives in Albany and ask for pension reform and ask about challenging the teachers’ union.
Please go to www.passmanhasset.com and click on the Constructive Change tab. Send letters to politicians from Gov. Cuomo to local politicians, [state Sen.] Jack Martins and [state Assemblywoman] Michelle Schimel, that ask for mandate reform.
By voting no in the Manhasset school budget, you are only hurting our children. The politicians who could help don’t even know that you voted no. Your no vote is silent to them, but it will be screaming at our children next year.
Of course, there will be cuts before the next vote. What did you think was going to happen?
For those parents who didn’t bother to vote or who voted no, blame yourself when your child’s program is cut or his class size is increased.
Also, with the 2 percent tax cap, we will not be able to bring the cut programs and teacher positions back when the community realizes that the defeating the budget was a mistake.
Whatever you do, do not blame the board of education or Superintendant [Charles] Cardillo. They were here working for your children and this community.
Maureen Lavin
Manhasset
