So Right Now it’s Just a Rumor… Confirmed
December 11th, 2007
Mr. Neil Moriarty is no longer chairman of the Monadnock Regional School District Budget Committee.
The information is scuttlebutt via a quick phone call from a friend,[confirmed @7am] so I’ll correct if needed, but that’s the word right now.
Apparently at tonight’s meeting, none of the Monadnock Taxpayer’s Association were present, but there was a quorum. In the absence of bullying diatribes and misleading statistics from the former chair, the members present voted to support both the teacher’s contract and the support staff contract.
Oh. They also removed Mr. Moriarty as chairman, replacing him with Jim Ells.
There’s going to be a backlash, of course. I’m no fan of Mr. Moriarty, but the Monadnock Taxpayer’s Association is going to scream bloody murder, and they’re going to accuse everyone they can lay hands on of underhanded tactics. ¹ There’s going to be an angry editorial, probably a bit more shouting than usual, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised is there was a full-blown temper tantrum.
Oh well.
Rain falls on the just—and it eventually falls on the unjust as well. Given the Monadnock Taxpayer’s Association’s actions in Sullivan, the repeated bullying of committee members, community members, and everyone else, I’m not at all surprised at this ending.
It’s going to make meetings much more exciting. I hope the chairs keep their gavels handy. They’re going to need them.
Further thoughts on this issue.
1 Personally, I think this was just amazingly gutsy carpe diem. Although the part of me which revels in dramatic endings would have preferred a Western-style showdown, in real life, a confrontation avoided is the best kind. I applaud the quick thinking. ↺
Technorati Tags:
Education, School Funding, Monadnock Taxpayer’s Association, School Board, Budget Committee, Monadnock Regional School District
December 12th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
Jim is Brady’s dad, Aubrey’s uncle. He’s a nice guy, I don’t know his political views, or school ones, but he’s definitely a nice guy.
December 12th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Crap. I am yet again the typo queen.
[RJH: And I am yet again taking care of said typos and making them better. Jim Ells is awesome, and I remember meeting him with his son several times. He's pro-education, pro-getting things done, works well with others, and pays attention to what's going on. I think he's a fine man, and a good choice. If Swanzey can get their act in gear and get out and vote, this could be the start of a sea-change in the district towards acting as we should for our kids!]
December 12th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Well, guess what!!!! We’re the proud parents. Gen & Ace
December 12th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Anything that helps MRHS get more funding and stuff is good in my book =]
December 14th, 2007 at 12:04 am
Whatever the eventual outcome, the Budget Committee members sent a very clear message - they are tired of being bullied. The decision took courage, strength of conviction, and rational thinking. I was impressed by the group, how controlled the discussion was, by Mr. Stanley’s leadership and by the outcome.
My two cents… Jim Ells will be a great Chairmen for this group as they struggle to do what’s best for the district - which in case some of us forgot includes the students/staff and the taxpayers.
He’s that smart.
Colline Dreyfuss
MRSD Board Chair