the success of Question 1?
October 8, 2008
Last night during the Presidential Debate, one of the candidates referred to solving the country's current problems with a hatchet or a scalpel. That is an interesting thought to ponder. Most people agree that there are concerns on a national and state level. So, while many are flocking to a particular candidate in the belief that he will more closely bring about change, on a State-level the matter of Question 1 has people all concerned about too much change.
Funny how that works. Change is important; just don't change anything that might adversely affect me. Many assume that I and the other seven members of the B-R School Committee are against Question 1 simply because the State would have less money and therefore there may (no one knows for sure how it would effect B-R) be less aid from the State for the legally required assistance for education. But it is funny how the most vocal critics of Question 1 are those whose paycheck is signed by taxpayers.
Then we see the stupidity of some local Police Departments staging protests at work sites ostensibly to say that only those with their higher hourly costs are capable of drinking a coffee, talking on the phone and staring into construction sites. Sometimes the Police are observant of the conditions, but be honest about the matter - how often do they sit in a car or stare at a hole or chat with the workers off to the side somewhere? The videos I saw at least showed the Civilian Flagmen observant of the traffic; when was the last time you saw a Policeman at a work detail paying attention to the safety of the site? The Police unions argue that safety is their prime concern (should they then have been arrested for disrupting a work site and putting people at risk?) and that the savings would not be as large as estimated. So, the Police Unions concede that there would be savings. Is that not the CHANGE everyone is asking for?
If all of these Municipal Unions truly wanted to make sure that Question 1 does not pass, they should do something to show the taxpayers that they understand the finances of the matter. Boston Firemen - agree to the drug testing already as it is for everyone's safety and the matter should not be one where you bargain for more compensation. Revere, Everett and Woburn Police - go back to your regular jobs and stop harassing the Flagmen; you must realize how you put lives in danger by protesting at a construction site. And unions across the state - recognize that nearly 100% taxpayer-paid insurance and retirement pensions on three highest years cannot continue to be supported by the public. These benefits are part of the reason Detroit (auto) and Pennsylvania (steel) has struggled - the continuing costs cannot be sustained.
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Joseph Gillis Jr.
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