The article notes that the Democrats are interested in beginning their work in October (for a variety of reasons, the least of which is that little could be accomplished during the holiday season and January is spent considering the school budget), whereas Republican Lou Spadacinni would prefer to wait until after November, arguing that the membership could change following the November elections. Spadacinni's failure to act further distinguishes the Democrats desire to tackle the hard issues and reinforces their commitment to not play politics with concerns foremost in the minds of Manchester residents.
Despite objections, Spadacinni has agreed to appoint two Republican members and allow the committee to begin its work in earnest and start to solve this complex dilemma
EXCLUSIVE: I spoke with Director Sheridan this afternoon and he shared the following thoughts (emphasis mine):
"There is nothing more important in this Town that we should be working on between now and November 19 (the swearing in of a new Board) than a potential Spring 2008 referendum for renovations to elementary schools. It is definitely more important than the election, and arguably more important than anything on the October BOD Agenda. Finishing the rebuilding of our schools is the most important task on our plate right now. When you have something that important to do, and you have a deadline of March 2008, "let's wait a few months" is hardly the attitude to take.
Second, as the Republicans stated in August, this is a bi-partisan effort. The partisan outcome of an election should not affect it. The Republicans seem to have abandoned bi-partisanship before the committee even gets started with this bizarre argument that somehow the joint committee will operate differently or reach a different result if the Republicans - rather than the Democrats- are in charge.
Finally, the whole "wait - there's an election coming up" argument offends me. The people elect us to work together and govern right up until the day we leave office. Everything shouldn't grind to halt because there's an election coming up."
