LETTERS: Show accountability before asking for more

To the editor:

We are again beginning to hear about Proposition 2½ overrides. In nearly all cases the money is needed for swelling school budgets. Tax limits, Proposition 2½, came about to limit spending by local governments. We find ourselves paying for services that were included in our property taxes prior to Proposition 2½. As they say, there are more ways to skin the cat than via property tax. Unfortunately, improving efficiency in local government and school systems isn’t one of them!

Recently, on a radio talk show a caller said “the problem with our education system is that we need to spend more money on it.” I say, baloney! We taxpayers know better. The statement by the caller demonstrates the real problem. We have made teaching so lucrative it attracts those interested in comparatively short work hours, very good pay and a very nice benefit package. Is the answer to this situation paying teachers less? No, it is not! Good teachers are never paid enough. There are teachers in our system who are worth more, regardless of what they are presently being paid. Then there are the others who are teaching for the wrong reasons.

When MCAS testing was introduced, the whining by teacher unions was self-evident of those not wanting, or afraid of having, their ability tested. That’s what MCAS is really all about — how effective our teaching is. The higher the salaries, the more union members, the more money in the union coffers.

I believe that if our school administrators can demonstrate effective accountability through real improved performance, they will get whatever funds they need. So far they are unable to do that. Throwing more money at problems seldom produces anything but a hunger for more money. Holding back funds wisely will drive efficiency and ultimately improvement.

Doug Gobin

Attleboro

Impeachment proceedings overdue for president

To the editor:

Since November 2006, the Democrats have been in control. Nancy Pelosi has said she is not interested in impeachment. How many times does one have to violate and undermine our Constitution to “qualify” for an impeachable offense. Thank you, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, for hearing us voters out here.

High crimes and misdemeanors abound with this administration.

Larry Rose

Attleboro

Salute him for courage and devotion to truth

To the editor:

What a wonderful story about this Silver Star hero who has made it back safely. I’m so happy for him and his family. I hope he doesn’t have to go back again for this war.

I’m somewhat glad he has not been able to read the Opinion pages of this paper on what some writers’ opinions are, because it’s a very wide range. I was not so surprised at his opinions about our presence in Iraq and that we should really consider a pull back.

Is that somewhat disturbing to any of the Monday morning quarterbacking Bush couch potatoes. Nah. As far as they are concerned, anyone who believes this war was not for this country to start is un-patriotic. How many of those who disagree with this young man who has won a Silver Star want to stand up and be accounted for? I personally salute him for bravery not only in combat but in his life of truth.

Bill Gallant

Attleboro

Harness the heat of vehicles on road

To the editor:

Regarding the requirement to reduce greenhouse gases, I hope they consider an idea that first appeared about 50 years ago. That is, I heard about it then.

The greatest single waste product of our civilization is the waste heat generated on our highways. Every vehicle has an elaborate system for removing heat from the engine propelling them. Meanwhile, our homes burn fuel and receive only the heat.

The engine used to propel a small car could be modified to generate more than enough electricity to operate a home. The heat generated could be used to heat space, or water, or even for cooking. It could also charge the batteries for an electric car, thus removing the need for burning fuel where the heat must be thrown away. While this would not reduce the generation of greenhouse gases in the home, it would do wonders on the highways.

How to build this? I’m not an engineer, but most engineering problems have dozens of solutions. For an example, look at our highways…

I wish it were this simple.

Robert F. Maskell

Attleboro

Look at city’s triumphs and where it’s going

To the editor:

Kevin Dumas is the most hands-on mayor this city has ever had. When we called the mayor, we didn’t get a phone call, we received the mayor at our front door to personally answer our questions!

Obviously the mayor’s challengers are having difficulty finding faults and critical areas to focus on. For instance, almost every other municipality in the state pays more in taxes than we do. They pay more for water than we do. They pay more for everything! Our schools offer more programs and courses than any other in the area! Our police and fire departments are second to none, with a faster response time than any other in the area by a long shot!

I’ve lived here nearly my whole life. I have seen many changes and many many mistakes made by city government! For the first time in 40 years, Attleboro is going to be back on the map again. Progress finally! It wasn’t too many years ago that you could barely walk the streets of the city because they were so busy with shoppers and such!

Our former councils and mayors let this city simply rot and decay! We are a dilapidated ghost town with a nationally-recognized accredited zoo, not one, but three museums, more parks, pools and sports fields than any other place within 50 miles from here. A ghost town with one of the top regional hospitals in the nation!

For the first time in nearly four decades this city is finally going in the right direction!

Obviously we have a mayor and 10 city councilors who love their city. To change the path now would be absurd. When we elected the youngest mayor in the United States just a short time ago, I too was skeptical. But in his short stint he has proven to be more courteous, more professional, an excellent administrator, and, yes, the most hands-on mayor in the city’s history. I’ve lived here a long, long time. I’m no fool. I was taught when everything is going right you don’t change directions!

Jim Fennessy

Attleboro