To the editor:
When it comes to making budget cuts, why are the innocent the ones to pay the price? It makes no common sense in any possible way to jeopardize the safety of any school-age children. How many youngsters look up to crossing guards for their safety and assurance that their crossing busy highways will be safe for them to cross. For so many years, this has been something that the children have been accustomed to and surely deserve. I don’t know the reason for making such a cut and no matter how hard I try to think of one that makes sense, I just can’t seem to think of even one, given the amount of the budget of the city of Presque Isle and SAD 1. What percentage of the two combined budgets does $18,788 amount to?
It appears to me that too many city directors didn’t put enough time, research and take the time to consult with SAD 1 administration before making such a cut. Is there some kind of communication gap between city directors and SAD 1 to let this happen? Surely doesn’t smell clean to me.
Wake up decision-makers and protect the safety of all school children. If only one accident is avoided because crossing guards are present, then $18,788 seems like a very small amount to pay as compared to the total costs of the city of Presque Isle’s budget combined with the budget of SAD 1. As leaders of this community, your first priority should be the safety of our children and I believe most of you are very concerned that utmost safety is maintained.
How this ridiculous cut slipped through city hall is beyond me. Take the only sensible action and appropriate the money for crossing guards before a tragedy occurs!
Presque Isle
