There were no surprises when the Plainedge BOE announced at the Sept. 14 meeting that the bond issue would be resubmitted, as is, to the voters on Dec. 5. The package is now $53 million instead of $50 million due to the loss of the 10 percent incentive which ended on June 30. Although administration refuses to mention the new tax rate, it will now be $6.70 per 100 of assessed valuation. On July 6, during the reorganization meeting, a few board members suggested different months of the year to resubmit the bond issue. However, when the administrator stated the month of December, I knew then the mighty puppeteer would be able to manipulate his puppets and get his usual unanimous rubber stamp of approval. Of course, the reason for picking the month of December is to get a low turnout of voters due to the holidays when everyone is busy and many will be out of town. Although it's legal, morally, it's a disgrace that undermines the very core of our democratic process, but this is nothing new for our district.

Two years ago a flyer, dated October 1998, was sent to the community by the former administration and the board informing the community that a bond referendum for $1.9 million was to be placed on the ballot on Dec. 8, 1998 for their approval. On one side of the flyer was the statement, "The Bond referendum will not increase the tax rate." On the upper right side of the flyer were the words, in bold letters, "No Tax Rate Impact." Unfortunately, both statements were not true, and misleading to the community. This was confirmed in January 1999 when I received a letter from the State Education Department explaining when a board can submit a bond referendum to the community that would not have a tax increase or tax impact. Example, boards can avoid increasing taxes when a bond referendum is submitted the same year a previous bond expires. However, a previous bond was in place in 1998 which will expire in the year 2005. Only 397 community members voted on Dec. 8, 1998.

When will the undermining of our democratic process by administrators and board members end?

Michael J. Cimino

Former Member Plainedge BOE