Dear Editor,
Last week in the Pennysaver someone mentioned our community, Tioga Center, and called it a “ghost town,” where nothing happens. That could prove “prophetic,” if the re-vote on the reduced budget fails, and we are forced to adopt an austerity budget, or down the road a school merger.
With the school off limits to the community, no pool, no sports or extra curricular activities, youth programs and “nothing happening,” it would be a very different attitude and atmosphere all around the district, and not just here. It would not be a good change for any of us – kids or adults. Deep down, I really believe we all know that to be true.
None of us who lived through the flood of 2011 will ever forget the compassion and kindness extended to those of us who lost all or nearly everything to Tropical Storm Lee. My wife and I, for certain, never will. Many times we have been moved to tears when trying to relate to others the unconditional love shown us by so many. Some of the most precious memories I have are of the helping hands and the kindness we received during that awful, emotionally, gut wrenching time. Words can not express how I wish we could stand together for the kids, now, like so many stood for all of us in 2011. We need each other, we really do.
Our district lost a lot of tax base in that flood. We now have fewer houses and more “green spaces.” We need families with children to move into our school district and all this fuss over the budget and the hurtful comments toward our school, the administration, teachers, and the apparent negative attitude, in general, toward kids is not helping to create a positive atmosphere. No one wants to live where people are at odds with each other on issues as important as the school where their children attend.
Please note, the re-worked budget calls for a reduced tax rate of $10.91 per one thousand dollars (true value) or an increase of $1.61 per one thousand dollars (true value). That would be a total tax increase of $161.00 over last year on a property with a true value of one hundred thousand dollars. This is $118.00 less than the original proposed increase of $279.00. Owego, Newark Valley, Candor, Spencer Van Etten and Waverly’s rates for last year ranged from about 22 percent to 97 percent higher than our budget does this year.
Their last year’s tax rates are as follows: (in no particular sequence) $13.67, $18.22, $19.40, $20.54, and $21.49. I don’t know this year’s rates. This year’s Tioga’s reduced rate is $10.91.
Apparently, some feel we are a “poor” district. Maybe so, maybe not. So what? Abraham Lincoln was poor. By today’s standards, growing up, I was probably “poor” and so were most of my friends. I grew up on Allyn Road, right here, in Tioga Center, with my sister, Dawn.
Our mom and dad were “kid friendly”, and our house was where the “neighborhood” hung out. Our parents were very wise in many ways. Mom told me once, “If your friends are here, I will know where you are.” Then they made the decision to choose kids (theirs and the neighbors) over grass, flowers and inconvenience.
Mom “cemented” that decision with her culinary skills and her “legendary” cinnamon rolls and homemade bread, and their “open door” policy. This was the 1950’s. There weren’t a lot of organized activities for us, so we had to create our own. In the process we learned organizational skills and diplomacy, things that come in handy when one kid owns the bat and another kid the ball.
We built our ball diamonds in hay fields, after the first cutting (I can’t see it happening today, but it did back then.) We played basketball in our side yard on a makeshift court, covered with sawdust we replenished from an abandoned mill, as needed. We played year round and extension cords and floodlights made night games possible. Prior to 1956 we played tackle football (no pads) any place where there was more grass than stones. However, football came to Tioga in 1956, (six man) and we used the new “facility” two goal posts, 100 yards apart, a grass and gravel field surrounded by a single rope “barrier” on “game day.” Friday afternoons, at 3:30 p.m., for our pick up games. Nearly all our time was spent outdoors. We came in to eat and sleep, primarily. We practically lived at the creek, on the river, or in the woods when we weren’t playing ball. We swam, fished, hunted, camped and explored.
If we were poor, we never knew it. As far as I’m concerned, we were rich in the things that matter – relationships, experiences, memories, etc.
Therefore, when I see us referred to as a “poor” district, I’m not offended or overly concerned. I believe that can give incentive to achieve at a level much higher than expected and the challenge is a good thing. It’s similar to the roll of the “under dog” and I like it.
After a time and with enough successes, it doesn’t matter, if you are “big or small, rich or poor.” What does matter is how well you perform and if you play by the rules and conduct yourself self with honor and integrity. I believe we have proven we do that.
Sincerely,
Doug Graves
Tioga Center, N.Y.
