Dear Editor,
I can not begin to express the relief I feel, personally, over the passage of the Tioga Central budget, or adequately convey our appreciation of “thanks” to Mr. Gural for his financial support, and the 1,076 folks who voted “yes,” last Tuesday, June 16. To see so many people step up and contribute both support and honest, constructive criticism of the process of financing and operating this multi-million dollar facility shows there is genuine interest in seeing that, while we do extremely well in many areas, we can do better in others. Personally, I find that extremely encouraging. I thank God we get a second chance. Not everyone does.
It is evident, in their comments and their presence in the voting lines, that we have a host of very bright, knowledgeable young men and women, some either in college or recently graduated, others already here with small children, that care deeply about our school and community. Hopefully, some will eventually have, both, the desire to settle here, and the job opportunities to make it possible. I believe it is our responsibility to do all we can to help this happen. Not only by maintaining, and improving on what we already have educationally, but by becoming involved with job creation and improving the economy.
We need to see the big picture. I’m tired of seeing our kids get a great education and then leave in order to find good jobs elsewhere. When I was in high school, (1950’s), New York State led the nation in every thing – population, jobs, education, etc. It’s called the Empire State, but much has changed since then. Good change is called “progress,” a change for the “better.” We haven’t seen much of that. We did, however, experience a great victory last Tuesday and we need to celebrate it by coming together and working to make where we live and where our kids go to school the very best it can be, any way we can.
Sincerely,
Doug Graves
Tioga Center, N.Y.
