June - July 2002 Edition 

The School Budget  By 4 votes (1,578 to 1,574) voters turned down the Board of Education's proposed 2002-2003 school budget in April.   Fewer people turned out for this year's budget vote than last year, possibly because the Board of Education candidates were running unopposed this year.   Fair Lawn News asked some people why they thought the budget was voted down:   Dr. Bill Thimmel, Board of Education member, said he thought the budget was turned down because of a lack of voter participation.   "It is a shame that a town with over 4,500 students in the district that only 1,500 parents turned out to support their children's education".    Arlene Liebman, Fair Lawn High School PTA President said that the budget presentations by the Board of Education administrators are informative and need to reach more people.  She said "perhaps larger forums, via Rotary, Elks Club, Knights of Columbus, Fair Lawn All Sports, for example, would be a way to extend the information to the residents of Fair Lawn".   She also said, "with our budget having passed for the last seven years, our "yes" voters were too complacent and stayed at home.   Ellyn Miller, Vice President of the Parent Association for Gifted Education said "we all have to make sure that we're not apathetic.  I think this will shake parents up, not to be complacent." Bob Gordon, former Fair Lawn Mayor, said the Board of Education needs to do a better job marketing.  "If it's important enough, they need to mount a campaign.  I normally vote, but I just totally forgot about it." The Discussion Space had a heated debated about the budget vote before the vote.  Here's an excerpt from some of the postings. For the Proposed Budget Raymond Street Resident: I've always felt that, since it's the only one directly voted on, it is turned into a scapegoat for every bad expenditure in the history of government.   Yes, there is too much administration. Complain to the state, because that is who mandates most of it, and refuses to pay for it. RLP:  If you vote no, it will only affect other portions of the budget certainly not the salaries which are contractual, they have to happen. They are in line with other towns around us.  Against the Proposed Budget   Don Oliver:  I want more education for my money, not more money for education. Keith Brown:  Seniors on a fixed income will be hit very hard.  It's time to send a message to this administration. Skip:  Does the recent economic crisis of high unemployment, war, September 11th tragedy and other problems in the economy have any thoughts towards this budget proposal? The Board of Education is greedy, and they should be embarresed (sic) to even present this increase to the people of Fair Lawn! Related Articles Interview with John Mancinelli article in last edition Budget Cuts After Voters Turn Down Budget.   What Do You Think?: Send an e- mail to editor@fairlawnnews.com or post a message on the Fair Lawn News Discussion Forum.