Secession facts and fallacies

    Well, I’m back. The official purveyor of fallacies and propaganda, at least in the eyes of some of the members of the Secession Committee. I wish someone would tell me what these fallacies are instead of just making these general statements. The only item I have heard them refer to is the education system, in regard to automatically being a member of the RSU 39.
Mr. Morrell does not agree with my statement that the existing RSU communities would have to hold a referendum to accept Lyndon into the regional school unit. He feels I should be doing my homework, and checking my facts before making statements like that. I thought looking up Maine State laws and statutes was how you checked the facts. Again, if there is a better way of doing this, I would appreciate it if someone would share that information.
I have heard their interpretation so many times I began to second guess whether I was misinterpreting the law, so I decided to check with my friendly neighborhood school superintendent. Obviously she must not have done her homework or checked her facts, as her interpretation is the same as mine. You would think this committee who are on record that “The education of the children of the future town of Lyndon will be our top priority”, would have taken the time to at least check with the local school department to see what would happen if they seceded. That doesn’t appear to be a top priority at this time. Maybe they will get around to that after they have their petition signed.
Before I get another bunch of emails from parents asking if their children’s education will be interrupted if this secession thing is successful, I will give my interpretation of the process. All the children from Lyndon who are attending schools in RSU 39 will continue to do so. The RSU would issue a bill for tuition to the municipality of Lyndon. Transportation costs for the children can either be looked after by the municipality of Lyndon or contracted through the RSU. The municipality of Lyndon can start the process to apply for membership in the RSU. According to the school superintendent it is a fairly complex process and all the steps are laid out in Chapter 20, including the existing RSU members holding a referendum to accept them.
The bottom line is that you should see no difference or interruption in your children’s education other than the cost, which I would take for granted the new municipality would cover. I can assure you that I will do whatever it takes to make sure the children’s education is not interrupted, and after my conversation with the school superintendent I know she will do the same. Some of us really do consider our children’s education a top priority.
I understand according to a recent newspaper article that Lyndon is not planning on having a library or recreational facilities for the children in Lyndon. I always thought developing children’s social skills was part of the education process, but obviously that is probably just another fallacy. In their defense, they have suggested that anyone with children can always use the facilities in Caribou for a modest fee. Does that mean that they feel their citizens should have access to these services, but they shouldn’t have to pay their fair share to operate them?
I also understand they don’t want to have an airport or pay for one. Does that mean if one of them or their family members have to be flown to Eastern Maine Medical they don’t intend to fly out of the Caribou airport, or does it mean they will fly out of Caribou, but they just don’t want to pay any of the expenses associated with operating it, in case they need it?
Before I sign off I would be remiss to not mention some of the fallacies I’ve heard over the past few weeks, from people who have been approached by the petition circulators. Some of them have stated Caribou has 25 policemen and 82 city employees. There are actually 14 people on the police force and, at my last check within the past couple of weeks, 68 full-time employees including the police department.
One of the committee members has also been telling people recently when they refused to sign the petition, that they don’t really want to secede; they just want people to sign so they can sit down with city council and discuss the high taxes.
I have been asked twice in the past 18 months if I would be willing to sit down with a group of citizens and listen to their concerns. Although I agreed to do so, I have never heard anything back. The invitation is still open. I even offered to attend the last secession meeting to answer any questions, but was told it was a little premature to have me involved. I’m not sure why it would be a little premature for me to answer questions people might have? Must be something to do with that transparency issue they believe in so much.
The Secession Committee has said they feel the citizens should have a say in how their money is spent. I agree 100 percent, so if you don’t feel tax dollars should be spent on a rec center or a library, get a petition signed by 600 people and bring it to a referendum to have them closed. If that’s what the majority of citizens want, it will be closed. That’s how this democracy thing you keep talking about works. If the majority of citizens want it to be kept open, well, I guess you could always move. I’ll help you pack.
P.S. I’ve now heard some of the budget numbers released by the Secession Committee, and I must admit, some of them sound reasonable and some of them I would debate, but I think there are a few things that they have missed. Don’t be surprised if by the time the meeting with council takes place, their proposed mil rate might have increased by 20 percent.
That’s just my opinion and keep in mind, I never have my facts right according to some people.
    This column is strictly the opinion or view of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of the City of Caribou’s administration staff, its employees, or other council members. Gary Aiken may be reached at garyaiken@hotmail.com.