Letter: Community Should Come Together to Build New Galvin
Wakefield resident Colleen Guida writes about the pride she felt when the community came together to build a new World War II Memorial, and how she wants to see the community work together once again to build a new middle school in Wakefield.
This past Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2011, I had the distinct pleasure of attending the unveiling of a beautiful new Veteran’s War Memorial on the picturesque Wakefield Common. I could not have been more proud of the members of my community who came together and worked hard to make this happen. The ceremony was so well thought out and a fitting tribute to those members of our community who fought and died to uphold the values of our country. Our community took on a challenge and tirelessly worked to make this dream of a new memorial a reality.
Presently, I am reminded of this event in light of the recent articles regarding the construction of a new Galvin Middle School. Now, I am well aware that the scope of the Galvin project does not compare to the Veteran’s Memorial project. However, what I am reminded of is how a community came together for a greater good. No one could honestly say that our veterans are not deserving of a fitting and appropriate memorial. They are the most deserving. I have to admit, at first, I questioned that the old memorial could be renovated and be brought back to it’s original glory. However, I came to understand that the materials were rotting and renovation would not permanently fix the structural issues. I was thoroughly impressed by the commitment of the Veteran’s Memorial Committee to raise the funds needed to make their dream a reality.
Similarly, members of our community are trying to provide our children and future with an appropriate learning space where they can thrive in this 21st century world. Unfortunately, our Galvin Middle School, has run its course and has been in dire need of help for years. We all have been presented with the facts so I am not going to repeat all that has been stated before. I want to remind people of the importance of community. When the community comes together, we achieve things that are not possible with singular acts.
I realize that fundraising is not the vehicle taken to achieve the end result of a new Galvin. I know that this means a tax increase until the financed amount is paid off. The Galvin Middle School is a community building that sees constant use on weekdays and weekends. As one supports the smaller project of honoring our veterans, it is my hope that the project of providing our young population with an appropriate learning environment would be supported to. I, along with many of my fellow community members, take pride in the close-knit supportive community that we live in. Let us come together to achieve a goal and not let this goal separate us.
With pride,
Colleen Guida
Maureen Keegan
2:31 pm on Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Well said, Colleen! Thanks for a positive outlook on this very important issue!
Melissa Schools
2:33 pm on Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Such an important point to raise, Colleen, and well-said at that!
Kris Martone-Levine
2:41 pm on Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Beautifully put, Colleen. Thank you for so clearly sharing this positive message.
John Bengtson
3:15 pm on Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Excellent letter Colleen.
darlene stikeman
5:52 pm on Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Fantastic. Well said, Colleen.
Tasha Schlake Festel
5:59 pm on Tuesday, March 13, 2012
I couldn't agree with you more. Thank you for the perspective, Colleen.
Maureen Marley McCarthy
11:12 pm on Tuesday, March 13, 2012
She threw no punches. I hope residents both for and against a new Galvin Middle School take a minute to read what Colleen wrote.
mike t
2:12 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Then you can pay for it Colleen! I like the statement "a tax increase until the financed amount is paid off". You sound like the selectmen! Everyone knows the tax increase will stay permanently just like the Mass turnpike Toll Booths! Lets concentrate on the quality of the teaching our children first. Renovate the Galvin with the budget we currently have. One piece at a time in order of most importance. Save and then renovate. We all know the High school will be next on your destruct and replace list. Quit being such a throw away society. Lets show our children how to be green not how to spend green!!!!
Michael Scollo
10:28 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Just to clarify, the town plans to pursue a Debt Exclusion (subject to referendum vote) to raise the funds necessary to pay debt service costs for the project. According to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, this interim tax increase can only be used for the life of the debt and not for anything else. By law, a Debt Exclusion cannot become a permanent tax increase. Source: MA DOR Website at http://www.mass.gov/dor/local-officials/dls-newsroom/dls-publications/new-growth/municipal-finance-glossary/municipal-finance-glossary-d-through-h/debt-exclusion.html.
Laurie Hunt
10:34 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2012
"The tax increase will not go away" is not an accurate statement. It will go away as it would be a debt exclusion. By law it must. Future projects will go through the same process and be voted on; the tax increase cannot be automatically carried on.
The High School may very well need to be reviewed, to start adding that to the mix right now is premature. We have no facts, no data, and no plans.
It would be nice if we could save the money first and remodel or renovate the Galvin but we cannot. We cannot afford to do so within our current budget; it would be great if we could. I also cannot imagine how long it would take for our town to save more than $70million. As far as being green - the current building not energy efficient, the new building will be.
Mike, there will be tours available of the current Galvin building to be announced soon. I hope you are able to take one so you can see for yourself why this is something that is important to do. It doesn’t matter how we got here, we can’t turn back time. We can move forward and do things right.
Colleen – amazing letter. You are an inspiration, a working Mom to four boys who still makes the time to give your time to our community and deliver such a positive message.
Colleen Guida
11:57 am on Thursday, March 15, 2012
Coming from you, Laurie, those words mean a lot. Thank you. I realize that some members of our community are not able to clearly see the fact that are stated and be thankful to live in a town that makes wise fiscal decisions while trying to move us forward. We are a had working community where, for most of us, things ate not handed to us. And, yes, mike t., my husband and I, both small business owners, will take on more work and hours to provide our children and their peers with a suitable and appropriate place for their growth and education.