It's certainly a sad commentary that only a few months ago we were voting on a multi-million dollar performing arts center and turf fields while these issues were lingering. Hopefully with a new superintendent coming on board, the district will get its priorities in order and we can all move forward in the best interest of our children. View Comment

It's a continuing trend- positions are cut and programs are lost to compensate for the increasing costs of pensions and healthcare. View Comment

I don't see an epidemic of these incidents- just a few ( and yes, even a few is too many) that have become wildy publicized. I son't think any cop you were to talk to would tell you he would rather use deadly force than some other type of less-lethal solution. The nature of that business requires split second decisions to made- and then each millisecond is dissected by the media, various groups (including victims families) and justice system for months and years afterwards. I don't believe we need "better and more effective " deadly force standards- they are pretty well spelled out as they are. View Comment

No offense meant- but I am very confused as to what this story was about. View Comment

QB your statement is ridiculous- the vote to override the tax cap was very public and there was plenty of notification given to the public-it was even used in campaign literature during the election cycle. Maybe you need to attend more meetings watch them on tv or look at a paper- because you're pretty in the dark apparently. View Comment

For a long time taxpayer money was seen by school and gov't officials as a never ending source- well they are ( albeit slowly ) waking up to the fact that it's not and you can't infinitely raise taxes- there is a limit to how much you can take from citizens and yes, we've reached it. View Comment

What? you are delusional View Comment

Yes, these employee costs will continue to drive up budgets every year until they are reigned in- again, how many times can we raise taxes before we go to the unions and ask them for some concessions to help keep taxes down? Reopen the contracts. View Comment

That is correct Rigby! Actually "hulkpage", I vote very conservative- however at this level of government there really seems to be no real line defining Republican and Democrat. Donahue runs as a Republican but on his way out of office last time signed a pretty generous contract with the police- a real Republican would most likely have at least tried to get some concessions from the unions to help defray rising healthcare and pension costs. Now we are saddled with these increases. View Comment

Of course the PBA endorsed Big Al- he gave them a nice sweet contract on his way out of the door last time around. He claims to be a Republican? Most fiscally responsible Republicans are trying to get the unions to contribute a bit more to healthcare costs and take 0% increases to help make up for budget shortfalls- View Comment

And they needed a survey to tell them this? Some children are into sports, some are into the arts- but the goal for ALL children is ACADEMICS- this is where the priorities must be going forward in this district. It's a shame that all of this had to happen to get the message across that this district is not in very good financial shape and we need to be in crisis mode and focus on academics- I mean we're BORROWING money to pay back tax rebates? The money spent to put forth the bond referendum would have been enough for several teacher aide positions that they claim now need to be cut. View Comment

My wife and kids drive these roads regularly and I'm thankful that someones family wasn't wiped out by this reckless individual. View Comment

I see both sides of this story, but when you take peoples hard earned money through tax levy and purposely have no immediate use for it? Thats not right- I assume as a taxpayer that there is a need in the current budget for those dollars. I'm sure there were tax increases over the years also- so my taxes were raised for no reason? Come on. View Comment

Yee Haw! View Comment

So we close Indian Point down tomorrow. Where are we putting the "terribly dangerous" spent fuel that is stored there right now? Oh, that's right- there IS no where to put it- it will remain on site for a very, very long time only 30 miles north of NYC. If it's going to be there, we might as well have it producing energy. View Comment

We don't need the power? Well maybe we don't right now because the economy is in a complete shambles and it is not growing. But if we want to break out of this malaise we're in and get people back to work we're going to need power to do it. Where do you think the energy for the brilliant Chevy Volt comes from when you plug it in? Not from wind or solar- it comes from fossil fuels. And the grid it flows through is going to need major upgrades in the very near future. View Comment

Good point by Mike, they probably aren't drug tested because the union wouldn't let it happen! View Comment

I'm waiting to hear ALL of the facts. But I must disagree with your "no big deal" attitude. I wonder if you have school age children. Yes, teachers are held to a very high standard and they should be- if they smoked pot in their personal time an nobody knew oh well.- but as soon as that becomes an issue within the school and students know about it? There is no question they must resign- probably the biggest battle we'll fight while raising our children is keeping them away from drugs- we're going to have them be taught by staff member that they know is doing illegal drugs? You're out of your mind. And just because criminal charges haven't been filed? That means nothing- people get fired everyday for much less that this! View Comment

Waiting to hear all of the facts- but if it's true that staff was involved, it's really bad. These are the people that we trust our kids with everyday. What an example that sets for those of us trying to raise our kids right- when the people we trust them with in our schools are doing this kind of stuff. If this proves to be true, I think we need a complete wipeout of the administration and lets get some new people in there. View Comment

The unfunded mandates need to be addressed- no doubt- but the district has more control of the union demands and needs to play hardball. View Comment