Letters to the Editor

+ Superintendent disbands committee
Dear Editor:
Manatee School Superintendent Tim McGonegal has arbitrarily dismissed the budget committee.
Apparently, they were too diligent in their duties and made recommendations that were contrary to his plan and how he wanted to spend our money.

The community members of the committee were dedicated to reducing the bloat in administration and putting the money in the classrooms. They had recommended pay cuts, but on a graduated scale that eliminated cuts in lower-pay classes and accelerated to the largest cuts at the top of the pay class. They did not recommend furlough days.

The community members volunteered their time in the hopes of improving the integrity of the school district.

At a time when the public is demanding more transparency, this appears to be an insensitive demonstration of the distain with which the superintendent regards the public.

While the community continues to uncover accounting discrepancies, the administration continues with its refusal to provide information requested.

McGonegal stated that his measure would streamline the budget process.  The best way to speed up this process is for the administration to be forthright in answering questions and providing total transparency. The superintendent is going to leave the budget up to the School Board and, as we have already seen, there are some on the board who will vote for whatever the superintendent wants without any questions, and against the taxpayer. 
Steve Vernon
Vice President of Tea Party Manatee  

+ Investigation looks politically vindictive
Dear Editor:
After three years of investigation, U.S. Rep Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat, has been cleared of any campaign violations by the Federal Election Commission. Now the U.S. Department of Justice has decided to re-plow the same old field. Not only is this a waste of time and taxpayers’ dollars, it has all the appearances of vindictive politics. Even the group in Washington (CREW) that pushed the issue admits it doesn’t expect anything to come from it. Clearly, it’s time to move on to important issues like jobs and the economy.
Belinda Aubuchon
Nokomis