On the night of the first budget's defeat, observers noted that both Board President William Connors and Superintendent Sonedecker were "shocked" at the results. Indeed, one columnist went so far as to describe Sonedecker's appearance as "ashen." And neither man had much to say.

Days before, however, both Connors and Sonedecker confidently shot their mouths off for the Village Times when suggesting the signs, posted by Waking Bear Volunteers, indicating a BUDGET increase of 12 1/2% were misleading the public - those poor, stupid pawns, so easily manipulated by the simplest of things - into believing the reference was indicative of the TAX increase. To this very day there is an implied belief expressed by both of these men that "If the damn fools had only realized that the TAX increase was ONLY 6 plus percent they'd have passed the budget in a New York minute."

Well, they should have learned by now via public meetings and press coverage that OUR problem with the budget was NOT "misunderstanding" but, instead, frustration with the administration's arrogance. Sonedecker has announced a partial recognition of that mistake, yet his words seem always to suggest a continued belief that " So long as the dummies think their 'getting their moneys' worth,' the big increases are O.K." But, Don Connors remains the unmoving, teacher loving, union and big budget supporter he has been since 1994. To his elitist mind, YOU are never going to be as smart as himself. A syndrome indicative of politicians that have for too long held an office: perceived infallibility.

Sadly, because of his only recent reelection, Connors will remain an obstacle to common sense for the foreseeable future. And, aside from his obvious attitude, one horrific affiliation of his is of particular concern to us. You see, it gets really hard to believe that Connors' actions -  on behalf of the greater community -  are not affected by his being part of the teachers' union brotherhood of Suffolk County's Community College. The tentacles of union influence stretch very far. One need only ask former U.S. Senator Alfonse M. D'Amato (R-NY).

But, if Connors is an obstructionist, surely we can rely upon the other six members of the Board to protect the interests of the larger community, right? Noooo, we can't.

No, because we seem to have some sort of disease in the Three Villages. No, because much of the Board is of a similar ilk and a serious economic danger to all of us. Linda Raphoon has NEVER seen an increased budget proposal or expenditure she didn't like. Mitchell Pally has been a teacher of political science and a career politician, with a wife that is a teacher in the Commack school district. Jeffrey Kerman's wife is a teacher in our own district. Peter Scully is a career politician, with a wife as a teacher working in the Smithtown district and a retired teacher for a mother. Stuart Fourman taught, pro bono, family math workshops at Minnesauke.

So, of the seven school board members: one  is a yes-person and five others have very close connections to teachers or teachers' unions AND/OR their family incomes, have at one time or continue to, benefit directly from teaching locally.

Do such connections mean they would not meet their greater obligation to the entire community? No. But, all of us know that it is appearance that first prompts confidence. Actions assure it. And the perception of things we see does not bode well for us. And as to their actions? Well, with a first budget proposal increase of near thirteen percent and a second of near ten percent, we've NO reason to trust them.

There is only one person on the Board elected as a fiscal conservative, John Oliver.

Since the defeat of the first budget proposal on May 16th, there has been a chorus of support from the "Collegial Six" of the school board's seven for the still high  - 9.47%  -  BUDGET increase. Only John Oliver showed objection. It should be as abundantly clear to YOU, as it is to the Waking Bear, that these people will not be making any changes to the way they have been running the district. They will continue to rip us off UNLESS you bring their machinations to a halt.

You CAN fight, damage, pillage and destroy "city hall." You need only to vote in your own best interest, in numbers great enough to cast aside their budget proposal. When you vote to defeat the budget, you win. They lose, become sullen and appear "ashen."

On the other hand, if you don't show up for the project, you lose. They win. You pay. They spend. You gripe. They purr, at your defeat.

You control the purse strings. That is why they try so hard to create the illusion: "You can trust us. We're from the government." That is why they try so hard to avoid open "Q & A" periods at school board meetings. And  attack the messenger of their ineptitude and not the messages that enlighten.

In defeating the budget on June 20th, you will be announcing to them for the second time, in little over a month, that you support the needs of the children but have had enough spending on the wants of the spoiled.