Oxford Republican's push 3.1 million dollar big ticket project down the towns throat

Yes it seems the two republicans, Gerard Carbonaro and David Yish that voted against exploring (they voted against exploring options, that is why it was called a budget workshop) the funding for Full Day Kindergarten have a history of big ticket pet projects.  18 months ago these two championed and forced a 3.1 million dollar expenditure WITHOUT GOING TO TOWN VOTE.  Lets look at Gerard's own words.  Expensive field which only serves a small fraction of the 50% of high school athletes who play on that particular field.  Makes you wish he had younger children.   His arguments for a 3.1 million dollar field have some distinct parallels with FDK. The cost of a field only serving a minority of the town is only 9 cents, FDK serves all of the town and is priced at 9 to 10 cents a house.
  We are only one of a handful who don't have a stadium, we will be one of a few who do not have Full Day Kindergarten in 2014 90% of towns will offer FDK.   This places all of our children at a disadvantage.  
Gerard and David who commments on Coach Carb's blog mention Oxford has a rich history of not getting things accomplished.  On tuesday they will tell you that funding will happen for 2014-2015, this is pure political pandering with our children as the pawns. In Carb and David Yish's own words how can we trust them when they let us down so consistently in the past?  

Reasons to Build the OHS Field Project

Finish the job at OHS and BUILD THE FIELD!

Posted by Coach Carb , July 05, 2012 at 02:28 PM

I passionately believe building the field at OHS is the right thing to do for the Town of Oxford. We have been waiting five years for the high school to be completed. We encourage everyone to come out and support the field om Monday night July 9 at 7:00 PM at Town Hall.

1) Cost - $9 Cents a day for the average Oxford homeowner.

2) We are one of only a few of the 166 high schools in CT without a field.

3) The current mudpit we play in is grossly inadequate and unsafe.

4) Many varsity & sub-varsity sports events have been cancelled or venues changed due to field conditions. Some teams have refused to play at our mudpit. The mudpit does not drain! The silt won't hold grass.

5) Clumps of grass/weeds have caused injuries to our players.

6) No proper stands, electricity or handicap access. Try pushing a wheelchair through the mud...

7) The new field will be a multi-use athletic facility. It will be used for football, boys and girls soccer, track & field, cross country, cheerleading, dance, marching band, youth sports, phys ed classes, graduation ceremonies and a walking track for adults and our seniors. Eventually, we will add lacrosse and girl's field hockey.

8) Night games and State tournaments will take place on the new field, generating income.

9) Artificial turf is softer, safer and nearly maintenence free.

10) The field will be a unifying force. It will assuage the sometimes harsh political climate in town and help bring our community closer together.

11) Our kids deserve the field. 50% of OHS students play a sport. They work so hard, without even knowing what they are doing without.

Rebuttals to concerns some people in the community have raised...

1) Town meeting versus referendom: I think the project will pass either way. Referendom would cost the town appx $9,000. We would need 15% of the electorate to vote in a referendom, which is a hurdle. We could win 10 to 1 and still lose at referendom if turnout is low.

2) We are moving too fast: If we pass the field project at town meeting this summer, the OHS teams might be able to play on the field this coming school year. We have waited long enough.

3) The cost is too close to the referendom trigger: The $3.1 million cost includes cost overrun contingencies. It is below the trigger, we are playing by the rules.

4) The job will not be finished: The town has a history of not completing projects, but that will not happen here.

5) East/West versus North/South alignment. North/South is better, but cost prohibitive due to the layout of the site.

6) Track events won't take place on the field: According to Track coach Charlie Rizzio, he would prefer javelin to take place in the mudpit. The rest of the events would/could take place on the new field.

7) Cost: At $9 Cents a day, this project is affordable and our kids are worth every cent!

8) Other projects need to be completed: No argument, let's get them done. Economic development will bring in the funds. 

9) It's all about George's kid: Ludicrous, political nonsense. Not even worth a response.

I'll see you all on Monday night. Happy 4th of July!

Gerard Carbonaro

Board of Education Member

Coach Carb June 28, 2012 at 01:47 AM

I am very disappointed in Dick Burke and Dave Yish. I know you both, but sorry, I can't help thinking that your positions stem from electoral sour grapes. As far as the cost of the field, please consider that $3.1 Million bonded over 20 years at these historic interest rates amount to a few pennies a day for the average Oxford homeowner. Our kids are worth every penny. I agree that Oxford has a history of not finishing projects. This is a perfect example. Oxford High School is NOT FINISHED. ! This field project will be done correctly, completely and cost effectively. I also agree with those who correctly state that Oxford has many other projects that need attention. We need better roads and playgrounds. Center School is a disaster, Great Oak needs work, and we should build a library. Oxford needs to spend a ton of money to bring the Town into the 21st Century. There is only one way to develope all of these projects without tax increases - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. I can tell you that Oxford Greens is going to build 160 new units. Each unit averages $5000. per year in property taxes. Peducian Chemical Corp is coming to town. They put the scents in detergents. They will pay several hundred thousand a year in taxes. The power plant project is alive and well, for up to $4 Million each year! I expect the Temple Administration to fully fund all of these projects while CUTTING our property taxes. Wait and see. Meanwhile, let's build the field!.

Coach Carb June 29, 2012 at 12:27 PM

Hi Dave, You know that I both like and respect you. We have done some great work together and this will continue in the future. My "sour grapes" comment was said out of frustration about your position on the field and your recent support for a write-in candidate when you should have supported George. Had you prevailed in the primary, Oxford Together would have been all yours. You should support this project enthusiastically, like I do. You make good and valid points about unfinished projects in town. This field project will either be done correctly and completely, or it won't. Waiting and waiting some more won't fix that, nor will putting the question to referendum. I keep hearing that the project cost is "suspiciously" close to the figure it will take to send the question to referendom. The $3.1 Million price tag includes a 15% contingency! The actual bids are something like $2.6 Million. At $9 cents a day per household, what are we arguing about? There are appx 166 high schools in CT. We are one of the only schools without a field. It's embarrasing! Let's pass this project and build it. The people have waited long enough.

http://oxford-ct.patch.com/groups/coach-carbs-blog/p/bp--reasons-to-build-the-ohs-field-project#