TERRA NOVA...NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND?

Three weeks ago the Enfield Board of Education voted to eliminate the Terra Nova Program from the school budget. This is the program that was to assist struggling students in the Middle School and High Schools. It has been successful in providing education for many students that would have otherwise slipped through the cracks.

Now, I am not going to chastise those voting to eliminate this program. Knowing people on both sides of aisle I have confidence that they did what they thought best. Knowing the extreme difficulty it is to set priorities with the limited amount of money given to the schools, something's may have to go.

I just wish is was not this program. I wish there could have been more investigation to find ways to save it. This program filled a need for many students and now what will they do?

Four weeks ago I was contacted by one of our Board of Education members wanting to know if they set up a Committee to review the Terra Nova Program would I be willing to serve. My immediate answer was yes.

Knowing that the issue was a hot topic and been talked about for a while I thought that there may be a chance to save this part of Enfield's education. I have served on a School Board before and even have dealt with closing schools or eliminating these types of programs. I have always felt that before you make a decision that impacts kids life's....study, study, study the issue, and never give only short notice when eliminating needed programs

Before the vote on that Tuesday night I was informed that Terra Nova was being cut out of our budget. I ask the person about the committee and was told that there was no interest in looking at this any further. I was even told that some officials were against having a committee review the program because many in the community were in favor of keeping the program if we could find a way to operate it more efficiently. What a shame!

No matter what, it will now become a past memory in the educational journey in Enfield. It will one day make the news clips in the Enfield Press of things that happen 20, 30 or 100 years.

But what about the students that it is helping? What is going to happen to them? Will they be mainstreamed back into the schools? Will they drop out? Will they feel that they do not matter?

Well, let me say to these students. You have and are doing a good job. Your potential is not based on the building you attend, but upon the knowledge you attain. You may have struggled in education, but your character has kept you going.

From a kid who would have been a Terra Nova candidate, I salute you. Over thirty years ago I was that kid that needed a helping hand. I was the one that struggled and even decided to drop out. But, good teachers helped me and my family supported me and twenty years after being the kid who sat in back of the room hiding because I did not know the answer, I was elected and served as Vice President of that very School Board.

So, as Winston Churchill once stated in a speech, Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Maybe it's time to save Terra Nova!!

Greg Stokes

TRIBUTE TO YVONNE PRESTWICH


Two weeks ago we lost a very special lady from the Republican Party, as well as, the town of Enfield, Yvonne Prestwich.

Yvonne touched so many lives in so many ways as we saw from her wake and funeral just a week and a half ago. As the crowds poured in, you could hear countless stories of the impact Yvonne had on their lives.

I want to continue that tribute with thoughts and stories from her friends and partners from the Republican Town Committee in Enfield.

From State Senator John Kissel:

I have many fond memories of Yvonne...here are two. First, Yvonne was a classy lady, but in a down to earth way, lacking any pretense. She was quite the photographer. At the Lincoln Day Dinner at the Windsor Locks K of C in 2004 then Lt. Gov. M. Jodi Rell was our guest speaker. Cindy and I had brought our new baby boy, Tristan, then about 3 months old. After Jodi spoke and greeted everyone she left the building, but surprisingly came back in a minute later. "I just have to see that baby again!" Jodi said. Cindy was at a table near the front doors while at the time I was up near the podium. As Jodi was with Cindy and Tristan, Yvonne popped up and took a photo, which I received in the mail a few weeks later. I never knew all this took place until we received the photo...then Cindy told me the story. That was Yvonne! The other story is when I was in an early successful campaign and a group of us were going door to door. With dusk approaching the group broke up but Yvonne asked me if I wanted to walk one more neighborhood with her. I said sure. She then took me around her neighborhood, personally introducing me to her neighbors. So many folks said..."You must be a good man if Yvonne says so...you've got my vote!" That was Yvonne...I'll miss her.

From Councilman Scott Kaupin:

Yvonne, from her days as a reporter for the Enfield Press, always carried her camera with her. She would take photos and then send them around to people who were in the photos. She not only captured the moment, but captured a bit of history for many of us to share. She worked as the Administrative Assistant at the Senior Center for many years, volunteered her time on various boards and commissions, and was a loyal Republican helping on all campaigns and on Election Day. I believe she made a soup every year that all enjoyed. She will be missed! From ERTC Chairman, Mary Ann Turner:

Yvonne will always be remembered for her positive attitude and a smile onher face. In the last year Yvonne and I talked often. Yvonne stepped up alsoby being our corresponding secretary and she made me realize just how importantthis job is. We would talk on the phone and exchange updates on babies,new cars and hospital stays, and just a quick update on her condition.She never really talked about it, but I knew. She told me she didn't wantcompany, so I used my job as chairman as an excuse. I would stop in anddrop off flowers from my garden or share my store bought ones with her. Iwould then bring her up-to-date on the doings of the party and she justloved to fill me in with her thoughts on her "team."She commented on the election. She was impressed that you had taken up therole of writing about the Enfield GOP and loved to read your column aboutour side of the conversation, as she put it.She just supported everyone. She was always positive in her comments. Hernotes showed the same tone and many times I would get calls from our memberswho wanted to know, "how did Yvonne know about that." She always wrote, "alittle bird told me."Time slips by too quickly and only when we lose a jewel like Yvonne do westop for a minute and realize we need to stop...for a...minute.Yvonne helped me and mentored me and supported me when I decided to step upas chairman. She told me more than once I was doing a good job. I told herwhen I last spoke to her about a week ago, I would do my best to make herproud of our team, her team.Yvonne will be missed, but never forgotten. A true lady.


From School Board Member Andre Greco:

Yvonne was very warm and welcoming to me and my family when we first became part of the ERTC. I will never forget her passion for the betterment of the Town of Enfield or her kind and caring demeanor.



From ERTC Member and Friend, Monica Ryan:


Having known Yvonne for many years, I think one of the strongest memories of her will always be of her as "roving reporter" even though it has been a number of years since she was in that capacity. She was our answer to Jacqueline Bouvier !! Never unkind, she truly was a lovely person. She was always so interested in what was going on, in the very best sense.
And what a gracious lady she was, always asking how "you" were doing, never putting the focus on herself, even during her tough battle with cancer. Some people make the world a better place - Yvonne was one of those people.

From Paul Nabors Jr., ERTC Member and Enfield Fire Fighter:I have only one sentence that describes Yvonne. "The Woman Has Class"
We will certainly miss not only her smile, but her style.

There were many, many more tributes from friends around town. We would need the entire Enfield Press to share all of them.

Let me just say that as I put this article together I look above my desk to see two pictures. One is Governor Jodi Rell, me and my grand daughter. The other is a picture of me and John Kissel working together on our campaigns two years ago. On the back of each is a sticker that says "Taken by Yvonne Prestwich". I will cherish tem forever. Thanks Yvonne for being our friend....we will never forget you.

Greg Stokes

RIDING TOGETHER?.....I DON'T THINK SO!!!
Last week an article appeared in the Enfield Press written by Mr. Tom Callahan entitled "Riding Together". First, let me say that I enjoy reading most of what Mr. Callahan writes and look forward to some hearty discussion as we get closer to the November elections.

Now on to last weeks article about the contract to Smyth Bus Company. There seems to be some problems with the information presented to you, the public, and you deserve the rest of the story.

In preparing for my article I had information provided by two of the members of the Transportation Committee, as well as, doing some homework on the details of Toms article.

So here are some items of interest to you the taxpayer.

1. Mr. Callahan stated in paragraph three "after some investigation I have come to a few conclusions". My question is: why did your investigation not include contacting and interviewing Mr. Greco and Mr. Johnson? They served on the Transportation Committee and could have added value to your article.

2. In paragraph four of the article it states that School Superintendent Gallacher contacted Acting Town Manager Bromson to seek permission to negotiate the bus contract with Smyth without going to bid. The information I received tells me that Mr. Bromson was not included, but another law firm was consulted. My understanding is that Mr. Bromsons first cousin is the wife to the owner of Smyth Bus Company and I am sure he avoided getting involved because of the appearance of family conflict.

3. In paragraph five, Mr. Callahan stated that the Committee reported back to the Board as to their findings. In paragraph six he details the results that would have been given in Executive Session. My question: If the recommendation was made in Executive Session, how did he know the results? The Republicans on the Committee did not share with me items discussed in Closed Session as it should be.

4. The safety record that was presented to the Board of Education was not received until after the vote was taken (paragraph 6). Now, the safety record was good and there is no question to that, but the question is: how do you award a contract for bus services before you verify safety?

5. In paragraph seven the article states that most towns that did re-bid had increases between 3 1/2% and 6%. But it seems odd that there is no mention that Windsor Locks received a 2.75% increase for their first year of their contract. How does a district half the size of ours get a better deal.

6. In the last paragraph it is stated that the contract with Smyth is a better value for Enfield residence. How can we truly know this if we never saw other bids? Why, with a Board policy (BOE policy 3320) that states that any purchase over $3000.00 go out bid, did the BOE ignore it's own guidelines?

Now, let me say that Mr. Greco, Mr. Johnson and myself all believe that Smyth Bus Company provides quality service and safe transportation to our children. The questions I raise are not about this good company, it is about process and how it was portrayed in last weeks Enfield Press.

Since there is limited money to go to our kids education it is vital that each Board Member do their best to stretch a dollar as far possible.


Greg Stokes
Note: This past weekend we lost a wonderful lady from the Republican Party, as well as, the town of Enfield. Yvonne Prestwich left this world and past through heavens gates on Friday. Next week I will dedicate my article to her. Included will be many quotes and tributes to her from her friends. If you have a special thought about Yvonne email me at GTStokessr@aol.com