Congratulations, Dr. Morton, for subverting democracy process

To the Editor: Congratulations to Superintendent of Schools Thomas Morton. Congratulations or subverting the democratic process, for having convinced McMansion-dwellers of Sparta that we need 24 new high school classrooms at $4,000,000 each, that somehow, $1000 per square foot for construction costs are appropriate, and reasonable. Did you do the math? What you lack in math skills, you obviously make up for in political skills. Your sycophants removed all signs protesting the exorbitant costs just prior to the election and plastered the town with "Yes" signs. The McMansion-dwelling parents, with their kids who drive BMW and Lexus cars, became convinced that while they don't have enough money to make their pampered progeny the smartest in the state, at least they can be made to go to the most expensive school in the state. As well, you got that guilt thing working pretty well, with enough retirees blinded with the horror stories of Dickensian conditions at the schools you manage Congratulations again Dr. Morton, 24.5 % of the registered voters was quite the mandate, wasn't it? It was good enough to defeat the 22.7 per cent of registered voters who showed up to vote against it, I guess that's democracy with a little "d." It was also good enough for you to glow at the last school board meeting. It must have been a very proud moment. Dr. Morton, your referendum was dishonest. You are proposing to re-build the high school with construction costs of $116,000,000 and to float bonds of $72,000,000 with the balance coming through state aid. The referendum did not say that, you only sought approval to sell the bonds, to put us in debt. Quite simply, that is deceit through omission. Of course, how can I forget to congratulate the contractors, real estate agents and those who have moved into the 1500 new housing units built since 1990. You're all lucky to live in this state, where school and road impact fees can't be assessed to you. It'd be so much harder for you to afford the real costs of these homes if we were to add the cost of Dr. Morton's $116,000,000 high school. By my calculations, if you paid your fair share, you'd each have to chip in $77,000. Lucky you, your 2,900 yes votes has us all share your costs to the high school. You know, Dr. Morton, the only thing you won in this election is the ability to float bonds to build your school. I hope there comes a day that some community-minded school board members (current or future) will have you answer for your financial recklessness. I congratulate you on winning this election, but state emphatically, your actions are contemptuous. D. Holstein Sparta