‘Sick of’ unsigned propaganda

Please note: This letter reflects opinions regarding the November 2024 “Middle Ground” school referendum. It does not represent the current 2025 Cape Elizabeth school proposal which is an updated and revised version.

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BY JESSICA LINZER SIMPSON

I am sick of it – sick of receiving unsigned propaganda that confuses and divides our town!

I write letters – I advocate, locally, statewide, nationally. Each time I sign my name and give my email and physical address.

On July 3, I wrote the Town Council, cc:d the School Board and sent my letter to about 40 fellow Capers about Middle Ground.

Here is the crux of my letter: “They voted unanimously and called it “Middle Ground.” This is exactly what we need to be doing: reaching middle ground, or perhaps, common ground! It’s what healthy communities do. They bring concerned stakeholders together for the common good, in this case, the students, the parents, the taxpayers, the employees and the officials elected to represent them all – the School Board and the Town Council. They go back, and back again, and eventually come to common ground.

The Middle Ground proposal the School Board voted on is nearly $30 million dollars less than the amount that was put out to a referendum in 2022, which is quite remarkable! For the median valued home in Cape Elizabeth ($720,000), it amounts to $81.00 per month.

No one likes paying more, but it is a necessary expense. Please remember that the choice is not between zero dollars and $81.00. Any proposal would cost taxpayers money, but our schools, buildings and all, are critical to our town, our people and our property values.”

So, are you sick of it too? Let’s discount unsigned arguments, no matter how flashy!

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