‘We have common ground to stand on’

Written By Cape Elizabeth

BY AGLAE VELASCO SHAW

Scores of people showed up to the July 29 Town Council meeting and it felt like we were no longer alone. Scores of people stood up and showed their support for the Middle Ground school project. And perhaps most importantly, scores of people showed they’re now paying attention to what this Town Council has been doing to circumvent well-established policies and practices.

People from all perspectives (parents, grandparents, teachers, people with fixed incomes, and long-time Cape residents) spoke about how they had doubts during the last referendum and how their opinion on the need for a new school has evolved since then. Thanks to an inclusive and thoughtful planning process, our community can see and understand the need for a new middle school.

It truly feels like the community’s eyes have been opened and that a sleeping giant has been awakened. There’s so much good in this town and we’re not alone: we have common ground to stand on.

 

In the news…

Op-Eds | Cape Elizabeth School Building Project
‘Investment for the future’
‘Investment for the future’

I had the privilege of co-chairing the School Building Advisory Committee. I wanted to be involved because I believe in the strength of public education, and wanted to roll up my sleeves and help address our school's needs…. [and] I am voting to support the school bond.

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‘‘100% committed’ to great schools’
‘‘100% committed’ to great schools’

In 1973, we were blessed to move to Cape Elizabeth and find our first home on Cherry Circle. We raised our four children in Cape both as working parents… both of us are 80 years old and we know that we may not see the long-term investment of the school bond come to fruition.

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‘Majority SBAC supports school project’
‘Majority SBAC supports school project’

I joined the SBAC to share my experience as an architect who has worked on 50+ school design projects.

The design process, led by our industry leading Architect and Owner's Project Manager, was meticulous and transparent.

Read More →
Cape Voters Show Their Support in Latest Cape Courier
Cape Voters Show Their Support in Latest Cape Courier

The October 2, 2024 issue of The Cape Courier featured stories from Middle Ground supporters in the community. Did you find them all?

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‘Learn from my mistakes and vote YES’
‘Learn from my mistakes and vote YES’

As a newcomer to Cape Elizabeth, I feel it’s important to share my experience with the last school bond vote. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I got duped by all the glossy mailers…

Read More →
Former CEHS Principal Shedd shares “Support for middle ground proposal”
Former CEHS Principal Shedd shares “Support for middle ground proposal”

Jeffrey Shedd shares, "I voted AGAINST the last school buildings proposal. I will vote FOR the middle ground proposal.

I have been impressed with the process and communication throughout the latest planning work. Based on many visits to the middle school, I can say unequivocally: it’s a mess."

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“Support for school bond” from a commercial developer
“Support for school bond” from a commercial developer

My support for the bond comes from my professional perspective, as someone who has spent 20 years in the commercial real estate industry, the last 16 spent as a developer in Portland. I thought I would share some of my insights here, because, as both a taxpayer and real estate developer, I’m impressed with the process and the resulting compromise proposal.

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‘We have common ground to stand on’
‘We have common ground to stand on’

People from all perspectives (parents, grandparents, teachers, people with fixed incomes, and long-time Cape residents) spoke about how they had doubts during the last referendum and how their opinion on the need for a new school has evolved since then. Thanks to an inclusive and thoughtful planning process, our community can see and understand the need for a new middle school

Read More →
‘Facilities are woefully inadequate’
‘Facilities are woefully inadequate’

As a former Maine Public School Educator and retired senior citizen of Cape Elizabeth, I implore all members of our voting community to urge our Town Council to put forward the Middle Ground School Building Project so we may vote in November to give our children the school facilities they so desperately require and deserve.

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Who are we as a community?
Who are we as a community?

I am a 79 year old retiree, living in Cape Elizabeth 43 years; I wholeheartedly endorse Option E. Who are we as a community, if we abandon our children’s needs?

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Let’s take care of one another and especially our children
Let’s take care of one another and especially our children

I think we can all agree that our children shouldn’t have to pay the price in our place. I consider myself very fortunate to live on a street and in a community where neighbors step up and take care of each other, during power outages, storms and everyday life.

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Values of a town are in its budget
Values of a town are in its budget

The town should start saving now, in this year’s budget, for its infrastructure needs — like the schools. Also, we should establish infrastructure funds to save for our future needs, together with a sensible municipal bonding plan. Let’s put our values back in our budget.

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Cape Elizabeth
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