‘Let’s do the right thing’

Written By Cape Elizabeth

BY ERIN BELFORT

There are many places to get news. For news about schools, I appreciate the measured and transparent communication of the Advancing Cape Schools group. Receiving an unsolicited flyer in my mailbox from the Cape Neighbors Alliance, however, was dismaying. It was provocative, inflammatory—nothing more than fearmongering.

There was no transparency about this latter group in the flyer, nor on their website. However, online one can find that it was started by a former town council member and at least one current member. Isn’t this a conflict of interest? No disclosures? As a physician, I don’t accept pharmaceutical gifts as this creates changes in prescribing behaviors. I must disclose any conflicts of interest every time I give an invited lecture.

What is happening in our town is echoing what is happening in national politics. It’s terribly disappointing in this gem of a community. Bias and conflict of interest matter. Whatever the intentions of the recent $42M bond proposal, the optics and the outcome matter. Stop the smoke and mirrors and obscuring the facts.

The ongoing mudslinging by some of my fellow citizens in online spaces is also disappointing. What is being modeled for our children? It’s not the honesty, kindness, generosity and open-mindedness that children should see from adults.

We have a ‘Middle Ground’ proposal for creating safe and sustainable schools. Let’s listen to the experts who have dedicated countless hours to this proposal. Let’s do the right thing for our community and invest in the ‘Middle Ground’ proposal.

 

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.

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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…

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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

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‘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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