What Do You Think?

[Scott Henderson]

With the school board meeting this Monday (April 28), a number of different community groups have voiced their individual positions. Now is the time for us to find a win-win solution. How can we provide the softball team with better facilities without disrupting an elementary school environment?

[Mike Zofkie]

With respect to the Softball families this issue has dragged on for too long - 6 years; wow.

I am new to Carmel (16 months) and moved here specifically for the schools. Coming from out of state, we could have chosen anywhere. No doubt the Carmel is a powerhouse both athletically and academically.

After attending a few of the last board meetings, I believe we are Orwellian at best. With a nod to Animal Farm, "All Pigs are created equal, except some Pigs are MORE equal than others". Allegorically, could Dr. Underwood be Napoleon (#1) thus leaving Mr. Backer as Squealer? The more I pulled from my old Cliff Notes the better this becomes…

Squealer serves as Napoleon's public speaker and manipulates the language to excuse, justify, and extol all of Napoleon's actions. Squealer limits debate by complicating it and he confuses and disorients, making claims that the pigs need the extra luxury they are taking in order to function properly, for example. However, when questions persist, he usually uses the threat of Mr. Jones's return (title IX – No Money) as justification. Squealer uses statistics to convince the animals that life is getting better and better.

Could the 5 year plan of building the Windmill be our softball fields.

One last comparison. Loosely, Scott can assume the roll of Snowball. Snowball, a white boar, is Napoleon's rival. He wins over most animals, but is driven out of the farm in the end by Napoleon. Snowball genuinely works for the good of the farm and devises plans to help the animals achieve their vision of an egalitarian utopia but is chased from the farm by Napoleon and his dogs, and rumours are spread about him (by Napoleon) to make him seem evil and corrupt and that he is secretly sabotaging the animals' efforts to improve the farm. Quite the martyr Henderson.

Moving on –
At the last meeting, the question was posed to put – in writing – promises not to further develop the fields should they fall at Cherry Tree. The answer from Dr. Underwood and Backer was that - that document/promise would be unenforceable after the board had changed hands and original signing members left. With that being said, why do we still have to recognize and comply with the document for 126th and River Road?

Their homeowners have in writing that CC Schools would not develop the fields that are perfect for the Softball Fields. Far less home would be put out. I believe the land is already owned by the schools and the grass is fairly ripe to play on. They have some mature tree already existing for a natural barrier and the layout would prohibit anyone from parking in the neighborhood.

If the board will not provide assurances in writing to the new fields for the reason of unenforceability then the land at 126th & River is open for discussion.

I may be wrong with who owns the fields (CDC Maybe?). If so this argument is worthless. Nevertheless the Animal Farm analogy still sticks. I am unimpressed with the decision process, lack of communication, and entitlement from the board – mostly Mr. Backer.

To continue to say that we are THE State Powerhouse in athletics & academics and say the only solution is to put out the green space and students at Cherry Tree is a joke

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."