Bob Budacki – 11/21/06

This page was last updated on November 25, 2006.

Veon didn’t deserve to lose; Bob Budacki; Beaver County Times; November 21, 2006.

I want to be clear I have nothing against the Rochester football team. I believe sports participation is a great activity. That said, if the residents of a school district want to field sports teams or provide other extracurricular activities, those residents should find a way to fund these activities themselves. It’s simply wrong to force taxpayers across the commonwealth to fund things you want.

Below is a detailed critique of the letter.

“As a Rochester Area alumnus, educator and coach, I want to thank state Rep. Mike Veon for making a difference and express my thoughts on some misguided comments, suggestions and criticisms.

“Residents, taxpayers and friends of Rochester Area should not be cheering for the removal of Veon from office. We should be mourning his loss.

“Praise should be given to Veon, his father and John Papasodero for their efforts to add to the rich, positive history and future of Rochester Area athletics. If it weren’t for these three individuals, our field of dreams would never become a reality.”

[RWC] It would have been a “field of dreams” if the local community paid for it. As it is, it’s just a handout courtesy of state taxpayers.

“He should not be questioned for bringing free dollars into our district for much-needed improvements. Our district is continually underfunded by our tax base and millage rate; therefore, I believe we are in ‘need.’”

[RWC] Mr. Budacki is an “educator” and he believes tax dollars are “free?” If that’s not a “misguided comment” I don’t know what is. Unless the money came from Martians, the dollars came out of his paycheck and the paychecks of taxpayers across the state. That’s not free.

“The timing of the field announcement may have looked staged. However, the plans were put in place to have the field completed before the 2006 season rather than be announced a few days before the 2006 elections. You should ask your elected (and some appointed) officials why this did not occur.

“Rochester Little Rams, RAHS band, Beaver Falls baseball, Tiger Pause, Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, Lincoln Park: all received assistance as well. Why were these not headlines?”

[RWC] No local organizations should get state or federal grants.

“People have made statements about grants for education rather than athletics. What about the increased educational subsidies that he secured for his district’s schools compared to his other colleagues? Look at the transformation of Midland, including the cyberschool and Lincoln Park.”

[RWC] All that was wrong as well.

“When was the last time you heard people from a depressed area complaining about receiving more than $1 million free?”

[RWC] Once again, Mr. Budacki refers to “free” money. Sadly, Mr. Budacki is not alone.

“Why do we not hear both sides of the story rather than the one-sided bashing of a man who will be sorely missed, at least by this individual and our district?”

[RWC] Hmm, I guess Mr. Budacki isn’t reading letters to the editor from other people who think as he does.