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Like many Greenwich residents, I recently sent an email plea to the RTM members from my district asking them to support the additional appropriation for MISA at Monday night’s budget meeting. Here, reformulated as an open letter to all RTM members, is the email I sent to the RTM members from district 1, which is my district.

My message: please, please vote yes on the MISA appropriation. It’s the responsible thing to do. It’s doing the right thing for our students, our community and our taxpayers.

Dear Members of the Representative Town Meeting,

As a Greenwich resident, Greenwich taxpayer, and one of your constituents, I am asking you – imploring you –  to please vote yes on the additional appropriation for MISA. If the RTM does not approve this appropriation, it will be the end of MISA as conceived since 2007. The current bids will expire, the costs will go up. We will never again have an opportunity to build this facility at this cost.

To now go back to the drawing board and incur additional delays and expenses for an inferior facility is neither fiscally prudent and cost efficient, nor fair to the students, the community and the taxpayer. At best, it’s being penny-wise and pound-foolish.

And we will be throwing the $6 million we’ve already spent on planning, site work and clean up for MISA down the drain. What economic sense does this make when the difference between the appropriation that the RTM overwhelming approved last year and the $9.87 million additional appropriation now requested is really only $5 million.

It was known last year when the RTM appropriated the money that an additional $3.1 million would be needed. And last month the BET tacked on another $1.2 million for contingency.

The scope of the MISA project has not changed since 2007. The increased costs are almost entirely due to the unexpected discovery of soil contamination and the resulting delays.

I elaborate on these arguments in my column in this Sunday’s Greenwich Time. To read the column online, go to:http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Rutgers-MISA-s-fate-hangs-in-the-balance-4506914.php

Please, please vote yes.

Thank you.

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There’s much at stake Monday night. The RTM decides whether or not to kill MISA.

Kill MISA? Of course not. Nobody wants MISA to die, they say. That’s not what the vote is about. It’s about runaway costs. It’s about getting MISA done for less money, they tell us.It’s not about killing MISA.

But it is.

There’s a community consensus that the building project, known as MISA, is not only a critical investment in our young people, but will also add immeasurable value to the entire Greenwich community.

Few people dispute the need for a new auditorium and adequate music instructional space at Greenwich High School. The woeful inadequacy of the existing facility is hard to overlook.

This community consensus in support of MISA has been mounting at least since 2007 when the scope of the project was defined and the educational specifications adopted. Momentum gathered with BET and RTM funding in 2011. This support was reaffirmed with additional funding in 2012, after the discovery of contaminated soil at the building site, and later in other locations at Greenwich High School.

The BET approved the appropriation in the 2012-13 budget by unanimous vote. The RTM approved it by an overwhelming majority.

Monday, the RTM is being asked to continue its support and approve an additional $9.87 million appropriation for MISA, bringing the total project cost to just over $43 million. Some seek to portray this escalating cost as a building project that’s out of control. They claim costs will only continue to escalate. There will be no end in sight, as if MISA were to blame.

In fact, there’s been no change in the scope of the project since 2007. And almost all the increased cost can be attributed, directly or indirectly, to the unexpected discovery of soil contamination at the building site. These completely unforeseen environmental conditions resulted in direct clean up costs that were beyond MISA project control, and created unavoidable time delays that led to a changed bidding climate that drove up costs.

The additional funding that’s now required  is almost entirely due to such factors, and should not reflect upon the project itself. When the RTM gave a resounding go ahead to MISA last year, it approved a $33.9 million project with an anticipated $3.1 million additional funding needed once the bids came in. It was expected to ultimately be a $37 million project.

However, due to clean up costs and a much less favorable bidding climate, instead of the anticipated additional appropriation of  $3.1 million, the bids called for an additional $8.6 million, some $5 million more than what was originally anticipated at the time of last year’s appropriation.

Accordingly, the Board of Education requested BET approval for the additional $8.6 million necessary to secure these bids that will soon expire. After a bitterly divided 6-6 vote that split along party lines, with the BET chairman casting a seventh vote to break the tie and leave MISA’s fate up to the RTM, the BET then, in an unexpected move, added another $1.2 million contingency to the Board of Education’s original capital appropriation request.

MISA’s fate truly rests now in RTM hands.

When RTM members vote Monday night, they should consider how critical a “yes” vote is for the survival of MISA. They should also consider the destructive and wasteful implications of a “no” vote.

We’ve already spent $6 million on planning, site work and clean up efforts. A “no” vote risks flushing this money down the drain.

Current project costs are based on firm bids. They include implementation of the Remedial Action Plan as already approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. A “no” vote ensures these construction bids will expire. A “no” vote ensures we will never be able to do this same project at this price. Costs will only increase.

A “no” vote will kill MISA as we know it.

The only sensible and fiscally prudent course of action for the RTM to take on Monday is to vote “yes.’ A “yes” vote will allow construction to start this summer and put us on track for a new auditorium in 2015 and completed instructional space by 2016.

To turn down this additional appropriation would be penny-wise and pound-foolish. It would be a tragic mistake.

We cannot afford further delays. And, long-term, we cannot afford a drastically downgraded project. A “yes” vote is the right vote for the health of our Greenwich community. It’s a community in which nobody wants MISA to die.

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She had three firsts: Greenwich’s first full-time first selectman; first woman first selectman ever in Greenwich; and the town’s first Democratic first selectman in 72 years.

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She had three firsts: Greenwich’s first full-time first selectman; first woman first selectman ever in Greenwich; and the town’s first Democratic first selectman in 72 years.

That’s what our current first selectman, Republican Peter Tesei, pointed out in a recent email in reference to former Greenwich first selectman Ruth Sims, who served from 1978 to 1981.

This evening, May 2, is the 2013 Art to the Avenue kick off. It’s also the Greenwich Arts Council’s 40th anniversary. The kick-off and anniversary celebration will be tonight at 6 p.m. in front of the old Town Hall that now houses the Greenwich Senior Center and the Arts Council.

Tesei, who will issue the proclamation at the kick-off, intends to incorporate into his comments a tribute to former Greenwich first selectman Ruth Sims.

Said Tesei: “…she was instrumental in establishing the Senior/Art Center during her administration and also secured Greenwich Common – the land adjacent to the Havemeyer Building as park land…”

Tesei said his tribute to  Sims would highlight “her vision for this town and the manner by which she went about governing: inclusive and with an eye toward being non-partisan.”

Last year, Tesei delivered an eloquent tribute to Sims at her June 29 memorial ceremony at the Bruce Museum. Sims died on June 7, 2012 in Princeton, NJ, at the age of 92.

At the memorial ceremony, Tesei presented the town flag to the Sims family. One of the Sims sons, Christopher Sims, a 2011 Nobel Prize winner  in economics, received the flag on behalf of the family.

Sims had four children. In addition to Christopher, there is William, head of the Ohio Association of Public Charter Schools; Jennifer, a professor at Georgetown University, who served as assistant secretary of state for intelligence coordination; and Marjorie, a poet and environmentalist who died in 1987.

Sims’ husband, Albert, who died in 2002, was a former vice president of the college entrance examination board and a former member the the Greenwich Board of Education.

Said Tesei at the memorial celebration: “I think she was someone who really looked beyond politics.She governed in a manner of what was best for the town.”

The Sims family moved to Greenwich in 1953. Sims served as president of the Greenwich League of Women Voters and as president of the state League, and also served on the League’s national board.

In her 1984 Greenwich Library oral history interview, Sims says: “… I think I was perceived as not so much a political candidate as a non-political candidate because of my long association with the League of Women Voters and of the work I’d done in Greenwich on various boards. I was known in other contexts than politics,so I think I was perceived as a ‘good government’ kind of candidate.”

The plaque that Tesel dedicates to Sims tonight – a dedication all at his own initiative –  will ultimately be affixed to the wall at the entrance to Greenwich Common across from the Senior Center and Arts Council, not far from the magnificent Beech tree that’s been identified in recognition of this area as dedicated parkland.

The plaque reads:

In Memory of Ruth L.Sims First Selectman 1978-1981

Her foresight led to the dedication of this land as park space for future generations

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This Wednesday, April 24, at 6 p.m. the Board of Estimate and Taxation faces a critical vote. The future of the new music instructional space and auditorium at Greenwich High School – what we’ve come to know as MISA – is at stake.

Last week the BET’s Budget Committee split 2-2 with a party line vote. On Wednesday, the full BET must overcome this Republican reluctance to move forward.

At the very least, the BET should move MISA forward to give the RTM an opportunity to vote on a project of such importance to the Greenwich community. At the very best, the BET should move MISA forward because it is not only the right thing to do, but the most cost effective way to meet this community need.

MISA is desperately needed. This message was sounded, loudly and clearly, two years ago when the Greenwich community came out in force and called upon the BET and RTM to approve funding for the project in the town’s 2011-12 budget.

BET approval was unanimous. RTM approval was by an overwhelming majority.

The need now is as great as ever, and even more urgent after a two-year delay. We must not lose sight of this long-term view as we consider funding the project.

We cannot afford not to fund MISA. We’ve already shown our commitment with an appropriation of $33.8 million. The Board of Education’s request for an additional $8.67 million should not become an excuse to reconsider this commitment. This is not the time to question the project. It’s the time to make sure MISA happens.

The bulk of this additional funding is required because of the unexpected soil contamination discovered at the site. But the town is responsible for this remediation, regardless of MISA. The environmental concerns at the Greenwich High School property must be addressed whether or not MISA goes forward.

But these concerns should in no way prevent MISA from going forward.

A smaller portion of the additional funding that is needed results from the two-year delay in starting the project. This delay was caused by  discovery of the soil contamination. It should be no surprise that construction costs have increased in these two years. As we emerge from the recession, the bidding environment is changing.

This is all the more reason why MISA must move forward now. Costs are only likely to increase. Postponing the project, redesigning it , or phasing it in, as some have suggested, is unlikely to save money in the long run. To the contrary. Delays only increase costs. Moreover, the risk in trying to save money short-term by foregoing needed elements of the project is that in the long term it will cost us more.

The fiscally responsible thing for the BET to do when it votes on Wednesday is to approve the additional funding for MISA and send the request on to the RTM. To do otherwise, is to risk  increased costs and a facility of lesser quality than the community deserves.

Then, too, a 6-6 party line vote to send MISA back to the drawing board could very well kill the project altogether. And that would be a tragedy.

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Yesterday, Cheryl Dunson, President of the League of Women Voters of Connecticut (who happens to be a Greenwich resident and recipient of this year’s Greenwich League Mary Award to be presented at the League’s annual meeting in June) sent out one of the state League’s email legislative action alerts.

URGENT: Tell your senators and representatives you support no-excuse absentee ballots.Tell them to vote “yes” on HJ36.

Yesterday, the state House voted on House Joint Resolution No. 36: Resolution Approving An Amendment to the State Constitution To Grant Increased Authority To The General Assembly Regarding Election Administration.

This is an important election provision, supported by Connecticut Secretary of State Denise Merrill, that will make voting more accessible to all citizens legally entitled to vote by reducing current barriers to the use of the absentee ballot.

I opened my email too late yesterday to be effective in contacting my state representative Stephen Walko, which makes me feel guilty. I’d like to think responding to the League’s legislative alerts really is effective, and that legislators do listen to their constituents. Maybe my call, or email – or yours –  can make a difference.

As it is, the measure passed the House by a vote of 88-49. But the only Greenwich legislator to vote in favor was Livvy Floren (R-149), who represents back country Greenwich and part of Stamford.

Livvy was also the only Republican in the entire House to vote for this measure that will, if approved by voters in the November 2014 election, allow the General Assembly to remove restrictive language in the state Constitution and expand methods of voting.

Thank you Livvy for your vote yesterday in support of House Joint Resolution No. 36. Your vote shows a sense of conviction, the courage to vote your conscience, and says a lot about you.

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Reproduced here, exactly as originally submitted, is my column that appears in today’s (March 31, 2013) Greenwich Time. When the column was published online Friday and in print today, a spacing change created a slight confusion as to who said what in an email exchange between Democratic Town Committee Chairman Frank Farricker, who is a declared candidate for Democratic endorsement as a BET candidate, and BET member Marc Johnson, a Republican.

I’ve been told that this spacing change was not an editorial one, but rather occurred in the layout process that fits the copy into a given location. By the time this came to my attention, it was too late to undo the change.

This column reproduces an email Farricker sent to Johnson at 10:42 p.m. on March 21, following comments by Johnson at the BET budget meeting that night, as well as Johnson’s email response to Farricker at 3:59 p.m. the following afternoon.

The spacing change ran these two emails together, so that it was not altogether clear where Farricker’s comments ended and Johnson’s began.

Although I had nothing to do with this, I apologize for the confusion.

Here is my original copy with the correct spacing.

John Blankley calls it a “cozy consensus.”  And Frank Farricker refers to it as a pattern of “Greenwichness” that suppresses the healthy exchange of ideas with the public.

Farricker, chairman of the Democratic Town Committee and Blankley, unsuccessful Democratic candidate for first selectman and the state legislature, have come out as a fighting team, challenging incumbents in an aggressive start to the 2013 intraparty competition for the six Democratic seats on the town’s twelve member BET.

“It’s ludicrous to the absurd,” said Farricker in a phone interview, “To pretend it’s not partisan, not political.”

Farricker was referring to a statement by Republican BET member Marc Johnson at the March 21 budget meeting, when the BET approved a $427.9 million budget for 2013-14.

“I don’t think the public understands the number of hours each and every BET member puts into the development and management of the Town’s budget,” said Johnson. “We work together to address the operating and capital needs of the Town and provide low and predictable tax rates. We do differ on a number of areas but we usually reach consensus.”

It’s this notion of consensus that Farricker and Blankley rail against. “Democrats should be Democrats,” said Farricker. “They shouldn’t leave their ideals at the door.”

Both Farricker and Blankley have criticized BET Democrats for not standing up to Republicans. “When Democrats acquiesce to Republicans, they’re doing a disservice,” said Farricker, who objects to the many 12-0-0 BET consensus votes.

However, this characterization ignores the unprecedented number of 6-6 party-line votes this budget cycle that required the Republican chairman’s seventh tie-breaking vote, most notably over budget guidelines, long-term financing, and reducing the tax collector’s salary.

In spite of these Democratic votes, Farricker repeatedly used the word “acquiesce” in our interview, saying collegiality allows the perpetuation of something that doesn’t work.

By contrast, Johnson expressed concern about politicizing the process. “What I don’t understand is why there are those in town who would like to insert more politics into the BET and its decision making process,” he said, referring to Farricker’s statements in a newspaper article.

“We don’t need politics interfering with the important work of this board,” Johnson concluded.

Farricker shot back in a late night email:

“Come on, you take a shot at me for ‘politicizing’ the BET while you take party line votes on bonding the fire station? I can only assume you are taking a lame shot at me to shore up your internal votes to hopefully stay on the BET.

“Stop pretending you don’t have a point of view, and give up the stupid idea that by being a BET member you are magically nonpartisan. It’s unbecoming and lame. Instead, be true and honest with yourself and the voters that you are a conservative republican, and very political to boot. Nothing wrong with it, if you wear it.

“I look forward to aggressively challenging your views next year”

Johnson responded: “Thanks for confirming my comments.”

Farricker told me his response to Johnson is likewise: “Thank you for confirming my remarks.”

Farricker says he stands by every word, adding that he could have been a lot more aggressive.

Johnson may object to politicizing the work of the BET. But Jim Campbell, chairman of the Republican Town Committee and a former BET member, in a February 28 op-ed article in Greenwich Time, defends a politicized board in which the Republican BET chairman casts a tie-breaking vote.

He rightly points out that it takes “two sides to disagree and produce a party line vote,” but reverts to stereotypes in his discussion of last fall’s partisan split over BET budget guidelines. Democrats are tax and spend and Republicans guard the taxpayer’s purse.

Campbell’s op-ed responded to criticism of last fall’s party-line approach to the budget guidelines, including my November column in which I referred to the “new Realpolitik.”

Based on my experience as a BET member for twelve years, it is a new Realpolitik. Republicans always had a tie-breaking vote, but it was rarely used. Divided votes did not typically break along party lines.

Political? Absolutely. Democratic acquiescence? Hardly. Collegial relationships? Yes.

In July, the political parties select the next BET. Let’s hope party members ask the right questions and choose wisely.

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I’m looking forward to an inspiring evening.

Next Thursday, April 4, at 7:30 p.m. at the Avon Theatre in Stamford, there will be an exclusive showing of the acclaimed documentary “100 Voices, a Journey Home.” The program is co-sponsored by the Avon and Greenwich-based Congregation Shir Ami.

As part of the program, Hollywood composer Charles Fox, the documentary’s music director, will engage the audience in a post-film question and answer session. Fox is perhaps best known for his Grammy Award winning song, “Killing Me Softly with his Song.”

Other award-winning film scores and TV theme songs for which Fox is known include “Goodbye Columbus”, ” European Vacation”, “Nine to Five”, “Love, American Style”, “Love Boat”, “Laverne and Shirley”, and “Happy Days.”

The 90-minute documentary, “100 Voices, a Journey Home,” chronicles a musical journey to Poland in 2009 during which a group of American cantors, under the direction of Fox and backed by the Polish National Opera Chorus and Orchestra, performed in major Polish concert halls from Warsaw to Krakow. Their musical journey culminates with a moving memorial at Auschwitz.

The Holocaust wiped out 90 percent of Poland’s Jewish population. An estimated 3 million of Poland’s 3.3 million Jews were murdered by the Nazis. Indeed, half of the 6 million European Jews who died in the Holocaust were from Poland.

A place with an enormously rich and vibrant pre-war Jewish culture, Poland was the birthplace of cantorial art. “100 Voices, a Journey Home” celebrates Jewish resilience and the healing power of music.

According to Congregation Shir Ami’s rabbi, Vicki Axe, the showing of this documentary on April 4 is timely. Rabbi Axe notes that the observance of  Yom Hashoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day – is on Sunday April 7 this year to be followed a week later by Yom Haatzmaut in celebration of the birth of Israel.

“The film recalls a dark time in history,” says Rabbi Axe, “And celebrates the resurgence of interest in the Jewish contribution to the cultural life of pre-World War II Poland.”

Congregation Shir Ami has a strong connection to Poland because the congregation’s cherished Torah comes from the Polish village of Szydlowiec. A Catholic family in Szydlowiec saved the Torah from the Holocaust. Barry Stein, a member of Congregation Shir Ami and co-chair of the April 4 event, discovered the Torah while on a trip to Poland.

After bringing the Szdlowiec Torah from Poland, Stein made contact with Holocaust survivors from Szydlowiec who now live in the United States, mostly in New York.

“They were awed to reconnect with their childhood Torah,” said Stein. Rabbi Axe and members of Congregation Shir Ami now bring the Torah each year to an annual memorial service that the Szydlowiec survivors hold. Some of these survivors and their families will attend next week’s showing of “100 Voices, a Journey Home.”

Like the survivors in New York, the documentary’s musical director and famous composer Charles Fox is connected to Congregation Shir Ami through the village of Szydlowiec. It’s where his father came from.

Rabbi Axe met Fox when he attended one of the annual memorial services held by Szydlowiec survivors.

According to Rabbi Axe, patron tickets for a pre-film wine reception with Fox are now nearly sold out. Tickets for the program are still available. Those interested in attending should contact the Avon Theatre. The tickets are very affordable and the program promises to be inspiring.