"The Race for School Board" by Rick Buzin

I would like to share this space with Rick Buzin.  He is a former President of the Blind Brook Board of Education as well as my campaign manager during this year's election.  He has an important message for Blind Brook residents:

To my Blind Brook friends and neighbors,

As you all well know, we are at the height of the school board campaign season.  As one who ran three times in contested elections in our community, I fully understand how emotions seem to "ratchet up" when we discuss the future of our children and our District.  This is both appropriate and understandable.

Many times these emotions cloud the picture.  We must consider how our District will operate both educationally and financially in not only the near future, but over the long term.  As the financial services companies so often state: Past performance is no guarantee of future performance.  I take great pride in the quality of the education and physical facilities that I, along with many of my BOE colleagues, built over the last 40 years.

While Jeff Diamond has confronted the issues head on, I am terribly dismayed by the lack of discussion of a specific roadmap for our District among the other candidates.  I hear about a "vision" for the District that is devoid of any specifics from one of the candidates.  Another discusses a "plan" for merit based teacher contracts, yet he voted against a merit pay raise for an administrator after giving him a glowing evaluation.  Do we think the Federation of Teachers isn't listening to this obvious contradiction?

Jeff Diamond has become a "marked man" in this election for nothing more than daring to discuss issues specifically!   How was he rewarded for his honesty?  He was attacked viciously and anonymously with untruths and distortions of his positions.  Many of his accusers have never even had the courtesy to discuss these issues with him directly!  Jeff's campaign has made a conscious effort to "play the game the right way."  Jeff has been incredibly available to discuss issues with anyone. 

There have been many rumors lately.  Larry Engle, the outgoing member of our BOE, in the spirit of honesty and integrity, refuted bogus claims about Jeff's position regarding football by Peter Raider.  While Peter's email was patently false, Larry does not want his rebuttal to be construed as a tacit endorsement of Jeff or any other candidate.  Out of respect for Mr. Engle, his service to this community, and his sense of doing what is right, Jeff felt it a moral imperative to make Larry's position clear.

Jeff is the candidate who wants to do the right thing for the entire Blind Brook community.  He is someone who understands the dynamic between empty nesters and school parents, from both a social and financial perspective.  He is someone who does his homework, makes reasoned decisions, and will take the risk of taking an unpopular position if he knows it is good for kids and the community.  He is someone who sees the challenges in our future and is working today to find real solutions for our schools and our community.

Nine former Board of Education members with 70 years of experience know this:  Jeff Diamond IS that someone we need on our Board.  I hope you will reward him with your vote next Tuesday; the continued excellence of our school District is at stake...............

Rick Buzin