Using the C-Word

I remember being told to never talk in social conversation about politics and religion. Likewise, I was once told to never….under any circumstance…talk about consolidation in Wayne County. But nobody told the three candidates for State Representative that before they spoke at Tuesday night’s Candidate’s Forum held at Frontier Community College.

All three men seeking the 109^th representative seat seem to be for consolidation. That should be of concern to the folks who hold our dual school district existence in Fairfield dear.

Democrat John Spencer, Republicans Adam Niemerg and Andy Hires all said they supported consolidation efforts but came up short of saying local schools need to be forced into consolidating by the state. And let's be honest….nobody is suggesting the merging of Fairfield, Cisne and Wayne City schools. The bus rides would be lengthy and Wayne City just built a new school.

I don’t mind telling you, as property taxes continue to inch up, having to send money to two school districts does provide some heartburn in Fairfield but I don’t see the possibility of a unit district merging Center Street, Northside, Geff, Jasper and New Hope anytime soon. That is… without a state mandate. Truthfully, I am not sure how much of a savings there would be in such a consolidation.

But I found it most interesting that the candidates went there. Not one of them shied away from the topics I was always told to avoid. 

They talked politics…a little religion….and probably the most offensive word in local circles…..consolidation.