July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Be civil to each other (06/23/07)
Editorial
Rule number one: Be civil.
A petition battle looms for Jay County as a result of a remonstrance petition filed this week in opposition to plans by the Jay School Board to build a multipurpose facility/auxiliary gym at the high school.
Assuming the Jay School Board reaffirms its earlier decision to go forward with the project despite the remonstrance, the next step will be a 30-day "cooling off" period.
That will be followed by the circulation of competing petitions - yellow in favor of construction, blue in opposition - and that's the point where civility comes into play.
We suspect that those on both sides of this issue underestimate the passion of those who see things differently.
Those in support of building the new facility have been highly successful in getting their message across to the school board; those in opposition are just as spirited and just as vocal.
That's fine.
That's the way it ought to be.
But it's important that those views be exchanged in a climate of mutual respect. The yellow vs. blue petition battle will take just 30 days, but we'll have to live together as members of a school community long afterwards.
The South Adams school district recently went through a similar crucible, and those involved will tell you it was emotionally draining and put a strain on personal, business, and family relationships.
Some of that is inevitable. But if we all go into this with a commitment to treat one another with respect, to be willing to agree to disagree, then whatever the outcome of the dueling petition drives, we can get through it without any permanent damage. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]
A petition battle looms for Jay County as a result of a remonstrance petition filed this week in opposition to plans by the Jay School Board to build a multipurpose facility/auxiliary gym at the high school.
Assuming the Jay School Board reaffirms its earlier decision to go forward with the project despite the remonstrance, the next step will be a 30-day "cooling off" period.
That will be followed by the circulation of competing petitions - yellow in favor of construction, blue in opposition - and that's the point where civility comes into play.
We suspect that those on both sides of this issue underestimate the passion of those who see things differently.
Those in support of building the new facility have been highly successful in getting their message across to the school board; those in opposition are just as spirited and just as vocal.
That's fine.
That's the way it ought to be.
But it's important that those views be exchanged in a climate of mutual respect. The yellow vs. blue petition battle will take just 30 days, but we'll have to live together as members of a school community long afterwards.
The South Adams school district recently went through a similar crucible, and those involved will tell you it was emotionally draining and put a strain on personal, business, and family relationships.
Some of that is inevitable. But if we all go into this with a commitment to treat one another with respect, to be willing to agree to disagree, then whatever the outcome of the dueling petition drives, we can get through it without any permanent damage. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]
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