I agree with most of the article: Both bike riders AND car drivers need to improve their awareness and manners on the roads. Bikes do have a right to use the roads (and that does not mean they have to ride in the gutters to avoid the 'true' owners of the road). At the same time, they have to respect the rules and not unnecessarily obstruct traffic. That said, I don't agree with everything in the article: The title is inflammatory and, in spite of words to the contrary later on, implies that the problem is solely with the cyclists and not in part to the car drivers. It's also implied by Lt. McCormack's email that bikes are seen as toys. Note -this is NOT the case and I re-emphasize the point made in the article that bikes have equal rights on the roads and should be respected. Probably the most important take-away is that in bicycle versus car accidents the bicycle is almost always the loser. Both parties need to increase awareness and respect on the road, and please keep in mind that vigilance while driving, as well as a dose of patience and respect might avoid catastrophic injury or death. Nobody wants to have blood on their hands as a result of inattention or (worse) an aggressive insistence on their 'right' to the road. Too many such episodes have occurred already, with devastating consequences to the cyclist and to their loved ones. View Comment

Unfortunately, you are wrong about the increases by a significant margin. RESCO helps but only a fraction. Even then, the amounts are small and in the worst case are only $300 A YEAR and in most cases much less. The calculations are straight forward (facts are up on the district information page) and if you disagree please reply with FACTS showing that they are off by such a huge margin. I don't believe you. I also disagree with you about the impact of facilities on education. All of the things you mention are obviously very important. That doesn't say that facilities aren't a very important factor as well. In fact, many studies (and these have been well documented by many in our community over that past months) have shown that facilities have a definite and strong impact on student performance. We need to address ALL of these things, and now is the appropriate time to do it, while interest rates are low and when our facilities are in need of repair and upgrade. Academic performance, by the way, is strongly up in our district over the past few years. I think we'll all be proud of the improvements that are made by the time the next report comes out. View Comment