Doug Lambert

Back in December of 02, I wrote: “This is being funded with a grant.” There it is… that word: grant. A very powerful word indeed. With the utterance of this simple word, fiscal restraint and responsibility evaporate faster than spit on hot coals. Mention the word “grant”, and watch both bureaucrats and elected officials swoon with giddy delight — and why not — it’s “free” money, isn’t it?

Everyone acknowledges the obligatory “strings” which come attached to most grants. The questioning and study of these “strings” always take place after the fact. What happens when the grant runs out? That’s when the “giddiness” ends. That’s where you, Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer step in. Your turn to pay now. The strings? A small price to pay for “free” money.

“By the way, look at the latest grant we just got! Why, it’s free money! Hooray!” The latest fad, of course, in this corner of NH are the so called after school activity program grants for kids. People are excited. Jobs will be created. Life will be great. Some may call it instructive and what’s best for children. When the grant runs out, I would call it “government funded daycare.” It’s OK though because after all, it’s “free” money!

Two years ago I reported on an exciting help wanted advertisement from the Laconia School District appearing in this paper: “Program Director for Project EXTRA!” The ad stated that the school district was “seeking a creative, energetic individual to direct and manage this new 21st Century Community Learning Centers Project EXTRA! Responsibilities include the oversight of before/after school and vacation opportunities for student enrichment and remediation as well as arts & crafts, recreational and community service projects. Salary up to $50,000, excellent benefits for this full-time, year-round position to begin immediately.”

In case you are wondering, Project EXTRA! is Laconia’s before and after school program for children, initially funded with a $2.7 million grant from the Federal Government. The “free” money expanded the budget size of the Laconia District by over a million bucks.

Displaying an ability to peer into the future akin to that of the Great Karnack, I asked in the December 26th, 2002 ‘Exercising the First’: “Attention Mr./Mrs. Laconia taxpayer: Are you ready to continue this Program Director’s position within the school budget when the grant runs out? Or will the future hire be so adept at writing and applying for grants that the money will never dry up? Have Laconians embraced the notion of government-funded daycare?”

That was then. Let us flash-forward to the present. The January 19th Laconia Daily Sun, reporting on the newly proposed Laconia School budget, informs us that, “$34,993 is proposed to be spent on Project Extra — an enrichment program..."

Reportedly serving 742 students, Project Extra so far has been funded entirely through the five-year, multi-million dollar 21st Century grant from the federal government. According to the Sun article, "With the 21st Century grant money winding down, though most of the project’s costs will be self-sustaining through user fees and additional grants, the school district plan is to fund a portion of the project’s executive director’s salary and a portion of transportation costs in the district’s operating budget. ‘This is something we’ve planned from the beginning,’ recalled board member Marge Kerns. ‘We always knew we’d have some ongoing costs.’”

Of course she knew. When her and her ilk sell us the “free” money called grants, they always know that there will be “ongoing” costs.

This additional money is but one small part of the $1,137,174 increase in Laconia’s record-breaking budget proposal described by the school board’s Budget Committee chair as “fixed costs.” More money that won’t do a thing for a hopelessly broken system monopolized by the educational-industrial complex that continues to shortchange basic educational concepts for its students.

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Gilford taxpayers should remember to keep February 5th open in order to attend the SB2 deliberative session. Look at your tax bill again and remind yourself that it is based on spending in the OLD budget. What is being currently proposed for the town and school spending is IN ADDITION to the bill you hold in your shaking hand.

My informants tell me that the library construction partisans are going to great lengths with efforts aimed at convincing voters to approve their multi-million dollar library/day care /movie house/arts & crafts school/music & video copy center/bureaucratic-employment agency megaplex. These people need to be told: NO! Be thankful for what you currently have. All you parents out there who feel that you need the library as a partner in raising your child should try doing it on your own. The rewards to both you and your child will be worth it.

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Why is it that whenever politicians seem like they might actually be in a position to make a difference on behalf of those favoring fiscal restraint, they end up shooting themselves in the foot? It is my opinion that Laconia City Councilor Judy Krahulec made a BIG mistake in siding with the Mayor’s position regarding the appointment of Dick Breton- a potential ally in stopping the multi-million dollar new school construction scheme. Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, Krahulec’s action will probably hand power right back to the spenders on the Council. The hapless people can never rely on ANYBODY to actually FIGHT the battles necessary to curtail the government monster.

Doug Lambert lives and works in Gilford. He has an opinion on practically everything. His column appears every Thursday.