Community prepares for three district merger vote
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: September 12, 2012
Communities in Herkimer County are a day away from deciding the fate of Mohawk, Ilion, and Herkimer Central School Districts.
Wednesday is the straw vote to decide if the three districts will be one step closer to merging into one.
All three districts must vote in favor during the straw vote, otherwise the proposal will not move on.
This time, Mohawk Interim Superintendent, Eugene Beirne says he doesn't expect much change in the vote.
"I think the vote will probably be very close to the same proportionate relationship as last time," said Beirne.
Although Mr. Beirne doesn't expect change in the voting aspect, Ilion Superintendent, Cosimo Tangorra says the amount of information available to the community is more than last time.
"We've had four additional public forums, we've been very public sharing the information with the media, literally having our doors open in each of the three districts," he said.
Mohawk resident, Vicky Duesler will be one of many who are returning to the polls to vote for a second time.
She says merging the three districts in a must.
"I think the cuts cannot happen anymore, because we're bare bones right now, and the more we don't have the money, the more cuts and our curriculum is just going to go downhill," she said.
And while Vicky will be voting again, Mr. Beirne wants to remind others that they should do the same.
"Your vote matters. Unfortunately as we get older, sometimes we forget that, so we hope people come out, pro or con, and express their democratic right," he said.
If the straw vote passes, it will then go to a binding vote on October 18th.
Wednesday is the straw vote to decide if the three districts will be one step closer to merging into one.
All three districts must vote in favor during the straw vote, otherwise the proposal will not move on.
This time, Mohawk Interim Superintendent, Eugene Beirne says he doesn't expect much change in the vote.
"I think the vote will probably be very close to the same proportionate relationship as last time," said Beirne.
Although Mr. Beirne doesn't expect change in the voting aspect, Ilion Superintendent, Cosimo Tangorra says the amount of information available to the community is more than last time.
"We've had four additional public forums, we've been very public sharing the information with the media, literally having our doors open in each of the three districts," he said.
Mohawk resident, Vicky Duesler will be one of many who are returning to the polls to vote for a second time.
She says merging the three districts in a must.
"I think the cuts cannot happen anymore, because we're bare bones right now, and the more we don't have the money, the more cuts and our curriculum is just going to go downhill," she said.
And while Vicky will be voting again, Mr. Beirne wants to remind others that they should do the same.
"Your vote matters. Unfortunately as we get older, sometimes we forget that, so we hope people come out, pro or con, and express their democratic right," he said.
If the straw vote passes, it will then go to a binding vote on October 18th.
