10/22/11 George Schiele's letter to Editor supporting Marianna Ponns Cohen's candidacy

To the Editor:

Having served on the RTM and other community and volunteer service positions, I have come to hold in special respect those who are willing to endure the slings and arrows that such service usually draws in order to do what is best for our Town.

This is particularly true for the Board of Education, whose members must balance the interests of taxpayers at large, parents and students, the schools bureaucracy, and the powerful professional unions.

Republican incumbent candidate for re-election to the Board this year -- Marianna Ponns Cohen -- has consistently and publicly advocated the policies necessary to ensure that all stakeholders' interests are protected in our public school system.

For example, the Board of Education has in recent years been unable to fill the position of Schools Superintendent successfully. It has taken courage and wisdom for Marianna (with at times the support of only one other Board member) to correct the Board's two most recent mistakes, at what was considerable personal cost to her in time, effort and peace of mind .

Greenwich spends generously to support the best programs and facilities. To ensure we get what we need and pay for, we must have a Board of Education whose members are willing to not just "go along to get along".

Our students, and the Town, need Marianna's continued presence and contributions on the Board. She is a worthy leader, and her re-election must be a community priority.

Please join me in voting to re-elect Marianna Ponns Cohen.

George Schiele

Greenwich

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