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Marginal Validation

I am writing to voice my disagreement with certain aspects of the “Schools, Academy Projects Moving Ahead” article appearing in the June 2 edition of The Source. In this article, First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons is quoted as follows: “I’m just thrilled that we have gotten to this point, and that it was validated so strongly by the town” when referring to recent referenda passage of the school renewal plan, Academy community center, and sale of the former Island Avenue school.

The sale of Island Avenue passed by 72.6 percent to 27.4 percent, which constitutes strong validation. The school renewal plan and Academy community center plan passed by 55.5 percent to 44.5 percent and 54.7 percent to 45.3 percent respectively. These are close votes and do not constitute strong validation; to characterize them as such is factually incorrect. Marginal validation would be a more accurate description.

Actually, it is surprising that the first selectwoman is apparently not the least bit apprehensive that 45 percent of the vote was against these two projects.

Allen Jewell

Madison