View From The Middle
School Bd. Meeting - Like Others - Ignored By Local Pols
By Charles Rogers

The event was billed as a "Legislative Break-fast," so educators in the local communities could not only meet the principals and administrators of our schools here, but, as advertised, our state and city elected officials would be on hand and also answer questions. Sponsored by Community Education Council (CEC) District 18, the event took place Friday at their headquarters at the corner of East 95th Street and Conklin Avenue.

About 60 (or so) people attended the important meeting - none of whom were our government legislators, save Assemblyman Nick Perry and a stand-in for Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein - and Perry arrived late. Of those who attended, 14 were school principals. The rest were administrators, parent-coordinators from local schools, some Region 6 officials and, oh, yes, some people who have even a more direct interest in the education of the children: parents.

But no legislators. The local lawmakers were supposed to be there to discuss "Our Children, Educa-tion and the Future."

CEC authorities said they had not only notified the respective offices of local elected officials in "plenty of time," allowing sufficient response time in case the politico could not make it, but also called their offices the day before the event as a reminder.

The absence of these SEMI-important people (I wrestled with thoughts of naming them - and I won!), including City Councilmembers Charles Barron, Kendall Stewart and Lew Fidler; Assemblymembers Diane Gordon and Alan Maisel; and State Senators Kevin Parker, Carl Andrews and John Sampson, was duly noted by everyone, with some merely nodding their heads in affirmation that their expectation was correct: the elected officials really don't care all that much. Bringing it down to their level, I think the expression is "don't give a damn." At least, that was the impression given.

One would have thought just the opposite, at this time - only a few days before Election Day - that it would have been an excellent reason to gather people together and tell them to get out the vote. However, in this section of Brooklyn, their election was a slam-dunk anyway, indicating they didn't have a reason that would benefit them personally , so why should they attend? Others not really expected to be there included City Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum and Borough President Marty Markowitz, who was in London trying to bring some outside business and tourism to Brooklyn.

This was not just your ordinary civic organization meeting, which elected officials normally use to either pat themselves on the back or further an established program. This was a meeting where professional people could relate to those representatives in government who might be able to do some good for the district; some good for the children.

Now wait, elected officials! Don't jump on me before you hear me out. I truly admire you for the efforts you put forth in the name of the community. I also agree that it ain't easy. We know you work hard, even though your days off from that elected position give you plenty of time to pursue avocations (as if you need the $$$). After all, it takes a lot to feed an ego. There are some of you who indeed present themselves on a regular basis (at least semi-regular), namely Assemblyman Perry, who at least made an effort this time, and Assemblywoman Weinstein.

But there are priorities that must be adhered to. Among some of the civic, etc. meetings, there are a few that elected officials should attend or send a representative to, like the Friends United Block Association, United Canarsie South Civic, Informed Voices, Community Board 18 and, most important, the 69th Precinct Community Council. If an elected representative wants to get a point across, chances are they'll listen to him or her at those forums.

There are other civic groups, however, that somehow seem to think they are there not to hear their respective reps, but to blast them for whatever problems in the community are perceived as transgressions or omissions. I have heard some representatives (I will not name them) who say, "Who needs it? I'll gladly send someone from my office, but I'm not going to go to that meeting just to be bombarded."

Back to the original subject, though: With the exception of the late (I mean tardy!) Assemblyman Perry and the Weinstein proxy-person, it's time for our elected officials to sit back and take a breath; pause during those hectic days when they're not in Albany or (perhaps) sitting in City Hall Park and take note of the intention of the meeting at hand. The meetings are not all certificate-giving, proclamation-giving, lip service-giving photo ops. Some are of extreme importance. They're important to the community and the principles involved - and they should, therefore, be important to our elected government representatives.