Dear Editor:

I think almost everyone would agree that Jay Stroud has done a remarkable job at the helm of Tabor over these past many years. We all appreciate him and his immense contribution. I am not just saying this. I mean it. And we have benefitted from having Tabor here, just as Tabor has benefitted hugely from being part of our town.

I have quietly attended most of the public hearings, the last being Thursday night over the lights for the new athletic field.

For me this is not about the “educational enhancements” from 90 foot lights used a few times a year, nor, for that matter anymore, the replacement of a lovely natural playing field with fake grass and glaring red and white Tabor logos. This is about sensitivity towards your neighbors by Mr. Stroud, its Board and lawyers.

I think any outside, objective person coming in, after studying the makeup of our small, quaint, cozy town, would believe that to embark on the replacement of that vast field with its dubious crumb rubber surface, located in a flood zone, and blaringly apparent to anyone entering the town, would urge the school to interact heavily – IN ADVANCE - with the townspeople to consider their feelings about it before ramming it through with, yes, I have to say it, a degree of arrogance and hubris that somewhat shocks many of us.

There is such a delicate balance and character in this beloved town, so difficult to maintain, and it requires heightened sensitivity on all of our parts to retain these excellent qualities. Tabor should know that. Mr. Stroud of all people, as the steward of over 500 young people each and every year with all of their complicated emotions and reactions and ways of being, should!

This is what shocks us. Oh yes, of course I detest the conversion of a lovely piece of nature right dab in the middle of a key area of our community, now with total synthetic fakery, blazing Tabor signage, and, soon possibly, klieg lights. If it had to be, of course there would be a far more appropriate place to make this conversion, abundantly made clear last night. But as the officials at Town Hall said to someone we know, “Oh Tabor always gets whatever it wants, so why are you challenging that?!” (It is also unfortunate to hear some people close to the school say that Mr. Stroud allegedly believes "there are just a few crazies in town that are against the field".) That degree of arrogance is what sticks so badly in my craw and I think many others.  The bold and bald rejection of all cease and desist orders, charging ahead with the conversion and having lawyers thumb their noses at us using the hackneyed Dover Amendment defense is what appalls us.

But there it is. I think Mr. Stroud had ample evidence at the selectmen review public hearing 10 days ago that even those upset about the field are Tabor supporters, Tabor fans, and yet our voices were resoundingly rejected. What a crying shame to have this happen as Mr. Stroud exits from so many years of immensely positive leadership, leaving many of us with such a bad taste in our mouths and feeling considerably betrayed.

Sincerely,

Michael Baldwin

Marion