TO THE EDITOR:

The February 1, 2006 edition of The Post Review contains two news items that together point out the competition between public needs and private wishes. Such competition occurs whenever public institutions and private organizations seek public funding for their missions.

In a news story, Patrick Tepoorten reported that the North Branch school board has begun to talk about whether to seek additional funding in a levy referendum, perhaps in the fall. Every board member recognizes the need, he reports, but not all of them are confident that voters will approve a new referendum, as three have already failed. One canít blame them for being reluctant, but reluctance will only make the fund shortage worse.

In a letter to the editor, Amy Noyes-Mellen made an implicit but impassioned plea for public financial support for a hockey arena. Her plea comes out of her long-time experience as both a hockey parent and a member of the North Branch Area Hockey Association (NBAHA). She described the sacrifices and efforts that parents, coaches, players, and NBAHA members, have made to keep the sport alive in North Branch, and the frustrations of not having their own indoor ice. Their fervor for their cause is admirable.

Both a referendum and a hockey arena will require multi-million dollar amounts of revenue from the community, mostly as taxes. In a perfect world, the school district would meet its needs, and the hockey people would fulfill their wish. But this isnít a perfect world.

Over 3,800 students in the North Branch school district (ISD 138) need to be educated at a level that keeps them competitive in a global economy. On the other hand, the hockey programs involve fewer than 300 participants. On the numbers alone, this is clearly a case where the paying public has to balance the needs of the many against the wishes of the few.

Others may make a different choice, but Iím ready to vote ìYesî on a levy referendum that will address staffing and program needs in our schools. We owe that to our students. Until thatís done, I canít support any effort to provide public funding for a hockey arena. Needs must be met before wishes can be fulfilled.

R.J. (Ron) Proulx
North Branch