Dear Editor:
I’d like to take this opportunity to comment on an editorial published in the August 15 issue of the Secaucus Home News. When is a good time to build an auditorium? The editor commented that it should have been included when the high school complex was built. I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying “hindsight is 20/20.” It was a mistake not to do it then, so why should we allow history to repeat itself and make the same mistake now.
Additions were made to Huber Street and Clarendon Schools. And, yes, there is much needed work to be done at the middle/high school complex. You can’t expect to build schools and then never have to do any renovations, expansions, repairs, etc. Secaucus is a burgeoning town. School enrollment is up and with the advent of increased home building, enrollment will undoubtedly continue to rise. The schools must be expanded when necessary and maintained to provide a healthy, safe environment for our children. Her comment about the renovations made it sound like a luxury rather than a necessity.
She asked, “When is an appropriate time?” And what do the middle class’s pension and retirement funds have to do with building an auditorium? I own a home in Secaucus, I pay taxes and my retirement fund took a beating just like millions of other people’s. But history proves that the stock market will rise and the economy will improve. Our nation got through the great depression; we can get through this setback, as well. So, why not now?
Also commented, “the town and school board should get together to come up with a mutually agreeable plan to build a ‘community’ auditorium to be used equally by both entities.” What would make anyone think that the auditorium won’t be for the entire community? Isn’t the school system an integral part of our community? What is more important than our children’s education, their future, enriching their lives? And why is 1000 seats such an issue? Think about this — graduating classes of 200 students each get 5 tickets to their commencement. That’s 1000 people. Not to mention faculty, town dignitaries, school board members and distinguished guests. Are 1000 seats excessive? I don’t think so. The auditorium doesn’t have to be built for the sole use of the high school simply because it’s on the high school campus. It should belong to the entire community. I’ve said this before in previous letters. The dancing schools can have their recitals there. We could have concerts by professional musicians. Poetry readings. And how about classic film festivals geared toward our senior citizen community. Maybe, just maybe, CAST would come back to life. Many of our students benefited from CAST scholarships, which are now a thing of the past!
We’re not talking about building a facility akin to NJPAC! But the proposed auditorium will give our music students the opportunity to perform in an environment designed specifically for music; a facility that will give each and every Secaucus resident the opportunity to experience the arts, attend cultural events and watch our children flourish.
There have been lots of improvements in Secaucus of late. Look at the Plaza — new sidewalks, street repairs, landscaping. And a beautiful, new (desperately needed) Library. Our town officials are doing an amazing job to ensure that Secaucus continues to be a wonderful place to live and raise our families. That’s what this is about, not just today’s children but generations to come. It’s time to take the blinders off; open our eyes and envision the future. Do we want our children writing this same type of letter 30 years from now because we were afraid to go the distance?
It’s time; it’s 30 years past the time. I am imploring everyone to vote Yes on Questions 1 and 2 on September 24. Let’s pull together as a community. Take a leap of faith. Help raise Secaucus to even greater heights!
A closing thought. If I had the money, I’d build it myself. I’m that passionate about this — my entire family feels the same way. But unless I hit the Mega Bucks Lottery, that’s not likely to happen. But if I ever do — well, I can dream, can’t I?
Andrea Just