January 29. This has been a difficult month for islanders. The wind has blown practically non-stop making lobstering a part-time job at best. Even during the warmer first two weeks the wind never stopped. Then the deep freeze arrived at last. Last weekend the wind gusted over 50 mph from the northwest making wind chills dangerously low. Keeping warm and the water running was the main focus of the day.

Then there was the announcement of Gov. Baldacci's School Consolidation Proposal and what it would mean to our school. As the school board gathered what facts were available the impact of this bill to our island became clear. Last night the school board held a meeting that was attended by over 25 concerned residents. Although I have been reading with interest the many opinions presented by legislators and newspapers as well as the various educational associations none have addressed what would happen to a small offshore island if this proposal or another similar to it should pass.

Our school with its nine students would be absorbed into the region that includes Rockland. We would have no school board and no local control. Loss of local control means much more to our community than it does for other schools. We are out to sea and at times the mainland is inaccessible. We can't simply send our children down the road to another school nor can we represent ourselves at regular meetings. The regional board could vote to close our school. That, simply put, would mean the end of our year-round island community.

The school budget for our school is currently about $120,000 per year. Only $2,000 of that money comes from the state. The rest is raised by taxes. Under the Governor's plan Monhegan's share of regional costs would be in excess of $500,000. This would have to be raised through property tax. So let's see where this leaves us. We have no representation and will be taxed without any consideration. And by the way, our school building will have to be turned over to the new regions at their request. I find it sadly ironic that my oldest son has been studying the constitution this year. He has learned how we became a free country when we said no to England over taxation without representation. How can I explain to him in the year 2007 the Governor of our state intends to do this to our community.

We will be at the State House on February 5 to make our voice heard. We have contacted our legislators and we will fight this proposal as if we are fighting for our life. Because, you see, we are.