Two Pieces of Good News

One day we're going to write the Save Fitchburg Manifesto. To summarize it today: We need all the good news we can get, one baby step at a time, to create a better community. In the last few days, we've seen two of those baby steps.

First, today's big news that the Senate and House have both increased education aid for public schools. The Senate has $200 million more, the House $173 million. Let's say they split the difference. That's roughly $187 million. We'd like to think the final number will be closer to the Senate side, but no matter, this is good news.

We don't have a vote on the School Committee, but we'll make the early request that any new money be targeted toward textbooks. We've ranted enough on the horrific need for books for students. It seems like the obvious starting point. "Moby Dick" for all freshmen classes, please.

The second is the city's new program that offers $2,000 grants to downtown businesses for new awnings and signs. This probably falls in the "little thing" category, but it's the long-term collection of these little things that will make downtown, and Fitchburg, better. This is a worthwhile program, and one that in the long term will make downtown better (let the "downtown is hopeless" comments begin).