Endorsements:Alcorn,Fallon for Re-Election

Paul Alcorn and Dorothy Fallon, both one-term incumbents on the Bedford Central Board of Education, are running for re-election this year. Mr. Alcorn is being challenged by Joseph Whelan, who ran unsuccessfully last year against Mark Slivka. Mrs. Fallon is running unopposed. 

While we appreciate the value to the district that Mr. Whelan's viewpoint represents, our choice in the contested race is Rev. Alcorn for several reasons.

Certainly, watching taxpayers' dollars is an important responsibility of a school board member, and it is one of Mr. Whelan's strongest credentials. He rightly points out that this year's proposed budget increase and tax levy are not insignificant. But it is only one of many responsibilities.

The Bedford Central School District has more diversity and greater problems than most at-fluent school districts in Westchester County Mr. Alcorn has noted that 17 percent of the incoming freshman class at Fox Lane High School speak English as a second language. He has spoken with them and knows some of their problems. He has appropriate empathy for students with special needs.

Mr. Alcorn correctly Sees the board as the policy-setting agency in the school district, the one that sets the goals and then evaluates the schools' progress toward achieving them.

Mr. Whelan's call for independent resources for the board such as an office, a library and a computer, strikes us as not only unwarranted but out of character ('or one who is critical of excess spending.

We prefer Mr. Alcorn's style of working with the school administration while acknowledging and seeking out all points of view. Mr. Alcorn and Mrs. Fallon were first elected three years ago in a noticeable shift away from candidates supported by taxpayer advocate groups. Mr. Alcorn, in fact, was sought out as a candidate by community members who had grown weary of the strife and rancor on the board.

While serving  first as vice president for two years and last year as president, Mr. Alcorn has restored a sense of' calm and civility to the board that was sorely lacking before. Meetings are shorter, with all business conducted by a reasonable hour and ample opportunity is provided for all views to be heard. 

We applaud the progress that the district has made in these areas and heartily commend their continuation by voting to re-elect Paul Alcorn and Dot Fallon.