Stop intimidating residents, start fixing problems Barbara Kilcomons Guest Column Two letters to the editor that appeared in the June 14 issue of the Suburban, one written by Sayreville Board of Education President Michael Macagnone ("Unfair Criticism Overlooks the Good," Your Turn guest column) and the other written by Bob Foley, a Democratic committeeman and Borough Council-appointed liaison to the Board of Education, ("Time for Residents to Support Schools, Put Trust in Board ) most definitely deserve a reply. My letter ("Disappointed With Board's Behavior, Decisions," Your Turn guest column, Suburban, June 7) was drafted with all good intentions because I care deeply about our children and my community. Unlike Mike Macagnone and Bob Foley, I am a graduate of Sayreville High School and take great pride in seeing that our children are and should always be our No. 1 priority. A school system is the heart and soul of a community, and many towns are judged by it. I believe all the residents deserve the right to know how our tax dollars are being spent, who is spending those dollars, and the caliber of leadership we are experiencing. The futile attempt to respond and criticize me was nothing more than a smoke screen to deflect attention from the really hard problems I addressed. The issues were ignored as usual by Mr. Macagnone with his tiresome, specialized political rhetoric. The two letters basically insult the intelligence of the taxpayers and residents because they sound so egotistical and self-serving. Perhaps the time has come for the board president to shoulder the blame, stop pointing fingers and intimidating people and start correcting the multitude of problems and mistakes within our system and the administration. I hesitate to say this, but I firmly believe it has to be said. It's time for Mike Macagnone to put up or zip it up. I challenge him as to what in my letter was untrue or defamatory. At a public meeting when I questioned him on an issue, I was told this is not the "Barbara Kilcomons show." After reading his response to my letter, I concluded it was all about the "Mike Macagnone show." He acts as though and thinks that his voice is the sole voice of the entire board. I thought we also elected eight other people to represent us and exercise their individuality and responsibility. In a socially responsible way it is the obligation of every elected board member to represent the people, not Mike Macagnone and the administration. Instead of hiring a public-relations person to help improve their image, as proposed by Bob Foley, we should consider or opt for a totally independent ethics review board. This might improve their image, their decisions and their performance as elected officials. There is no way I will stand idly by as you attempt to discredit me and my concerns. Nor will I allow you to minimize the challenges we are experiencing due to the leadership structure of this board. Barbara Kilcomons is a resident of Sayreville