George,

Here are some of my thoughts about the Poggio a Caiano trip. I should add that I speak Italian and adore Italy.

Dear Members of the City Council and the School Board,

A trip to the Tuscan city of Poggio on the outskirts of Florence is something everyone would like. For members of the City Council and the School Board it might even be eligible for a tax write-off as a business trip. But it is tantamount to misappropriating Charlottesville taxpayers money to have the City pay for this trip.

Why send students to Poggio? Are they studying the Italian language in school? Is Italian a vital language in the global economy? Spanish, Chinese, Arabic or Russian all seem more important.

Wouldn't increasing teachers' salaries, paying for additional teachers or aids to be able to decrease class size, making pre-kindergarden available for more students all be better ways to spend taxpayers' money?

Why was the trip not publicly announced until a week before the planned departure? Was the trip publicly discussed, so that members of the Council and School Board, as well as concerned citizens could consider whether the trip was worth the money or had any significant educational benefits?

This planned trip certainly clarifies whom I am not voting for next Tuesday. I feel personally betrayed by all you people for whom I voted in prior elections and believe that you have failed in your responsibilities to the people of Charlottesville.
I am a very disappointed citizen.

Ruth Barolsky (Electronic mail, November 1, 2007).