The following article,
written by Klaus Gaebel, is reprinted from The
Saugerties Post Star, 03-13-08 Eagle's View A View Around Town Saugerties Post Star , March 13,
2008 I had some issues in the past with a current school board
member. It appeared there were some conflicts in roles this
person held 10 years ago, and he was tenacious to a fault.
But that was then; this is now. Let's finally give some
credit where credit is due. Those that remember what I said in the past might find
what follows is the biggest about-face since Nixon went to
China. Well, to me anyway. George Heidcamp deserves applause for changing the way
the Saugerties School Board operates and for important
decisions made. He's leading the orchestra and they're
playing different music, and it often sounds better than it
did before. When Heidcamp joined the board in July, he convinced the
new board majority to go along with hiring a new law firm to
represent the district (which was years overdue), appointing
a new internal auditor, and creating a Labor Relations
Committee. All could have been proposed in years past, even if they
weren't approved by the board; neither happened. Heidcamp
not only proposed them but got them Okayed. When a parent of a student with multiple disabilities
reached out for help with bus transportation issues she was
having, it was Heidcamp who took actions beyond what any
school board member would normally be expected to do. He
helped confirm problems that ultimately resulted in a
resolution satisfactory to all parties involved. Heidcamp worked behind the scenes during the recent
technology program and weight room controversy. Expect him
to make the case soon that the district institute a new
hiring procedure where the board will have a role in
insuring openness, much to the chagrin of the school's
administration. These accomplishments are even more stupendous when you
consider that they required four other board members to vote
along with him, and three of the nine board members are
usually an immediate "no" vote whenever a proposal comes
from Heidcamp. He's been able to hold the five member
majority together (Sam Fisco, Rich Petramale, Jim
Steinhilber, Don Tucker, and himself) on some difficult
decisions, and has frequently been able to bring Mark
Thompson along. Each of these members has their independent streak, but
it's to their credit that they've often done the right thing
rather than back down to the Superintendent. As Yankee slugger Reggie Jackson once said about himself,
Heidcamp too is the straw that stirs the drink. George Heidcamp's election to the board last May wasn't a
given. He's antagonized many Democrats and Republicans through
the years. Some thought running for the school board
wouldn't bode well for him since he'd ticked off both major
political parties in town. With people in politics having
long memories, the thought was they might show their disdain
of him in the privacy of a voting booth. He also had to contend with trying to defeat two
incumbent board members, including popular Vince Buono.
Heidcamp used the Superintendent's flaws to his advantage
in his campaign for a board seat. He made an issue of them
and the then board majority's unwillingness to address them.
Proving his tenacity, he surprised many with his election.
What's even more remarkable is that for the past eight
months, he hasn't just simply been the anti-Superintendent
vote some expected him to be, but is actually accomplishing
some feats. It's for those reasons I'm acknowledging what many others
are hesitant to publicly admit: Heidcamp is not only a
player on the board, he's its bellwether. And it's a better
board with him on it. There, I said it. Now I'm going to have to keep a
watchful eye out for a bolt of lightning.