Dave Bachner left a human legacy that eclipses the courage and insights of the West Windsor-Plainsboro school administration and its feckless empty suits masquerading as elected members of its “Bored” of Education. Once upon a time, boards represented the people — and could determine “right” from “wrong.”
Last August, 2009, following David’s passing, published (Sports Illustrated) and E-mail requests were made for the Board to permit the memorial naming of High School North’s baseball field. As with all intellectually-challenging issues, the Board couldn’t make such a complex decision. This formal request was again made in January, 2010, to the Administration and Board members, in anticipation of the baseball event of May 22 in Dave’s honor.
You see, the Administration couldn’t make a decision to honor Dave Bachner because OTHER recent WW-P students had passed due to circumstances other than David’s. Note: Death is a banned word in WW-P schools and remains a foreign concept. So the Board recused itself.
On the eve of Memorial Day from a community in which few native sons and daughters serve the U.S. military or fulfill community service, it is a salute to David’s legacy as a gifted individual and athlete. Shame on the Board’s inability to find moral courage to do the right thing.
“Courage,” as defined by the WW-P Board of Education, is when it grants 4.9 percent, 4.8 percent, 4.7 percent and 3.38 percent annual wage increases in a shroud of secrecy to the NJEA Teachers’ Union, or when the “Bored” itself cowers in some moated Board retreat to “gain better understanding and bonding.”
How ironic the Board couldn’t render a decision within nine months but it somehow has the ability to see at least three years into the future with its labor contracts.
In most parts of the original United States of America before it was invaded by stink bugs and carpet baggers, “doing right” superceded political correctness. And we would have legitimately commemorated High School North’s baseball field as David Bachner Field in a heartbeat.
Thanks, Dave, for the memories! Peter R. Weale
144 Fisher Place
