Editor:
    On January 26th the Portland Press Herald had this to say about the school consolidation scheme: “But critics ought to understand that change is coming: Maine’s economic potential should not be sacrificed on the altar of local control?”
    In response, please consider the following:
    “If it is believed that... elementary schools will be better managed by the governor and council, the commissioners of the literary fund or any other general authority of the government than by the parents within each ward, it is a belief against all experience. Try the principle one step further, and...commit to the governor and council the management of all our farms, our mills and merchants’ stores. No, my friend, the way to have good and safe government is not to trust it all to one, but to divide it among the many, distributing to every one exactly the functions he is competent to.” (Thomas Jefferson to Joseph C. Cabell, 1816) Regarding “altars,” the man who produced the Declaration of Independence had this to say:
    “I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” (Thomas Jefferson)
    Timeless wisdom as we face the usurpation upon local government by the State as it pertains to developing the minds of our children.
David Sawicki
Cape Elizabeth