I have a bone to pick with the town fathers and the school committee of the town of Penobscot. Penobscot has about 1,300 residents; a new fire station costing approximately $500,000; and a 2002-2003 school budget of $1.5 million for a student body of approximately 80 children.

The Penobscot School will be hosting the regional basketball tournaments in February. To the town’s embarrassment, the clock on the electronic scoreboard is not functioning and has not been functioning since last season – though the problem was reported to the athletic director at that time.

With all the tax dollars spent for salary increases, new teachers and who knows how much other stuff, there doesn’t seem to be enough money in the kitty to fix a clock so Penobscot’s children can play basketball using 21st-century equipment (currently the scorekeeper yells out how much time is remaining during timeouts.

It is sad that Penobscot has come to this point considering the amount of real estate taxes annually paid on beautiful homes on waterfront properties. Possibly, before the tournament commences, some honorable Penobscot citizen will step forward and volunteer to donate a new electronic scoreboard since our elected officials or school personnel have resolved the problem.

Priscilla Bowden

Penobscot