Recently, the Chron published a story that the electorate is angry. Government, from Sacramento to D.C. doesn’t work. Folks are mad. They want the bums out.

Is it possible that St. Helena is once again the exception to the rule? Or are we like every place else?

In February there will be an election to recall our School Board. There has never been a recall on any kind in St. Helena’s history.

Those of us of a certain age know why this is true. Recalls are divisive. They are mean and cause people who don't want to choose sides to take sides. The bad effects last for years--not months. True, they are legal and democratic. They just wreak havoc in small towns, because the repercussions tend to be worse than the ills they are meant to cure.

We all know that life in small towns is different than in big cities. Get cut off by a car in New York and you can flip the bird. Do it in a small town and the one who cuts you off is apt to be your kid's little league coach. Your kid suffers for your anger.

Take the school board. Staggered elections take place every two years. Don't like the way things are going, throw the bums out. Fair enough. But play by the rules.

In November of '08 two women (one who turns me over when I snore) ran unopposed for school board.

Six months after that regular election certain parents began a recall. There must be ample reason, right? Or did someone simply misinterpret the law? Gossip ruled the day. Signatures were gathered based on the proposition that the School Board and the former Superintendent committed felonies.

The trouble is that the accusations were proved false. They were presented to the Napa County District Attorney's office who stated categorically that "No Criminal Conduct" took place and that there were no violations of the Brown Act.

A Board member, who had resigned—forcing a special election in November of 2009 (costing the District around $35,000)--filed two complaints with the FPPC. FPPC categorically rejected his claims, exonerated the Board, and stated there was no basis for his allegations.

Well intended or not, some folks simply misunderstood the law.

Two Independent agencies exonerated both the Superintendent and Board of ANY wrong doing.

Folks tell me, "Well, that's politics."

I don't know. Living in a small town and being falsely accused of committing a felony seems like more than politics to me. But I am not unbiased.

We will now have 4 elections in 24 months.

Is any of this necessary or useful?

Fact is, more important than whether the recall succeeds or not is what happens afterwards. How does one put a community together after it has been ripped apart by well meaning, but misinformed people?

We can start by appealing to basic decency and voting “no” on the recall.

Why?

Look at the facts?

What we know is that the budget is balanced and that our reserves are higher than they have ever been in history.

California Schools are 48th in the nation. The incumbents were elected to improve our schools.

5 years ago they hired a new superintendent who hired new principals and an assistant superintendent.

Through judicious use of retirement incentives (saving over $1,240,000 over the next five years) they rejuvenated and upgraded our faculty.

We now compete for the best and the brightest teachers in the Sate and pay them commensurately.

That’s why test scores are now the highest in our history.

We have closed the gap by over 100 points for ESL learners.

We may be the only district in the State of California which offers the International Baccalaureate Program K through 12.

Our Special Ed Program has been called by an independent auditor "if not the best, one of the best in the state."

We have vocational programs like welding, shop, and small engine repair. We even have a wine making class.

Our Ag Program is probably the best in the State.

Home Ec has been upgraded to Culinary Arts.

We've added $22 million in new facilities through private donations and grants. The list goes on.

St. Helena is different.

Bad as government may be elsewhere, it’s actually working here.

These elected officials created true, measurable change we can all believe in. No criminal activity. No personal gain. Nor moral turpitude. Only positive changes helping kids.

Bums? You decide.