Feb 23, 2008
DARIEN EDITORIAL
Let them shine
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The Board of Education should approve the high school stadium lights proposal next week and send it on to the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Last week’s public hearing on the proposal to erect four 80-foot light poles at the stadium made it clear that young Darien athletes want the chance to play at night, something that most towns offer. Of course just because kids want lights is no reason to approve them. But enhancing and adding to the time young Darien athletes can safely play outside, is a good reason.
And that, of course, should be the Board of Education’s primary concern. The lights, which would be paid for by a private group, would enhance the high school experience: From bringing the community together for night games, to adding practice time, to the simple thrill for an athlete to step out under the lights to compete on a fall evening.
It is understandable that high school neighbors would object to the lights: they are near their homes. And while it is understandable, that doesn’t make the neighbors right. And the school board should not factor the neighbors’ objections into its decision any more than it has. The board did set limits hoping to calm the neighbors’ nerves. Games must end at certain times, there is a limit on the number of night games, and a limit on how often non-Darien games may be played.
It is for the Planning & Zoning Commission to decide whether the lights fit in the residential area that is home to our biggest school.
While lights would bother a few (who knew they would be living near one of the town’s biggest buildings when they bought their houses), they would benefit thousands of Darienites.
As Board of Ed Chairman John Boulton said at the hearing, in the end, we all go back to being neighbors. And being good neighbors is all about compromise.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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