I have been deeply impressed by the community outpouring that has filled these events in support of our students and their schools. Testimony has time and again indicated the importance of our public education system, the need to keep our smaller community schools running, and the positive benefits brought by our extracurriculars, our facilities, and our support staff. All of these are in danger due to the draconian cuts (a phrase used time and again in these testimonies).
I can certainly see why the mayor would like Alaskans to just shut up and take their punishment. Every discussion has shown how short-sighted the governor's plan (which the mayor has publicly supported) truly is. These events are clearly showing how far removed such plans are from the public's priorities.
Thankfully, our community is continuing to stand up rather than stand down. This is how a democracy is truly supposed to work. If our mayor cannot understand that, perhaps it's time for him to step down.