Not Enough “Beef” in Levy

Dear Editor,

SCHOOL BOND LEVY - Received the ballots and glossy promotion flyers in the mail April 4.

I will NOT be voting for this measure.

Since moving to Dayton in 1996, we have always voted pro-school levies and supported Dayton schools in other ways.

Concerning the new bond issue - we understand the need to improve safety, security, quality, energy savings, accessibility, and to modernize, yet preserve and repair, the historic building.

However, I have questions concerning reasoning and cost of the proposed renovation. 1. The flyer speaks of how a $ 19.9 MILLION general obligation bond will be repaid over 20 years at an estimated cost of $ 2.53 per $ 1000 on assessed home values. a. Does the $ 19.9 MILLION cost include interest? b. What about farm/ranch property owners? A small % of Columbia Co. property owners will be paying the lion's share of this bond. c. As I understand it, this bond issue is in

ADDITION to the maintenance/technology levy now in place. There will always be maintenance requirements for our schools.

Does this bond issue address maintenance over the next 20 years? 2. Just as many people believe, "Guns don't kill people, people kill people," I suggest, "Buildings DO NOT educate children - people (teachers and a COMMUNITY) educate children." Where does this measure take in consideration the additional support we need for teachers and teaching? 3. The proposed new multi-purpose building will be available for COMMUNITY use, too. I think this was the only time "community" was referenced in the flyer.

You may remember the old ad, "Where's the Beef?" It referred to quantity, quality and cost of a fast-food hamburger. Where is the BEEF for our community as a whole in the current school improvement bond?

I ask instead, "Where is the INDOOR POOL + THERAPY POOL?" Such pools would help everyone, especially our senior citizens, and bring business ($) to our Hospital District - the other community resource (along-side our declining-enrollment school system) which is under threat.

I think a new joint bond issue (for schools and hospital district) which would include an indoor pool and therapy pool, along with some of the proposed school renovations, would get many more SENIOR CITIZEN and community votes.

I REPEAT: I will NOT be voting for the school improvement bond. There's just not enough of the high quality BEEF in it for our community.

Sherrie Flaman

Dayton