From Your Still-Worn-Out-from-After-Prom Publisher & Executive Editor:
Tomorrow, we Welchkins have a purely local election. We’ll vote on the $2.75 million bond issue to add classrooms, revamp the dining area, and implement utility upgrades at our school, and we’ll choose who will serve on our town council and as town clerk.
We’ve provided all the bond issue information provided by the school as well as an audio interview with Supt. Clark McKeon here. Here’s the sample ballot for the bond proposal.
Now, after digesting the information, how should we responsibly vote?
The bond issue increases taxes. I know, the usual line is that because the bond issue extends an existing tax it doesn’t really raise taxes, but I don’t buy that argument. If we approve the bond issue, it will keep an existing tax from expiring. In my book, stopping a tax reduction is a tax increase.The bottom line is this: if the bond issue fails, the millage rate will drop when the bonds for the new gym all mature. If we approve the bond issue, the millage rate will remain fairly steady for an additional 16 years. We just need to accept that fact that the bond package before us is costly. The real question we must answer is whether the cost is worth it.
I have made it clear before that my default position on tax increases is no. That means I start out a no, and if and when those seeking the tax increase convince me that it’s for all our better good to approve a tax increase, then I’ll support it. In the most recent vote on the Craig County Community Center, I was never (and am still not) convinced it was a good idea, so I did not support it.
In the case before us now, I am persuaded that the improvements to our school are necessary and wise. The reason I’m such a stickler on the language as to whether it’s “not a tax increase” is this: we need to realize that there is a cost associated with the improvements and that the cost is worth it.
The notion that we can do large capital improvements without it costing us is dangerous. You may be tempted to believe that when property taxes are increased, only property owners pay the price. Many a tax increase has been thrust upon property owners by non-property owners in the misguided notion that those who don’t own land are getting a free ride. Property owners do bear the immediate cost of an increase; however, those increases must be recouped. If you rent, property tax increases get passed on into your rental price. Whatever is produced on land—be it cattle, crops, or cookies—will have its price inflated to absorb the price of taxes. The bottom line is this: tax increases affect everyone, whether they own property or not.
Taxing people should only be done for vital projects, and I cannot think of anything more vital to our community and school than the proposed improvements. The time has come for us to do away with the “temporary, portable” classrooms that house our youngest students. It’s time to implement a middle school. It’s time to make upgrades that will save on utility costs. It’s time to provide adequate learning space for our students and teachers. It’s time to bring the dining facilities up to date. In short, it’s time to make this large investment.
The proposed improvements to our school are not luxuries. They are necessary now, and they will grow even more necessary into the future.
So, when you mark your ballots tomorrow, I hope you’ll join me in voting yes on the bond issue before us.
Also on the ballot are elected town positions. Last year, we voted to expand our town council from three to five persons. Maxine “Shorty” Highsmith and Shannon Biggs ran unopposed for two seats, and will win by default. Tomorrow, voters will vote to fill two remaining seats for which there are three candidates. The top two vote-getters from among Edith Fox, Winston McKeon (the incumbent), and Henry Flanders will win a four-year term on the council. The position of town clerk is also up for election. Voters will select between Kenni Morton and Barry F. Oliver (the incumbent) for the unexpired town clerk term. Here’s the sample ballot for town officials.
I’m not making endorsements in these races. I will, however, share some of the thinking that goes through my mind as I weigh the choices before me. First and foremost, I want a sense that those for whom I vote are genuinely interested in our community and its progress. I want responsible persons who will give their best efforts to see that our town functions properly, openly, and efficiently. I’m not impressed by candidates who take a “what was wrong with the way things used to be?” mindset. Secondly, I want workers—both mentally and physically. Council members aren’t magic. They don’t just get to vote and all our problems fade away. The issues facing even our small town are often quite complex, and I want representatives who will do the hard thinking and the hard work necessary to find the best—not necessarily the easiest—solutions. Lastly, I want persons of character. I want council members who give us their best efforts, but I also recognize that councilors are both human and volunteers. Humans will make mistakes, and I am impressed by those who own up to their mistakes and look for ways to correct their errors. Volunteers can’t be expected to turn over every waking moment to town matters; therefore, I am impressed by persons who handle town business in an organized and efficient manner.
These are just a few things I’ll be thinking about as I vote tomorrow. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. If you’ve taken a few minutes to acquaint yourself with the issues and candidates before us, I hope you’ll go vote, too.
Ed.
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