Editor:
One question Id like answered is how big will the increase in the mill levy be and what will it mean to people on fixed incomes and those who are struggling with families to hang onto their homes now. Is this not an important topic to discuss in these bad economic times? Are you keeping it a secret so people will just follow along with all those who believe a new high school will magically make students more open to learning, teachers more capable of teaching and parents more willing to keep their children in line and in school?
I keep seeing the note at the end of some letters, mine included, that there seems to be money available from other funds and yet the ballot issue is very clear were voting on an increase in property taxes. How about making everyone pay their fair share for this school and all other school related expenses by having a sales tax instead of putting it on the backs of property owners. Think about it. Everyone who shops here would be paying for the schools. Sounds good to me.
From reading I understand there are problems with the building that could be repaired much cheaper than building a new building. Then theres the problem of bat infestation and no AC at the middle school. How are we going to take care of that? You know as old as many of the elementary schools are they have problems too. Guess if you get this construction passed youll start a push for a new middle school. There would never be an end to the increase in property taxes. Its a trap you dont want to fall into.
Catherine Spencer
Cortez
Via email
Editors note: The 21st Century High Schools promotional brochures and website (www.mchsbond.com) specify the following mill levy increases, stated in annual costs: $23.40 per $100,000 of market value for residential property; $85.32 per $100,000 of market value for commercial property; 49 cents per acre of sprinkler-irrigated land, 45 cents per acre of flood-irrigated land; 4 cents per acre of cropped dryland, and 2 cents per acre of grazing land.
