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Re: Editorial: Work with the school board - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

Gar — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 22:04:18 -0000

to the school board in its consideration of a new bond measure:

1. plan to build smaller and smartly for adequacy and safety.
2. anticipate declining revenue and property values without commensurate King County property assessment adjustments,
3. study long term demographics for on-island utilization of the facilities and show those projections as a rationale for the plan,
4. include healthy representation from the people who will actually pay for it, not just the direct consumers of its facilities, and
5. (respectfully) be prepared for another expensive defeat at the polls if you over-reach again in a retracting economy.

Re: Vashon voters defeat school bond measure - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

Gar — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 22:11:04 -0000

Thanks. I don't think the issue is to keep the teachers all employed, however. And yes, I would put renters in the same category, with all due respect.

Re: Vashon voters defeat school bond measure - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

Gar — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:29:48 -0000

Just curious...how much did the bond campaign cost the taxpayers? Also, how much do the 130 off island students families contribute to the tax base for this school?

Re: Vashon voters defeat school bond measure - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

Gar — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:37:26 -0000

bradshinn: I really didn't see or hear much opposition to the needs for upgrade or replacement of some of the structures and don't think the measure would have failed had the proposal been more modestly priced. There are times when one has to reduce expenditures and/or restructure priorities in order to find an equilibrium that is fair to all parties, whether they share in a tax burden or not. So now the board has to come back with something that makes sense in difficult times.

Re: Editorial: Stamping out intolerance - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

Gar — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 20:35:19 -0000

Thank you for your editorial on intolerance. I agree. Unfortunately, "anchored decision making", defined by the proclivity to make up one's mind and filter out anything that would dissuade one from that decision, is rampant in this current election. Bigotry and prejudice, which apparently are NOT the sole property of one group of individuals, is alive and well on this island.