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Questioning voters’ motive
Dear Editor:
I just don’t get it! Why did 150 voters in the recent Maryvale proposition vote no? I’m not suggesting taking away your right to a vote, mind you, but it boggles my mind why anyone would vote against a proposition to maintain Maryvale’s buildings. The high school is about 50 years old. It has seen a great many students come and go and it showed its age. And, as one would expect, the roof leaked, creating even more damage to the interior of the high school.
As I understood it, the project costs $34.7 million, which is 75 percent state funded. Using something called math and a calculator, 75 percent of $34.7 million is $26 million. That means it will cost local taxpayers $8.7 million to repair and upgrade the buildings. Floating a 30-year bond, it will mean a yearly cost of less than $500,000, including interest. And, since the school is run by competent fiscal managers, keeping the money in an interest bearing account until needed, it will cost even less than $500,000. Again I ask: Who in his right mind would vote no to such a proposition?
A few years ago, in the Lake Shore School District, a proposition was presented to the taxpayers to repair a school building – roof, doors, windows, heating, et cetera. I believe the total project was little over a million dollars. But, since it was a major repair, the state pays over 80 percent of the cost. The difference came from the school’s reserve fund and interest accrued while the work progressed. That project would have cost those taxpayers nothing. Zilch. Not a red cent. Unbelievable, 99 people voted no while several hundred voted yes. I didn’t understand that no vote, like I don’t understand the Maryvale no votes.
I may be mistaken but when I vote in a political election or school proposition, I make sure I understand the facts and the candidates before I vote. I bet some people didn’t bother to be informed and voted no – and wasted their time! Shame on you!
I’d be interested in hearing from a no-voter on their reason for their vote. Surely no one wants school buildings to degenerate into unsafe places for children to get a necessary education. Or, perhaps you no voters wanted the district to raze the old building and erect a new one. Do you have any idea what that costs?
Philip Fanone
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