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Letters to the editor
Something on your mind? Tell us about it! Write a letter to the editor! Submit yours to westside@columbusmessenger.com.
No concern for struggling citizens
If I understand the situation correctly, the Ohio Supreme Court has ruled taxing property owners to support schools unconstitutional.
If so, then why is the state continuing to perpetuate that which has been deemed unconstitutional by coercing/blackmailing their citizens to match their funds or SWCS will not be given this “chance of a lifetime.” Why isn’t the state taking the first step to reform this unconstitutional act, with no strings attached, by returning to the district that which taxpayers have already given? Why does this have to be now? Can the state withdraw their offer in light of the current economic circumstances and propose at some point after the economy has recovered? Where did the state get all this money they want to give to SWCS? Did it come from tax payers?
So let’s see, I give the state money to support schools, which maybe they are not doing properly because they have all this extra money they just want to give back, I pay SWCS directly through my property taxes, which by the way is more than half the annual amount, I checked, and now you want me to pay even more!
Taxpayers are paying for levy upon levy and the additional $25 is only if your house is assessed at a value of $100,000. My property is assessed at a much higher value so my contribution will be much higher. If this levy should pass, who is going to oversee the district and make sure they are not building glass towers, and other such types of wasteful expenditures, that have absolutely nothing to do with education and everything to do with wasting my money? These are some of the questions I have, which I don’t believe have been answered by the state or the district.
Also, on a side note, I think the mayor and city council should remain forever neutral regarding this issue, especially knowing how this particular issue divides this community.
It is one thing to vote for or against the levy as a private citizen, but for the governing body of this community to publicly support this levy makes me wonder why I would ever vote for someone who does not have concern for the community and its citizens as a whole.
There seems to be absolutely no concern expressed by either the district or the current administration for citizens who are struggling financially and would find this increase extremely detrimental to their livelihood.
Diana Pulsinelli
Grove City
Congrats to the FHHS football team
I do the public address for the Franklin Heights High School football games. At the last home game, the football coach asked me to announce that 16 of the players had made honor roll for the last 6 weeks and that 22 of them (45 percent of the team) had grades above 3.0 percent. Moreover, the combined grade point average for the whole football team was 2.79 percent.
We always hear the negative about our students and our schools so I wanted to make this information available to those who were not in attendance at the last home game of the season. Congratulations to the FHHS football team for their accomplishments in the classroom.
Phil Miller
Columbus
A senior sacrificing to support the students
Within the walls of a grades one through 12 school building, I received a sound primary and secondary education. This was in spite of lingering hard times of the 40s and 50s, a result of the Great Depression.
As I reminisce and attempt to comprehend the economic devastation caused the by Depression, it would seem safe to assume that many sacrifices were made to provide children education. After the very basic food and shelter needs were met, no doubt providing an opportunity for a sound education was a priority.
Sacrifices made for me in the 40s and 50s made it possible for me to meet my social obligations, including being an active supporter of schools.
Nov. 4 provides me another opportunity to pay tribute to those who helped me in a critical stage of my life, that of acquiring an education. Adequate quality and quantity of space and well qualified teachers and administrators mean better opportunities for today’s and tomorrow’s youth.
I’m a senior citizen voting for the present and future students of South-Western City Schools.
I’m voting yes on Issue 81 to bring $206 million of state budgeted funds to our school district. It is a chance of a lifetime. Will you join me in supporting our community, especially the leaders of tomorrow?
Mark List
Grove City
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