Wednesday, October 25, 2000

It is time for all my fellow SPLOST haters to step up to the plate. The Fayette County School Board has put a bond issue on this November's ballot. Unless we want those tax zealots cranking out another SPLOST, we need to vote "YES" on the $65 million bond.

The need for classrooms has always been there. Unfortunately, the SPLOST architects wanted us to pay for lots of other things normally found in the regular budget in addition to funding the buildings. I attended the meeting where they voted to put the bond issue on the ballot. The board stressed that it must be a "brick and mortar only" request. And that it is.

We need the senior citizens to vote for the bond or they may end up paying more sales tax (if a SPLOST is subsequently approved) instead of being exempted, with a bond, from the school portion of their property tax. All people, especially those less fortunate, looking to avoid more sales tax would be wise to do the same.

The last bond (1993) was poorly managed by the school board, resulting in something in excess of $15 million being siphoned from the general budget to cover cost overruns. They are the reason we are in a poor financial situation now. The last of these board members will be gone from office after this election. We will be counting on the new members not to repeat those same mistakes.

Ordinarily, voting "no" on a tax increase is a no-brainer, but these facilities will be funded, one way or another. This is our opportunity to chose the more desirable option to house our students. Please vote "YES."

Bill Webster

Peachtree City

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