Regarding your vote on the upcoming school bond issue, consider the following:
1. Bill Seitter has said he would be glad to give ANYONE a tour of the school buildings. Contact him at 580-623-7364.
2. High school consolidation is on the horizon. Do we want our high schoolers to have to travel to another town in the future? If we don't have a top-notch high school, that is what may happen.
3. The cost of money is at a historic low right now, and there is talk about interest rates going up. We can get bond money now at a lower rate than even a year down the road.
4. The cost of construction is only going to go up, so putting off construction and repairs will only cost us more in the future.
5. Watongans have put off taking care of our school properties for too long and it is only going to get worse if steps aren't taken to make repairs.
Here is a list of nearby counties and their real property tax rates (per mill/$1,000 of value). Figures are from the website www.lowtaxrate.com:
Blaine - $8.94
Kingfisher - $8.82
Major - $9.99
Custer - $9.66
Love - $8l74
Canadian - $11.75
Cleveland - $11.95
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
School bond issue
It is SO GOOD to see people conversing about the upcoming school bond issue! Whether your opinion is to vote "yes" or to vote "no", it is important that everyone speak out, not necessarily to change someone else's mind but to help get all of the facts and options out into the public mind. This was a problem with the vote on the added fee to utilities to pay for ambulance service. Many people who voted "yes" didn't really know what that added fee would cover, or what service we were really going to get for the added fee. They only knew that if they didn't vote "yes" they wouldn't have any ambulance service. Now there are questions as to the details of what they are getting for that added fee.
As with a lot of issues, the people who are directly affected by a problem are ready to vote "yes" for the proposed solution without further thought or discussion. It is appalling that our schools don't have HOT WATER in the restrooms. Our teachers, principals, and parents of children in schools are and should be up in arms about the condition of Watonga's schools. But this has been going on for years and nothing has been done about it until now, when it has become a major problem. At this point the problems with our schools have become a problem for our entire community, and at a huge cost to all of us.
Our children's education is of the upmost importance to the survival of our community. We all agree on that. But we also have to be willing to look at what all of our options are for improvement of Watonga schools. Is a huge bond issue like the one proposed really necessary, all at once, or could the repairs be prioritized and paid for in stages? Committees reviewed the problems and presented their proposals to our superintendent and school board, but how many community members (without children in the school system) were a part of the discussion and gave input into the bond issue? Did you attend school board meetings and participate in the discussion before the bond issue was approved by the school board? It's not too late for everyone to have a say in the matter. Talk to your school board members. and VOTE!
As with a lot of issues, the people who are directly affected by a problem are ready to vote "yes" for the proposed solution without further thought or discussion. It is appalling that our schools don't have HOT WATER in the restrooms. Our teachers, principals, and parents of children in schools are and should be up in arms about the condition of Watonga's schools. But this has been going on for years and nothing has been done about it until now, when it has become a major problem. At this point the problems with our schools have become a problem for our entire community, and at a huge cost to all of us.
Our children's education is of the upmost importance to the survival of our community. We all agree on that. But we also have to be willing to look at what all of our options are for improvement of Watonga schools. Is a huge bond issue like the one proposed really necessary, all at once, or could the repairs be prioritized and paid for in stages? Committees reviewed the problems and presented their proposals to our superintendent and school board, but how many community members (without children in the school system) were a part of the discussion and gave input into the bond issue? Did you attend school board meetings and participate in the discussion before the bond issue was approved by the school board? It's not too late for everyone to have a say in the matter. Talk to your school board members. and VOTE!
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Cheese Festival news
The Watonga Cheese Festival Committee is working on lining up ENTERTAINMENT for this year's festival.
There are lots of talented people in our area and this year we want to highlight that talent on our stages. I'm asking that anyone reading this contact me or Andy Barrett (580-623-4269) to tell us of a musical act, band, soloist, children's group (vocal or dancing, etc.), Gospel choir, or other entertainment who may be interested in performing during the Cheese Festival. We want lots of LOCAL TALENT to show off our town! Thanks!!
There are lots of talented people in our area and this year we want to highlight that talent on our stages. I'm asking that anyone reading this contact me or Andy Barrett (580-623-4269) to tell us of a musical act, band, soloist, children's group (vocal or dancing, etc.), Gospel choir, or other entertainment who may be interested in performing during the Cheese Festival. We want lots of LOCAL TALENT to show off our town! Thanks!!
Monday, June 3, 2013
The Spot summer transition program
This week, Youth & Family Services is holding the second annual "Summer Transition Program" for youth ages 16 to 21 at The Spot. The idea is to work with the community in teaching local youth some living skills and job-hunting skills, give them information they need to transition into adulthood and living on their own, and give them an opportunity to work at local businesses to give them an idea of what life is like in the "real world" as an adult. I am on the Advisory Committee for this activity and think it is a wonderful way to get the youth involved with the community, as well as give them some really useable information for their life. During the first week (this week), the youth will hear from various business people and community members on a variety of topics:
Then, for the next two weeks, each youth will work for pay for a local business. This year, as last summer, many of our local business people have stepped up to "host" a youth and give them a place to work. This is a great opportunity for our community to meet these young people and get to know them, and a great opportunity for the youth to get some real working experience. I think I can speak for YFS and the Spot in thanking the many people involved in this effort to help make Watonga a better place for everyone.
Then, for the next two weeks, each youth will work for pay for a local business. This year, as last summer, many of our local business people have stepped up to "host" a youth and give them a place to work. This is a great opportunity for our community to meet these young people and get to know them, and a great opportunity for the youth to get some real working experience. I think I can speak for YFS and the Spot in thanking the many people involved in this effort to help make Watonga a better place for everyone.
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