A Case Of Degrees...

It's all about "Spin"...and THIS little lady is a good example (and it got YOUR attention I'll bet).

With the FWCS having a remonstrance looming over their heads like the proverbial Sword of Damacles, it's no surprise that the teachers' union is leading the fight. At first glance, this would appear to be a case of David vs Goliath, with the antagonist being FWCS and the protagonist being one Evert Mol (and his codeblueschools.org website).

This is NOT a situation where NO ONE wants to see ANY money placed at the disposal of the FWCS for needed building repairs...quite the reverse. Even the remonstrators want (and know that) something NEEDS to be done to many of the schools, for as many people already know; structures have not yet attained that level of "self-maintenance"....that's for another century in the future. If YOUR roof leaks...you get it fixed. If a window is broken...you get it replaced. it's that simple. All you want is a safe environment for your family. Our school system wants likewise.

But simple is NOT what we're facing with this $500 million dollar price tag attached to the FWCS repair bill. It will, in all likelihood be EVEN HIGHER than that, as Mark GiaQuinta pointed out at the meeting on Monday night. After all is said and done with all the *I's* dotted, and all the *T's* crossed, it will probably be more like $850 MILLION dollars!

What IS simple is whether or not we, as taxpaying homeowners and business owners can AFFORD to keep paying out the nose for projects, rate hikes, and whatever else the four winds blow out way. Where do we (as taxpayers) draw OUR line in the sand and say "This far..no further"?

The people in FAVOR of the building project know full well that the school buildings NEED repairs. So do those that OPPOSE the project. But let me state that these people in opposition are merely against the AMOUNT and the methods by which it will be secured. They want the exact same as those for the plan. I can't imagine anyone NOT wanting this, because things DO wear out...they fail, they break, and they just become obsolete, unable to be maintained.

Sure there ARE those that can cope with paying several hundred dollars more a year in property taxes, but on the other side of the coin, there are just as many (probably more) that can ill-afford to be saddled with such a huge jump in that tax ad infinitum. And we must always keep in mind that so many other authorities are able (and are more than willing) to also ask for money that will (most likely) come from (all together now...) PROPERTY TAXES.

What it comes down to is this constant, chronic reliance on OUR houses to keep so many others financially viable. It would appear that OUR HOUSES are some of the most prized assets on the damn PLANET...never knew that before. Well, it looks that way from where I sit. Got a solution...if MY house is SO highly valued by the city, county and whoever else, then THEY can assist in it's UPKEEP!
(yes, I do realize that's a pipe dream and uh oh...sounds like socialism...ewww)

I say start reaching into the pockets of the state and federal governments FIRST before you start playing "pocketball" with me, kapesh?

Curiously enough, both sides are saying they will win this remonstrance battle.....

Still, winning a "battle" does not mean you've won the "war", though...does it?