Letters to the Editor - Jan. 28, 2010

In crisis

We are in a crisis because our leaders in all areas of government have the physiology that overspending or a give away program will solve the crisis. History tells us that it will not work.

As citizens we need to look at the background of people we are electing into the positions of leadership. Do they represent what is best for America and our freedom? Do they know anything about economics, morals or Christian relationships? Once elected, do they represent what is best for America or do they represent special interest groups, who paid to get them elected.

I urge all of us to write our representatives and impress upon them the importance of a responsible government. Our need is for statesmanship in government, not party votes.

To remain a free nation we need to pray for our nation, our leaders and America to return to the freedoms this nation was founded upon.

Our present path can only lead to either socialism or totalitarianism. Neither will keep us free.

Clarence Claypool,

Colfax

Unreasonable

On January 7, 2010, we learned that the Colfax school district was asking the voters to approve a maintenance and operation levy in the amount of $1.3 million for each of the next two years up from the $930,000 2010 levy. This is an increase of $370,000 which supposedly makes up a “maybe” shortage of an anticipated $325,000 that may not be coming from the State of Washington in equalization funding together with apparently and additional $45,000 increase over the 2010 levy.

In a mailer that was received on January 21, sent by “Citizens for Quality Schools” We note that the requested levy for 2012 which voters will be voting on Tuesday, February 9th, is $1,350,000. We have some difficulty with this since the ballots that we received on January 23, show a request for $1,300,000 for 2012, the same as requested for 2011.

In a newspaper article, the School Board has assured the voters that if they approve the levy requests and if the State of Washington continues the equalization funding, the School Board would graciously “roll back” part of the approved levy amount.

The citizens have been extremely generous with the school administrations in prior years, responding favorably to almost all of their requests. In reviewing the most recent real estate tax statement, we find that the Colfax School district is receiving 36% of every tax dollar with the seven other taxing entities sharing in the other 64% as follows: County current expense 11%, Whitman County Library 3%, Cemetery District 1%, State of Washington 15%, Port of Whitman County 3%, City of Colfax 19%, Hospital District 12%. An increase as proposed by the School Board would significantly increase the School District’s share

While other taxing authorities are struggling to balance budgets and are making cut-backs in spending in an attempt to cope in these tough economic times, we see no indication that the School Board is considering any cuts or economizing in their proposed budget.

They are only asking for more.

In the pamphlet that we received from Citizens for Quality Schools, we note that they made a point of assuring the readers that this is not a new tax.

It may not be new, but it certainly is larger.

We are not against good schools and have voted favorably in the past in support of maintenance and operation levies.

However, we cannot support levies that are based on what may or may not happen with State funding obligations.

We therefore urge you to join us with a no vote on the proposed levies.

Don Deen,

Joe Henderson,

both Colfax

Backs levy

As a parent, business owner, and substitute teacher I encourage residents to vote for the Colfax School District Levy. I have both an insider and outsider view on how the schools benefit our community.

My children have benefited from the caring, individualized attention of teachers, staff, and coaches. Daniel found his niche in high school in computers and art, with Mrs. Hamilton and Mrs. Lothspeich. He is now on the Dean’s list at Columbia Basin College, working on a Multimedia Computer Science degree.

My veterinary clinic has had kindergarten classes tour for the past 14 years, as they learn the letter ‘V”.

I have benefited from student volunteers and job shadows and found that I enjoy teaching teens about science. This led me to earn my teaching certificate. After several years of substitute teaching, this year I am teaching one high school biology class. Let me tell you, being a teacher is harder than it looks!

The budget is sparse and it would really hurt our schools to not receive the 15% added by the levy. I do not see any teachers wasting resources. Everyone recycles, shares supplies, fixes broken stuff, and brings their own supplies from home.

So please go find your ballot (somewhere in that stack of mail), fill it out, and drop it in the mail.

Becky Elfers,

Colfax

Clichés

It is with amazement we witness how the public is swayed, influenced and manipulated by mindless clichés carefully crafted by specialists in propaganda. No doubt there is a preference for illusion, myths and faith over rational thought and reality.

Here is a brief review of the successful clichés which have changed our lives over 90 years.

The first one was the cry “prosperity is just around the corner - the economy is as sound as the dollar.” This mantra was repeated often even though unemployment exceeded 25%.

I saw families living on the garbage dump fighting a white cloud of seagulls for food.

As a 12 year old selling newspapers I was a witness to city police on horseback beating workers for union activity.

Conservatives in Congress opposed social programs on the grounds there was no money and the debt would bankrupt the country.

The promise of “prosperity is just around the corner” did prevail, but only after massive government spending for World War II.

After the war the popular cliché became “The Russians are coming -the Russians are coming.” which later developed into the domino theory saying we must stop them now or the communist will be on main street. Finally after an exhausting effort in Vietnam we were assured “there is a light at the end of the tunnel”.

More recently we have endured the results of a heavily financed campaign promoting deregulation. The government is a failure and the cause of the problem. We should leave corporate enterprise alone and support the open market place. Therefore deregulate, deregulate.

Today the drum beat is less shrill, but effective. The media tells us frequently that the recession is over, we are slowly recovering. If you believe this one you qualify as a “monetarist” along with Larry Summers and Tim Geithner and the banks, but if you are skeptical, worried about the future, you might be a Keynsian deeply concerned about rising unemployment collapsing consumer demand, and the mortgage mess.

Reed Hansen,

Pullman

Compelled

We feel compelled to shed light on some of the discussions that are being held in the community regarding the upcoming school levy election.

We have been members of the Citizens for Quality schools committee for over 25 years. Never before this year has the committee recommended asking the voters for the maximum allowable amount in a Colfax levy. Never before this year has the Washington State Legislature and the Governor attempted to put as much responsibility on local voters to provide for the education of a community’s children.

The Legislature has ignored the citizen’s process by setting aside initiatives that provided for smaller class sizes and wage increases that insure that quality teachers are educating our young people.

The state has been hit hard by the recession, but that is no reason for the Governor and the majority party to shirk their constitutional responsibility to provide for the education of its young people.

The Governor proposed that equalization funding be eliminated. 220 schools in the state receive these moneys. The impact locally would be $325,000, hence why the large increase in this year’s levy. The loss of a number that large would have a severe impact on the quality of education we currently provide to our Colfax school students.

The current school budget does by no means provide a “Cadillac” education. But as exemplified by former graduates, this school district has prepared our young people to be productive members of the community, a large majority receiving post secondary 2 and 4 year degrees. This levy does not ask for any frills.

It attempts to keep the program offerings at the current level. If the state reinstates the equalization, by law, the $325,000 would be rolled back from the levy and the net increase being asked for would be about $60,000 or about $.09 per thousand dollars of assessed value over the prior levy. Receipt of levy equalization money hinges on the passage of local maintenance and operation levies.

Remember that this is not an additional tax but rather a replacement of the current maintenance and operation levy. By now you have received in the mail a brochure explaining how the money is spent. Read through it.

Many of the areas covered including textbooks, and classroom desks, to name a few, are not paid for by the state.

You probably don’t remember that the school administration worked very hard to reduce your taxes by getting over $2 million in new construction grants from the State for the High School renovation project 2 years ago that resulted in a tax reduction of $.59 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation required to pay for the bond each and every year.

In addition to the challenges provided by reduced funding from the state, enrollment in Colfax schools has slowly declined. Since the state pays schools based on enrollment, this also has provided challenges to the local school board and administration in providing a good quality education, while receiving fewer dollars with which to do it.

If you have ideas about the future direction the education of Colfax young people should go, you need to let your school board members know. Do we need to reduce staffing levels? Do we need to provide less classroom options and electives?

Do we need to institute volunteer extra curricular supervisors, or even pay to play athletic programs? What we don’t need is for you to show your displeasure for what you believe are perceived problems with the current school system by voting no on your ballot without first being proactive with suggestions and input, and becoming educated on the issues.

When we had the informational meeting about the upcoming levy several weeks ago only one member from the community who was not a school board member or existing Quality Schools committee member showed up. I would hope that means that everyone else believes in what has been presented and will vote Yes for the Colfax maintenance and operation levy February 9th.

After all, it’s about the kids.

Bob & Cheryl Lothspeich,

Colfax

Ain’t over

It ain’t over yet.

This is the message I’d like to share with those of you who, like me, have been appalled by what Congress is attempting to do to our medical care.

With a family member in Seattle undergoing a bone marrow transplant, I am struck again by how many things are right with American medical care, and how disastrous it would be to hand the health of our families over to government bureaucrats.

Please join me in saying NO to Congress while there is still time.

Melissa May,

Colfax

Serious doubt

I’m so glad Jim Farr and Steve McGehee have such an enjoyable hobby. It’s unfortunate, however, they aren’t putting their energy to better use by actually doing something productive and beneficial for our community.

Mr. Farr’s comments in the January 21, 2010 Gazette casts serious doubt and a whole new light on Mr. McGehee’s motives and claims as reported in previous Gazette articles, and makes it perfectly clear their agenda is purely a personal vendetta and nothing more.

Mr. Farr and Mr. McGehee continue to inundate city hall with frivolous and excessive public records requests, and Mr. Farr has now made scurrilous accusations against the Palouse Planning Commission.

Obviously if you continuously fire a machine gun at something, eventually you are going to hit your target, regardless of how small and insignificant that target is to begin with...

anything, apparently, to further their campaign against the mayor and city.

I suggest Mr. Farr do one of two things. Either stop behaving like a spoilt child and develop his property according to the guidelines set forth by the city and state, guidelines that all other property owners are expected to abide by, or move. I’m pretty sure we could put together a moving party to help him out with this second option pretty easily. And please, Mr. Farr, take Mr. McGehee with you while you’re at it.

Tracy Milano,

Palouse

Whoa

Whoa back. It’s been almost 50 years since Mrs. Streib tried to teach me English, but I don’t think I have forgotten as much as some people think I have.

Back in the 20th century, “this is not a new tax” meant what it says. Now, I guess, “not a new tax” must mean it’s just a new old tax.

The Colfax School District wants me to pay an additional 40 percent for the next M & O levy. I’m all for good schools, but if it costs 40 percent more, I think we need to find a more equitable way to pay for it.

Call me a redneck if you want, but I’m voting “no” on the levy.

Duane H. Steiger,

Dusty