Coastal voices: Measure A jobs must be local

Last Nov. 4, Measure A was passed, which authorized a $24.987 million bond. The bond disbursements’ general responsibility for improving specific building and maintenance projects in all school facilities in the Del Norte County Unified School District.

The financial obligation is on every property-owning taxpayer in the county for the next 30 years.  Currently, the school district is at its preliminary stages of prioritizing the various projects as well as selecting one or more architects to assist in the planning, development and execution of these projects.

As of yet, no solidified decision has been made as to which architect(s) are going to be selected. However, on Jan. 22, recommendations and further discussions will be presented.

With our country in the midst of an economic recession, it is vital for our community to take control of our own economic growth and stability by strengthening our workforce and decreasing the local unemployment rate. This can be accomplished by employing local workers through this bond.

There are many of you out there right now that have either experienced a layoff, hourly cutback(s), or the business you own is struggling. We are fortunate to have many talented and accomplished hard-working residents in our community who are capable of performing the various jobs for the school district.

There is absolutely no reason for the school district to recruit out-of-the-area architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors and laborers The local people should be considered first.

After all, if weren’t for the hard-working taxpaying property owners, this bond would not succeed.

A petition initiative has been created to inform the citizens of the impact of the school board’s decisions.

It is urgent you to take heed of this message. It is imperative for everyone to seize the moment and take a stand. You have a voice and you need to be heard.

We are asking for people to sign a petition that conveys a public message to keep our taxpayers’ money local. Money circulates several times over.  Money spent on local businesses will be spent here again and again and again. The petitions are located at these various local businesses:
ACE Hardware, Coast 2 Coast, The Club, 101 Laundromat, Office Supply, Dance Art Studio, Remax, Northwood’s, Hiouchi Hamlet, Englund Marine, Northwest Insurance, Dolly’s and The Wellness Center

We only have a few days left before the next meeting, so please take the time to sign the petition!

Please attend the next district board meeting on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 5:30 p.m. at 301 W. Washington Blvd. in the Education Center Building Curriculum & Instruction Center.

A special thank you goes out to all of the local businesses, business owners, family and friends who support this initiative. Without you, this petition would not be possible.

Remember, Abraham Lincoln said, “United we stand, divided we fall.”

If you have questions or need petition forms, call me at 954-4676.

Angelina Bieber works for Crescent Realtors & Appraisal Service, Inc., Smith River.