Coastal voices: Alternatives to bond must be explored

Is there nobody else out there concerned to find for the first time ever our school district is asking us to take on a debt of possibly $25 million?

We have an excellent school system, offering many outstanding programs not found in many more affluent areas, and certainly we want to keep and add to that quality education if at all possible, but is falling into the debt trap really necessary?

I have felt pretty alone at the board meetings where the need for a bond issue has been presented. The only other citizen to attend was a parent whose main concern was the cosmetic appeal of our school sites.

My main interest has been whether, in these difficult economic times, going into debt is the only way to preserve our current programs as well as take care of the essential maintenance of our buildings and property. A request for prioritizing the list of expenditures planned should the bond issue be passed was made, but has not been forthcoming.

There are some maintenance projects that must be taken care of this year, some in the next two or three years, some must be phased farther on down the line. In the past, expert budgeting has always included money for these routine upgrades. Repair of leaking roofs, worn-out plumbing, failing heating systems, and paint to protect exteriors from our weather cannot be postponed, but many things on the list seem to fall into the category of, "wouldn't it be nice to have?"

It appears to me our county is suffering from the economic downturn the rest of the state/nation is facing. People here are losing their homes, the lines at our food pantries grow longer each week, as do those getting their main meal at the Senior Center, or at Our Daily Bread. The number of family pets being offered "free" to a good home is indicative of responsible people who find they are unable to take proper care of one of their family members.

Most of us, lucky enough to be able to meet our obligations, have found it necessary to eliminate or cut back on things we enjoy, but the number not able to meet the increase in water, sewer, electricity, heating fuel and groceries grows each month.

Is this the time to ask property owners to take on a debt without making sure every possible economy has been investigated, all the "wouldn't it be nice to have" items have been eliminated? Remember for every dollar borrowed, interest is added.

We have all been encouraged to take on debt to get everything we want without waiting. Our national debt and ever-growing deficit has been copied by our state and local governments with no ideas or hope for financial stability in sight. Individuals have been encouraged to follow this example — don't wait, buy it now! Is this really what we want to teach our children? Maybe it is time to figure out how we can do a first-rate job with only the essentials. Perhaps our school board feels they have already done this, but if so, it would be good to share their findings with the public.

There are only eight weeks left before we will be asked to vote on this issue. If you are concerned about adding $55 per $100,000 of valuation to your property tax each year, isn't it time to get to the meetings and make sure there is no other way to get through this financially strapped time?