Dear Editor:

First it was the big banks on Wall Street, then it was the big automakers, next insurance companies and now a local multi-purpose complex levy. What do these all have in common?

Yep, you got it, a taxpayer bailout. The MLEF couldn’t raise the funds privately like they told many of us they would, so now they have turned to the taxpayers of Meigs Local to bail out their project. We’re taxed enough already. Let’s not vote any new taxes on ourselves, not for a project that’s only going to require more tax money.

The way I see it, if we can’t afford the mortgage on the house we own (that is the current expenses and facilities in the district) how can we afford a huge 100 acre addition? That’s what the MLEF wants, and it will end up burying our district in debt. And then they’ll be back to the taxpayers asking for more money for their dream again!

Don’t be irresponsible. Vote against the “multi-purpose” complex levy. Stop this now. Plus I don’t understand their numbers. First, the MLEF said they had $2 million. Then, they said their project needed $3 million. Now, they’ve placed ads saying their project will only cost $1.5 million. So why do we need a levy?

Take the $2 million you have, build and save the rest to replace and maintain your new facility. That’s what responsible homeowners have to do every day. We have to live within our means. The MLEF should do the same. And now I see where they say it’s only going to cost me $3 per month. I think something’s wrong with their math, because I’ve contacted the Auditors Office and it’s definitely going to cost much more than that for my property for five years.

And thank you to the merchants of Pomeroy and the county Chamber of Commerce who believe that I don’t pay enough in taxes already. I guess I won’t have money left in my wallet to shop at your businesses anymore.

Stop the bailouts. No new taxes. Vote against the Meigs multi-purpose complex levy on November 3rd.

Ron Lamar

Langsville

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Dear Editor:

As a new resident to the area I’ve tried to learn as much as possible about our county. I was happy when I received a brochure about the Multi Purpose Complex that we will be voting on November 3rd.

At first, I couldn’t believe such a great thing was being put together, but after reading it again and talking with neighbors, I came away with more questions than answers and want to pass these along to the voters.

This is being billed as a complex with athletic facilities that will serve the entire community not just Meigs Local students. If this is a community effort, why are only Meigs Local voters being asked to foot the bill to build it and to maintain it? It would seem this should be brought up for a vote as a county tax.

How will it be maintained? If little league games are played all summer, and kids come from all over to the playground, who will pay for electricity, sewage, water, other grounds related expenses and maintenance of the facilities?

I found out that the multipurpose facility that the levy money will be used for is actually a football field with track and field facilities. I was told that the football field will be covered with artificial turf, and that the cost of the artificial turf will be $600,000; 1 called a vendor who told me that the life expectancy of turf is 20 years. If the 7th thru 12th grade football teams play 10 home games a year the cost per game is $3,000 just to replace the turf. The current football facility is in need of restrooms and dressing rooms. If the district can’t afford to build these now, who will maintain this new facility?

There will be a physics lab and other outdoor classrooms available to the students. I was talking to a student about her 5th grade science project and asked to see her textbook. To my surprise, she told me she didn't have one. She and other students have to share their textbooks because there aren’t enough to go around. I called and spoke to a teacher about this and was shocked to find there are several classes that require book sharing. Before we start moving into an outdoor physics lab maybe we should buy books for all students.

Schools are here for educating the kids. I guess a new football field would be a great thing, but an even better thing would be making sure students have the books they need, safe buses to ride in, adequate teachers and the basics for education before we worry about extracurricular activities and the facilities required for them that will surely drain thousands of dollars from the school district’s already depleted budget.

Patty Lund

Albany

•••

Dear Editor:

Next Tuesday voters living within the Meigs Local School District will have the opportunity to definitively decide that our community is going to move forward and create a brighter future for our children.

A “yes” vote will fund a beautiful complex that will be used not only by students, but by the community as a whole. By contrast, a “no” vote is tacit approval for our school district to continue its tradition of cost-cutting, crisis management and waiting for someone in Columbus to solve all of our problems.

Newton’s First Law of Motion states that a body in motion will remain in motion until acted upon by an outside force. This works as well on the way down as it does on the way up ... and it applies to communities. You can be the outside force. It’s time for change. It’s time to move forward. Invest $3-6 a month into your community for the next five years.

Steve Musser

Treasurer, Meigs Local Enrichment Foundation