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A surge in absentee ballots isn't the only indication of increased interest in today's $3.5 million bond election in Madison. The Madville Times pool poll (see the right sidebar!) has been drawing a sampling of eager voters as well. While the N isn't quite large enough to get published in any academic journals, the Madville Times is pleased to note that 16 of you loyal readers have taken time to register your position. Thank you!
Those who consider the Madville Times just another niggling nexus of negativity may be surprised to find a predominantly positive response from our readers. Supporters outnumber opponents of the new pool almost 2 to 1, and even among the opponents, most want to spend some money on a new pool, just not as much as proposed.
It will be interesting to see if these online results at all reflect the direction the general electorate takes in Madison today (yes, today! click on the Madville Times poll, then go vote for real! City armory, until 7 p.m.). This editor will suggest that the results do reflect a certain forward-looking attitude among his readers. So keep those visits and votes coming!
Hide Fido (by Andy Horowitz)
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I coined Noem as the ‘Palin of South Dakota’ when she ran for the state
house, seems I nailed it; America: meet your new Secretary of Homeland
Security. Sh...
4 hours ago
Well, it's one thing to be in favor of a new pool, but how many of those are homeowners in Madison who will be affected by the passing of this resolution. I don't even own a home in Madison and I have reservations about placing the cost on the shoulders of homeowners in an already shaky mortgage climate. I guess we'll see in a few hours.
ReplyDeleteAnon is right -- I haven't been keeping track of where the voters come from. Are Madisonites feeling the mortgage squeeze? Or does Madison have money to spare? Either way, get out and vote!
ReplyDeleteA question, though: if this measure passes, will the community have any debt capacity for other projects, like a possible revamped new gym plan?
Will this take up most of our debt capacity? Check out Mr. Hunter's editorial from a few days ago, the answer is yes.
ReplyDeleteI also am concerned about the extra taxes on property owners, and about the increased fees for swimming.
As with the Community Center, I pay higher taxes for something I rarely utilize, because I cannot afford it.
No, we are not poor, then we would be allowed to use these facilities at a reduced cost. But we do not have money in our budget to pay the cost of the community center, and based on the price at other "aquatic centers", we will not be able to afford this.
Now, my kids can go swimming all summer, when this is built, they will only be able to go a few times.
I don't live in town so won't get taxed extra for this. My concern though is that the cost will be borne by many of those who will never use it or have any family members using it and who are on fixed incomes but still manage to own their own home. Isn't there some other way to fund this than a simple property tax assessment?
ReplyDeleteYour comment about the revamped gym plan brings up an issue too. Last time the city had money to help build it but refused to do so based on shaky reasoning. If this passes, the city will be able to say sorry, we can't help, but just go sock it to the property owners in the school district and make them pay for a new gym.
There are only so many tax dollars, only so many people to pay those dollars, and of course taxes to pay for such things as gyms and pools, nice as they are, fall very unequitably on the various taxpayers. The powers that be need to start to realize this.
Sounds like anon above is being personally responsible for his family and himself. That is great as I think that is what this country was built on and what should continue to be emphasized.
ReplyDeleteBut maybe he and I are missing the boat here. If we weren't so personally responsible, we would qualify for reduced rates for swimming, probably reduced rates for school lunches, food stamps, free child care, free health care, etc etc. Just maybe it really is we who stress personal responsibilty that instead need to back off, relax, take life easier, make less money, and live better. Seems that this is just what Hillary is stressing! Maybe she's right after all??!!
Nonnie,
ReplyDeleteI am anon#2, and I thank you for your post. I have said more than once that we are fools for not voting for all the socialistic democrats. Then, we could quit working, let the government pay for evertyhing, and live better than we do now.
If only my conscience would let me do that!
It's approved!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ask4direct.com/InfoRead.asp?id=KJA2&InfoID=343046