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To the Editor: Good schools, communities don't just happen |
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Written by Melanie Stretchbery
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Thursday, 02 May 2013 09:32 |
It just doesn't 'happen' that communities are successful.
And it just doesn't 'happen' that communities stay successful. Great communities are made up of individually successful citizens, schools, organizations, services, and businesses that do the right things at the right time in the right circumstances.
We live in a complex and ever-changing world that requires collaboration and strategic alliances. We are fortunate to have those relationships within the Bowling Green community, as well as our entire county, as there is tremendous strength, clear direction, collaborative effort and visionary leadership to leverage all of our resources to get things done in the most effective and efficient way.
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To the Editor: BG Chamber supports levy |
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Written by Earlene Kilpatrick
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Thursday, 02 May 2013 09:11 |
The BG School district has been given an endorsement by the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. The BGCC board supports the levy because it recognizes that well supported schools are an important element of our community for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to: Strong schools are a component of a strong, local economy; Strong schools provide quality academics that in turn create students who eventually become strong workers; and Strong schools participate in, partner with and support our community initiatives. (Not to mention support the local businesses wherever possible)
This levy is earmarked for our school system's day-to-day operations. The district has run a lean budget attributed to cost reduction measures through staff attrition and sale of land and buildings. These efforts have led to $1M less in expenditures over the last year, despite ongoing cuts in state funding and mandates.
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To the Editor: Levy is for the next generation of students |
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Written by Terry Mulgrew
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Thursday, 02 May 2013 09:10 |
It is with great dismay that I received a letter in the mail from Citizens for Financial Responsibility. The letter is filled with many inaccuracies and I am hopeful our voters do not fall for these tactics. I feel the place to start with is the motivation: If the CFR group is being led by commercial landlords who own rental units in BG, then it would make sense for them to fund a negative campaign to keep their profits strong and attempt to keep taxes low.
My children are grown and have passed through our fine school system and I am very close to retirement. My motivation is for the next generation of students who will pass through our schools to have the resources available to educate them to become work-ready in our current economy.
Bowling Green's strong schools system attracted my family to this town 30 years ago. The commercial landlords know eroding the property values will decrease their tax bill and make it cheaper to acquire more homes in the future-maybe even yours. Our schools are a community asset; we need to invest in them.
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To the Editor: No on BG school: Vote for fiscal responsibility |
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Written by Dud and Janet Dauterman
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Tuesday, 30 April 2013 09:28 |
There is a large school property tax on the May 7, 2013 ballot which proposes to increase the BG school property tax by 60 percent. Proponents and opponents are being tagged as being either "for" the schools or "against" the schools. We all support our schools. A good school system is a strong asset in any community.
Recent attempts to raise funds for the school district are causing taxpayers to question the actual need for funds. Although state funding has gone down $800k/year on average, federal funding has increased. So why is a tax increase of $4.4 million/year needed?
The Board of Education has not explained why such a large increase is necessary. How is the money going to be spent?
Last November's income tax ballot issue was not defeated because the voters didn't support our schools. It was defeated both because the amount of funds requested was excessive and voters were not convinced that enough efforts had been made to keep spending in balance with income.
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To the Editor: Cocoon appreciates Valentine's generosity |
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Written by Michelle Clossick
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Tuesday, 30 April 2013 09:27 |
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I am writing in response to the recent death of Doug Valentine. At the Cocoon Shelter we experienced a side of Mr. Valentine that many never saw. In 2004, Doug was approached by his pastor and asked if he had property that could be used to house victims fleeing domestic violence. Seemingly without hesitation, he said that he had property that he would make available. With that decision, the Cocoon Shelter, the first and only shelter to provide comprehensive services for survivors of abuse located in Wood County, was made possible. For seven years, Mr. Valentine, his family, and staff enabled the Cocoon to provide over 21,000 nights of safe emergency housing to nearly 500 adult victims and their children fleeing abuse at no cost to the agency.
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To the Editor: Vote to keep Bowling Green an education city |
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Written by Jerry and Sandy Wicks
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Tuesday, 30 April 2013 09:26 |
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Bowling Green is an education city. It is our "industry." It is certainly not the only industry in town, there are a number of excellent ones, but it is what we are known for. It is largely what defines us to ourselves and to most people living outside of Bowling Green. It is our strength and it lends strength to the community. It gives meaning and value to our social exchanges. It gives purpose to much of our everyday activities, whether that involves working for our helping out at the schools, enjoying some pancakes at the annual Kiwanis pancake breakfast held in the high school cafeteria, watching our children, grandchildren or a friend's child showing off their school at an ice cream social, attending a local sporting event, school play, cheering the Quiz Bowl team or watching with pride as the marching band struts down Main Street in the Holiday Parade.
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