[Winona Online Democracy]
Well, Linda, you do have a point that it is true that over the length of the
referendum, many of these particular students who voted will not be paying
rent in Winona. However, they will be replaced by new students who will be.
It is difficult for me to believe that landlords won't pass the tax increase
on to their renters--students and non-students alike.
I think the student vote of 18-25 year olds is significant in that it hasn't
been very long since they were in High School and they can really empathize
and appreciate what was important to them when they were there. It seems
from your comments that somehow their voices or opinions should not be
included because they don't own property.
As far as remembering what was important to us "baby boomers" (I'm at the
tail end of this demographic) when we were in school, I am shocked and
dismayed that there are so many fewer opportunities for our Winona students
than what I had growing up elsewhere. I remember class sizes of 20-30
depending on the class. I had the fortune of taking some advanced math
courses, too. I remember participating in forensics and one act play
competitions which was a big draw for me to find a peer group and make it
easier to belong, socially, at the school (girls who wear glasses and are
good in math need alternatives to "fit in" with peers!)
WSHS has neither of these programs. I suspect that there are similar
stories out there for other types of school related activities that were
meaningful to parents and now their children don't have those opportunities.
I recently heard that there is no school newspaper! I don't think the
referendum will even make a change in these issues--those aren't the kind of
priorities this district has the luxury to explore. Maybe they will be able
to restore the school musical, though? I guess we'll see which cuts can be
restored once the audit numbers come in and the administration and board
have a chance to plan based on the best information possible.
Part of what I think we're seeing is the "Generation X" phenomenon--the
first generation of young people who will not be better off than their
parents. As a parent, I do want my kids to have at least as good as I had
it. I don't like being pitted against my elders this way. My view is that
both seniors and kids need support and that it's the responsibility of those
of us in the workforce to do this in our homes and with our tax dollars.
Kathy Seifert
----- Original Message -----
From: "LindaF" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "E Democracy" <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, November 14, 2005 8:04 AM
Subject: Re: [Winona] Here Goes (Re:861)
[Winona Online Democracy]
They aren't going to be helping pay property taxes because they aren't
going to be living in Winona.
Anyone have any figures as to how many of the college students STAY in
Winona after graduating to add their money to help pay property tax?
Probably all 1700 of the ones that voted will stay and pay property taxes
because they feel so strongly about this issue.
Linda Fort
btw I happen to have a pretty high IQ.
Subject: [Winona] Here Goes (Re:861)
[Winona Online Democracy]
Some are proposing that citizens should not vote unless they own
property.
I propose that citizens not vote until they pass an IQ test. That
measure,
too, would have affected the referendum vote.
I am only partially facetious here. How can anyone underestimate the
importance of WSU, SMU, and SE Tech to our community. If young people
choose to come here to live as they attend school that gives them the
right
to vote...at the same time it supports hundreds of businesses and employs
thousands. Students pay their way in this community. That they are a
progressive voice is a blessing to us all...ah, to be young again!
I understand that some people fundamentally like to complain...there is
no
solution to this eternal irritant. Some of our neighbors,
though...especially many of our seniors, for whom money is very, very
tight...are justifiably concerned about an additional hit on their budget
in
these times of high energy prices, high drug prices, etc.
Two observations:
First off...find out about the property tax circuit breaker...ask your
tax
advisor, the Senior Advocate's office, whomever. I have not heard
anything
concerte yet about how it will cushion the blow locally, but it may help.
Secondly...additional education spending is an investment in the future
and
in ourselves. I may be old fashioned, but I'm a tree planter...even if I
won't eat the fruit. In this case, however, I will at least get a
nibble...the better educated our kids, the better jobs they'll have in
2030...and the bigger share of my future property taxes they'll pay when
I
retire.
Winona's future depends on her willingness to invest in herself...that
future is imperiled by short-sightedness. This is not the first time
such
sentiment has reared its head in our hometown. This should, however, be
the
time we recognize it for what it is...foolishness. Eating' seed corn may
taste good...but it ain't no good for the farm.
Bob Sebo
Winona
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