April 24, 2008 07:37 pm
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During the past year the Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD has identified facility needs and developed a prioritized long-term facilities plan to address these needs.
A stakeholder committee considered numerous scenarios to meet the facilities needs as effectively as possible with the available bonding capacity. The committee reached consensus that it is more cost effective and feasible at this time to replace the core facilities of the High School. It also recommended prioritized improvements to the other schools and increased technology access for all students. The LCM CISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved a bond election for $40,000,000 on May 10, 2008 (preceded by early voting starting April 28, 2008) to implement the plan.
I encourage all eligible LCM CISD voters to study the facility needs and recommendations so as to make an informed decision. Visit the LCM CISD Website at www.lcmcisd.org for more details, or contact the LCM CISD administration office at 883-2232. Also, plan to attend the High School tour and presentation on Saturday, April 26, 2008, from 9 a.m. to noon.
When we pick up a pencil to mark FOR or AGAINST the Bond Proposition, we hold the future of the Little Cypress and Mauriceville community and its greatest assets, our children and the LCM CISD, in our hands.
It is up to us to continue to invest in safe and appropriate facilities to provide quality education for all children. It is up to us to continue to provide appropriate facilities to attract quality teachers. It is up to us to provide our students access to technology they need to succeed. It is up to us to invest wisely in our schools to keep our community moving forward.
It is up to us to VOTE YES FOR LCM CISD!
Jim Brown
Little Cypress
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I am a former LCI teacher, and current LCJH parent. Over the past several months, I’ve worked with many other community members to study the current facility needs of the LCM school district. While we are all proud of the learning that transpires in our schools, it has become completely apparent that plans must be formed for the future of our campus facilities.
The proposed bond issue solves many pressing issues. If it passes, the most significant changes would occur at the high school. The newer sections of the campus (ie- the band hall) would remain intact, with the rest of the core sections being torn down and replaced at their present location. Built incrementally, disturbances to students would be kept as minimal as possible.
Along with this new high school construction, other district campuses would see improvements. Among these will be road/traffic flow advances, a/c and heating modifications, kitchen equipment and technological upgrades.
Although the district wide improvements will be visually gratifying, please do not think that this bond issue is just about aesthetics, for the proposed actions will be much more significant than that. In a nutshell, here are some major reasons why this bond election should receive enthusiastic support from our community:
SAFETY: Most LCM CISD campuses are readily accessible, with dozens of unrestricted entrances/exits.
SPACE: There is an inadequate amount of functional, up to date high school space. This includes the classrooms, labs, hallways, and restrooms.
EFFICIENCY: Current equipment draws excess energy; windows/doors/appliances are wasteful.
PROPERTY VALUES: Every property value directly corresponds to the caliber of the school system.
ATTRACT AND RETAIN SATISFIED TEACHERS: enough said.
Bottom line: quality educational facilities should not be considered optional. Please vote in favor of the bond issue on May 10.
Susan Swan
Little Cypress
Diminished man tired of status quo
I think it was Ronald Reagan who said, “He that governs least, governs best.”
He understood less to mean more, especially in government. The city council of Orange doesn’t get it, for when they act, I always feel diminished.
When 1,200 other citizens were denied the right to be heard in a recent referendum, they tried to place before this council, they were diminished too!
I have learned from this experience that five people have managed to obtain absolute control over our lives of 18,000 people who live in this city. We are allowed to complain, but not to resist or there will be retaliation. Some in this city have grown to like their chains ... I haven’t!
This city government has also acquired a vampires appetite for other people’s property through the odious practice of eminent domain seizures. Approximately 28 lawsuits have been filed to seize other people’s assets for a pittance of what it’s worth. (I doubt if this had been Stark Foundation land any lawsuit would have been filed.) Of course, seizing other people’s assets is always done in the name of progress, or growth, or maybe ... for the children. After all, one lame excuse is as good as another.
Space won’t allow me to ponder all the millions of dollars in bonds this city issues based only on the voice of five people, (that albatross called Ford Park started this way), and how much of that continually mounting debt is spent where it is really needed? All I see is loads of money spent downtown for that oh so desirable, hokey, old town image and, of course, in Little Cypress where it is not needed or wanted. Apparently, the council deems no amount of debt is too much for the citizens of Orange since adopting their new “tax and spend it like you stole it,” prosperity policies.
While speaking of taxes, has anyone noticed the giant increases in appraisal values while supposedly giving us a tax break? You and I will pay much more in taxes next year after this new “make believe” tax cut. Are you starting to feel diminished yet?
Many cities in Texas prosper without the debt Orange is accumulating and they don’t have a “Foundation” to draw them off the Interstate.
Three new men with new ideas are on the horizon to guide Orange to better waters. Charles Atkinson, Glen Prince and Jeff Holland can and will bring real tax relief to Orange. They will encourage new law enforcement strategies to bring safer streets to your neighborhoods. Mostly, it won’t be the same old status quo and neglect that permeates the streets and neighborhoods now. Rather, it will be an engagement with the people of Orange in a new way. Imagine this ... real, approachable government, of the people, by the people and for the people. If you can imagine that, then less can be a lot more!
Arlon Davis
Orange
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