To the Editor,
My name is Doug Driesel. I have lived in Cherokee Village for 18 years. During my time here I have seen change on a large scale and I have seen our community come together many times for many different causes, raising thousands to help the needy and unfortunate among us. Folks rich and poor alike standing together to make our community stronger, better, and prouder over and over again. That’s why I am so shocked to see such division and vitriol over the millage issue. It seems folks I never dreamed would be so hard hearted when it comes to our kids are showing a side I didn’t know they had.
If you don’t want our community to have a better school, don’t care, or simply don’t want to spend any money on the future of this place then fine. That is your right. But at least use actual FACTS when making your arguments. Some of the outlandish stuff I hear people saying blows my mind.
1) No, the superintendent is not getting a new house in this deal
2) No, the school board is not pocketing funds from the building of a great new school
3) No, the A.L. Hutson is not a joined issue with this proposal, and any issues with how it was handled in the past has nothing to do with need a new high school after 60 years.
4) No, your taxes will not go up 80%. anyone can call the tax collector’s office and get the true numbers on their share of this debt.
5) No, there will not be an assessment hike of 50% or more. This one is insane. In fact, if you are over 65 or over, did you know you can go to your tax office and receive the Homestead freeze, barring any rise in your assessment?
Now, for these reasons, I can tell you why we need a new school.
1) School safety: Our Children are exposed to the dangers of a possible school shooter at the current campus everyday! Did you know all of the side doors have to remain open all day for the students to move from one building to the other? Did you know that the walk to the band and FFA buildings involve a couple hundred feet each, both outside? Does anyone here remember that sad day in Bono? Do you want to be the one responsible for a dead child because you didn’t want to spend a couple bucks a day to make your school a safer place for kids to learn?
2) Six million dollars: If we pass this millage now, the State will kick in six million dollars toward this project. If this millage fails twice more, that money will be gone. The State will give zero for some patch job the no crowd says we can do, which we can’t. Trust me folks, if you vote this down, it will fall under the “I’ll show me a thing or two” heading, be too late.
3) A 60-year-old facility cannot be brought up to code with less cost. That is a fact. the pipes, which are crumbling, are one example. buried in the concrete, they are not made of the same materials as todays plumbing. that alone will take millions and millions to repair. Some have suggested building a wall around the school for safety. Are you serious? You want to wall in the existing 60-year-old, worn out school like the Cummings unit? That is the way you want our community to be represented? That is the way you want our children to have to go to school every day?
Don’t just bull up and hold your breath, and with no facts blindly follow those loud voices feeding you crazy half and no truths about this project. Go to the Central Office and meet the Superintendent! He will be happy to give you facts. Your tax office will be happy to give you facts. And remember, just because you don’t have kids in our schools does not mean you should not care. This is your community too. You have a reason for it to thrive. And without our kids, your community has no future. Kida are the future. Treat them as such, and as important as we know they are.
Vote yes on the millage! Be Highland Proud!
Doug Driesel
Cherokee Village, AR
