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YOUR LETTERS
Sinclair levy, Miami County Commission, Montgomery and Greene county races
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Sinclair Community College levy
Extras
Tuition increase may be answer
Sinclair has a reputation as one of the best scholastic two-year schools in the country, as well as being the least expensive in the state. It is well-recognized for its community support.
Why, then, has it become so important to be the least expensive college in Ohio? Why can't we continue to have the same great academic standards and maybe be the second or third lowest in tuition cost in Ohio?
It is not in the best interest of Montgomery County taxpayers to vote for another increase in their property taxes. Our county has seen a loss of jobs and an erosion of our tax base.
A taxpayer only has so much money to spend. Every time we give an institution such as Sinclair more money, we are directly reducing the amount of money that we taxpayers are putting into our local economy. Property values have declined while property taxes have increased.
What is the solution? We may need to increase the cost of tuition. We may need to ask senior citizens to pay something for taking a class.
We can still be one of the lowest-cost schools and still achieve the highest of standards.
— John S. Keferl
Dayton
Sinclair opens gateways to opportunity
Sinclair Community College is a crucially important asset to the future of Montgomery County and our ability to meet Gov. Ted Strickland's goal to enroll an additional 230,000 students in Ohio's colleges and universities. Sinclair serves an economically diverse student population and makes it possible for many students, at all income levels, to earn associate degrees and to transfer to four-year institutions to complete baccalaureate degrees.
We know that completing a college degree is necessary in order to become more economically advantaged, but only about 11 percent of students who come from the lowest socioeconomic levels ever earn those degrees — the gateways to opportunity. Those gateways make a difference in terms of earning power.
Erik Eckholm recently observed that "Someone born into a family in the lowest fifth of earners who graduates from college has a 19 percent chance of joining the highest fifth of earners in adulthood and a 62 percent chance of joining the middle class or better."
The stumbling block for these students is often the cost of higher education.
I urge everyone in Montgomery County to support Issue 39. It not only makes economic sense for the community, but also will help make the economic dreams come true for so many young people who represent our region's future.
— Thomas J. Lasley II
Centerville
Passing Issue 39 will bring many benefits
As I see it, the Sinclair Community College levy (Issue 39) is an investment in our future. Sinclair provides tens of thousands of our citizens with a first-class education.
That education helps our citizens learn what they need to know as they pursue various careers. Sinclair also assists many students as they take courses to acquire basic credits, which serve as steppingstones to four-year colleges.
Considering what we all receive in return, the 3.2-mill property tax levy is a bargain for our whole county. It is impossible to fully calculate the positive value of passing this levy. What I do know is that Sinclair brings us all a great many benefits.
— Robert Obach
Dayton
Enough is enough on property taxes
The editorial board's support of the Sinclair Community College levy is poppycock. At a time when the majority of the citizens in Montgomery County are having to adjust their personal budgets because of the economy, the paper trivializes the nearly 75 percent increase in property taxes that we give a community college.
We are paying for a human services levy increase that benefits the employees providing the services more than it benefits the individuals receiving the services.
Dayton residents are going to be asked to pay more taxes for Dayton Public Schools to support an administration that is nonresponsive and shows contempt toward the very citizens it wants to tax.
Now we have a community college asking us to increase what we give it, and for what? Enough is enough.
— Richard H. Zimmerman
Dayton
Sinclair paved the way to good jobs
We are a married couple who grew up in the Dayton area. We are now homeowners in Miami Twp., parents, and proud graduates of Sinclair Community College.
We know firsthand how hard it is to raise a family, and to pay our mortgage and taxes. We also know that our lives are better because of our college education; we both have good jobs today because of our education from Sinclair. We also know that if we ever need to go back to college, Sinclair is there for us. We can afford Sinclair and it offers so much should we need to upgrade our skills.
Sinclair is worth every penny. We say vote yes for the Sinclair levy.
— Todd and Sherri Shaner
Miami Twp.
Students should pay, not property owners
I am all for Sinclair Community College offering low tuition. However, I am against doing this on the backs of property owners. It is not the job of property owners to offset the tuition cost. Sinclair is expanding into Warren County, but not asking for a levy there.
Sinclair could ask for an increase in the cost per credit hour and still be the most affordable institution around. The beauty is, it's on the back of the beneficiary: the student. They should appreciate their education more knowing it wasn't handed to them.
— Michael A. Scarpelli
Dayton
Miami County Commission
Fessler works hard for constituents
Diana Fessler is an excellent candidate for Miami County commissioner. She has served her district at the state level and was sent to Columbus for four terms. Fessler works hard for her constituents.
In the 127th General Assembly Regular Session, she has been the primary sponsor of 11 bills and co-sponsor of 87 bills.
Fessler has served on the State Board of Education (1995-2000) and is co-founder of the Education Action Council. She has worked hard to see that every child is a well-educated child. She is also serving on the Infrastructure, Homeland Security, Veterans' Affairs and Juvenile and Family Law committees.
Miami County is growing and changing. We need a person on the commission who will help channel that growth and change into beneficial change for all the residents of Miami County.
Fessler cares about the quality of life in Miami County, and with her knowledge of state laws, combined with her independent spirit and compassion for all people, she will be a refreshing change for the county commission.
— Mary Huber
Troy
Evans effective as commissioner
Miami County Republicans should re-elect John "Jack" Evans as Miami County commissioner. Evans served as a Monroe Twp. trustee for 19 years. During this time, he learned what good public service should be. Township government requires elected officials to be directly responsive to their constituents, govern as a team of equals, work side-by-side with their employees, and balance an ever tightening budget. Officials who fail at this aren't re-elected. Evans was re-elected four times.
Evans' ability to serve effectively as a local elected official is why, in 2003, the Miami County Republican Central Committee selected him over 16 other candidates to replace Commissioner John Dugan. And then he was elected by the voters to the next term.
In the five years since then, he has served Miami County well, working with the other commissioners to provide the services we expect. I am sure that the other candidates running against Evans are fine individuals, but I have not seen any information to indicate how they might offer anything that would improve on the job Jack Evans is already doing.
— Martin E. English
Tipp City
Re-elect Evans to maintain continuity
We urge the residents of Miami County to re-elect Jack Evans as Miami County commissioner. It is of utmost importance to maintain continuity and experience on the Miami County Commission.
Evans already has an in-depth understanding of the county's governmental processes and finances. He is already part of the "team leadership" concept put in place by past county commissioners. The financial health of Miami County is one of the strongest in the state, thanks to the conservative budgetary mindset exhibited by Evans and the rest of our county's elected officials.
In these difficult economic times, we must continue the strong leadership and experience already in place to successfully guide our county in the future.
— Tim and Diana Edwards
Union
Montgomery County races
Mitakides understands education issues
I took advantage of the opportunity to vote early, and I proudly cast my vote for Democrat Jane Mitakides for Ohio's 3rd congressional district.
I voted for Mitakides because she is persistent. She ran for this office once before, when Democrats didn't seem to have a chance to regain this seat. Things have changed, and it looks like Democrats have a bright future in Ohio.
After a 30-year career as a public educator, I always look to see where candidates stand on education issues. Mitakides sees the link between public education and social justice issues, economic issues and health care issues. She understands that children are more than a test score. She knows that teachers shape lives, and she believes that they need the proper resources to serve our children.
Most important, she understands that, if America is going to participate in today's global economy, we must prepare our children to compete and cooperate.
Mitakides is the right candidate for our children, our future and us.
— Wanda Adams
Trotwood
Young's success includes family time
I support Tom Young, Republican candidate for the 38th District of the Ohio House of Representatives. Young's credentials and qualifications are impressive. He has distinguished himself during participation in local government, is a successful and trusted business person, serves on the board of trustees for a prestigious university, actively supports the Kids Voting initiative, and provides important outside social contact for community residents whose mobility is limited.
But what most impresses me about him is his ability to simultaneously deliver his full attention to all of these initiatives and still devote the time necessary to build a healthy home environment for his family. Whether it is shuttling kids to local sporting events, participating in their spiritual enrichment or just being a positive and loving presence in their lives, he has more than distinguished himself in this aspect of his life.
With all of the news today about questionable behavior of our elected officials, this last quality may be the most important factor in my decision to support Young.
— Steven G. Himes
Centerville
Young has true gift for leadership
I am a lifelong Democrat with very independent leanings. However, I don't vote for party politics, I vote for people whom I believe have the best interest of their constituents at heart. Tom Young is that person.
He has demonstrated to me, over the years, his commitment to helping others; an unbiased decision process, based on needs rather than rhetoric; and a true gift for leadership.
This dyed-in-the-wool Democrat highly recommends that citizens consider Tom Young to serve as state representative in the 39th District.
— Terri Tyson
Centerville
Winburn is proven leader
Roland Winburn, president of the Harrison Twp. trustees, is a candidate for state representative in the 40th District, where we stand to benefit from his responsible governing and proven leadership.
I was privileged to serve with him on our township strategic planning committee, looking at a projected 10-year plan for our community.
Winburn is active in his community and has the interest of our citizens and their quality of life as one of his top priorities.
He was a member of Ohio's Eminent Domain Task Force (a governor's appointee), among the many committees he has served on.
Winburn will bring sensitivity to regional issues and will seek common ground with other state representatives who will work for a better Ohio.
— Margie Lairson
Harrison Twp.
Rec center funding should be private
The recreation center levy should be rejected by the voters of Washington Twp. for the following reasons:
• This is not a business the township should be in. The township's concerns should be public issues such as fire, police and roads. If the township needs this service, then other organizations should provide it, using private money.
• In 2004, the rec center requested and, sadly, received a large increase for park improvement projects.
The problem taxpayers face is the unending stream of county, school and township entities that have their hands out and in our pockets all the time. Please vote no.
— Aulay Carlson
Washington Twp.
We can afford rec center tax
Residents of Centerville and Washington Twp. will vote on a 0.7-mill replacement levy to support Washington Twp.'s Recreation Department.
This is not a new tax. Voters approved the levy in 1988, 1993, 1998 and 2003. Because our property values have increased during the last five years, there will be a slight increase of $2.07 a year — 17 cents a month, or less than a penny a day — for each $100,000 of your home's value.
In return, we'll get hundreds of programs provided for every age group and all our diverse populations.
Washington Twp.'s Recreation Department is one more reason why this is a great community to live in and raise a family. Vote yes on Issue 30. We can afford it.
— Robert Daley
Washington Twp.
Greene County races
Tieber didn't keep commitment before
I was surprised that Jay Tieber is a candidate for the 70th District of the Ohio House of Representatives. He resigned from the Beavercreek City Council to sail around the world with three friends. The council had to appoint someone else to take his seat. Between council meetings, council work sessions and a host of other responsibilities associated with being an elected official, versus taking a sailing trip around the world with friends, he opted to go sailing. Few people, I am sure, would blame him for the choice he made.
I understood his reason when he quit. I do not understand his reason for running for another elected post after he sailed away from the commitment he made last time.
— Andrea Angel
Dayton
Lampton will excel at state level
I support Brian Lampton's candidacy for state representative in the 70th District.
Lampton is a small-business owner and has been extremely involved in the community. He has the commitment, leadership and integrity necessary to excel as our next representative.
Lampton is the person we need representing us in Columbus.
— Mick Lundy
Beavercreek
Beavercreek citizens need to support police
Beavercreek residents are being asked to vote for a 3.3-mill replacement levy for the police department. This levy will provide more than 50 percent of the funds that support the police department. The levy will only increase taxes by $6.92 per year for each $100,000 of property value.
In my opinion, this is a very small amount of money that is necessary for the department to provide us with the protection that we need to help stop burglaries and thefts, and to fund the Citizens on Preventative Patrol and the DARE program. The money helps provide school resource officers, and supports the canine program and the ACE Drug Task Force and the many other operations the department is involved in.
Remember, if we want support and protection from our police department, we must pay for it.
— James D. Worthy
Beavercreek
