The News Courier encourages letters to the editor. Submissions should be no more than 400 words and include name, address and telephone number for verification. Submissions that do not meet requirements are subject to editing. Writers are limited to one published letter every 30 days. Send letters to P.O. Box 670, Athens AL 35613 or email to adam@athensnews-courier.com.

Vote ‘yes’ for schools

Dear Editor:

With this important tax coming up, we need to be vigilant on who we listen to and check out the facts from both sides.

Frankly, Mr. Coffman, I wish we were back at 1975. In 1975 we did not have the Republican “No Child Gets Ahead Act” (my terminology of the No Child Left Behind Act). We did not have 45 percent poverty levels, we did not have 10 percent plus of the required schools days tied up in testing, not to mention days of test prep.

As Mr. Coffman so astutely pointed out, the areas around Athens are growing. Could it be that for the first time in 50 years the county schools are in better shape than the city schools? What about the new Madison City Schools, the new Hartselle High School or the two new Huntsville High Schools? Could that be the reason? Why are the executives from Carpenter Technology, Remington and Polaris choosing these school districts and not Athens?

According to Mr. Coffman, it is the tax rate. But wait, the citizens of Athens now pay 40 mils. If the tax passes that will become 52 mils. Huntsville at 58 mils (Huntsville in Limestone County is 60.5 mils), Madison at 57.5 mils (for Madison City in Limestone County it is 60 mils). Hmmm … that would not be my choice if I were looking at the tax rate to swing my decision. If, in fact, if the tax rate is the issue, why haven’t we seen the growth?

There are three things that determine growth of a city:

1) Utilities — Athens has the lowest rates in the valley. In fact, the area of Madison actually pays 5 percent more to Athens utilities than those who live in the other areas of Limestone County. (Franchise tax the city of Madison imposed on Athens Utilities).

2) Services — Athens has one of the lowest crime rates in the surrounding areas. It has the top fire ratings, which means lower insurance rates.

3) Schools — Athens ranks in the top of the state in test scores.

For students entering college, the number having to take remedial math and English is equal to or lower than those in surrounding systems.

We have the utilities, we have the services and we have the test scores. What we don’t have are the buildings.

 Sincerely,

Jack McDaniel

Athens

Vote ‘no’ on taxes

Dear Editor:

Is it possible to have a fair vote on higher property taxes in Athens?

You see, not only will property owners who bear the brunt of higher taxes be allowed to vote on this issue, but all those who reside with in the city limits of Athens that do not own property will have an “equal” vote in the matter.

People who live in Athens but have never owned property and have never paid one penny of property tax will be voting to decide if taxes will be increased. Why would they vote no? It’s a win-win for renters in Athens. They get to vote to raise property taxes on those citizens who do own property, while being except from the increase tax themselves.

Renters benefit from any new schools that are funded by the increased property taxes without ever paying a penny in the property taxes themselves. This is a great illustration of “democracy” in action. Democracy equals two wolves and one sheep deciding what to have for supper.

This vote could be done in a manner that is a bit fairer. Just have each voter present the deed to his property as his voter ID when he goes to the polls. No deed? No vote.

That way, only property owners who have to cough up the tax money will be deciding if they want to shot themselves in the foot and pay more in property taxes or not. Logic tells me all the property owners should go to the polls and vote “no” on an increased tax burden.

Sincerely,

Carl Nelson

Lester

Another ‘yes’ voter

Dear Editor:

I’ve lived in Athens for 53 years, and raised five children who got a great education in the Athens public school system. I own property in Athens, and have owned and operated a small business for 47 years.

I know that the value of homes and property re tied to the prosperity of the community. In my travels across Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee, I have never seen a prosperous community that did not have good schools, good churches and public accommodations.

We in Athens have great teachers , a very competent school superintendent and a dedicated school board that has spent years working on this plan for the further of our Athens City Schools and I think it is a good one.

Therefore, to protect my investments in my property, for the good of Athens and “my home that I love dearly,” my family and I are going to vote “yes” on Aug. 25.

Sincerely,

Pat Waldrop

Athens

SCOTUS hurt education

Dear Editor:

The SCOTUS ruling on June 25 in Hollingsworth v. Perry sounds the knell of public education in Alabama as we know it.

The mantra of the plaintiffs throughout vilifies those with a different opinion as bigots and unworthy of consideration. As the agenda of the LGBTG community unfolds in the public schools and is sanctified by the edicts of jurists, families that believe different will provide education for their children outside of the public schools and away from the control of the federal jurists. Voters representing the imposed indoctrination in the schools will rescind, even more rapidly, their support for the public schools. Innocent children and teachers will be harmed in the process.

While the anemia of mainline Christianity renders it helpless to fight against sin, there will be those who will take the “high round” against the insertions championed by the LGBTG community. These brave folks will be marginalized and disenfranchised by the dens of inequity, but their way will never be defeated. The Lord will see to that.

Sincerely,

William R. Graham

Athens