Post by momto4 on Jan 22, 2008 17:53:00 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/opinions/751685,2_4_AU22_EDIT_S1.article
Referendums come down to necessity
January 22, 2008
Given the rising costs of energy and food, a looming recession and the General Assembly's decision last week to increase the sales tax to pay for mass transit, it will be difficult for any taxing body to ask residents for more money in the Feb. 5 election. But there are two referendums worth supporting even in such a tough economy.
Both the Kaneland School District and Sugar Grove Library District have come before voters recently and been turned down. We endorse them again because failed referendums will have drastic consequences in both cases.
Kaneland has placed a $65 million building referendum on the ballot to fund construction of a middle school and alleviate overcrowding. As enrollment increases and space becomes tighter, class sizes will grow and programs will be cut. The quality of education will suffer.
Higher construction costs raised the referendum price tag in less than a year by $12 million, so it's time to act. The referendum isn't cheap -- it will cost about $300 a year for the owner of a $300,000 home -- but it's money well spent.
In Sugar Grove, the Library District continues to function on an operating rate well below average. The referendum has been rejected five times now, but we again ask voters to reconsider because a thriving library system is an integral part of any healthy community.
Residents passed a referendum three years ago to pay for a new library; now it's time to fund its operations with a tax increase of $156 for a $300,000 home.
Park districts seeking too much
On the other hand, two taxing bodies are asking for luxuries as times get tough.
The Fox Valley Park District is asking voters to approve a $45 million bond referendum for open-space acquisition and park improvements. The cost is relatively minimal -- $35 a year for the owner of a $300,000 home -- but we're concerned the district went overboard.
We can support the $22 million budgeted for land and trails along the Fox River, but the facility upgrades seem more like frills. Without a successful referendum, projects like a $9.5 million expansion of Stuart Sports Complex and $2.5 million renovation of Blackberry Farm will still get done; they will just take longer. We encourage the district to come back with a more reasonable figure that focuses on the river instead of trying to appeal to everyone.
Similarly, the St. Charles Park District is seeking $25 million in bonds for facility upgrades, including expensive improvements at its two water parks. Again, the cost is relatively small, but the upgrades are not essential.
Referendums come down to necessity
January 22, 2008
Given the rising costs of energy and food, a looming recession and the General Assembly's decision last week to increase the sales tax to pay for mass transit, it will be difficult for any taxing body to ask residents for more money in the Feb. 5 election. But there are two referendums worth supporting even in such a tough economy.
Both the Kaneland School District and Sugar Grove Library District have come before voters recently and been turned down. We endorse them again because failed referendums will have drastic consequences in both cases.
Kaneland has placed a $65 million building referendum on the ballot to fund construction of a middle school and alleviate overcrowding. As enrollment increases and space becomes tighter, class sizes will grow and programs will be cut. The quality of education will suffer.
Higher construction costs raised the referendum price tag in less than a year by $12 million, so it's time to act. The referendum isn't cheap -- it will cost about $300 a year for the owner of a $300,000 home -- but it's money well spent.
In Sugar Grove, the Library District continues to function on an operating rate well below average. The referendum has been rejected five times now, but we again ask voters to reconsider because a thriving library system is an integral part of any healthy community.
Residents passed a referendum three years ago to pay for a new library; now it's time to fund its operations with a tax increase of $156 for a $300,000 home.
Park districts seeking too much
On the other hand, two taxing bodies are asking for luxuries as times get tough.
The Fox Valley Park District is asking voters to approve a $45 million bond referendum for open-space acquisition and park improvements. The cost is relatively minimal -- $35 a year for the owner of a $300,000 home -- but we're concerned the district went overboard.
We can support the $22 million budgeted for land and trails along the Fox River, but the facility upgrades seem more like frills. Without a successful referendum, projects like a $9.5 million expansion of Stuart Sports Complex and $2.5 million renovation of Blackberry Farm will still get done; they will just take longer. We encourage the district to come back with a more reasonable figure that focuses on the river instead of trying to appeal to everyone.
Similarly, the St. Charles Park District is seeking $25 million in bonds for facility upgrades, including expensive improvements at its two water parks. Again, the cost is relatively small, but the upgrades are not essential.
