Sunday, February 4, 2007
Friday, February 2, 2007
A Letter To The Community
A special election is taking place Tuesday, February 6, 2007. On the ballot is a levy for operating expenses for Coshocton City Schools. This is not a levy to build new schools. It is a levy for the maintenance of our existing facilities.
Coshocton City Schools offer so many opportunities for our youth – effective education, sports programs, music, band, choir, art, computers, and work programs. Do we want our children to lose out on these great opportunities?
I know that times are tough. Many people are on fixed incomes. Our community is struggling. I believe it will struggle even more if our school levy fails. Do people want to live in an area where school districts are suffering? Can we attract the growth this community so desperately needs if our school system is just mediocre? It has been proven that our school administration is currently providing an effective education for our youth along with awesome extra curricular activities that encourage character growth. Can this continue without the funds needed to support our schools? If some of our buildings are closed won’t this mean less educators and as a result overcrowded classrooms? Will schools that offer nothing outside of academics attract growth to our community?
I have had to examine my own finances. If this levy passes it will mean that my family may have to give up something in order to cover the extra tax expense. I believe our youth are worth it. I encourage the residents of the City of Coshocton to ask yourselves if there is something you can give up in support of our children. I think any sacrifice you make will be well worth it.
Finally, do I agree with how our schools are largely funded by property taxes? No, I don’t. However, voting no on this levy will not change the funding. The only way to change that is to write, call, email, and visit our state representatives. I, for one, intend to do that, but meanwhile I’m going to vote yes for Coshocton City schools and the effective education that our children are provided. Our future, our children’s future, and Coshocton’s future depend on it.
Jinni Bowman
Coshocton City Schools offer so many opportunities for our youth – effective education, sports programs, music, band, choir, art, computers, and work programs. Do we want our children to lose out on these great opportunities?
I know that times are tough. Many people are on fixed incomes. Our community is struggling. I believe it will struggle even more if our school levy fails. Do people want to live in an area where school districts are suffering? Can we attract the growth this community so desperately needs if our school system is just mediocre? It has been proven that our school administration is currently providing an effective education for our youth along with awesome extra curricular activities that encourage character growth. Can this continue without the funds needed to support our schools? If some of our buildings are closed won’t this mean less educators and as a result overcrowded classrooms? Will schools that offer nothing outside of academics attract growth to our community?
I have had to examine my own finances. If this levy passes it will mean that my family may have to give up something in order to cover the extra tax expense. I believe our youth are worth it. I encourage the residents of the City of Coshocton to ask yourselves if there is something you can give up in support of our children. I think any sacrifice you make will be well worth it.
Finally, do I agree with how our schools are largely funded by property taxes? No, I don’t. However, voting no on this levy will not change the funding. The only way to change that is to write, call, email, and visit our state representatives. I, for one, intend to do that, but meanwhile I’m going to vote yes for Coshocton City schools and the effective education that our children are provided. Our future, our children’s future, and Coshocton’s future depend on it.
Jinni Bowman
Monday, January 29, 2007
The Big Question
One rumor we have worked to dispell from the beginning of this campaign is about new facilities. This levy has NOTHING to do with building new facilities! We are doing our best to communicate that and we would appreciate your help in getting the word out.
Have more questions? Check out the top 10 questions about the upcoming levy!
Have more questions? Check out the top 10 questions about the upcoming levy!
So today was the big day that we, as a levy committee, have been working toward. Today was the day we were to mount our door to door campaign. It was a huge undertaking...and an intimidating one. The "leaders" of this campaign were to meet at the high school cafeteria at noon with the volunteers to arrive at 1pm.
As you might imagine, there was a lot of nervous energy in the room as we wondered how many volunteers would actually show up on this frigid January day. Well the only word that can describe the turnout is WOW! Over 200 community volunteers filled the cafeteria as we organized. There was a true buzz in the air and I was humbled to be a part of it.
I was proud of all of our committee members for making this happen. And, with goose bumps I looked around the room and saw a community rallying to save itself.
If this scene did not motivate you...you can't be motivated! Thanks to all the volunteers!
As you might imagine, there was a lot of nervous energy in the room as we wondered how many volunteers would actually show up on this frigid January day. Well the only word that can describe the turnout is WOW! Over 200 community volunteers filled the cafeteria as we organized. There was a true buzz in the air and I was humbled to be a part of it.
I was proud of all of our committee members for making this happen. And, with goose bumps I looked around the room and saw a community rallying to save itself.
If this scene did not motivate you...you can't be motivated! Thanks to all the volunteers!
Monday, January 8, 2007
Coshocton Levy
Here is a video that helps to explain the need for a strong public education system in our community! Please take a minute to watch!
Monday, January 1, 2007
Thursday, December 28, 2006
On the campaign trail...
So some of you might have heard me (with Jason Given and Scott Nelson) on the radio this morning touting the importance of the upcoming emergency school levy. We are coming back to voters on February 6th on this issue...and it is a hot-button topic in this community.
I appreciate people who are openly debating us on this issue. It is a conversation we need to have in the community.
One point I do want to make is that in Coshocton County we have had our fair share of hardships the past couple of years. No one disputes that. I get frustrated, however, with the idea that we can't do anything about it. I seem to be hearing a voice from the opposition that says, "Times are tough. So we won't support this levy."
Well times ARE tough. But what would you have us do? Give up? We absolutely have the ability to change our situation (as individuals and as a community). That is what makes our country great!
We need more people who say "What can I do?" and fewer who cry "Why me."
In addition it is worth noting that we are frustrated with the current funding situation too. In a sense, we are on the same side. I think we need to spend more time contacting state legislatures about funding education in Ohio and less time bickering locally.
So here are some folks you can directly contact about the issue. Let's let them know how important education is to the future of our state!
Joy Padgett
Telephone: (614) 466-8076
Email: sd20@mailr.sen.state.oh.us
Jim Aslanides
Telephone: (614) 644-6014
Fax : (614) 719-6994
Email Address: district94@ohr.state.oh.us
I think we have good representation...but how will they know what is important to their constituency if we don't let them know?
I appreciate people who are openly debating us on this issue. It is a conversation we need to have in the community.
One point I do want to make is that in Coshocton County we have had our fair share of hardships the past couple of years. No one disputes that. I get frustrated, however, with the idea that we can't do anything about it. I seem to be hearing a voice from the opposition that says, "Times are tough. So we won't support this levy."
Well times ARE tough. But what would you have us do? Give up? We absolutely have the ability to change our situation (as individuals and as a community). That is what makes our country great!
We need more people who say "What can I do?" and fewer who cry "Why me."
In addition it is worth noting that we are frustrated with the current funding situation too. In a sense, we are on the same side. I think we need to spend more time contacting state legislatures about funding education in Ohio and less time bickering locally.
So here are some folks you can directly contact about the issue. Let's let them know how important education is to the future of our state!
Joy Padgett
Telephone: (614) 466-8076
Email: sd20@mailr.sen.state.oh.us
Jim Aslanides
Telephone: (614) 644-6014
Fax : (614) 719-6994
Email Address: district94@ohr.state.oh.us
I think we have good representation...but how will they know what is important to their constituency if we don't let them know?
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