Naples’ taxpayers are being deceived about School Bond Proposal

Greed is one of the seven deadly sins. The most appropriate way to characterize the second school bond proposal is that self-indulgence has taken over the local school board and district office. Taxpayers rejected the first vote. Subsequently, the administrator and board immediately came back with essentially an identical version that is indistinguishable in scale and scope from the original.

What an insult to the people who pay the bills. The reality of the current financial depression demands a prudent and responsible delay for any capital improvement project at this time. Absent from the extravagant plan is a deserved respect for the citizen who will be shackled with a debt that this community need not bear.

Excess is written all over this attempt of “so called” public servants to satisfy their own egos at the expense of bankrupting already overburdened taxpayers. The board is in denial. Most members lack business experience and share a distorted view of the proper role of education. Bricks and mortar do not build an environment for learning. The cost of this bond debt will actually diminish the ability of the Naples School District’s survival.

The continual reduction of student enrollment calls for consolidation, not expansion. This is especially true in light of Governor Cuomo’s clear announcement that dramatic reductions for education and grant applications are real. The lack of concern by this administration that Naples may not receive the NYS funds that are budgeted into this project is appalling.

Grow up and face the harsh facts of life. The question that begs an answer is why is the NCSD hording a reserve account that violates the limits in the law? If repairs are necessary, the district has funds to pay the costs of reasonable improvements.

Who benefits from this bond issue? Between Phrase II and III the cost is over $42,000,000, which the taxpayer cannot afford. It is clear that an opportunist is driving this ill-conceived rip off. How can our community allow such unprofessional conduct from, Superintendent Kim Ward, who does not even reside in Naples? She needs to earn her salary by scrapping this bond issue and use the reserve funds for only necessary repairs.

Add arrogance to the list of sins committed by proponents of this harebrained waste of money. Already admitted is that the bond issue amount inflated the budget for a project that does not even have details for a specific master plan. For no other reason than basic common sense, the voters need to turn down this risky bond issue.

Those who want to put an end to the contention or ask why we just cannot get along need to look in the mirror. Government taxation based upon inflated budgets is theft. Rational individuals deserve respect. Voters would approve a sensible project that is intelligently drafted and needed. This bond issue fails the test of a prudent project.

If you want your children and grandchildren to stay and raise their families in Naples, you need to act responsibly. This unwarranted debt will force people to move out of town.

Organize your family and friends to Vote NO on the School Bond March 22, 2011.

James Hall