by CHRIS BUTLER
I stood out in front of the post office Wednesday, April 6 for five hours and interviewed 68 people.
I consider it a privilege to have spoken to all of them and I thank them, again, for their input, which I hope the school board will find useful in helping them to understand “what the voters meant.”
1. How did you vote on the school bond (a) yes or (b) no?
Those that voted yes were 32
Those that voted no were 16
Those with no answer (N/A) were 20
2. What do you think the voters were saying?
(A) Do not spend any more money than is absolutely necessary at this time. Repair the buildings, don’t replace them.
(B) Tear down the school and build a new one, just don’t make it cost so much.
Of those that had voted yes 26 said (A), 6 said (B)
Of those that had voted no 14 said (A), 2 said (B)
Of those that were N/A 16 said (A), 3 said (B) and one was N/A
3. If you selected A on question 2 which of these two statements is closest to what you feel the voters were saying?
a. Do not spend any money beyond your current budget.
b. Figure out what the mminimum amount is that you need to do only necessary repairs, then hold another bond election?
Of those that had voted yes 4 said (a), 20 said (b) and 1 was N/A
Of those that had voted no 7 said (a) and 7 said (b)
Of those that were N/A 3 said (a), 14 said (b) and one was N/A
4. If you selected B on question 2 which of these three statements is closest to what you feel the voters were saying.
a. For property owners: I am willing that you raise my property tax.
b. For renters: I am willing that you raise my rent.
c. I would prefer this is paid for by a local sales tax
Of those that had voted yes 2 said (a) 4 said (c)
Of those that had voted not 1 said (a) 1 said (c)
Of those that were N/A 2 said (c)
5. On the issue of non-voted debt
a. Don’t consult the voters, borrow as much money as you like.
b. don’t borrow money without the approval of the voters.
Of those that had voted yes 1 said (a) 29 said (b) and 2 were N/A
Of those that had voted no 16 said (b)
Of those that were N/A said (b)
The preferred answers by majority were:
79%: Do not spend any more money than is absolutely necessary at this time. Repair the buildings, don’t replace them.
57%: Figure out what the minimum amount is that you need to don only necessary repairs, then hold another bond election.
93%: Don’t borrow money without the approval of the voters.
Question number 4 shows a preference for a sales tax solutions, I hope this is helpful information.
Chris Butler lives in Eastsound.
