Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Monday, January 23, 2012

Special County Council Legislative Session

Re: Bennett Middle School- Alternate Funding Plan

At the request of a County Council majority, Council President, Joe Holloway has scheduled a Special Legislative Session for 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 in the Council Chambers. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss additional financial information the Council received from Finance Director, Andrew Mackel, on January 20th regarding the affordability of funding for the Bennett Middle School project.

At its meeting on January 17th the County Council voted 4-3 against going further with the project until it has information it needs to determine whether the county can afford principle and interest payments on bonds for the project, while still meeting the county’s other financial obligations.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

This issue is getting old , put some light fixtures in the ceiling
and make some repairs that are needed. Bingo , the school issue goes away. I hope these guys on the council don't change their minds.
This school can make repairs and maintenance for a whole lot less.
Show me the methodology for either.

Anonymous said...

They won't change their minds. They always knew the project would go forward. The vote last week and all this opposition puffing are staged, that's right staged. Do you really think the County Council was going to let all that money go to another county? Nope! Joe and the rest of you have been had. The school will be built alot sooner than you think.

Anonymous said...

I agree 1,000,000.000.00% We dont need a new school!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bob and Joe, Stevie, Gail we are depending on you.
We dont need our taxes raised just to we can have a pretty building.
Do what you were elected to do.
Represent the taxpayers not the board of ed.

Anonymous said...

i hope joe holloway also brings with him the "new pension funding" soon to be required to be paid by the county.

i agree with 2:02; please council don't change your mind about this jmb vote taken earlier. we don't need to build a new school at this time i don't care what the boe has held back.

i want to remind many on the council that i told you along time ago to always dig deep into their "funds" and what they hold back from being reported to you the county council and others.

i was told of this information by someone very wise and certainly " in the know" regarding these boe issues.

Anonymous said...

they would not be having another unless certain person wanted to change their mind. what about the PENSION nest eggs?????????????? 3.8million PER YEAR.

TideRunner said...

I think that If they do build a new school the designs for Wicomico Middle and Wicomico Senior should be used. My mother graduated from what is now Wi Middle and she is 82 years old. While both schools have been renovated over the years, we haven't had to tear down either one down and start all over.

Anonymous said...

So what if it the money goes to another county? Are we that naive to think we can really afford this at this time?

Perhaps the people in Baltimore County (stoneliegh elem) pay more for taxes and have been saving for the repairs on their school.I am still perplexed why Red Pump Elem was even on the list, the school just opened this year (no need for repairs).
We in this county have not saved a dime for this school. Just a few months ago the admins from the BOE came to my kids school toting doom and gloom about the budget and now they want this? They and the council (yays) are out of their freaking minds.
Maybe the should worry about the quality of teaching in this county first. That building is not driving the people away, it is what and how things are being taught in the classroom. Correct me if I am wrong, but did the new BHS meet AYP?

Anonymous said...

I agree with 3:41..work on content first.These students arent learning anymore in a palace than they did in a decrepet building??
Get teachers to teach..
If students can be taught in a "leanto" in foreign countries we can teach them in a "decrepet old" building.
Dont need a castle to learn in.

Anonymous said...

2:02 ...." brilliant "....NOT