Tax Mills & Football Shills

Let’s talk facts on the upcoming millage increase proposal and vote…

In the Vote Yes pamphlet printed by Muscle Shoals School System, the following statements were made:

1.  A “NEW” elementary school will be built…Commitment to the future…

While a new building will be erected, a “NEW” school will NOT be built.  The drawing provided by the Superintendent is only two wings built onto the existing Howell Graves Pre-School to house the 1st and 2nd grade students, a new Gym and Cafeteria to house the overflow from Highland Park and Webster Elementary and two Pre-K classrooms. If there is indeed a problem with the enrollment, it would appear the first step would to serve only citizens (taxpayers) and not allow so many non-resident students. After all, the school employees that live outside the city and do not pay property taxes have FREE access for their children to attend without paying a non-resident fee. Is that really legal?

The current exterior condition of Howell Graves Pre-School is embarrassing because it doesn’t look like it’s been cleaned since Dr. Livingston built it close to 30 years ago.  Anyone heard of “pressure washing” the masonry finish or possibly painting? If this is indeed a commitment to the future as they say, why are more classrooms not being built for the 1st and 2nd grades?  Are they really planning for future growth and expansion or did this just sound like something they thought the voters of Muscle Shoals would buy into?  Only commitment to the future here is guaranteed traffic jams and increased tax payments on homeowners and businesses for 30 years.

2.  Eliminate costly annual repairs and maintenance to Webster and Highland Park Schools…

NEWSFLASH maintenance director… every building in the MSCS system should be on a preventative maintenance schedule and funds budgeted each year for implementation but obviously that hasn’t been done.  If you build a house it’s a given fact 15-20 years down the road you’ll have to replace the HVAC unit and probably the roof so you budget and set aside funds for those major expenditures.  Making updates every 3-5 years to remain “in style” also requires forethought and budgeting for these items also. Do you think adding two new wings to an old building, a new gym and cafeteria will eliminate annual repairs and maintenance?  Do they really expect the good taxpayers of Muscle Shoals to believe this? This rationale falls short of sanity given the aging facilities throughout the city that our city workers maintain.

3.  Dedicated tornado shelter and safe room for the Elementary School and Band Facility…

Upon review of the drawing they have provided, we fail to see this tornado shelter / safe room.  Is the location a secret or is this just simply more small talk expecting the voters of Muscle Shoals to believe?  And how many students will be housed at the Howell Graves facility when complete? 500-700 sound feasible? The High School…800-1000 sound feasible?  And they’re going to build 2 tornado shelters that will house that many students and teachers? Let’s be realistic, we all know that can’t be done so why do they put out this idle chatter.  And open to the community? According to Dr. Lindsey and the School Board, this couldn’t possibly be done because the insurance carrier won’t allow it - remember the excuse for closing the track at the multi-million sports facility?? Is there some insurance policy out there that insures one school ground while not another?  And they think we believe they’ll open this facility to the public…

4.  Provide indoor practice area for color guard and majorettes…

They have their state of the art indoor athletic practice facility.  Why doesn’t the color guard and majorettes have access to this facility?  Doesn’t the band, color guard and majorettes play an equally important role on Friday night or are they deemed unworthy by the Athletic Department? Has the administration and school board ever heard of Title IX?

5.  Value of One Mill Property Tax in Muscle Shoals…

Dr. Lindsey and the school board want you to believe that one mill in Muscle Shoals is $167,498.  However, the Colbert County Tax Assessor says one mill in Muscle Shoals is $250,000(+).  Also, they have stated Muscle Shoals has the lowest millage rate for schools in Colbert County, however, once again the Tax Assessor says NO.  School mill rates are as follows, Muscle Shoals – 16 mills, Tuscumbia – 13.5 mills, Sheffield – 10 mills…and we’re the lowest?  Are our schools in Muscle Shoals really that run down and structurally inferior to Tuscumbia and Sheffield schools?  Some choose to believe Dr. Lindsey and the school board and don’t want this tax issue to be clouded by factual information provided by the Colbert County Tax Assessor. 




Who do you believe…the man who writes the check (taxes) or the one asking for more of your hard earned tax dollars?  The choice is yours on August 28th.      


Muscle Shoals Citizen

*****

An interesting take on the Waterloo football transfer issue:

As for all the things being said about Waterloo, no there is no "money" being given but these new players are being helped to find homes, they and their parents are being given jobs, and they are being guaranteed playing time. Coming from larger schools to Waterloo the playing time is a huge increase. 

The sad part is there are students who have attended Waterloo their entire school life that have "paid their dues" to gain the spots in these sports and the new recruits are replacing them. These students have fought since 7th grade to have the positions that are now being recruited and filled by outsiders. 

One statement made is that Waterloo is a tight community and takes care of their own. That is also bull; they take care of their own as long as you are liked and accepted in that community. I have seen that first hand!


Native Waterloosian