WAITING FOR CONFIRMATION

This is the fourth year of my kids attending Margaret Chase Smith School. I can say unequivocally that they have more than benefited from the veteran teachers who foster learning, energize their students and smoothly manage the diversity of a Sanford classroom in 2017.

Professionally, I’ve seen the same dedication, knowledge and leadership in educators at Lafayette, Carl J. Lamb and St. Thomas School. I’ve witnessed dedicated teachers who know their craft at Willard School, the Sanford Junior High School and Sanford High School. You all see it too — in the band and music programs, on the athletic fields, and in the technical center. Sanford sends students to high level universities and colleges across the country. We have the educational staff, structure and leadership to move our educational system forward.

It’s time to give our children and their teachers the buildings — And we’re on the cusp of a golden opportunity.

That opportunity is the 43-million dollar school renovation package that is funded entirely by state money with no local contribution – that means no property tax increase. The referendum is June 13th and I say vote “yes” and vote in force. Let’s send a message that Sanford is moving forward as a community.

The anti-tax voters will point out that the state money is also in part our money. But let’s be crystal clear about what a “no” vote brings. There will be no decrease in state taxes or surcharges. There will be no refund check on the savings of that 43-million. The state will simply take that money and build a new school in the next community on the list.

A community smart enough to vote yes.

Let’s spend that money in our community. A 43-million dollar building project in any community is never a bad thing. It’s our turn.

I’m writing this for those who favor this project because it’s so important that we turn out to vote and turn out in force. We can’t be too busy and leave this to chance. June 13th is a busy time for all of us with work, kids, volunteer commitments, vacations, and the endless variations that life brings us all.  Let’s resolve all of us to vote and vote for progress and education in our community.

If we really want this, we have to go out and take it. 

The elementary schools are going to need serious and extensive renovations in the near future for accreditation, for safety, and for the health and well-being of our students and teachers. We are going to have to renovate these schools one way or another soon and one way or another we have to find a way to pay for it. If we don’t take this money, we’ll have to do it through our property taxes.

I feel this is money that we have earned. I hardly have to point out to Sanford residents that we shoulder a larger social burden than most of our more rural or wealthy neighbors. It’s the right thing to do. A community that embraces and helps those in need is a sign of a community whose heart is in the right place. But there is a cost. A cost in areas like increased emergency responses and increased educational services. In recent years, we’ve had to pay for these increased costs through our property taxes as our infrastructure deteriorated due to lack of funding.

And that’s why this is a golden opportunity. We can fix our schools without increasing our taxes. In fact, the Sanford News is reporting that the city is forecasting a 0 % increase in taxes this year. They also report that Mayor Tom Cote is looking ahead to future years in which the city can hopefully reduce taxes. 

As I write this, I can hear the rumble of heavy equipment rebuilding Roberts Street and hopefully that is a sound we can all hear all over this city. There is progress happening. Maybe not fast enough or some, but it is happening. 

This is the next step in that progression. I can’t say it enough. This is a golden opportunity. Now is the time to come together and send a message that we are a community that is moving forward.

Please come out in large numbers on June 13th and vote “Yes.”

Jon Stimmell

Sanford