Comments on: Buying Votes For C. College

By: Rod in SE Boise

Rod in SE Boise — Tue, 08 May 2007 00:50:32 +0000

For me, it is simple. If a “Yes” vote will raise property tax rates or sales tax rates, I will vote “No”. If the funding for the proposed community college was based on the income tax, I would vote “Yes”.

We need to move away from property taxes and sales taxes and towards income tax to fund the needs of society.

By: gemma

gemma — Mon, 07 May 2007 22:37:39 +0000

My source gave me similar numbers on ballots turned in and a much different number for those who have applied, but I’m not the one claiming to be the provider of facts. So, why are you challenging me? Again, I’d like to point out that even if your number are accurate, it doesn’t look like votes are being bought. That anaylogy is a stretch at best! My source also said that the staff has no problem counting the ballots and is something budgeted, not an extra cost to anyone. Especially, since there haven’t been that many. Thus, also confirms that there is a crimp in your “buying the votes” theory.

By: Astro

Astro — Mon, 07 May 2007 21:05:27 +0000

I voted YES to a community college and am thrilled we may be able to have this school soon. I voted for it because I believe its our responsibility as citizens to publicly fund education. It’s wrong to say you don’t want the community college because you’re not going to use it or don’t want to pay for it. It’s even more wrong to say you don’t want it because you don’t want growth. Our children need affordable education. If you weren’t going to use a new elementary school, would you vote against that too? How about a new road, or a new exit from an existing road … would you vote against that just because you didn’t use it?

By: CYCLOPS

CYCLOPS — Mon, 07 May 2007 20:32:03 +0000

I just have this nagging feeling, maybe it is from the results of the library issue, that if, in fact, the CC issue fails at the polls, there will “blossom” an alternative source of funding!

By: gemma

gemma — Mon, 07 May 2007 20:22:07 +0000

I wasn’t calling you a liar – you story was just decieving. The percentage of returned ballots does not really equate out to buying votes. That’s waht I meant by National Enquirer – you sensationlized the story tremondosly. If you are going to provide facts, provide all of the facts. And, thanks for providing all of the facts – even if we had to beg for them. So, why when you were asked to disclose your source didn’t you just say the person at the ADA Co. Clerk’s office?

EDITOR NOTE–Where are the figures YOUR source offered?

By: RiverCity

RiverCity — Mon, 07 May 2007 17:29:29 +0000

There are far worse things to raise our taxes for. I will vote Yes on this.

By: gemma

gemma — Mon, 07 May 2007 16:48:47 +0000

OK – I just checked with a friend who has actually seen the ballots coming in. My SOURCE says your numbers (FACTS) are wrong. So, let’s see you correct yourself. Get the facts, just like you claim you do.

EDITOR NOTE–See the updated figures posted at the end of the story above. Indeed, the GUARDIAN is totally accurate. If your friend has numbers significantly different than the GUARDIAN, your friend is simply uninformed or a liar. It would be impossible to be more accurate than the person who tallies the figures–the Ada County Clerk.

Please don’t force me to chase rumors to defend my honor again.

By: DOG

DOG — Mon, 07 May 2007 14:27:28 +0000

I gleefully voted NO on my absentee ballot. I did it because I like the idea of voting by mail. I’m all for community colleges but not until the bonehead legislature allows communities to charge impact fees on developers for schools and infrasructure. We need to work on how our public schools are funded before we encourage another weak education system. If the CC is not well funded, accredited, highly regarded etc., it will be the laughing stock of higher ed in the valley.

Micron has already said they will move offshore with future production. They gladly encourage taxpayer funding of their workforce. Perhaps that is what is behind the push. A threat to taxpayers that if they don’t train the workforce they move to China.

By: Gary

Gary — Mon, 07 May 2007 12:18:56 +0000

This community college push is simply another special interest group (just like ACHD or the CCDC or BSU) trying to influence enough votes to create yet another entity that has taxing authority.

We do not need another taxing authority. ALL THE TOOLS ARE ALREADY IN THE LAW TO CREATE Colleges – all the legislature needs to do is create it – it appears they do not see the need.

Also there is NO guarentee that costs will be less – this is like buying a car and not knowing what your payments will be before you sign on the dotted line – not a smart move.

By: Wonk Vader

Wonk Vader — Mon, 07 May 2007 03:40:20 +0000

I voted absentee in favor. I’m glad I did!