Comments on: Update On School Levy Elections

By: JJ

JJ — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 19:43:57 +0000

I was provided by the school district specific instructions on where to I was to vote, but it was an email blast, not brought home by kids. However when going to the school for events, there have been posters encouraging us to vote yes on display, and people in the building to discuss with us the importance of a yes on the levy vote. While I assume they were volunteers, they have certainly coordinated with the school to use their building, tables and chairs, coordinated with school events, etc.

By: dh

dh — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:08:04 +0000

I see your point about deceptive numbers and wording. Must be more of the same old Boise machine’s business as usual because of all the “Dees” (Ds) behind the names and titles of Boise’s ruling elitists.

Of course your rulers could be like Melba’s wherein you would have been bombarded with blatantly deceptive low and erroneous levy rate figures that were not corrected upward until after the bond passed.

By: wince

wince — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:26:01 +0000

Surprisingly no, we didn’t get specific voting locations from my kids in the Boise school district. But we got hit up at every performance the last few weeks. I had to skip one of my kids performances, because they scheduled a music festival the night of the GOP caucus, nice.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:58:56 +0000

No, Idaholic, the students have not brought home information on the issues and where to vote. I suggest you talk to friends and find out the facts before posting erroneous information!
Idaho sure could use a facelift on how the information is distributed for elections so that you have something to review well before the elections. I have been here 17 years and still have to search to find election information. I sure wish it was pushed to those who are registered.

By: idaholc

idaholc — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 12:31:27 +0000

“No” voters disenfranchised?

We hear a big fuss about how Republicans nationally are trying to disenfranchise traditionally Democratic voters by requiring state issued photo ID’s.

Well it looks like there is an attempt to disenfranchise “no” voters in this school bond election.

None of the media can tell me where I should vote. We hear that the “Vote Idaho” web site has erroneous information.

You can bet that every student in the district took home specific instructions as to where their parents should vote!

So we are supposed to vote where we did last fall? I am 71 years old and can’t recall what I did yesterday, let alone last fall. Or we can call the elections office and hear a busy signal?

In the mean time the polls are being dominated by parents and others who have received inside information.

By: Clancy

Clancy — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 02:17:25 +0000

Boise’s is written like a 7 grade story problem. You gotta figure out the relevant information to solve the problem and filter out the rest. You gotta hand it to them on getting the sales pitch into the voting booth.

There should be a standard format for any levy/bond election similar to Meridian’s language.

I don’t think Boise’s language will sway anyone into voting one way or another.

By: Nate

Nate — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:58:32 +0000

Boise’s is written by the PR department! It is clear that Boise is not as “up front” as Meridian and that they have to “sell” the idea. The language is just short of dishonest.

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:09:21 +0000

VOTE NO!
Meridian is $115 per $100,000 property tax increase!
You want lower tax then get off your tush and vote!

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:34:59 +0000

The only number that means anything to me is how much I will be taxed per $100K of net taxable value. All the gobbledegook about average this and that mean nothing.

I can do the math and figure to the penny how much these levy elections will cost. Anything less is obfuscation of the actual costs and when I see this kind of smoke and mirrors I am inclined to vote NO. You want my money be clear about the costs and what it will used for.

By: Voting No !

Voting No ! — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:55:19 +0000

I vote for the Meridian language. It’s very clear how much they are asking for, for what purpose, and for how long. Unlike the Boise language, you don’t need to do any math.

As to the Boise language, just what does “low class size” and “preserving quality programs” really mean?

And just how will the Boise District “guarantee” its Patrons this levy will only be used to preserve low class size and quality programs and not administrative costs?

An annual independent audit is mentioned. Will that be an annual independent audit separate from the regular annual independent audit? My guess it will be the regular audit and that audit won’t delve into whether or not these funds are used for administrative purposes. If it does I’m voting it will say everything is hunky dory.

Ballot language just became another reason for me to vote NO on this levy.