While driving two of the kids to school today, I notices new yard signs lining the main street of Selah. I paused long enough to read one:
It was startling, really. I've never seen a group go out and actively campaign against a school levy. Someone or some group spent money to have the signs printed, and then surreptitiously put them out in the middle of the night. They didn't even have the courage to do it when someone might see, stop, and ask them about it.
Our own children don't go to school in Selah. They attend a parochial school in Yakima. I realize that we are fortunate to be able to choose where our kids are educated, and that not everyone is in that position.
But never have the Judge or I voted NO on a public school levy or bond.
Today's youth is our country's future. I thought everyone understood that. Don't we want to prepare tomorrow's leaders as best we can?
My head ranted about this all day. At one point I decided I would go downtown tonight and quietly remove the signs. But that would make me as chickenshit as they group behind all this.
Who ARE these people?
OK. I think I'm done now.
9 comments:
Michelle said...
Good grief!!!
I am with you Christina.
We made a choice to put our children in a private school...knowing full well that the taxes we pay are going to benefit a school our children don't attend.
They are still someone's children.
They are still the future of our community and country.
It's a foolish decision NOT to invest in that future...a scary decision.
I'm amazed that an individual or a group of people would be so blatantly opposed.
christina said...
"They are still someone's children."
That says it all.
Thanks, Michelle!
Anonymous said...
the reason they are afraid to post it during the day is because of people like you.... maybe you should relize they have the right of speech and press. it is their opinion not yours don't attack it because they didn't attack you personaly! my gosh you act like if it's not your opinion it is wrong!!!
christina said...
I agree that they do have a right t free speech and press. I just felt they should have also had enough conviction in what they believe to not have to do it in secret.
A day or two later, they were out there in person, and I applaud them for that.
I also wrote another post in which I had time to ruminate and discuss with others the issues at hand. If you read that one, you might find that I did give credit and consideration of why they were doing what they're doing.
Mighty Pixie's Mom said...
I too appreciate choices, personal opinion and freedom of speech. When it comes to children, I think everyone, even those without children should take one more thing into consideration:
Every child in our schools, public or other, will become an adult. A member of society. We need to do all we can to help every child reach their full potential. Why? For many reasons too numerous to list here, but one that some may have overlooked.
Todays children will be tomorrows adults. Let's pay now so we don't pay later. Invest in our youth now so they don't end up in trouble, in the system, or worse. Give them all the tools to be self-sufficient functioning citizens. Otherwise, those who are saying no to kids now may have a lot more to complain about in the future.
christina said...
Mighty Pixie Mom,
Thank you for your support! Exactly my sentiment. Today's youth are tomorrow's leaders. There is no way around that. We have to equip them as best we can--especially if we are to solve the problems that we've created over the last 20 or 30 years.
thanks :-)
Wendy said...
I've been in awe of the huge anti-school levy opinions not just in Selah but around the Yakima Valley. Prosser's was particularly nasty, even having a website forum dedicated to "debate" the issue. Very few of those opinions were legitimate debate, rather racist and culturally-ignorant statements as well as attacks on an entire school district because of the HS principal's wife. If that's how the adults and supposed "role models" of the community act, I do not have much hope for the youth of the town (with or without passing the school bond).
It's hard to see those signs and wonder, "What the heck?" and want to take them down out of frustration, but as you said, that was a thought. You didn't actually do it. You acknowledged that everyone does have a right to express their own opinions, so I'm not quite sure what anonymous was going off about. It also makes me suspicious when people comment "anonymous." Isn't that kind of similar to sneaking out in the middle of the night and putting up those signs - like "Well, this is MY opinion but I don't want anyone to know who I am." At least you publicly acknowledged how you feel. For that, I say YOU GO GIRL!
christina said...
Thanks for your comments, Wendy, and for the validation!
It is the beginning of a community tragedy when a school levy /bond election continues to fail. Sure, the NO voters have kept their taxes from going up an additional $6 a year. That can still buy a pack of smokes, can’t it?
But what they have failed to take in to account are long term effects. What young couple, new to the region, is going to want to settle down in a community that doesn’t support its schools? “It’ll be great honey! The house is perfect, and just a few blocks from that quaint school with the leaky roof and the computer cords stapled to the ceiling!”
And young professionals, especially doctors, will think twice before joining these communities, as well. School levy voting results are a major considerations for young doctors when deciding where to settle down and practice. (It’s a good thing Yakima and West Valley are nearby, ready to attract these folks).
Aesop’s fable “The Ant and the Grasshopper” http://www.longlongtimeago.com/llta_fables_antgrasshopper.html
is as pertinent now as it was way back when.
“It is wise to worry about tomorrow today.”
TJ said...
We are teaching our children that they are not important. That said, I think Selah needs to take a hard look at what they are putting up for vote. I've heard from many that they would fund some of it, but it is the entire package they have problems with.
I hope a new revised request is made to voters that will be passed. I'm also grateful that my kids are in West Valley, where there have been huge improvements recently.