WORDING ON BALLOT CHANGED BY FLETCHER, JOBE
WSAZ came to Louisa today to interview Rob Fletcher and Chris Jobe about the recallable tax issue facing Lawrence County voters on November 7. The TV reporters spoke to Lawrence Schools chief Dr. Rob Fletcher at length and allowed him to get his speech prepared concerning the merits of the new 11.4 cents (on the hundred $) of property tax.
Fletcher appeared as he has in every gathering he can find in the pursuit of the new $40 million tax levy that is supposed to end in 20 years. But Fletcher has not mentioned that fact much in his well publicized speech on why taxpayers should pay for a $27-30 million K-2 school which has over $10 million earmarked for site acquisition alone. Taking all 7th and 8th graders to Louisa Middle School including those at Fallsburg and Blaine Elementaries is also an issue in the vote.
The Lawrence Co. Board of Education has moved forward with the tax despite opposition from groups of taxpayers who do not believe the tax is necessary. A petition with more than twice the number of signers required (1,400) was circulated and the issue has been placed on the Nov. 7 ballot.
But the TV interview, nor the ballot question include any comments by the petitioners, which some were prepared to give.
One Petition leader, Cheryl Gowan told The Lazer today that she can’t understand why the wording of the petition on the ballot has been changed from what the petition says – to a promotion for the tax and explanation while making no mention of the opposition’s point of view.
“Someone from the recall committee was supposed to be interviewed as well, but no one was notified, Gowan said. “From how the ballot looks we are wondering is the levy no longer a 20 year recallable tax? IF it’s voted in, will it never end? There’s no mention of it being recallable.”
Lawrence Clerk Chris Jobe said he and other county officials approved the wording and writing of the new ballot question. He confirmed it was written by Fletcher with no input by any of the petitioners.
Another petitioner, Kay Swafford has similar questions about the handling of the most anticipated vote on Nov. 7, along with the race for Kentucky Governor.
“I noticed it (question) left out the “20 year recallable” clause and the very last part of the statement leaves the taxpayers wide open – ‘Related debt services’,” Swafford said.
She said Jobe had contacted her yesterday morning and told her the TV station was in Louisa looking for comments on the tax levy question and issue and they may contact her for an interview – but it never happened.
Gowan was more direct in her QUESTION of the language change. “How can they vote on a levy then change the wording after the fact?”
The double nickel tax has never been nor will it ever be a 20 year tax. This election is your (as voters) one and only chance to recall it. If it passes your stuck with it period.
I was told by 2 separate poll workers that during their training they were told if you voted a straight ticket and then voted on the nickel tax that the machine would count your straight ticket vote but not your vote on the tax.
Doesn’t seem like that would be a fair election to me.
If the Tax passes it will be election fraud. If it fails it will be a honest election.
That’s how us Trumpsters roll.
The original tax was only for the new school. Now it includes repairs for the other schools, transportation and whatever other bills. I would like to see a bill where no taxpayer money is to be used for sports in any way. Sports is fun. Education is necessary.
While I agree with you about spending money on sports – that faction literally bleeds our tax dollars – the funding has always included money to repair and expand other schools. Fallsburg and Blaine desperately need a separate gymnasium. The middle school has roof issues. IMO, the high school needs NOTHING! That’s where all of our money goes!
The most important thing he left out Money Bags Fletcher was it will make the kids smarter.
So I suggest everyone vote against giving anymore of your money away.
A new building will make them healthier and safer!
Gene are they sick now ?
Gene are they unsafe now ?
Gene if so shouldn’t Money Bags Fletcher have already fixed the problems ?
I don’t trust that Fletcher. Phil Carter would be a great superintendent. Uncle Phil promised me a job if he’s elected superintendent!
I am so glad that our superintendent has the guts to try to get a new building for our youngest children! This should have happened years ago, but the past superintendents knew it would be an uphill battle in a community that values older students and sports. That school should never have been allowed to become the dump that it is, and that was happening long before Dr. Fletcher came to LC. Single pane windows. Window air conditioners that are used year round because the heat is original with no way to regulate it. No parking. No space. Very dated. Hallways that go uphill and downhill – What about our students in wheelchairs? Located in the downtown area with a major highway with cars whizzing by. A major, primary highway that sits above 1/3 of the building – Our youngest children deserve better!
Lola he has held the job 9 years now you can get a lot of things fixed in that much time why did he let it go ?
Would you let your home go for 9 years without doing any thing to it ?
Why is he not planning on getting the roof replaced or at least fixed before we will have to build a new middle school
And being up close to Walmart would be better? I agree the school has been neglected for years, 8 years by Fletcher. But we sure have the best, updated ballfields around! No one is against a new school building. We are against more taxes. This is all Fletcher and Beshear are after. More money.
Because they are all cons. They only want the looks and don’t give a crap about the students or staff. They want money in their pockets. They are loosing staff members left and right. Against it I say!!!
Write an article about how many children are homeschooled in Lawrence County.
If you vote for a straight party ticket and in any race that is nonpartisan it will pick up the other votes. It will select all the straight party ticket and then pick up any nonpartisan votes as long as they are marked on the ballot. The poll workers have their information incorrect. You could probably call the clerks office for this information instead of getting it second hand.
I did get this information directly from Chris Jobe. He told me to please help get the word out that there was a problem with the machines and they would not pick up the tax vote (either way) if you chose straight ticket. If you mark your choices individually it will get each vote.
This is just what Trump has been crying about election fraud once again
So, Will a new Louisa West be built or the old one renovated? Read WSAZ’s article.
They are losing faculty and staff members because they won’t pay them enough. People are struggling and can’t afford this tax. They aren’t against a new school, they can’t afford it and shame on Dr. Fletcher and the Board Members for trying to put this burden on the taxpayers. We didn’t need turf and we didn’t need a $1 million softball facility. Are they nice? Yes, but not needed.
Also, evidence suggests that turf leads to more injuries. The NFL is investigating this.
Spread the word. Let you’re friends and neighbors know why we need to vote against this. Many won’t understand what it means if someone hasn’t explained it.
If this passes, it will be a forever tax. Jenkins Independent School District voted in a 20 year tax about 42 years ago (maybe a little longer). It has never gone away. The board keeps voting to increase it. Their original “nickel tax” is now 56.4 cents per $100 of real estate, and they’re wanting more! I agree that children need a healthy safe environment to learn in. However, folks on a fixed income in the county, like myself, are already being bled dry by our deplorable national economy and skyrocketing inflation. I, like most others, don’t have an opportunity to make any more money to support the additional requested handouts to the school system. My monthly income is what it is and it’s certainly not enough to be doling out even more to the board of education. If this passes, I will have to consider my options of moving to a different county or possibly a different state. I don’t want to. This is my home. But I won’t be able to afford it.
“Deplorable national economy”
Jimmy the economy is BOOMING don’t know what rock you are hiding under 4.9% GDP 3rd quarter Trump never seen these numbers. Inflation is still high but you can get a job just about anywhere you turn.
Just about everyone agrees that we were living better under Trump and America was safer under Trump.