Many who know me personally, and those who may know me from my service on the Monroe City Council or as mayor of Monroe, might conclude that: "there's no tax that I like.GÇ¥
It's true that I have been known to express concern and even discontent regarding what I perceive to be a burdensome tax system and wasteful spending, departmental inefficiencies and ever-growing governmental bureaucracies that function more to obstruct than to serve.-á Along with me, people see our tax dollars disappear into the "black holeGÇ¥ called government, with nothing to show for it. More often than not, many have felt powerless to affect change or felt that we, the taxpayers, hold little ability to oversee, influence or direct government spending; especially at the federal and state levels.
So naturally, you probably believe that I oppose Monroe School District's Proposition 1.
Well, hold on to your hat, you may be in for a surpriseGǪ
I believe that at the local level, we the voters, have the best opportunity to decide if we pay or influence how our taxes are used. We are able to hold our elected representatives accountable.-á I have seen that influence at work here in Monroe. As a result of Monroe resident's participation and direct influence, I believe that we have one of the most exceptional police and fire departments in the state. And our park system is, bar none, the most highly rated system over any other in Snohomish County.
And so it is with our schools. We, the voters, can influence if, what or how it spends our tax dollars through our support of or through the defeat of the bond measure on April 28.
The measure, according to the school board, would keep the current [rate of] $1.48 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The "rateGÇ¥ is not increasing. However, for the sake of transparency, if your property value increases, what you pay might likely increase, too. What's great is that you have the say [of] whether the current scope of work, the school board has identified, is worth it or not. For a better understanding of the list of projects, go to: www.monroe.wednet.edu.
With that said, my family and I moved to Monroe nearly a decade and a half ago. We chose to be involved in our community and we chose Monroe School District (MSD) for our kids, over private school and over sending them to another district, like Snohomish. We had faith in MSD then and we continue to place our confidence in MSD now. Our children have had some of the most incomparable teachers; true professionals that genuinely care about our kid's scholastic experience and development.
Along with them, the principals and administrative staff, where our children have attended (Chain Lake, Fryelands Elementary, Park Place Middle and Monroe High School), have been, and continue to be, outstanding. One of our sons graduated in 2009, going on to successfully serve in the USMC and another will graduate this June and is heading off to a four-year university. It will be another [four-and-a-half] years until our youngest of four graduates and receives her diploma from Monroe High School. Go Bearcats!
In conclusion, if you believe that Proposition 1 is not the best utilization of tax dollars for Monroe School District, then send a message and vote no. But don't stop there! Contact the school board or attend a meeting and let your reasoning be heard. Your opinion is valued and needed GÇô be involved. "ShoutingGÇ¥ from the sidelines or from behind a keyboard does little to contribute to any real solutions or strategies.
Or, if your experience has been positive, like our family's experience, and you would like to provide for future students an opportunity to receive an enhanced experience too, then I close this letter by encouraging you to support Proposition 1 and vote yes on April 28. Robert G. Zimmerman
Monroe
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