–Taxes are going UP in CdA! What a surprise. (Here’s a link to today’s Press article)
–KTEC, the new skills-focused high school to be shared by PF, CdA and Rathdrum School Districts, will be coming up for a levy vote on August 24th. (Here’s a link to this morning’s Press column on KTEC)
What do you think? Do you like the way local government is spending your money?
Here’s a comment by one of our readers that was posted on another thread but inspired this Open Session:
Can we switch the subject and talk about KTEC. We have a great opportunity to vote in “technical education” for our area high school students. There is going to be an election on August 24th and no one is talking about it. This is a joint project between CdA, Post Falls and Lakeland Schools to build a center for juniors and seniors to develop work place skills. The land is donated, business & industry is contributing to it, and building costs have never been lower. I am generally not for higher taxes, but this one I will go for!!! We all pay for students dropping out. The school is based on a model here in Idaho that has a 98% graduation rate and has placed 96% of the students in jobs after graduation.
Time is short to get informed about this issue. Please get yourself to MICA FLATS GRANGE on August 2nd at 6:30 to learn more. TOM LUNA, our superintendent of Idaho schools will be there! RON NILSON will put on a presentation and TOM LUNA will be there to answer questions about the role of the state in developing tech opportunities to high schoolers. Check out Facebook under Mica Flats Grange…also directions are posted there.
Comment by citizen — July 22, 2010 @ 11:04 pm
Comment by mary — July 23, 2010 @ 9:01 am
I agree that KTEC is s great idea and I applaud those in private business who have brought it to this point. Without the private citizens pushing this effort and donating & paying for the land, the KTEC project would never have advanced. Thank you all! Now let’s get the levy passed and allow our high school kids to opt for technical skills training as part of their education.
Comment by mary — July 23, 2010 @ 9:07 am
On the other hand, the city of CdA raising taxes once again, even “just a little bit”, is awful. Did the city council mention they have had at least 3 new, big public art projects this past year? (Just one of them cost $100,000.)
By the way, there’s a long list of CdA City people who make more than $100,000 per year. That line up includes the City Attorney, City Administrator, Assistant City Administrator, LCDC’s Urban Renewal Director, the Fire Chief, a couple of Police Captains and more. Even the Director of Recreation programs makes more than $90,000, as does the Parks Director and the Planning Director. All with great benefits provided by you, the taxpayers.
What bugs me the most is that during these slow economic times, the city has had NO pay cuts and NO layoffs. Almost every other business has had to cut back on staffing, even though they have great people, just so they can stay in business until the economy gears up again. The city should be doing the same. You can’t tell me that the Planning Dept. staff is busy right now—there are almost no new construction projects for them to work on! What are they doing, sitting around, trying to look busy? I hear they are not rewriting the old ordinances that need updating, even though some of the staff are qualified to do so.
No, this is once again the city protecting its own and crying to the public that’s they’ve “cut” as much as they can so now they have to reach into our pockets for more.
Comment by mary — July 23, 2010 @ 9:12 am
Phrases like “perfect storm”, “straw that broke the camel’s back, and words like “recall” come to mind.
Comment by Gary Ingram — July 23, 2010 @ 10:12 am
How much property tax has the city given away to LCDC over the last year?
Comment by Gary Ingram — July 23, 2010 @ 10:24 am
I only hope CdA’s irresponsible revenue grabbing city government does not discourage people from voting for KTEC. As a person who has a hard time with taxes, I think KTEC is going to be BIG BANG for the buck. Imagine young adults actually graduating from high school with skills to go to work. They will be contributors to the community and not takers. I think it is the best school initiative I have seen in the area. Imagine saving money by having 3 districts joining forces. Don’t forget that people with skills can create new businesses.
You can help the Grange by going on Mica Flats Grange facebook and indicate your intention of coming.
Today I checked the mileage from The Spokane River to the Grange and on my odometer it was 6.3 miles up hwy. 95 to the little white building.
Comment by citizen — July 23, 2010 @ 1:08 pm
It is a shame that our “PROGRESSIVE THINKING” (yeah right) city council, mayor and LCDC did not think of figuring out how to fund the KTEC. Oh yeah, where is the profit for the good ole boys? Never mind.
Comment by concerned citizen — July 24, 2010 @ 7:05 am
LCDC rulers do not seem to find a way to enrich themselves on KTEC. They are more interested in turning NIC into an Ivy League school. This improves their downtown image. Money for KTEC? In your dreams.
Comment by citizen — July 24, 2010 @ 7:31 am
Please be careful not to relate the Ed Corridor project to KTEC. They are totally separate and different. People can support one or both, for their own reasons, but they do not cancel each other out.
Our community needs KTEC because skills certifications will help high school graduates get a job right out of school. That’s not just essential in this tough economy, it’s important for the many students who can’t afford to go on to college or don’t have the desire to do so.
If a student is interested in technical equipment, hands-on skills or a plethora of other certifications, they will be able to advance themselves at the KTEC high school. It will offer a great chance for kids to grab the reins of their lives. From there, they can go anywhere.
Comment by mary — July 24, 2010 @ 8:57 am
I found the timing of the announcement curious. Do you think it was an attempt to shoot down the KTEC vote? By the way, who is foolish enough to think that comments at the September budget hearing count?
Comment by Susie Snedaker — July 24, 2010 @ 10:21 am
So, what you’re saying Susie is that the City Council’s recent comment that they will increase taxes 1.5% is not necessarily what they will really do?
Comment by mary — July 24, 2010 @ 2:18 pm
No, they will stick with the tax increase. The question is whether this will cause the voters to balk at another tax. By the way, is the school district planning on a remodel of the offices on Ninth Street?
Comment by Susie Snedaker — July 24, 2010 @ 6:53 pm
Susie, I thought the same thing when I saw the tax announcement from the city. Their timing was perfect. If KTEC passes I think it will be from outside the city limit. Every rural person I have spoken to supports it. We know the value of job skills being taught in high school. Every senior I have spoken to in the rural area supports it. They have been complaining for years about the lack of “vocational training” in high school.
Comment by citizen — July 24, 2010 @ 8:32 pm