LETTERS

Kudos to Fayetteville voters

LITTLE ROCK — One of the first things I did this morning (Sept. 16) was to turn on my computer so I could see if the Fayetteville school tax increase was approved or rejected.

To learn that most voters were smart enough to vote against the measure is fantastic. I am ecstatic.

I live in Pea Ridge, so you might wonder why I even care.

The Fayetteville School District would receive state and federal money in addition to city money to build this elaborate school, so I would have to pay also. The architects get paid approximately 6 percent of the entire cost of the complex. That is why they try to add all of the amenities they can.

According to the article, Superintendent Vicki Thomas said there was not a plan B.

I do not know for sure, but I would almost bet that no one on the school board who voted for these plans makes less than $50,000 a year. If there were more people from the lower middle class making these decisions, the board probably would not have even asked the people to vote on this outrageously high-priced waste of taxpayer money.

Do not get me wrong; everyone wants quality, beauty and efficiency. However, anyone with any kind of construction background and common sense could point out how to save money and build this thing less expensively.

This is what district officials do, though: They shoot for the moon, and if the voters approve their plan, that is great. If not, they act as though they did their best and then say, well, we willhave to go with plan B. Because of this type of thinking, the school that they want and need is delayed for at least another year.
Boyd B. McNiel / Pea Ridge

Prez strikes a pose

Did you see the picture of Barack Obama on the front page of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on Sept. 18? Obama's head was held high with his chin pointed upward in pride.

Intentionally, I am sure, the photograph was staged before a (Gilbert Stuart?) painting of America's first president, George Washington.

What a ploy!
Midge Garza / Bentonville