To the Editor,

I am writing in response to the editorial written in the July 3, 2008 Tecumseh Herald titled “Trust and Accountability.” I have subscribed to your newspaper for many years and have not always agreed with your editorials. My first thought after reading your editorials since the failure of the bond, was to cancel my subscription. After all, why would one support a local newspaper that does not support the local school district?
As far as “trust and accountability,” you had better get your facts straight before you start accusing the school board of not doing their job. I have worked in school construction for almost 20 years and I know for a fact that the numbers are put together by the architect, not the school board, and are based on past construction experience.

All numbers are “estimated” numbers and are normally “worst case scenario,” just as the school board member stated. The total bond amount is simply a total of all the estimated numbers. If the bond passes the construction manager then seeks out firm bids in specific areas. Some are higher than the “estimated” amount and some are lower. To error on the high side is to insure that the project will be completed without running out of money. Makes sense to me! Therefore, to “congratulate” the NO voters for saving the district $619,000 is a ridiculous statement, and not even close to the truth.

Yea, way to go no voters! You showed that school board, you showed that teacher or administrator you’re mad at. You showed them all!! What you did is show the Tecumseh students and your community you don’t care about them. And you saved yourself $100 in 2016  (on a $100,000 house). Most people spend more than that on fast food in a month. By the way, about 80% of the bonds on the ballot in Michigan last May passed. Obviously, those people recognize the importance of investing in their young people and realize it is great for the community and the local economy!

We give to all types of charities on a regular basis such as Churches, The United Way, The Red Cross, The Humane Society and many more. We have no idea how the money is spent, nor would we agree with everything it is used for. The bond money would all be spent right here in Tecumseh where we can see it and touch it. Best of all, it will be used by thousands of our children, now and for years to come. Charity starts at home, and Tecumseh is my home.

Maybe you should try supporting your schools and community for once. How about writing more newsworthy articles and stop wasting your time interviewing people about their “opinion” on a stupid high school clock.

The bond is not going away. It will be back. Prices are not going down. Michigan schools have no choice. Our children deserve more! They deserve heating/ventilation without fail, roofs that don’t leak, safe athletic fields, and technology updates. They need it and they deserve it!!

I am in total support of my Schools and community and I will continue to VOTE YES!

Suzanne Moore
Tecumseh

(Editor’s note: The Herald, in fact, did support Proposal 1 in the May school election. Our editorial the week before the election read, in part, “We strongly support Proposal 1 and hope voters will see the true needs that have been outlined.” In that proposal, however, there was a request of $540,000 to repair the roof of the indoor pool. After the election failed and the schools did not get the funding to repair the roof, “further inspections” were made which discovered the roof only needed $140,000 in repairs. The difference was a whopping $400,000. Are all estimates for school projects quadrupled in cost to fit “worst case scenarios?” We certainly hope not. The school board should be concerned and hold the roof inspector or contractor accountable. Don’t ask the public to approve a bond issue that involves projects which haven’t been accurately studied.