Eating Crow
As a politician one always wants to do what is right and best for the political organization that he/she has been chosen to represent by the public. Sometimes one does that, and sometimes one fails. And sometimes one does what is right – but needs to eat some crow along the way. So while someone passes me the salt and pepper – and perhaps some catsup I shall start eating crow.
Also I need to make my apologies to Arvid for questioning his information by the way – he was right – and I was mistaken. Se mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxi cupla.
And to the unknown person who demanded that I post information – here it is:
I asked the district to supply me with the purchase prices of the homes that were purchased on Cynthia next to the Garden Hills School as well as the market price was established by the Assessor – which I believe was based on the tax records. In some cases the purchase price listed below includes payments for closing fees, moving expenses or other items so that the price paid for the house itself might be different then what the district lists as the purchase price. Regardless of how the price was structured – what is listed below is what the District paid out for each property:
Market Value District
per Assessor Paid
1902 Cynthia $84,965 $127,500
1904 Cynthia $88,430 $110,000
1906 Cynthia $89,575 $122,500
1908 Cynthia $102,983 $125,000
2000 Cynthia $90,570 $95,000
2002 Cynthia $67,852 $121,500
Totals $524,375 $701,500
Total mark up over assessed value 33%
The money for these purchases came from the new School Infrastructure Sales Tax – money which can not be used to pay for District salary or operations. So while it may seem odd to be cutting one fund while spending from another – these funds can not be used except for the purpose intended - improvement of schools and new schools - and property purchase is indeed legal.
Now in my opinion was the extra money well spent??
First and foremost the district acquired needed property at Garden Hills on a fast track basis. The houses are ready to be demolished and the property used during construction starting this spring. The district wants to get the Garden Hills extension up and ready for the start of school in August of 2011 – so having this land ready now means that we have a better chance of making our timetable. And the district/School Board talked to the architects during the planning process and were told that any extra land on that site could only help the improve the site - they were pleased to get the additional space.
Second – the district did not use eminent domain to force anyone out of land that they did not want to sell. We could have gone to court and taken more time, paid out additional fees to lawyers and experts and then let a jury determine compensation. Could have been more, could have been less – could have been settled next fall. Instead the property owners have settled for what they felt was a fair price to allow Unit Four to disrupt their lives - not only to sell but move out as soon as possible.
I have long called for the District is have some sort of long term plan and am happy to say that a committee is staring to address these issues. Hopefully in the future we can start purchasing land needed on a long term basis ahead of it needs– especially as we now have a dedicated source of income for such purposes.
More catsup please