Second of three parts
Re “Getting to Know Candidate Taylor”
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Vernon Taylor at his first public event. Photo, Shannon Gaulding.
When School Board candidate Vernon L. Taylor, a banker with broad financial knowledge, was invited to a June meeting at Lin Howe School to learn about the pending bond measure for the School District, he came armed with questions. A couple hours later, he went home devoid of responses.
“When I asked my questions,” Mr. Taylor said, “I was told ‘I’ll get back to you,’ ‘We will look into that,’ and ‘Good question.’
“But there weren’t any answers provided.”
And this disappointing scenario finally convinced Mr. Taylor that, after years of consideration, it was time for him to contend for the School Board in a year when three of five seats are to be decided.
“This was part of the reason I wanted to bring my expertise to the Board,” he said.
Mr. Taylor sides with the evident majority of community members who believe the hurry-up campaign this summer to load the somewhat-resisted bond measure onto the ballot by the Aug. 9 entry deadline was a mistake. “Too much of a rush,” he said.
“We have a duty, first of all, to those children,” said the father of three. “These are public schools, after all, not private schools.
“Our duty is to make sure that, as stewards of the public’s finances and resources, we use them to the highest, most efficient ability to insure a quality education for all of the children in Culver City.
“When we come to the taxpayer, we have to be very sure of why we are coming to you and what it is going to be used for.
Seeing the Right Way
“I really believe in that. Because I do believe everyone has a soft spot for children and for teachers. And they will empty out their pockets for them.
“But it is irresponsible if we don’t take the time to make sure we truly understand all of the issues and what we are getting the public into,” Mr. Taylor said.
“When you say ‘bond financing,’ we are talking 25 years down the road. So that means we are battling the teachers.”
Part and Parcel
He was asked if a parcel tax, similar to the one presently in force in the District, is an attractive option.
“It is an easier option,” Mr. Taylor replied, swiftly appending a “however” to his response. “As a property owner in Culver City, I see my property taxes shoot up and shoot up. Unfortunately, I don’t have unlimited resources. I have three children, two of whom I am trying to put through college. So I have to imagine there are other parents in the same situation.
“We have many seniors in our city who can’t afford to see their taxes increased and increased.
“Again,” he said, “it goes back to stewardship.
“If I am going to ask you, ‘Sir, I need you to dig a little deeper,’ it will be after careful analysis and thorough attempts to make the public understand how and why we need it is important. I will tell the person, ‘If you can help, here is what our real need is.’”
(To be continued)
