Sometimes having transparency is good. Other times, it is…you be the judge. The illusionist and the salesperson use transparency to gain advantages. Both perform their feats right before our eyes. Some use manual dexterity, others, the subtle art of verbal persuasion. Sometimes we willingly pay the price of admission to be deceived. Other times, we are deceived and end up paying dearly.
So It Goes with Measure CC
So far, supporters have been willing to market the School Board’s $106M bond proposal by releasing only carefully selected, deceptively positive selling points. They have yet to inform the community about any of Measure CC’s not-so-positive aspects.
No one within the School District sales team, neither Board member nor District administrator, will dare confirm publicly that if Measure CC passes, it would put our small community at least a quarter-billion dollars in debt. They remain mute on the subject, not even acknowledging that with Measure CC’s built-in uncertainties, there exists the great possibility that its bottom line could end up costing our community much, much more.
Just Happy Talk
It appears School Board members have transformed themselves into bond marketing agents, using proven Madison Avenue sales strategies on homeowners to persuade, induce them to support their bond measure.
Community members should ask themselves: Are School Board members really trying to inform them about Measure CC so an informed decision can be made or are they just trying to sell them on it?
Caveat Emptor
In the general sense as salespersons, Board members and their supporters are under no real obligation to disclose anything ominous in Measure CC. Their only goal is to get the homeowner to buy into their positive bond rhetoric and vote yes. Shouldn't the community expect more from its elected leaders than just being given positive sales-pitches?
Tax Rate: Bait and Switch?
When you read your ballot, you will see the bond’s $106M amount, but the tax rate figure is nowhere to be found. In fact, that will be set by the Board later. You will be voting on authorizing the Board to issue $106M in bonds and approve the legal tax rate limit of $60. Will your desire to improve our schools be interpreted by the board to mean that you also approve setting the tax rate to the maximum of $60?
Lately, Board members have been mentioning this legal limit of $60. I am pretty sure that it is no coincidence why they are bringing it up publicly just before the start of the election. I won't be surprised that if Measure CC passes, Board members vote to switch their previously polled and widely advertised $48 tax rate and raise it 25%, to the maximum limit of $60. This $12 increase would cost our community about another million dollars a year for the next thirty years.
All the Facts
Our close-knit community should expect more from its entrusted elected leaders. We should expect the whole truth. They should be informing the community about all of the good and bad aspects of Measure CC.
Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com
