Pool issue questions are raised
Editor,
I have read several articles on the Mission Valley Aquatics swimming pool. The idea of having a pool for valley residents is an excellent idea and the information has been helpful but many questions come to mind.
Only individuals in School District 23 are voting on the 7- mil levy to pay for this project. Is there a reason for asking only the Polson School District 23 residents to pay for a facility that will service all residents of Lake County?
Many residents in School District 23 do not pay property taxes for various reasons. Will these individuals have the same vote as property owners?
It was stated that residents of District 23 would receive a minimum $25 discount on their membership, but not all residents may be interested in joining.
Many district residents have expensive homes and are not full time residents, but their taxes will increase without being able to vote.
In the Mission Valley Aquatics Feasibility Study the cost projected gives increases in taxes to property owners as follows: "If voters were asked to contribute $2 million over five years to build the facility with a four-percent bond, it would cost the owner of a $100,000 property approximately $62.44 annually and would cost the owner of a $200,000 property $124.87 annually. If the bond duration was 10 years instead of five, it would cost roughly $31.22 for owners of a $100,000 property and $62.44 for the owners of a $200.000 property."
In the article in the paper the amount stated is considerably different, "The proposed tax would result in approximately $14.36 per year on a home with a taxable value of $100,000." Which figure is correct?
Mission Valley Aquatics Feasibility Study states the property is described as the "Old Dupuis Lumber Mill property." It was indicated that 'a special use permit would have to be obtained through the Polson City-County Planning Board for the development of an aquatic facility.' Is this still the case, and if so, has this been presented and approved by the board?
Also stated in the feasibility study: "Outstanding questions like the suitability of the soils, presence of hazardous materials, development timing and clear land title would have to be investigated if this site is a real option for Mission Valley Aquatics." Have these questions been answered and if so what were the outcomes? If they have not been answered will this information be available before the mail-in-ballot goes out?
It is also my understanding that a simple majority of voters can pass this levy, meaning that if only a small majority of people vote for the proposed 7 mils and a fewer number vote against it, it passes and property taxes will increase forever to pay for this facility. How much total money will the 7 mils generate each year?
Yes, an aquatic center would be wonderful, but it is necessary for the voting public to be informed and answers to these questions will give all concerned more information on which to base their vote.
Hopefully answers to these questions will be available before the ballots go to the residents of School District #23.
Chris Strom
Polson
(Editor's note: Some of the good questions raised above are answered in other letters in this edition's opinion pages)
Where was the season's good will?
Editor,
To the inconsiderate jerk who vandalized my car on Dec. 26 outside the Showboat movie theatre:
Christmas is a time for goodwill toward man. Where was the goodwill when you ripped the antenna off of my parked car?
If you just wanted to steal the Christmas decoration attached to the antenna, you could have just taken it off — it was only attached with tape. After all, it was just an 89 cent plastic decoration from Wal-Mart.
There was no need for you to steal the antenna as well. That was just plain mean and uncalled for. I hope that the cheap plastic candy cane that you so desperately needed is bringing you tidings of comfort and joy.
Caroline Hanke
Polson
Tax funding should not be used
Editor,
I find it hard to believe that the homeowners of School District 23 are being asked to vote in favor of a property tax increase to subsidize the operation of a swimming pool. Lake County is in need of additional funds to support critical services, i.e. volunteer fire departments, rescue, sheriff department, and school programs.
Homeowners should not be expected to support increased taxes so a few people can swim during the winter months. I fully support the building of the aquatic center as long as it does not require increasing taxes. Tax increases should be limited to funding necessary county services.
Jim Seals
Polson
Some questions about pool levy answered
Editor,
I would like to take this opportunity to inform the registered voters of the Mission Valley Aquatics Recreation District regarding the mail-in ballot that will be sent out on Jan. 10, 2008. Hopefully this letter will help clarify some of the most important facts about the upcoming ballot.
First and foremost, this mil levy will not be paying for the construction of the aquatics center, but instead it will provide operation and maintenance dollars after the facility is completed. The Mission Valley Aquatics organization is working to raise the nearly $7 million needed to build the facility that will then be given to the recreation district assuming the mil levy is approved.
The Recreation District boundaries are from Minesinger to Yellow Bay to Rollins. These boundaries were chosen because they reflect the "service area" for the aquatic center, which will be located in the Ridgewater Development on Highway 93 just south of Polson. The proposed property tax mil levy for the district is 7 mils, which results in a tax of $14.36 per year on a home with a taxable value of $100,000. This amount is based upon the $225,000 annual budget projection in the recently completed business plan for the facility.
Once the pool is operating and the income from user fees stabilizes, we plan to decrease the amount of money levied for operation and maintenance, but there will always be a need for some levied funds to maintain low user fees and support the inclusive community mission of this facility.
For more information, please review the business plan that is now on the website, www.mvaquatics.org
In addition to providing much needed recreation opportunities for kids, adults, and seniors, we are confident that this facility will greatly enhance the overall value of this community. MVA has worked hard over the last five years developing community awareness and a feasible plan for an aquatic center. We need this levy to confidently continue forward with our fundraising campaign.
Thank you for your interest and support. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns, 883-4567.
Tana Seeley
Polson
Pass the mil levy; let's go swimming
Editor,
Mission Valley Aquatics has a vision to provide a state-of-the-art aquatic facility that enhances the health, fitness, safety, recreation, and quality of life for all in the Mission Valley.
It all started out simple enough years ago, but it is now a demanding project for all those involved. Nothing is more important at this time than the passing of the mil levy. It would be nice if we could get something for nothing, no strings attached. Not normally the case, so here's the deal. Operation and maintenance budget to the voting public, (just like fire trucks, policemen, parks, garbage, and schools) and Mission Valley Aquatics will raise the $7 million for construction. All these items are in the same category (to enrich a community). Everyone pays but not everyone uses all the services.
According to the feasibility study most people like to swim and include swimming in their vacation and will travel to swim. We plan on providing more than just a place to swim, but the point is there is a demand. The question is who should pay? How large should our rec district be? It was researched by the board and weighted heavily by the feasibility study, that the surrounding Polson area showed the most support.
If we were to expand the rec district to the county we would encounter more negatives than positives due to the distance from the pool.
So the decision was made by the board to stay with the boundaries of District 23 and give the voters a discount, but still welcome everyone in the county to come and swim in the 36,000 square foot facility.
Once it's all done we will have a not-for-profit district pool that everyone can enjoy at an affordable price. Let's go swimming.
Hu Beaver
MVA Board Member
Polson
Support levy for swimming pool
Editor,
As a lifelong Montana resident and non-swimmer, I am writing to help generate support for the upcoming Mission Valley Aquatics mil levy ballot because I believe it is an incredible opportunity for this community.
After years of hard work and careful planning, the dedicated volunteers at Mission Valley Aquatics are on the verge of completing their dream, and now they need the entire community to step forward and show their support. In exchange for a fairly small increase in property tax, the MVA group is offering to give us a $7 million state-of-the-art aquatic facility. With the help of some very generous private donors, MVA will provide the construction costs and our tax dollars will be used to maintain the facility after it is completed, keeping user fees low and accessibility high.
Even if I may not be able to overcome my fear and get in the water, I can just imagine the thriving activities for kids and adults of every age inside the walls of a new aquatic center. There will be swim lessons, water slides, party rentals, competitions, water aerobics for seniors, physical therapy, kayaking and scuba training, and much more. This pool will provide an incredibly positive place for kids to gather throughout the year for recreation and entertainment.
I think it makes sense for us local property owners to help support and maintain this new community treasure. It will provide another significant step forward for Polson, further boosting property values and enhancing recreation opportunities for visitors and guests. As only the second truly public community swimming pool in all of western Montana, it will draw folks from surrounding communities on a regular basis and help support local businesses.
Thanks for your time and please show your support by mailing in your ballot in January with a vote "for" the Mission Valley Aquatics mil levy.
Julia Roberts
Polson
Ronan Parade of Lights was great
Editor,
The Ronan Parade of Lights Committee thanks all the participants as well as the folks who braved Jack Frost nipping to come out and enjoy our annual Ronan Parade of Lights. Our committee thanks Mission Mart and Harvest Foods for donating the free hot chocolate and coffee that was served afterwards at the park; thanks to St. Luke Hospital for providing the pallets to keep everyone warm at the bonfire; thank you to Kevin Templer, Bob Bell, Carlene Bockman, Penny Ross, Jim and Letha Morgan and Bill King for handling all the parade details; and a special thank you to Jack Fay, Rod Smart and the Second Chance for providing all the free goody bags for the kids handed out by Santa and his team after the parade.
We are blessed to live in a community that is made up of so many special folks that still remember "The Reason for the Season." See you next year.
Jennifer Rolfsness
Ronan Parade of Lights Committee
Ronan
Trosper benefit was great success
Editor,
We want to express our thanks to the community. The outpouring of support to help with our granddaughter Reanna's benefit at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Holiday Family Fun Festival has been overwhelming. We don't know who all contributed because of the tremendous volunteering, but please know that every donation is very much appreciated. Special thanks to the Lake County Leader for running the human interest article.
The success of the benefit has helped significantly with Reanna's medical expenses.
Thank you.
Brad and Marilyn Trosper
Polson
Physician says local schools helped her
Editor,
I have recently attained full physician status after a long and sometimes very difficult educational course. As I look back over my life I felt that I would be remiss not to mention the importance of the Polson school system in attaining my current state.
Polson High School was an incredible springboard for me into higher education and there were many, many people there who impacted my life in positive ways. To the administration, guidance counselors (Liz Lair), history professors (Gray, Briney, Hislop), all of my science teachers, to our gentle school nurse Mrs. Nesladek, even my (blegh-least favorite subject) math teachers, including one in particular who also taught my father when he was in high school, and to Mrs. Polly Dupuis, who thank God didn't have to cut my hair off, I give my most heartfelt thank you.
Most particularly I would like to honor three teachers who stand out in my mind as the most influential teachers I have ever had the pleasure to interact with. The first I would like to thank is Mr. Baumgarner. Mr. B, you not only taught me the joy of music, but also the importance of being well-rounded, enjoying friends and every now and then taking a fun trip. I will never be an opera star, but thanks to you, I will always love to sing.
To Mr. Hogenson, whose sometimes pop-eyed enthusiasm for chemistry and physics translated itself beautifully to me into a love for the order and exactness found in the world of science that dominated the decisions I made for my life. Although most of my experiments in Mr. Hogenson's class were miserable failures, they were always fun. And Mr. Hogenson remained optimistic no matter how deranged the idea behind the miserable failure. Mr. Hogenson remains my favorite science teacher through all 25 years of a very scientific education. There is one thing that still bothers me, however — what was in my black box?
And last, but certainly not least, to Mrs. Harwood, beloved coach, adviser, encourager. The confidence she instilled in me as she led us to a state championship remains with me to this day and it was the mental toughness afforded to me by persisting through physical hardship that aided me through college and beyond to medical school, internship and residency. Mrs. Harwood's gentle example gave me the skills to become a competent woman.
I wish to finish my letter by giving one last accolade to not only my teachers, but to the new teachers that strive today in our school system. Thank you for your dedication and for your steadfast service, thank you for everyday taking the future in your hands and making it the best that it can be.
Jody S. Velie (Zimmer) M.D.
Kathleen, Ga.
Reader recalls first Bible verse
Editor,
Your column [Rich man, poor man] in the Dec. 20 Leader inspired me to write this letter: The first Bible verse I learned as a child was John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
I also like the following two verses: "For God did not send His Soon into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he that does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
No matter who you are or where you are; what you have done or have not done God offers you His love and forgiveness.
The most beautiful card I received this Christmas season has a picture of a large evergreen tree with only a shiny star on top and only one gift at the bottom. When you open the gift it exposes the Baby Jesus in a manger. When you open the card you read the following poem written by Billy Graham's wife, Ruth.
There will be less someday —
Much less, and there will be more:
Less to distract and abuse;
More to adore;
Less to burden and confuse;
More to undo the cluttering of centuries,
That we might view again
That which star and angels point to :
We shall be poorer and richer;
Stripped and free;
For always there will be a gift,
Always a tree!
Audrey Hicks
Ronan
Dogs are running loose in Elmo
Editor,
On Christmas Eve about 4:30 p.m., I drove through Elmo to see two large black dogs running along the side of the road. I commented on how those dogs won't last long.
Sure enough, at approximately 6:30 p.m. I came back through to see one dog in the road, mourning over his buddy who was scattered all over the highway. This is a very common thing in that area.
I hope this dog didn't belong to any children as the parents will have to explain, due to their [the parents'] neglect, their pet was killed on the highway. Please, if you have dogs in that area, you could put up an inexpensive fence.
Last summer as I drove through Elmo, I saw a poor female dog tied to a chain. She was being bred by a male dog. How sad. She couldn't even get away.
I travel that road a lot during the summer and see a dead dog at least two or three times a month.
Please do something for your pets. Put a fence up.
Wanda Blankenhorn
Polson
Vandals should pay and apologize
Editor,
I just read the article about the Mission Veterans Memorial Wall Being vandalized in Thursday Dec, 27's edition of the Lake County Leader.
I have to say that for someone to do something so bad to a memorial that has all the past and present names of the veterans who have given their lives for the great country, is a stupid thing to do to a wonderful tribute to the veterans of Saint Ignatius.
I think that whoever vandalized the Memorial Wall should pay for the damages instead of the city, and the public works director having to.
The culprit or culprits should also write an apology letter to the city, the public works director, the veterans, and to the current project coordinator.
The city of Saint Ignatius, and the people did not donate money for the Mission Veterans Memorial Wall to be vandalized by someone, they built the wall to honor their fallen veterans who have given so much so that we may all enjoy our freedom in this wonderful country.
The citizens of Misson put a lot of hard work, time, efforts, and money into this project.
Lynn Delecaris
St. Ignatius