Voter # 1

[johnridley]

That's the first time I've ever voted on a ballot with only one question. Hopefully the school millage passes, the schools have had significant budget cuts every year for I don't even know how many years now, and they have more kids in the schools than ever.

Yes, I was first in line. I would have been first in line if they started at 6 too, I just got an extra hour's sleep this morning.

Comments

[tlunquist.livejournal.com]

I've voted on single-question ballots before. It is a little odd. And a source of frustration if you do happen to have to wait in line to do it.

Good luck to your community on the school millage, though. Michigan districts notoriously don't pass school millages. I don't think Kent County passed a single one in the not-quite 20 years I lived (and went to school) there.

[johnridley.livejournal.com]

This is Washtenaw county. I think they've passed every millage that's been on the ballot since we've been here. In fact, this is the first time that I've actually seen organized opposition.

A lot of people around here understand what I was thinking today; education is probably the most important thing that government does, with the possible exception of building roads (which are also incredibly important to the economic future, and which we're also doing a shitty job at). IMO it's more important than police work, defense, whatever. It's too bad that the load of providing education is largely carried by people who give their own lives, getting paid far less than they deserve, rather than being spread out to the rest who should be coming forward with enough money to attract and keep talented educators going.

[tlunquist.livejournal.com]

Amen, brother.

[rmeidaking.livejournal.com]

Washtenaw County has a huge population of college students, who are all right in the middle of wishing their school was free. They'll support any millage out there, because they don't see themselves paying for it (it's filtered through shared rent and landlords), and they do understand the potential benefit.

Meanwhile, this is a 33% increase for the WISD, from 6 mils to 8 mils. I think us homeowners are going to regret it as soon as the tax bills are mailed.