The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Editor: I read with interest the article in The Reminder on Jan. 13. Supporters of the High School in Creighton voiced the question, "What is motivating opponents of the high school that do not have children in the school system?" I am a Creighton resident, grandmother and taxpayer. As a taxpayer, I have the right and responsibility to question the decisions made by the people we elect. How else can they be held accountable? Further, I care about my grandchildren's future education, I care about my community, I care about my community's children, and I care how my tax dollars are spent. What would our community be like if the people with experience quit caring? What would our country be like if only people with immediate concerns took an interest in government? I support the petition to have the Board rescind their motion to proceed this year with starting the high school in Creighton. I believe this is a reasonable request, since I, like most residents, only became aware of the idea at the end of September. In 1 1/2 months, I don't believe that I can know all there is to know about it. I would no more take this idea without question, than I would a used car from a salesman. Don't trust every salesman that tries to sell you a car. It might be great, but what if it isn't? What would we do with the lemon? Since no one is in immediate danger, would it not be reasonable to take the time to be cautious? A year is unreasonable? I have been told that I am afraid of change. Opposing this motion simply means that I don't like to jump blindly, or even semi-blindly. This is a huge change that will impact our community and our students. Do the people who are in favor of a high school not want to study this issue, to find out if the facts are accurate, what the impact will be (positive or negative) on our communities and our students? Does this good idea just sound too good? If I were told that I could now jump off a cliff because it has been proven that I can fly by using a set of wings, would I be afraid of change because I want to check this theory before taking flight? I took longer than this when deciding to buy a house; to find out what the cost would be, the bills, the expenses that had not occurred to us, and to be sure it fit our budget. We do indeed have to look out for the future. Whose tax dollars to you think will be supporting the school once built? The population is declining. That is a fact. Although I have read that our taxes "might" go up if the high school does go ahead, I believe it is a certainty that they will go up if we do go ahead. Taxes will not go down. See 'Education' P.# Con't from P.# On a personal note, my children attended both school divisions, and have had good experiences throughout their education. None of the three felt that they would have done better had they stayed in Creighton for high school. As adults, they have also taken ownership for their high school education, They don't blame either division for any educational shortcomings they may have had along the way. They are mature enough to know that they get out what they put in at both schools. It would be too easy to blame the school on either side of the border for any problems along the way, but then how do we explain the students that have done so well? I support the petition to have the Board rescind their motion, not because I don't want a high school in this community, but I believe that it should be studied carefully. This is not a decision that can be easily reversed once set in motion. What if you are wrong? We shouldn't let a difference of opinion cause friction between friends. We have to live together and work together, and we should be doing the same on this issue. Let's look at this together, but let's take the time to do it thoroughly and properly. Sorry for the chapter book. Ð Sincerely, Gloria Brown
