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2 Editor:
In my opinion, this election is not about giving your children a cheaper higher education, it is about increasing the size of ACC, thus increasing the pay of those in charge of running the college.
If your children attend ACC here in Bastrop, obtain their degree and remain here in Bastrop, I believe they will pay taxes to ACC that will exceed any amount they are now paying or would pay in tuition.
I wonder how many of the people pushing this election have land they want to sell to ACC (you, the taxpayers) for a campus?
Over 30 years ago, my wife and I lived in Austin and were two of the voters who were duped into voting for ACC. The creators of ACC told the voters of Austin and Travis counties that they would not build campuses and the tax rate would not exceed a certain amount. They would use the schools belonging to the AISD in the evenings after the normal classes were over.
They now have seven campuses in addition to their administrative offices and numerous other buildings. It’s my belief that now the people who run ACC feel they are not being paid enough compared to larger community colleges so they want to expand into additional counties like Bastrop, Hays and Williamson which will increase their buildings and their income, thus allowing them to claim they deserve increased pay because of the size of the college.
There are other alternatives, such as the University of Phoenix, which has schools in Austin and Taylor and there is no taxing of the public by them, or by Virginia College in Austin.
There are many colleges that have lessons on the Internet and can be used by anyone including St. Edward’s and Huston-Tillotson.
Why do we have to impose another taxing district upon the residents of Bastrop County, most of whom I believe will not use the facilities but will pay for years after the few who do attend have gone on to other cities?
Besides, have you ever known a taxing district that kept their word about not increasing the tax rate? In my opinion, ACC has never kept their word about not building campuses or raising the tax rate. When they have the power, they use it to take our money and spend it the way they want to and there is nothing you can do to stop them once you give them the power.
Charles Matheson, Sr.
Elgin
There is soooooooooo much wrong with this deal, it is astounding. I can only conclude those who signed the petition to do something with ACC (I still haven’t figured out what it says) couldn’t have understood what they were signing. It will also be interesting to see how those who signed this petition will be verified.
Do our public officials have any say in this matter?
Come on Bastrop Taxpayers, we have been scammed repeatedly out of millions of tax dollars, donated to Fortune 500 companies, which could have gone to fix roads and bridges. You know those items our elected misfits should be concentrating on. Instead they dream up new ways to separate you from your earnings. Convention centers, community college campuses, tennis courts. What’s next? Disneyland in Bastrop?
20 years ago the Taxpayers of this county soundly defeated a plan to create a hospital district. Due to the efforts of a few brave souls, that scam was shut down.
Let me know when you have had enough. We can meet and talk about it. info@railroadingbastrop.com
Just read a propaganda brochure title “”Advantages of ACC-Lost Pines College. Contained in the message is a quote from former mayor, City of Bastrop, Tom Scott. Get this:
“Within a relatively short period of time, the total savings in tuition and fees of all the Bastrop County residents who attend either the local Lost Pines College or another ACC campus would more than offset the additional property taxes Bastrop County taxpayers would pay.”
Anyone care to explain this math problem?
Here is another from an Austin American Statesman article:
“The Bastrop County group said annexation would cost a typical homeowner $109 a year in new taxes. The increased earning power of better-educated workers would over time pump hundreds of millions of dollars in additional income into the local economy, the group added.”
“hundreds of millions of dollars?”
Am I the only one who thinks this is just about the most ludicrous statement I have heard from anyone concerning this scam?
Does anyone but Tom Scott and his pals believe this stuff?
It gets better – from the above Statesman article
“”There are numerous upsides” to annexation and an ACC campus, said Kay Wesson , a real estate broker who is also helping lead the Bastrop signature drive. “Higher education equates to higher incomes and better job opportunities. And it immediately reduces tuition for students who attend ACC.”
It reduces the tuition for students who attend ACC (maybe) AT THE EXPENSE OF EVERYONE IN THE BISD DISTRICT. That’s right folks, you will pay even if you never set foot in the college.