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3 Editor:
I would like to make a few comments about Cyndi Wright’s column in the July 10 edition of The Bastrop Advertiser.
The article starts off well enough, with information about a meeting with ACC folks. I guess to answer questions about ACC possibly opening a campus here. Then the article goes to personal opinions by Ms. Wright on the ACC issue. By the way, Ms. Wright is the editor of The Bastrop Advertiser.
Her statements, at least to me, sounds like she is promoting the ACC issue and The Bastrop Advertiser is endorsing the issue as well. She thinks it would a “positive move” (for whom, I;m not sure) if ACC were to open a campus here. I feel she has a right to her opinions, but not as the editor.
She also claims there would be a “slight heft” in taxes to support ACC. I understand that BISD is having money problems also. BISD says they may have to “lean” on the taxpayers for more support in the way of possibly higher property taxes.
So, at this time, I, and I’m guessing a lot of other people, cannot really afford a “slight heft” in their taxes regardless of the reason.
No matter how you feel on the issue, vote in November – but don’t be swayed by the comments of the editor of The Bastrop Advertiser. Get your answers from the ACC meeting.
Howard Bulak
Bastrop
Howard Bulak says:
“Get your answers from the ACC meeting.” I attended the meeting. There were few answers to any questions I might have had and there was no “question and answer” period. There was a parade of those supporting the TAX for one reason or another. Kinda looked like they were interviewing for a job with the AUSTIN Community College. Anyway, there are more places to “Get your answers than from attending any meeting sponsored by AUSTIN Community College or its supporters.
Here is my websites link to additional info you won’t get from the Advertiser or AUSTIN Community College.
http://www.railroadingbastrop.com/index_files/RRBLinks.htm
I plead guilty to suggesting to Ms Wright that the Advertiser should not hide behind neutrality on this issue but take a stand for or against. Of course there was no doubt in my mind where she stood considering the one letter policy. Ms Wright did make the mistake of stating her opinion in a signed editorial. Most newspapers take positions on issues with unsigned editorials.
Having said that I do wish the Advertiser would delve more deeply into how ACCs presence in the BISD area will affect us taxpayers into the future. It seems to me we have turned that control over to ACC administrators who reside in Travis County. The obvious question is do the voters in Travis County, far outnumbering those in the BISD area, have the power to make fiscal decisions that will require BISD residents t0 share the tax burden for whatever commitments ACC may make. Just one of many questions the inquiring mind would like answers to an just could be the responsibility of our local newspaper to find out. If the Advertiser doesn’t have the staff to do this then perhaps it really should remain neutral on the ACC issue.
The annexation of Bastrop, Elgin and McDade ISDs into the Austin Community College tax district would create a huge annual redistribution of wealth from Bastrop County to affluent Travis County. Moreover, Bastrop taxpayers would be at the mercy of more numerous Austin voters if future tax increases were requested. Why would Bastrop taxpayers place themselves at the mercy of Austin, a city not known for its wise use of public funds?