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Post by southsidesignmaker on Apr 15, 2011 6:53:17 GMT -6
Letters: Shocked at low voter turnout
As a 13-year Naperville resident of School District 204, I have seen many changes evolve in our schools. There were issues that had many parents emotionally involved at a very high level.
For this reason I write this letter.
I was shocked at the low voter turnout at our recent elections. Barely 8 percent!
I know it was spring break for many, but absentee balloting was available for those registered voters who would not be able to vote in person.
So many complain about what is not right with our schools, but they are too busy to spend a few moments and vote for the people who volunteer their time to stand up for us. As adults, we send a poor message to our children that it is OK not to vote. I also think we send a poor message to the candidates themselves that we just don’t care.
Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank my neighbor Alka Tyle who served on the board for the past five years. I witnessed firsthand her unselfish devotion to making School District 204 a better place for all students. She will be sorely missed!
Ted Soltys
Naperville
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Well said Ted!
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Post by macrockett on Apr 15, 2011 8:02:47 GMT -6
Do you think Mr. Soltys would have written that letter had Alka been reelected? In addition, do you think that just because someone votes they are informed on the issues? Third, do you think just because someone votes it will ultimately advance our society as a whole?
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Post by southsidesignmaker on Apr 15, 2011 8:28:33 GMT -6
1) Yes I think Mr. Soltys like myself are disappointed with the dismal results And still would have authored his LTE
2) In the area we reside I feel most voters are informed on both the issues and the candidates running for office.
3) Most definitely yes, especially in the society (THE GREAT USA) that we have been blessed to live in.
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Post by brant on Apr 15, 2011 9:09:17 GMT -6
We are all disappointed with the voter turnout. But I believe more then a few people are just worn out from the problems in the SD over the past five years. The fighting, the questionable SB decisions,etc. More then a few people I have talked to said all of the issues "are what they are". People are simply tired and feel an election won't change anything so why bother?
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Post by doctorwho on Apr 15, 2011 9:16:08 GMT -6
We are all disappointed with the voter turnout. But I believe more then a few people are just worn out from the problems in the SD over the past five years. The fighting, the questionable SB decisions,etc. More then a few people I have talked to said all of the issues "are what they are". People are simply tired and feel an election won't change anything so why bother? Sadly brant you are correct. Even those who 'warriored' on before are worn out and feel ebtrayed.. old guard still firmly entrenched even though JC and M2 not physically on the board- a few others carrying on their legacy. Also has spread into some of the ptsa's as well - not all I don't believe. As for Alka- she accomplished her #1 goal- she kept her area at Neuqua which is what her neighbors wanted ( as evidenced by the many vote NO signs earlier in the process that changed to vote Yes when they were secure in what they wanted ) -- So not surprising their is some neighbor lament |
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Post by southsidesignmaker on Apr 15, 2011 9:16:55 GMT -6
Brant, I could understand that if there were school board members involved, but many races included other politicians running for local offices and the COD school election. The fact is living every day can be a fight, unfortunately voting by some is considered a non event. While many in the world are willing to truly fight for the rights that many Americans take for granted.
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Post by doctorwho on Apr 15, 2011 9:52:15 GMT -6
Brant, I could understand that if there were school board members involved, but many races included other politicians running for local offices and the COD school election. The fact is living every day can be a fight, unfortunately voting by some is considered a non event. While many in the world are willing to truly fight for the rights that many Americans take for granted. the apathy sxtends beyond SB feelings for sure-- but all it takes in an election is one issue to get people out....in this case the SB election did not provide that either. What do you think drove the massive ( by standards) turnout during 2006 ref ? People felt they had a chance to make a difference- one way or another... |
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Post by doctorwho on Apr 15, 2011 10:00:23 GMT -6
1) Yes I think Mr. Soltys like myself are disappointed with the dismal results And still would have authored his LTE 2) In the area we reside I feel most voters are informed on both the issues and the candidates running for office. 3) Most definitely yes, especially in the society (THE GREAT USA) that we have been blessed to live in. I would debate point number two-- no different thanm y area. I am willing to bet no more than 10% can tell you what the referendum amount was and what we spent I am willing to bet no more than 10% can tell you the HS attendance number with 200 --or the capacities I am willing to bet no more than 10% know of the pipeline issues under MVHS I won't even get to : how much did we spend out Brach Brody ? Are we settled with Brach Brody ? Why did we change sites ? Did we pay a fair amount for AME land ? Explain initial Brookdale concern ? what schools are under/over capacity today ? How has ES population been trending the last4-5 years (pipeline)? and so many more questions you're giving them too much credit ..no area is well versed- that IS the issue |
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Post by Arch on Apr 15, 2011 10:33:42 GMT -6
What was the turnout in your area, SSSM?
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Post by EagleDad on Apr 15, 2011 16:36:23 GMT -6
1) Yes I think Mr. Soltys like myself are disappointed with the dismal results And still would have authored his LTE So I guess, for you "dismal results" = "AT not elected" as Archs question was: Do you think Mr. Soltys would have written that letter had Alka been reelected? |
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Post by EagleDad on Apr 15, 2011 16:40:39 GMT -6
We are all disappointed with the voter turnout. But I believe more then a few people are just worn out from the problems in the SD over the past five years. The fighting, the questionable SB decisions,etc. More then a few people I have talked to said all of the issues "are what they are". People are simply tired and feel an election won't change anything so why bother? Sadly brant you are correct. Even those who 'warriored' on before are worn out and feel ebtrayed.. old guard still firmly entrenched even though JC and M2 not physically on the board- a few others carrying on their legacy. Also has spread into some of the ptsa's as well - not all I don't believe. The sentiment is understandable. There are those who worked hard to elect some they thought were different, to watch them become old guard, take stands of convenience rather than principle, not do what they had said, and ignore obvious wrongs (the MFer incident). With all of that, it is easy to ask "why bother". I know I have disengaged a lot and started reducing my scope of concern. |
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Post by southsidesignmaker on Apr 16, 2011 10:21:02 GMT -6
Eagledad, I do think Mr. Soltys would have authored the letter no matter what the outcome for A T.
Doc, I must disagree with you regarding the 10% but not in the way you phrased your answer. To expect 1% let alone 10% to know the answers you posed above would be a stretch. But because they do not know the answer to every detail you noted does not make them ill informed (in my book).
I suspect most voters have put to rest both the enrollment #'s (or lack there of) and the building of the third high school and its eventual cost. Most voters are looking for a dollar amount on a yearly basis... THAT IS IT.... NOTHING MORE. And I contend that the district did a superb job in telling the general public JUST THAT. The voting public could care less that the increased number is going out another 10 years plus. Again ask your neighbors / friends or anyone how much their real estate taxes are per year (the reply will probably be a monthly # at best). Then ask how much of that amount goes for education, then the split between COD state and district 204. If anyone is left standing ask for the breakdown for pensions of each said district. Then if there is anyone left standing ask how much the taxes for education has gone up as a % of the total tax bill in the last 10 years. If you have anyone left standing ask for a further breakdown as to how much has the pension portion gone up in the last decade.
I know I do not have the answers to these concerns and I suspect the only guy on green or "old Blue" that has the answers would be Big Mac.
It was not that long ago that one's real estate bill had the break down for pensions and the % change year over year. I have noticed that on my bill this is no longer the case (last 4-6 years).
This does not make the average voter uninformed unless one is going to conclude that the average voter does not have a clue to the basics of finance.
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Post by brant on Apr 16, 2011 13:27:04 GMT -6
Don't forget this was not a major election overall. Yes we had the Mayor of Naperville decided but outside of that there really was nothing to get excited about. So it was not just the SB it was over all.
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Post by macrockett on Apr 16, 2011 14:25:50 GMT -6
Eagledad, I do think Mr. Soltys would have authored the letter no matter what the outcome for A T. Doc, I must disagree with you regarding the 10% but not in the way you phrased your answer. To expect 1% let alone 10% to know the answers you posed above would be a stretch. But because they do not know the answer to every detail you noted does not make them ill informed (in my book). I suspect most voters have put to rest both the enrollment #'s (or lack there of) and the building of the third high school and its eventual cost. Most voters are looking for a dollar amount on a yearly basis... THAT IS IT.... NOTHING MORE. And I contend that the district did a superb job in telling the general public JUST THAT. The voting public could care less that the increased number is going out another 10 years plus. Again ask your neighbors / friends or anyone how much their real estate taxes are per year (the reply will probably be a monthly # at best). Then ask how much of that amount goes for education, then the split between COD state and district 204. If anyone is left standing ask for the breakdown for pensions of each said district. Then if there is anyone left standing ask how much the taxes for education has gone up as a % of the total tax bill in the last 10 years. If you have anyone left standing ask for a further breakdown as to how much has the pension portion gone up in the last decade. I know I do not have the answers to these concerns and I suspect the only guy on green or "old Blue" that has the answers would be Big Mac. It was not that long ago that one's real estate bill had the break down for pensions and the % change year over year. I have noticed that on my bill this is no longer the case (last 4-6 years). This does not make the average voter uninformed unless one is going to conclude that the average voter does not have a clue to the basics of finance. Personally I'm not sure if the majority of the District even know we have a third HS SSSM. If a newly elected Board member is clueless about how much debt has been paid off. I mean when some one who SHOULD be up on things isn't, how can you expect anyone else to be? As to the standing and sitting the rest of your post deals with....I sat down a long time ago, as I got tired of reading it. Speculation is something I avoid. I like facts. Verifiable facts. Now those are hard to argue with. |
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Post by EagleDad on Apr 16, 2011 15:12:43 GMT -6
Eagledad, I do think Mr. Soltys would have authored the letter no matter what the outcome for A T. Good for you, because personally, this reads like sour grapes over low turnout because his horse didn't place. |
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