Dear Editor:
I would like to thank those Jefferson City School Board members who voted Monday to table a vote for the land deal.
I do understand the school board members' desire to purchase the property on Roland and Marshall Street, because for them it's "just" business. I believe that certain members on the school board believe that they are acting in the best interest of the school system in general.
However, home ownership is one of the largest investment that most people will ever make in their lifetime. Now, to see this investment at risk is difficult to put into words. It invokes all types of emotions and feelings, anger is one of them. It took 15 to 20 years of hard work for us retirees to purchase our property. Our young families are busy at work trying to establish a home for their growing families. Just put yourself in our position.
My question to the school board and members of the community is, how reasonable is it for the school board to pay $14,000 dollars for two lots on Roland Street when the appraised value is $4,500? Both properties on Roland and Marshall Street are located on hills. What will the cost be to bulldoze these lots? I believe there are nine lots in total.
At the morning community meeting on Monday, Superintendent Larry Linthacum said that one of the board members stated "Why not buy the property." Well, paying $14,000 dollars for property appraised at $4,500 answers that question for those who are truly good stewards. Why would you want to buy property that has been overly inflated?
I appreciate the work of our elected school board members and I know it's "just" business. However, be careful how you treat your fellow man for there is a higher authority for which we will all be accountable.
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