Letters to the Editor 09-02-2003
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- School Savings? - City's Future
School Savings?
Editor, Times-Union:I read with interest Mr. Thorpe's findings of the so-called savings the Warsaw school system could realize by closing three schools. This is fine, but in order to close these schools it requires the construction of new buildings at an estimated cost of $3 million. How far would the so-called savings go toward the interest cost for financing these buildings? Also, the additional space realized by the new structures would take regular operating expenses. We need to get the projected figures for the proposed change in order to know whether to support this idea or not.
For some reason, there appears to be no movement on the part of the school board or superintendent to move the sixth grade to the middle school. Is it possible that such a move might prove no need for new buildings? The superintendent has indicated that 6-7-8 middle school configuration is the most common middle school structure in the state.
Fred R. Yohey
Warsaw
City's Future
Editor, Times-Union:While running for mayor of Warsaw, I think back to the limitations of the city's past, while contemplating its needs for the future.
It would seem that for about 25 years, from 1955 to 1980, the dynamics of the city gave rise to economic growth by way of new and expanding industry. Leadership was strong and with an eye to the future. Families settled in Warsaw amid the beauty of its lakes with the confidence of long-term employment.
Highway 30 bypass was created and the minds of residents were directed to the economic shift of living and shopping away from the downtown.
Pressed by that expansion, both city and county governments sought to address the changes. By the early '80s, the effort was made to redevelop the downtown. At the same time prospects for new industry were being pursued. Neither effort, of itself, was successful. The downtown became dismantled rather than redeveloped, and the planning for land and infrastructure failed to meet the timetable for new industry. Today, nothing has changed. There is still talk of redevelopment and infrastructure is still needed for new industry.
As important as the mutual effort of the city and county became to the land use around Warsaw, there was the need to provide better traffic flow in and around the city. Regrettably, the bypass led to deadly intersections and confusion created by the random locations of its "big block" led stores. A 20-year plan to improve Highway 15 through the city stopped short of completion, its future affected by the uncertainty of a "western" route.
In this year of 2003, it would seem the city is mired by the unanswered ability of its leadership to move Warsaw to a window of accomplishments. Though rich in potential, the city requires a stronger voice from the people so as to raise the level of local government planning and performance.
Jerry Opperud
Warsaw
[[In-content Ad]]
Latest News
E-Editions
- School Savings? - City's Future
School Savings?
Editor, Times-Union:I read with interest Mr. Thorpe's findings of the so-called savings the Warsaw school system could realize by closing three schools. This is fine, but in order to close these schools it requires the construction of new buildings at an estimated cost of $3 million. How far would the so-called savings go toward the interest cost for financing these buildings? Also, the additional space realized by the new structures would take regular operating expenses. We need to get the projected figures for the proposed change in order to know whether to support this idea or not.
For some reason, there appears to be no movement on the part of the school board or superintendent to move the sixth grade to the middle school. Is it possible that such a move might prove no need for new buildings? The superintendent has indicated that 6-7-8 middle school configuration is the most common middle school structure in the state.
Fred R. Yohey
Warsaw
City's Future
Editor, Times-Union:While running for mayor of Warsaw, I think back to the limitations of the city's past, while contemplating its needs for the future.
It would seem that for about 25 years, from 1955 to 1980, the dynamics of the city gave rise to economic growth by way of new and expanding industry. Leadership was strong and with an eye to the future. Families settled in Warsaw amid the beauty of its lakes with the confidence of long-term employment.
Highway 30 bypass was created and the minds of residents were directed to the economic shift of living and shopping away from the downtown.
Pressed by that expansion, both city and county governments sought to address the changes. By the early '80s, the effort was made to redevelop the downtown. At the same time prospects for new industry were being pursued. Neither effort, of itself, was successful. The downtown became dismantled rather than redeveloped, and the planning for land and infrastructure failed to meet the timetable for new industry. Today, nothing has changed. There is still talk of redevelopment and infrastructure is still needed for new industry.
As important as the mutual effort of the city and county became to the land use around Warsaw, there was the need to provide better traffic flow in and around the city. Regrettably, the bypass led to deadly intersections and confusion created by the random locations of its "big block" led stores. A 20-year plan to improve Highway 15 through the city stopped short of completion, its future affected by the uncertainty of a "western" route.
In this year of 2003, it would seem the city is mired by the unanswered ability of its leadership to move Warsaw to a window of accomplishments. Though rich in potential, the city requires a stronger voice from the people so as to raise the level of local government planning and performance.
Jerry Opperud
Warsaw
[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092