Letter to the editor

To the editor:

We are about to cast the most important vote for our village in at least the last 50 years -- Issue 40, a bond levy for a new K-12 school building. As we do so, perhaps we all need to remember one thing:

Wellington is not going to disappear from the map.

We will make it though the present economic season just as we have every other since the village was founded nearly 200 years ago. The reason we will continue to thrive will not be due to the few dollars a month we might pretend to save by voting no. I think we all know the cost of the school project will only be greater when it surely returns in the coming years.

The reason we will continue to thrive is because of our citizens' consistent willingness to invest in wise decisions for the future of the village.

The school bond issue is a perfect example of this. In 16 years of living here, in 25 years in business, and in 47 years of life I don't think I have ever seen a plan that was more educationally efficient, more financially sound, or more wisely planned by people honestly dedicated to the common good.

Some citizens object to one aspect of the plan or another, or express concern about the economic times. To those citizens I pose a simple question - have you heard of a proposal which is better? None has surfaced to date. I believe that is because, after nearly two years of tireless investigation by community members, parents, teachers, maintenance staff, school officials, State of Ohio engineers, and architects (with lots of experience in educational design), this plan is the best plan.

In my opinion, a no vote will cost our children and all of us dearly in the long run. And after all, isn't it short-term thinking that caused the current economic crisis? Isn't prudent long-term investment always the right solution?

But none of that guarantees that this tremendous opportunity, this wise investment in our schools future will come to pass. Every vote is critical. Your vote may make the difference. Please vote yes on Issue 40 for Wellington schools.

Rick Hatton

Wellington