Holland Patent Taxpayers face capital project

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Holland Patent Taxpayers face capital project

By PAT BAILEY

Story Created: Oct 2, 2008 at 5:42 PM EST

Story Updated: Oct 2, 2008 at 7:38 PM EST

HOLLAND PATENT, N.Y. (WKTV) - Taxpayers, in the Holland Patent school district, will head to the polls Tuesday to vote on a proposed $11 million dollar capital project. The proposal covers everything from building repairs, to a new athletic field.

Holland Patent school district Superintendent Kathleen Davis says the $10,995,000 capital project is just a continued step in the district's ten year plan. The project includes a roof replacement to the district's bus garage, along with soil removal the D.E.C. has mandated. The middle school would get new auditorium seats to replace the ones that are currently 71 years old, and the high school would get repairs to their auditorium, gymnasium and a new multipurpose athletic field, said Davis.

"What we do when we put a project together is we look at the items that are aided and not aided. Then we try to do a combination of both, so the impact to the local share is minimized," said Davis.

A family on the STAR program, with a house assessed at $100,000 would pay an additional $47 in 2010. Those on the Senior STAR program would have to pay an extra $29 dollars in 2010.  Some seniors may actually pay nothing if their house is assessed at less than $80,000.

Some taxpayers in the village are opposed to the proposed project. Joe Casamento, says the money should be used elsewhere.

"You need a new roof? Lets fix the roof. Fix the driveways, fix the important stuff, get the education to the kids and not the football field," said Casamento.

The vote for the capital project will take place Tuesday, October 7th, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. All voting will be done at the middle school.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Friday, Oct 10 at 9:43 AM wolf in sheep's clothing wrote ...

Traci-You're actions speak louder than your words. How dare you accept a place for your child in preK when someone less fortunate got left out? An honorable person would have stepped aside and never would have vied for that spot in the first place. SHAMEFUL

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Wednesday, Oct 8 at 2:24 PM Not fooled wrote ...

Traci, of course you didn't lose your voice. No one is stating that. But don't skirt around the fact that your family did indeed send a mass mailing out with YOUR agenda. And hurray, a resounding vote of NO. You still have not admitted to the flyer mailings or that we will still foot the bill for the repairs that still MUST be made...but now without the grant. This matter is not put at rest. You need to accept the fact that you cannot just stir up emotions and walk away clean.

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Wednesday, Oct 8 at 8:35 AM Not a football dad wrote ...

Traci, please don't discredit yourself further by saying you did no 'propagandizing'. I got a letter in the mail from YOUR family. Are you honestly saying you had nothing to do with this nor knew anything about it? Are you really that unaware of what your husband is doing or are you just lying? I don't care about a new football field, but other repairs that could have been made and paid for with state funding must now come out of OUR pockets. Thanks for nothing.

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Wednesday, Oct 8 at 12:04 AM Traci wrote ...

As for donations - my husband and I are both members of our volunteer fire department devoting time, money and services to better our community. That has always been and always will be my goal. I hide behind no one. And I do not control either my father or my husband...nor do they control me. Relationships are healthier that way. In fact I know families where grandma and grandpa were no voters while son and grandson were yes voters - everyone had their own say and we all respected each other

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Tuesday, Oct 7 at 11:51 PM Traci wrote ...

Dear not fooled and I did get a letter...when I ran for school board my family did not lose their right to have an opinion or support a side. I hope that the resounding vote will put this issue to rest and we can pull together as a community and make positive changes in a more fiscally responsible manner. It is not about any board members, it is about what is right and what our community wants. That is what I am trying to do. I will not be a unanimous vote just to be popular with the board.

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Tuesday, Oct 7 at 9:35 PM Not fooled wrote ...

So how much money did Mr. Boris spend on sending out all the flyers? Maybe that money could have been donated to the schools or lunch programs. And I do not think one particular board member has any backbone other than to try and divide the community with misinformation. So let it get voted down. But I am not fooled by the person that has stirred up so much dissension in our community. It's been this family's crusade to go against other BOE from day one. Go to a meeting and see it yourself

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Tuesday, Oct 7 at 9:19 PM I DID get a letter in the mail. wrote ...

Yes, it was propaganda from a board member's husband. While she can say she didn't personally send it, she is hiding behind her family's deeds that she fully supported. Shame on her. What a shameful example to set for this community.

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Tuesday, Oct 7 at 9:13 PM Kim wrote ...

Traci, that is an outright lie. You know darn well what little faction of yours sent out the propaganda. When this gets voted down, and our taxes rise higher...we will all have you to thank.

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Tuesday, Oct 7 at 4:49 PM Traci wrote ...

Kim, Please get your facts straight before you decide to attack others for so called "propoganda. I am the one sole dissenting board member - - yes, I am signing a blog openly, more than can be said for many. I have always been open and honest about everything I have done and speak truthfully and openly with those who ask me questions. I have done no "propogandizing" I have sent no letters, made no phone calls, sent no emails, and never gone door to door to try to change anyone's opinion.

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Tuesday, Oct 7 at 3:49 PM Class of 72????? What? wrote ...

What are you talking about when you say that it's mostly Pop Warner people that want the football field. We HAVE our own complex for Pop Warner right in HP thanks to Mr. Harvey and his generosity. You need to get the facts straight and point fingers in the right direction. All the nay-sayers don't even know WHY they are voting it down. That is called simple ignorance.

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Tuesday, Oct 7 at 3:42 PM Kim wrote ...

EDUCATE yourselves. This is not just a football field. Thanks to a vicious board member's propaganda, this will be voted down. Then watch your taxes go UP UP UP because the repairs will have to be made anyway. It's more than football people. Driveway repairs, bus garage improvements, etc. Understand what you're voting on before you listen to the diatribe. You will have one board member and family to thank when your taxes rise higher to compensate for this mess!

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Tuesday, Oct 7 at 3:17 PM Excuse me, Economic... wrote ...

I realize it has been more than a couple of years since I graduated (from HP) but one thing has not changed. Several subjects had and still have more than one class! What is your point??? Talk about misleading, what does your statemtent "there may or may not be enough textbooks" mean exactly? Maybe it was my HP schooling but I have not clue what you are saying. Great thing about America is even though you make no sense you are still free to speak. Keep excercising the right...you make me laugh

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Monday, Oct 6 at 2:48 PM Economics wrote ...

Back at HP Mom and her misleading statement: "FYI there are enough textbooks for the kids in all classes. They are not used like when we were in school because the curriculum has changed." There may or may not be enough books for all students in all classrooms. The truth is that several subjects have more than one class and there are NOT enough books for all students taking a subject. They cannot take them home for homework assignments or to study!!

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Monday, Oct 6 at 1:07 PM HP mom one last time... wrote ...

I am educated and rational. Do you really think that I have not researched this? How can you question democracy when this entire vote, this entire blog, are prime examples of democracy in action. We are all free to choose what we feel is best here. All of the input from the two independent committees as well as the school is just information for us to rationalize internally. My final word...No matter how you decide to vote, that decision is yours but regardless of the side you are on...VOTE.

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Monday, Oct 6 at 12:06 PM WAS YES NOW NO wrote ...

I was going to vote for this until i saw how much it will be to replace this field. VOTE NO, we need a better plan than this... we need a grass field!

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Monday, Oct 6 at 10:37 AM HP mom... wrote ...

To Economics-FYI there are enough textbooks for the kids in all classes. They are not used like when we were in school because the curriculum has changed. To bb50:Another DUH moment? Yes the new site is also on a hill but will incorporate a proper drainage system to rectify the problem. It is just more cost effective to build it new rather than rebuild it. Doing it on the same spot is doing both jobs, thus the new spot! And thank you for the complement on my math skills. See,you aren't so dumb!

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Sunday, Oct 5 at 9:48 PM Mom wasting a vote wrote ...

HPMom, people like you make me question the very foundation of democracy. At least talk to someone you trust, go look at the field, pour some water on a hill. Consider the issue with an open mind. Please dont waste such an important vote before you at least make an attempt to understand that which most of us can grasp with common sense. You do NOT HAVE TO RIP UP THE FIELD TO FIX THE DRAINAGE!!!!! Furthermore, moving a couple hundred feet north still leaves a over a mile of hill above the field.

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Sunday, Oct 5 at 8:47 PM bb550 wrote ...

Hey HP Mom? You have kindergarten math pretty well down with 2 2 but what about basic logic? If you have evr driven up thompson road you should realize that the proposed site for the artificial turf is also on hill, thus water will and has run down onto it as well.

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Sunday, Oct 5 at 7:49 PM Economics wrote ...

Class of '72" wrote: "Maybe some of you should go take a class on economics!" Don't take the class at Holland Patent. They don't have enough books for kids in Economics ... or algebra ... or geometery ... or at least one social studies class. But they want more money for an artificial grass carpet that the state told them in August it will not fund without a 15-year warranty.

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Sunday, Oct 5 at 6:47 PM HP mom still here... wrote ...

How can drainage repair cost more than $6million? When the ENTIRE existing field and surrounding area must be completely dug up. It is on a hill, water runs downhill, and, believe or not, 2 2=4. Think about it using common sense. TO BRAINWASHED HP MOMS:I also get emails and I am not on the parents4change committee. There is a link to stop the emails...USE it and stop complaining! BTW, the opposing group sent me snail mail...guess they have money to waste non-renewable resources and gas!

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Sunday, Oct 5 at 5:17 PM class of '72 wrote ...

Lets face it...it's not a NECESSARY ITEM..most of the people that are pushing for this are involved in football, mostly on the Pop Warner end. We must have a nice field for their kids to play on. If you don't like it here or the "deplorable conditions" why not moved to another district that can accommodate your children. If the money is truly available I think it would be best spent inside the bldgs rather than on a multipurpose field. Maybe some of you should go take a class on economics!

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Saturday, Oct 4 at 11:09 PM Dingbat wrote ...

three quarters of the people pushing for this are somehow involved with the HP football program. You got my vote. NO!!!!!!!!

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Saturday, Oct 4 at 8:19 PM Class of "83" wrote ...

Some facts: 1988-89 project renovation for HPMS aud seats, curtain, etc. passed. Work not done - where did the money go. How many times must we pay for the job? #2 - MS building project voted on and passed. As of today, why are the floors and lockers not done on the 2nd floor. Ran out of money or misplaced funds. #3 - Football Field!! Does anyone know where the drain age ends. Common sense is a clean drain does work well. Putting sand on the field only plugs the drain tile. VOTE NO!!!!

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Saturday, Oct 4 at 5:31 PM HP Resident wrote ...

You got my email addy, you send me crap I do not wish to read, trying to get me to vote YES. I will vote NO. 1. I'm sick of Football 2. I don't want any tax increase no matter how small. 3. I agree with Braiwashed, FIX the Drainage, and if it is gonna cost more than new than find a legit contractor cause your getting fleeced. BUT my big reason for no is.....I didnt ask for your email, I didnt sign up for it, i probably wouldnt have even wanted to vote except now i am mad(having to read your mail

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Saturday, Oct 4 at 11:37 AM WRONG wrote ...

HP mom, I am sorry that you have been so misguided by someone. Either that or you are blatantly ignoring what you know to be true.

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Saturday, Oct 4 at 11:19 AM More of the Same wrote ...

HPmom wriotes: "With all of the attention do you really think the BOE would be putting bald-face lies out to the public?" Why would they stop now??

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Saturday, Oct 4 at 10:42 AM More of the Same wrote ...

HP mom writes: "With all of the attention do you really think the BOE would be putting bald-face lies out to the public?" Why would they stop now??

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Saturday, Oct 4 at 10:13 AM Brainwashed HP Moms wrote ...

To HP Mom, how on earth do you figure it will cost more than $6m to fix drainage? Yes, comments like this will get people in trouble. Unless, they proposed gold-plated drainage tile around the field? Maybe some crushed Italian marble for the filter stone? Yeah, that sounds like Ms Davis. And your fairy tale of state-funding, its not $ we already paid in taxes, that money is used to pay off old bonds for previous unnecessary projects. New money you speak of doesnt exist until its bonded for, DUH!

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Friday, Oct 3 at 9:51 PM Here comes HP mom again... wrote ...

Again, if we vote no then NYS will delegate those monies elsewhere. We have been guaranteed the money now. Opposers state that we should wait until next year or later and ask for the $ again. With all of the budget cuts in NYS there may be NO MONEY for any schools in the next few years!!! This needs to be done now! With all of the attention do you really think the BOE would be putting bald-face lies out to the public? Seems like they would be easy pickin's to get caught and face legal action.

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Friday, Oct 3 at 9:44 PM HP mom yet again... wrote ...

#1 - Yes the state aid comes from taxes. These are taxes you ALREADY PAID so why not bring them back here? #2 - The projects in progress have already been approved and paid for. They have nothing to do with this. They are not being abandonded! #3 - The althletic director story has more to it. #4 - Just fixing the drainage problem is more expensive than building a new one so building a new one is a no-brainer. DUH! #5-If we vote no NYS is giving the $ to NY City or the prisons instead!

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Friday, Oct 3 at 9:31 PM lets tack it on the bill !!! wrote ...

Maybe they should just ask to add this into the federal bailout?

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Friday, Oct 3 at 7:56 PM YTMND wrote ...

HP Schools had one weakness......They don't need a new football field.

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Friday, Oct 3 at 7:55 PM vote no wrote ...

the last thing we need is higher taxes year after year after year... for any reason. Where does the state funding come from? The taxpayer. VOTE NO again. they didn't hear us the first time.

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Friday, Oct 3 at 6:22 PM Anonymous wrote ...

JUST VOTE "NO"

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Friday, Oct 3 at 6:03 PM Anonymous wrote ...

There were 19 boys on the tennis team last year and we have 3 tennis courts. DO THE MATH! We are not a professional sports team we don't need a stadium. Fix the problems that truly matter! IF the field has drainage problems don't build a new stadium, fix the drainage problems. We don't need a new stadium to look nice.

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Friday, Oct 3 at 3:24 PM HP TAXPAYER wrote ...

We all know this is not the time for a multi million dollar project. My child is very involved in sports but we can not afford for our taxes to be raised another dollar. Or for Mrs. Davis to throw herself in another raise. Personally i think she should go back to Whitesboro.Also love the sign for Learning okay, Safety I know they don't pay that much or security. Then the best finally PRIDE how do you buy pride if we have to buy pride then we cant afford it. VOTE NO!!!!!!!!!!

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Friday, Oct 3 at 2:40 PM parent4realchange wrote ...

Glad to see so many people fed up with our tax and spend administration. "Maximizing state aid"??? Yeah right, maximizing would mean cutting out things that aren't aid-eligible. Dont be too hard on the board though, its the foolish moms running around spreading the propoganda. Telling Rome sentinal they met 25 yes for every 2 no votes while collecting petition signatures. Lying to Stittville FD about permissions to get their banner set up. Begging college kids for absentee ballots. Shame

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Friday, Oct 3 at 2:38 PM HPtaxpayer wrote ...

Looks like the school district is about to mail another 5,000 or so promotional brochures to everyone. Must be nice to have unlimited mailing money at taxpayer expense.

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Friday, Oct 3 at 10:23 AM hp taxpayer wrote ...

We need to get back to the basics. Football is not a necessity, a new roof would be. I don't drink, smoke or eat out as my family cannot afford it (as one poster noted). I'm voting NO. You want a glamorous football field, move to Rome. I'm not paying for your greed. Do those voting yes not read the papers. Our economy is in the tank and now is not the time to spend this kind of money.

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Friday, Oct 3 at 8:11 AM I agree wrote ...

Lets fix all the other things that need to be fixed first. A new football field is not needed. All the people pushing it are so into HS Football they are besides themselves. AND their pro website somehow got my email addy and now I get their pro vote message almost daily.

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Friday, Oct 3 at 8:02 AM WM58PT wrote ...

Re: Gag order and signs on teachers lawns ,It's not about the folks who support the issue it's about those who reserve the right to oppose!!Don't you dare disagree with Mrs.Davis you will be at her mercy. I would like to know what the real reason was for removing our experienced and capable Athletic director from her position. Could it be she could saw through the smoke?As the cost of the project jumps so will the chopping line from the bottom of the sports complex list.A$300,000 hot dog stand?

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Friday, Oct 3 at 5:56 AM am wrote ...

Does everyone realize that this "xtra $42" a year will be in additon to our usual 5-6% or more budget increase that we seem to have every year??? How high will they go? It seems that they think the taxpayers have endless supplies of money..Do you watch the news?? It's time the taxpayer took a stand and demand that our election officals either BOE members or politicans do what we elected them to do!! Vote responsibly!!!!!

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Friday, Oct 3 at 5:37 AM concerned taxpayer wrote ...

Kudos to Traci Boris for having a backbone & standing up for the taxpayers. We are all proud of her decision to stand up for what she believes in!! Her responsibilty to the taxpayer to make a financially sound decision. A multi purpose field doesn;t make the athlete, just the dedication & hard work of the indivdual. Lets get back to basics & stop worrying about what "other schools have!!" Put the money "inside the school". Isn't that what it's all about??

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Thursday, Oct 2 at 11:04 PM me from the district wrote ...

the whole deal is a crock!! lets get unfinished projects done first like the pool, upstairs in the middle school things that are already there and started! field is roughf and wet? scrape it up and make it and re top it! oh its wet put more/new drainage tile in. farmers do it all the time. if you price it you can buy a lot of tile for the price of this idea of a stadium! SAY NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Thursday, Oct 2 at 10:33 PM BOE is a joke wrote ...

Please review this BOE. at least we are fortunate to have one member who has common sense.

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Thursday, Oct 2 at 9:52 PM HP Mom again... wrote ...

People have no problem dropping $50 a week or more eating out or going to the movies with all the trimmings from the concession stand. How can these people say they cannot afford that amount spread over 52 weeks to better the community. Regardless of whether you have school-age children or not, how can you not want to improve your community? These children are the future, as you once were. Next time you crave a 6 pack or pack of cigs try willpower and put the money in YOUR community!

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Thursday, Oct 2 at 9:47 PM HP Mom wrote ...

I have neither seen nor heard propaganda being spread through my HP school children. I am in HPE several times a week and have not witnessed the children being "primed." Also, how can there be a gag order in effect when several teachers have signs supporting the vote in their own front yards? Raise the quality of our school's academics, structures and extracurricular activities and we all win when we attract more residents to increase the tax base. Oh, as a bonus...our kids just might benefit

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Thursday, Oct 2 at 9:39 PM b550 wrote ...

How many taxpayers know that the school cut music by .5 this year in the elementary schools? School will tell you (told me)that it was because of the physical education reqts that increase the amount of time needed for PE. Good answer, unless you have a kid in school and actually know that the kids are not spending anymore time in PE during the actual instructional time - they are having PE during recess!

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Thursday, Oct 2 at 9:29 PM dan22 wrote ...

For everyone bashing the school board I would like to point out that we have one member up there who has stood up for the taxpayer and has taken a regular beating for it. All the school propoganda that has come out on this revote says "the board voted" or "the board decided" It doesn't say unanimously and they don't want you to know that Traci Boris voted against it because she thought it was fiscally irresponsible. Wish we could get more board members with a little common sense.

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Thursday, Oct 2 at 9:17 PM concerned taxpayer wrote ...

Why is it that our BOE took it upon themselves to allow this capital project to be placed before the voters again.Especially after the voters have already spoken and defeated it back in May!! Wake up.this multi purpose field isn't about education.it's about a HUGE EGO trip that our BOE and a few select parents are on.Remember the taxpayers voted you in, and we can VOTE YOU OUT,now is truly time for a change. Let your voice be heard Oct 7th. VOTE NO!!

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Thursday, Oct 2 at 8:42 PM Just an Express wrote ...

Why argue? Vote NO and get it over with. You big shot people don't need some big football field like that until you get a winning team.

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Thursday, Oct 2 at 8:40 PM WM58PT wrote ...

The propaganda spread to promote this rediculous sport complex is beyond belief. We have little children being coached to hold up signs in the bus windows.We have school employees having an in-house gag order imposed on their right to free speech. School board members who refuse to tell people where money has gone which was already appropriated. And in the middle of the worst financial crisis in this country's history the wealthy well paid school board members are proposing this huge cost

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Thursday, Oct 2 at 8:30 PM Eileen wrote ...

If you have an opinion, just come out and vote. This issue has divided our community and has gotten downright ugly. We have senior citizens painting over signs they don't agree with, people stealing signs, people arguing, lots of rumors floating around. Get the facts, weigh them intelligently, and go vote. Whether you vote yes or no, respect everyone else's right to vote as well.

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Thursday, Oct 2 at 7:52 PM Senior two wrote ...

A senior with star living in a house valued below 80,000 would not pay...It is written on the web site and in your newsletter...

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Thursday, Oct 2 at 7:36 PM wow wrote ...

watch on the "news" tonight, theres moss growing around the track! Just an idea, have some of the over paid grounds employees clean it up! They get paid to work, have them WORK!

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Thursday, Oct 2 at 7:34 PM NO FOOTBALL STADIUM!!! wrote ...

This is the wrong thing to propose at the worst possible time. Dont let this BS pet project of the school board pass people!!!

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Thursday, Oct 2 at 6:03 PM b550 wrote ...

The superintendent and "hp parents for change" have been telling us that a person with senior star would have NO impact! More lies from this administration.

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