Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

First, I would like to praise Dr. Rigelman for the excellent information he shared with us about the need for additional operating funds for our outstanding schools. Thank you for the enormous amount of time it took preparing in layman?’s terms the complicated financial outlook. I do, however, disagree with your personal opinion about the minimal new millage and your comments about homeowners financing ?‘homes they cannot afford?’. Requiring new residents who will benefit from new facilities to pay their fair share of the facility is not irresponsible, but very fiscally prudent. Ask any professor of finance at any university or any banker at any bank or any Certified Financial Planner.

Secondly, under the title of PAY Less Provide More, Dr. Pepper on 8.1.02 commented ?‘by turning the school levies down since the 1960s, Lancaster has been able to deliver more money than PLSD to each pupil ?… Maybe it is time we try Lancaster?’s approach.?’

LET?’S NOT!

There is no comparison between schools. Academically, PLSD is one of the best performing districts in the nation, while Lancaster is the worst in the county! Athletically, we are in the same conference. Over the last six years, we have won nearly half of ALL conference championships ?… leaving the other half for Lancaster and the other 4 schools to share. And, I have never noticed the Lancaster band marching in any prestigious national parade.

Yes, we pay more taxes per household than Lancaster residents do. But our incomes are substantially higher. Our median household income is $46,683 compared to Lancaster?’s of $27,446, so naturally we will be paying more taxes on our higher income to support our outstanding schools.

And, yes, due to THEIR INDUSTRIAL TAX BASE (not commercial), Lancaster spends more per pupil than we do. And, many Lancaster firms are required to submit Toxic Release Inventory reports to the Ohio EPA, indicating the amount of pollution to the air, water, and land they release. If Dr. Pepper wants a large industrial tax base for PLSD, let?’s build a nuclear power plant here so we can be like the northern Ohio community where the residents pay NO PROPERTY OR INCOME TAX to support their schools.

To Dr. Pepper ?… you have now made my list of ALL-TIME MOST STUPID comments ?… now I finally understand why you value anonymity. Congratulations!

GO AWAY

How dare you even speak to Dr. Rigelman given you history of vilifying him as you have done in the past. You should be ashamed of what you tried to do to him in your glory days in the Pickerington 4 Kids era. It was always Pickerington 4 Uher.

Go away and leave us in peace you duplicitous vermin.

Dr. Bruce Rigelman


In my opinion, Dr. Rigelman made some mistakes in 2000 and I am not ashamed of pointing them out. In addition, I am not ashamed of supporting and complimenting him on his many accomplishments while serving on our board. It is really that simple.

I don't always agree with Dr. Rigelman, but he has been an asset to our community and on our board. His quest for more disclosure of school financial information to the public is very admirable. His grasp of the financial picture of our district is most valuable to us as taxpayers. On the other hand, I did not the manner in which he treated our previous superintendent in public.

I hope we are all professionals and can put our past differences aside to help our schools now and the future of our community.

Pay Up

Hey, Maverick and you too Soap Box, pay up ?‘cause I win the bet.

He?’s back for more money even before the board finishes voting for how much they?’re going to stick it to us this time.

I told you he wouldn?’t be able to hold it in!!


By Know when to hold ?‘um