Letter to the Editor
To the editor:
The public learned last week that the Building Industry Association (BIA) re-pledged the $225,000 to the Pickerington Local School District that was originally pledged in May, after the operating levy failed. This time, however, it has been pledged to be given in three installments of $75,000 over the course of the school year. There are also additional conditions placed on the money. Pickerington cannot impose a moratorium, and they must accept the proposed community authority. The BIA will not put the pledge or the additional strings in writing. Are they counting on voters to forget the fact that they will not have given one penny to the schools before the August operating levy? Is anyone else tired of their games?
On a similar note, Heatherbrook Developers, Inc., has pledged $375,000 to the Pickerington Local School District ''in consideration of development'' (from the letter to Lori Sanders, school board member), which appears to be tied to a zoning appeal for property in Pickerington. Heatherbrook recently won the appeal, but where is the money? Now that they are in the process of selling the land, will they feel obligated to follow through on the promise to the schools?
Pay-to-participate fees were decided by the School Board based on these pledges. Yet does anyone really believe the school district will ever see this money? Do builders and developers think the public will forget their promises?
What have builders and developers really done for the community, besides overcrowd the schools, ensure school operating levies keep showing up on ballots, and increase traffic congestion?
Can we afford any more ''gifts'' from the builders and developers?
