Former Fairland BOE member says "Vote No" on Stadium Levy

[madpolecat]

Does the youth of our community deserve a stadium

And just what have they done to deserve something like Alumni Stadium that kids at 1,000s of other high schools across America haven't done?

I love the new, pretty stadiums; however, I think that they are a luxury for which the general taxpayers should not be footing the bill.

[fhsfan]

I applaud the convictions of those against the stadium. At least you are willing to state your objections publicly. Now I ask each of you Karl, Boog, etc...give some solutions to the problem. A new stadium is not a luxury in this case. I have been told anyone wanting to use electrical outlets are constantly shocked, especially on nights like last Friday. The restrooms do not meet code or requirements for the Americans with Disabilities Act. Not to mention the stadium is on the verge of being condemned due to unsafe structural flaws. If you do not want to vote for the levy that is fine, but be part of the solution. I do not think anyone wants to risk the health and safety of students.

Also, there has been a comment about the board's funds....if I am not mistaken, our 5 year forecast has those funds disappearing due to heating and fuel costs among other things (health insurance, salaries, etc...)

[bucksfan76]

i am not from fairland or cheer for fairland but i think a new field would be great for the community.
just look at south point's field its amazing and i think it will have an influence of more kids wanting to play football plus bring more excitment to the program which i think the points field did.

[madpolecat]

While I agree that the stadium at Fairland HS needs to be renovated drastically or something new built, how much stadium does $3.2 million buy?

I guess the question is "how much is enough or too much?"

What would a $3.2 million facility look like? Coal Grove? Rock Hill? Oak Hill? Chesapeake? Logan? Jackson?

[shaynew]

Tell me what prison paid for a football stadium and i will get Fairland a new stadium.That's state tax money and its against the law to use state money to build a high school football stadium.

[fhsfan]

The prison in Lucasville has paid for everything in Valley. The school owns all of the land surrounding the area, so when they need something new built they sell off a parcel of land.

From the plans that were at a game and from talking with Mr. Manns and Mrs. Young, the 3.2 will not get facilities anywhere close to what all of the schools mentioned have been able to build. I have been told the 3.2 is a facility stripped down to the bare minimums. When I say bare minimum, I mean there is no change to the football field (will still be grass) or any money to repair damage to the track that would most certainly occur during demolition and construction (which I think is a MAJOR oversight by the planning committee and school).

The 3.2 would cover the new bleachers, concession areas, 3 locker rooms (high school, jr. high, visitors), weight room, storage for sports and band, and restrooms. They are in no way trying to match area schools.

[shaynew]

Last comment on this.It doesn't make you a good or bad person if you support this levy or not.Every levy has people for and against it.
If the prison purchased land then they didn't give the school the money.I will find out for sure tomorrow where they got the money as i used to work with a valley school board member.
Hey get the Manns corporation to back it I'm sure 3.2 million wouldn't set them back that much and after all its for the kids.
Which are we getting for 3.2 million one poster says bare minimuns one says were getting alot of extras at the baseball and softball fields are we gonna need another levy for a new track or is the track team going to have all away meets.

[SvFootball 07-2011]

When i was in youth league playin football at fairland i really thought that we could use a new stadium, and as i moved to Symmes Valley and looked back at fairland... they really need a new one, the locker rooms, the bleachers, the restrooms and etc all need rebuilded. I would have to vote yes on this, because the stadium has been there for so many years, and its time to upgrade just like all the other local schools.

-Jarrad Booth

[buckfan84]

While I agree that the stadium at Fairland HS needs to be renovated drastically or something new built, how much stadium does $3.2 million buy?

I guess the question is "how much is enough or too much?"

What would a $3.2 million facility look like? Coal Grove? Rock Hill? Oak Hill? Chesapeake? Logan? Jackson?

Our facilities in Nelsonville were around 2 million and they are very nice. The public is allowed to use the all weather track, the band uses the field and stadum for a contest. The youth football league is moving to the facility next year. Hocking College students have a league that they have put together. Now, a lot of volunteer work went into it also but I am not sure how that would work for your community with it being a levy. All funds to build the stadium were private donations.

Here is a video link to the field:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbfwTVWQhc4

[Ptown Playmaker]

Being from Portsmouth, we have been going thru this same scenario.......money to start, but not enough to finish.......and then money for up keep.......I would like to ask Mr Judd why he was on the school board to begin with........hopefully for the kids.......yes, education is important, but athletics are a vital part of that. Good luck and hope it passes for the kids.

[earp]

KarlAgathon,Chesapeake has a new facility?????Hmm we must have been at the wrong field a couple of weeks ago! No its the same old dump as its always been,Worst place in the world to watch a game unless you are setting up on US 52!Then you run the risk of getting shewed away by the Highway Patrol!

[dragoncoach56]

See Clayton thats where your wrong.I have voted for many tax increases in the Fairland school district.It doesnt make you a bad person for supporting it or me a bad person for being against it.That is why america is great we all are entitled to our opinions.If the community support is so great where is the private funding like others have done? Why cant the school board use the excess 3 or 4 million they have now for a new stadium? Yes i know the board put up 500,000 towards this.

You're exactly right shaynew and I apologize for what I said. This is an important issue in my eyes but I don't know you so my comment was definately an unfair judgement. I would vote for all of the issues you talked about not because I believe in socialism but social responsibility.At the end of the day I believe our kids need new facilities to compliment our new schools and as far as private donations and businesses,everyone knows our industrial base here is not as good as other locations so that's really not an option. We have become a bedroom community for Huntington professionals to an extent and this is our most feasible option. But as you said these are our opinions and neither right or wrong just ours. Again I apologize for the statement
Clayton Dement

[madpolecat]

earp:

I know that Chessy doesn't have a new facility; that was a jab at the fact that they haven't managed to update the cheap seats up on US 52.

[schenk11]

"Just remember, before you vote, think about how much the levy will cost you. On a $200,000 home, the yearly increase on your property tax will be $79.62. But this is not just an increase for one year -- it's an increase for 27 years (the time it will take to pay the $3.2 million bond levy off). So, you will actually be paying a total of $2,149.74 more on your property taxes."

Millage is based on assessed value by the county auditor, not market value. Not to many houses where I live have an assessed value of $200,000.

[earp]

Schenk,There are many houses here now that are well over $200,000 or even $300 or $500 thousand!Alot of $ has moved into the area in say the last 10 years and alot of new home building took place!

[dragoncoach56]

That is right Earp but as he said assessed value is way different than market value The appraised value on my house is fairly high but the actuall value assessed for tax purposes is not that much. Its just a different system, of assigning value
Clayton Dement

[schenk11]

The appraised selling value of my house is $185,000.

The assessed tax value of my house is only $121,340 according to the Washington County Auditor's website. This is the what the levy would be figured from.

There is a big difference and it is a common misunderstanding by voters. Probably a misunderstanding that has cost some schools some levy votes.

[wemufans]

Here's how I would rate the OVC schools stadiums

1. South Point
2. Rock Hill a close second to SP but at SP you aren't walking as far to park
3. Coal Crove
4-6. Tie for Fairland , Chessy and River Valley
mind you I have't been in the locker rooms for any of these schools but by basing it on the visitors stands and bathrooms. A far has the home stands I would say Fairland, River Valley and Chessy in that order. The visitor stand would be Chessy, Fairland and River Valley. Both Fairland and River Valley seemed very unstable and you could feel the boards moving when walking. At Fairland whoever built them must have been a little person because when you sit down your knees are higher than you rear. What is up with that?

Yes all three of the mentioned schools need a new stadium. But it is up to the poplulation to vote how they want. Don'tdog people for having a difference of opinion than you.

[madpolecat]

The appraised selling value of my house is $185,000.

The assessed tax value of my house is only $121,340 according to the Washington County Auditor's website.

With the housing market being what it is right now, the assessed number would be about all you could sell it for, unfortunately.

[earp]

There are alot of valid points here!And I also wonder how many homes in this area are in default with all of the sub prime loans and all?Another reason to drive property values down?If you live next door to one of these or have several in youre neighborhood it could be the kiss of death for youre property value!