by Penney Howe (for) Ravalli County Republican Women
THANK YOU, Joan, for the engaging conversation on the issue of the college as well as the levy. We believe that it allowed our valley residents to see both sides of the issue. Again, we agree that community colleges are a great place for the younger generation to further their educational choices. Our concerns revolve around who has to pay for the educational choices being made.
And THANK YOU to the voters of Ravalli County who voted against this levy. Thank you for understanding that there are many in the valley as a part of the larger neighborhood of Ravalli County who are being forced into the position of choosing between what quality of life items they can do without and which they cannot. Many are having to choose between medications that improve their quality of everyday life, eating nutritious meals that give them the strength to go on, or paying their taxes. We believe that our valley population should be allowed to retain their independence and their freedom and not be forced into nursing homes and other such terrible living conditions.
If the powers that be at the Bitterroot Community College put their thinking caps on and figure out a way to run this college in such a way that it is not subsidized by the people of Ravalli County who are already having a difficult time holding onto their freedom and independence, Ravalli County Republican Women will be some of the first in line to help with the endeavor.
Instead of the further taxation of our population, you could solicit those of wealth here in Ravalli County and come together to support this college like Greg Gianforte has done in Gallatin County. The Ravalli County population should NOT have to choose between the necessities of survival and paying more taxes so that others can go to college.
Bridget Dolan says
Yes, let’s celebrate defeating the funding for educational opportunities. Keep ’em dumb and they will continue to vote against their own interests.
Mike Miller says
Feel free to make a donation to them of any size you want. They’ll glad take it.
No need to denigrate people for not wanting more taxes out of their wallet, especially when there’s already a college in town their taxes are already paying for.
HSabin says
Bridget – You are operating in a blind environment. When the College wanted funding about three years ago, they wouldn’t listen and wanted to make the levy permanent. That was their first NO from the taxpayers. Their second NO was that their own research showed that kids here do NOT on the most part want to go to college and/or saddle themselves with debt.
The third NO was the anticipated cost of building or setting up the college. It was 25 million if I remember correctly.
the fourth NO and the killer was that they didn’t have a business plan they could present to the community. They still do NOT.
NOW -put those all together and it has NOTHING to do with making kids dumb. It has everything to do with SMART taxpayers saying NO to something that isn’t needed here at this time.
Alan says
Who do you refer to when you say them and they? Who are these dumb people that vote against their own interest?
Russ says
I’m sorry the education system failed you.