Franklin County Republican Party
101 West Nash Street
Louisburg, North Carolina 27549
(919) 496-1469
www.FranklinNCGOP.com


 

February 19, 2006
--For Immediate Release--
For More Information Contact
Ed Strickland at (919) 496-1607


 

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

GOP Supports Delay on School Bond Vote Until November Elections
Public May Speak on Bond Hearing at Monday's Commissioners Meeting

 

"In 2004 only 30 percent participated in the primary, but 65 percent voted in the November general election," said Ed Strickland, chairman of the Franklin County Republican Party. "The taxpayers deserve to have a voice on the proposed $45-million school bond and they should have the opportunity to study the costs of it. Waiting until November will allow everyone to decide if this bond is acceptable. In addition this bond issue will double the county's debt to nearly $100 million."

The Franklin County Republican Party encourages everyone to attend Monday (Feb. 20) night's 7:00 commissioners meeting and encourage the commissioners to put the bond on the November ballot instead of May. The commissioners will meet in the County Administration Building on Market Street behind the old courthouse in Louisburg.

The following is a statement from the Franklin County Republican Party:

The Franklin County Republican Party supports delaying the vote on the school bond until the November general election.
 
The Franklin County Republican Party supports all efforts to increase emphasis and resources for education in our County.  Our children, well trained in fundamentals and principles by capable teachers and well equipped facilities, will be the leaders, skilled workers, business starters/owners and residents in Franklin County and North Carolina.

The Franklin County Commissioners are entrusted with the responsibility to fund education.  We encourage and expect the Commission to study and use all available resources (for example existing buildings, development grants, public/private cooperative projects, etc.) carefully before triggering increased taxes as a means to bring success to the educational process in our County.

Because the need for the $45 million bond fund apparently has come recently, it makes sense to require the Commission to present a well thought out, well developed and well documented set of alternatives to the citizens in public hearings prior to making any vote on the need or the dollar amount.  The rush to a vote in May will certainly hinder adequate plan development and discussion especially with current heavy administrative load on the Commission. 

A delay in the public vote beyond May will be needed to properly study and present information for public discussion.  We encourage the Commission to set the vote on this important and potentially costly bond until the November general election.
 
Submitted by the Franklin County Republican Party.