No one can say that they weren’t aware of the upcoming levy. If you were confused or misled, it doesn’t matter now. As far as the school bond or building project, I proudly voted No! Why? Various reasons. Mainly, I knew the school finances weren’t in good shape. If you are operating a failing business, it is not wise to increase debt. Well, it’s done. The voters approved the bond. Now all the YES voters have obligated everyone to pay for their purchase, a very overpriced, built by out-of-towners, remodeled school. If only the $25,000 consultant’s advice would have been followed we wouldn’t be in this mess. The vote yes committee asked me for my support and to write a letter to the editor.

I cannot support this levy for several reasons.

1. The school administration willingly made a choice to deficit spend — even doling out pay increases to themselves. To give them more money would reward them for a job well done!

2. Nowhere have any specific financial projections been posted. What exactly is the money to be used for? A bailout?

3. Placing all the blame on the state is only a way of shifting blame or responsibility away from themselves. These are tough times and they call for tough decisions.

4. Tax impact: Have the projections in the past been accurate and truthful or misleading?

5. If the problems aren’t corrected that caused this crisis it will only be worse down the road. Do you throw good money after bad? Management practices must change!

6. School lunch program is a disgrace! Even staff won’t eat it.

7. No proposed athletic cuts: Are we running a school or a recreation center? Sports are important but shouldn’t be a priority.

8. Safety hazards: Since when is fencing the trade off more of a priority than keeping some kid from drowning in the pond? Now, you are personally liable if something happens!

9. Parents are enrolling their kids elsewhere because of poor curricula and administrators.

10. Attitude and trust: Look people in the eye and admit mistakes. Old-fashioned “true” Blossom values!

I distinctly remember a few years ago when an accounting error was discovered and we approved the levy then to bailout the former administrator’s blunder. Do we do it again, yes or no?

How I vote is nobody’s business but my own.

Jim O’Connor

Blooming Prairie