Viewpoints
Voting NO on Whitecliff!
By Robert D. Warner
September 13, 2006
Wednesday
When one reads about this plan to raise sales taxes to fund the
remodeling of Whitecliff School, many unanswered questions appear.
The issue seems to be less about Whitecliff or historic preservation,
and more like a clever scheme by special interests to fund their
arts and recreational activities on the backs of all taxpayers.
In addition, the tax increase would cover operational costs for
the building in additional to the remodeling and construction
costs. In other words, it is a NEVER ENDING TAX INCREASE.
There seems to be alternative uses for Whitecliff School that
have not been carefully examined. I keep wondering why Whitecliff
School could not be remodeled to become the new Borough office
building. In addition, 4 or 5 old classrooms could be transfered
to the city to relocate the public library. Additional space
could be allocated to the senior center for their use. This alternative
preserves Whitecliff as a historical site and also provides essential
local government functions.
If the arts council alternative is so essential to our community,
and there is so much support for it, why isn't a non profit arts
foundation set up to fund the remodeling and upkeep of Whitecliff
School? The foundation could lease or purchase the property from
the Borough. This would allow the many supporters of the arts
to have a home at their own expense. It would give citizens the
option of supporting the arts, but not forcing all citizens to
pay for them through their taxes.
There are too many unanswered questions behind this proposed
tax increase. As a result, a "NO" vote on election
day is the best decision for this voter.
Robert D. Warner
Ketchikan, AK - USA
About: Thirty four year resident of Ketchikan and retired UAS
faculty member.
On the Web:
Proposition 1 - Sales Tax Increase:
For the full text of Ordinance No. 1403 click here
http://borough.ketchikan.ak.us/clerks/documents/1403.pdf
White Cliff Project
http://www.ketchikanarts.org/whitecliff
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