A group of Dorchester School patrons who support the proposed new construction project have chosen an official name for their organization. The Dorchester School Improvement Project (DSIP) Committee will meet again this Thursday, August 9, at 8 p.m. in the school cafeteria.According to Donna Havlat, DSIP Committee spokesperson, "the issues with the builders" -- including a reported discrepancy on the project's estimated cost of -- have apparently been resolved. The Sept. 11 special election on the proposed $4 million bond issue will continue as planned, Havlat said.
DSIP encourages all school district patrons to ensure they are registered to vote. Those who are not registered, or are uncertain of their voting status, should visit the Saline County clerk's office (402-821-2374 or e-mail clerk@saline.nacone.org). For those who will be out of town Sept. 11, absentee ballots can be requested from the county clerk.
School district patrons interested in joining the DSIP Committee or assisting with educational efforts are asked to call co-chairs Kelly Feeken (946-4501) or Donna Havlat (826-5449).
We need another DSIP. Dorchester Street Improvement Project.
ReplyDeleteSince this blog started, the school has been mentioned 13 times, what is this telling you. I thought this blog wasnt started to be used, as a selling point.
ReplyDeleteMr. or Mrs. Anonymous:
ReplyDeleteIn the words of Ronald Reagan, there you go again...
We will publish any announcement by an organized group of opponents to the school construction plan. To our knowledge, there is no formal opposition group such as the anti-paving coalition that existed in the 1979 street paving debate.
If you believe that the other side is not being represented on this Web site or elsewhere in the media, please send us meeting announcements; professional economic analysis; contact phone numbers; e-mails -- anything that is credible and newsworthy.
The Times staff is still undecided on the bond issue. However, as we see it, the opponents of the school project are doing nothing constructive to convince other school district patrons to take their side. Complaining about our bias and employing scare tactics fail to win any points in our book.
In the future, we hope to hear a more cerebral argument from the school construction opponents.
I sincerely feel that the school is a vital part of our community--I would hope it would be mentioned more than once or twice. On the selling point comment.....silly me, I thought this blog was started as an informative resource. We are fortunate to have this site where we not only have information posted but the means to voice ideas and opinions.
ReplyDeleteTHATS RIGHT WE DO HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOICE OUR OPINIONS, AND NOT BE BELITTLED. RIGHT OR WRONG, THATS WHY THIS WAS STARTED. WHICH IS QUITE EASY FOR SOME!
ReplyDeleteTo the many anonymous voices opposed to the bond issue. I would really like to read more about your reasons. Because we are so busy it is hard to find time to talk. This blog has helped our community to talk, which is a good thing. Please give us your best informed and factual information, I'd appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteanyone know what the meeting sunday night was for????
ReplyDeleteLet's face it - the school project is big news for Dorchester. As such, it obviously deserves more than average coverage. How many times has the Iraq war been mentioned in the newspapers? It's big news for our country. Many people complain that the coverage of the war reflects the media bias against the war and the President. You can make up your own mind on that, but I don't see any letters to the editor in the Lincoln paper that they devote too many articles to the story. If your viewpoint isn't represented in the articles in the Dorchester Times, than write a letter to the editor and tell them why you feel the way you do.
ReplyDeleteDid anyone read the Lincoln paper this week?
ReplyDeleteLincoln Public Schools and the YMCA (or YWCA) teamed up to build a facility that would be of use to both parties. Buildings would be shared and costs split.
Our school and village both need help in providing facilites which are up to codes. Maybe they should both take a look at something of this type.
Why wouldnt this work in Dorchester. A town of our size could benefit from a building project of this type. WE have people who complain that kids dont have anything to do or anywhere to go, but we make sure that they cant get into the building before 8 and have to be out by 4.
Shared library, technology center, workout facilities,communtity center, meeting rooms,administrative offices and other areas that could be used by all parties.
The school sits empty 3 months of the year and why couldnt some others take advantage of this and use it for other purposes.
There is just too many people who are selfish and want things for themselves. Lets work together and do something about this before we make a huge mistake.
I am someone who has not made up my mind on the school issue. I do not believe a lot of new people will move to Dorchester ( this has been mentioned) if the new school is built. Not if the town does not get on board. We need to make the town look better to entice people to move here. PAVING THE STREETS would do more than anything to bring people to town.
ReplyDeleteThe previous Anonymous has the right idea.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a good thing for the city and the school to team up with a project to more fully use the facilities. But if it comes to the city ponying up with a little cash to make this an even better facility or just contribute toward the bill, we probably could write that off.
Paved streets were mentioned - what happened there??? That would be a great improvement - how many small towns still have dirt streets??? (Guess we do have 3...wow)
How about the pool that almost happened? It was my understanding that there was federal money 20-30 some years ago that would have paid for a good share of a swimming pool. What happened there??? The city didn't think it was necessary because both Crete, Friend, Milford, Exeter, Fairmont, etc. had pools. Those towns did something for their youngsters - they didn't say "there's a pool in the next town, we don't need one here." Don't you think that a pool could have been built here then? That would have been a draw to the community. Sure it would have been expensive to maintain, but these other small towns have managed because it is good for the kids...isn't that what it is all about??
Sure a new school might be a draw to people to move here. But what about these other things - the paved streets and a pool.
I think the city boards over the years have dragged their feet for too long and the community overall has been hurt by their actions.
IVE HAVE HEARD THAT IF THE BOND DOESNT PASS, THAT THE STATE WILL COME IN AND CLOSE IT DOWN ANYWAY, IS THIS JUST TO SCARE THE PEOPLE INTO VOTING, IF SO THEY WILL HAVE TO CLOSE ALOT OF OTHER SCHOOLS BECAUSE THEY WILL BE IN THE SAME BOAT AS US, THEY ARE NOT ALL UP TO CODE LIKE US.
ReplyDeletePlease, COME TO A MEETING!!!! The next meeting will be Wed., Aug. 15th @ 8:00 pm. On Wed., Aug. 22nd there will be a free coffee at East Side in the morning.....please come, ask questions and get information, just not gossip. There will be a list of meetings on the blog and we're going to ask the village to post meetings on the marque.
ReplyDeleteDo people not see that there are not many young kids around anymore because they move for better jobs. Why build because it gives us 50 more people. I guess if you got the money then you should pay for it.
ReplyDeleteDorchester's Kind. class was 26 last year and it is predicted to be 16 to 17 this year -- that's a lot of young kids. Student population is the highest it has been in years.
ReplyDeleteWho came up with the notion if the bond doesn't pass the state is going to close the school because it's not up to code??? That's is a scare tactic if I ever heard one!
ReplyDeleteHow many of you have seen some of the other structures in the state that are used for schools? Go out to the sandhills == Some of those schools out there make our school look darn good. And there's no "state" entity looking to close those facilities because they're supposedly not up to code.
I'd say there are some desperate people around Dorchester to get a new facility built - put your money where your mouth is.
It would be a great idea to get some BIG fundraising activities - separate from the bond issue - to help with some of the cost.
Let's see who's willing to help foot the bill other than the majority of the cost landing on the landowners.
Let's see some of those home owners or renters in town that won't really see a big pinch in the pocketbook find some creative ways to pick up some of this bill.