It was never intended that I implied that Larry was a member of the Distaso group and have revised the story to make that clear.
Dear Editor:
8-7-08 I am responding to the article you have published on the internet concerning the Acton Agua Dulce Unified School District school bond that is to be on the November, 2008 ballot.
The article I refer to is attributed to Charles Brink. I am writing this in my own individual capacity and not as an AADUSD trustee and I express only my own views herein. First your publishing alleges a “Distaso controlled board”. I am not “Distaso controlled”. I vote for what I believe is best for the kids and the school district. Second, the bond is referred to as a “Vasquez Sports Bond”. It is not a “sports” bond. It is a bond to build a high school for Acton/Agua Dulce as is set out in the project list. Next, it is stated that this is the “same failed bond”. That is not true. This bond is for considerably less money and is only a one series bond as opposed to a multiple series bond. Going on, your publishing states the “proposed bond is to build a gym”. The “project list” lists the gym as only one of about eleven items. The bond is to build a high school; it is not merely to build a “gym”, the innuendo of the comment.
Lastly the comment that the Board “doesn’t want to give a dime for bathrooms” is not accurate in that money will have to be spent and repairs will have to be made on the other schools including the bathrooms of the other schools, but it will not be paid from the “bond money” should the bond pass.
I personally suggested a much smaller bond for last June, 2008 and this November, 2008 after talking to members of the community on why the last bond failed. I personally feel we need a “small” bond to put something on the new adjacent land we acquired without cost in a superb land trade. Our kids really need a permanent high school. The economy is tough right now. I realize that. We are all having a tough time. But the question is, can we at least afford $25.00 a year for each $100,000.00 of assessed value of our land? I do not know, but I guess we will find out in November.
Let me go back to my response to your print. I am a firm believer in freedom of expression and your own quote “freedom isn’t free – support your free press”, however, I also believe that accurate information should also be disseminated.
Thank you for the opportunity to reply. Larry H. Layton