Our readers write

It is time for school board elections again. It is my hope that the citizens of Lexington/Richland District 5 will hold certain board members accountable for their actions and behavior over the years.

Only incumbent Jan Hammond has acted in a manner that is responsible and has listened to the concerns of the community.

She truly seems to care about her constituents whereas the other board members appear to care about shutting out the voices and concerns of the community.

Jeff Herring in Richland County and Ken Loveless in Lexington County would be ideal choices to join Jan Hammond on the District 5 Board. Other board members, specifically Ed White and Ellen Baumgardner, have been outright rude and dismissive of community concerns over carelessly spending taxpayers money to support their own agendas such as new “neighborhood schools,” overpriced land purchases and maximum tax increases.

Both voted to buy the unsafe property on Amicks Ferry Road and were abrasive and rude to the public and to Mrs. Hammond in front of the public at board meetings.

They voted to change public participation rules in how the board responds and Freedom of Information Act district rules.

White and Baumgardner, also voted to increase property taxes the maximum amount possible over the past 8 years.

Do you realize that 72% of your property tax is for District 5, and not the county?

Take a close look at your property tax bills. It’s shocking! These incumbents, even take advantage of the “3-year rollback” increase to say they haven’t raised taxes.

They voted to buy land beside Irmo High School for well over the appropriate value but have no plan to use the property.

They act as though tax dollars, are “free” for them the do whatever they choose.

They bought land on Derrick Pond Road for an elementary school in the highest area of growth to alleviate overcrowding at Lake Murray Elementary. 9 years later, they say they “hope to be able to use it one day.”

Mrs. Baumgardner, continually campaigns as a “fiscal conservative” but votes to raise taxes and votes “yes” to spend our money on grossly overpriced land.

Voters in District 5 need to “Just say NO” to Baumgardner and White and vote yes to Nikki Gardner, Jeff Herring and Ken Loveless. These candidates will bring fresh ideas and experience in finance, procurement and business operations.

Ms. Charli Wessinger, Chapin

Build we must

Our county has had more than 40 years of growth. Comments people make about new residents were made about them when they first moved here.

We received Act 388 property tax relief in 2006. The state agreed to pay for school operators and property owners pay for school bonds. We are getting a better deal.

We have no choice but to build new schools as the districts continue to grow.

Jim McGraw, Lexington

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