I have been following the discussion on Front Porch Forum regarding the question of whether Lincoln should withdraw from the supervisory union. There seems to be a preponderance of lengthy posts extolling the virtues of our local school. Having never had any children of my own, I will not opine on the quality of education at Lincoln Community School. However, I have for 25-plus years helped pay for the education of other’s children. I have no problem with this as long as taxes are fair and affordable. Presently, the property taxes have increased to a point where I have a hard time paying them even with income sensitivity from the state. Without this, I don’t see how I would be able to pay the taxes at the present rate. It’s scary to think that I might be forced out of a town where at least seven generations of my family have lived.

Does anyone seriously believe our taxes won’t go up if Lincoln secedes from the supervisory union? When have taxes ever not gone up? If they go up, and income sensitivity is no longer applied, then I believe many of the remaining long-time residents will be driven from town. We have roots here, and ties to the land that affluent newcomers have no concept of. This is our home, not just an investment to eventually sell for profit used to move on to another bigger, better place somewhere else.

I would prefer that Lincoln continue to have a local school, but if we can’t afford it, then we can’t have it— it’s that simple. Maybe if the people so effusively praising the virtues of LCS would be willing to put their money where their mouth is: Say, for instance, some kind of local income sensitivity adjustment modeled after the state’s program, perhaps the proposal at hand would be more palatable for the residents who don’t have a huge disposable income.

Just my 2 cents worth.

David Brown

Lincoln