Bond offers jobs bonus

Voters in the East Valley School District have the opportunity to contribute to the economic stability and growth of our entire community on April 26.

It is easy and simplistic to categorically vote against new taxes. Yet, thoughtful, community-minded voters will see that while the bond issue provides for the essential educational needs of our children, it also has critical and far-reaching economic effects on our building and trade industries.

During our current recession and high unemployment, 86 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation is a very small price to pay for a return of $66 million invested in the construction industry as well as all of the other industries which support it. Those dollars will keep our family members, relatives, friends and neighbors off unemployment and, in turn, enable them to continue to contribute to our economy.

We cannot afford to wait for Washington, D.C., to create jobs and improve the economy. It is imperative that we also do our part locally. Voting for the East Valley bond issue is a win-win situation. As Duane Alton’s mom, Grandma Alton, was so fond of saying on the public airwaves, this is about “neighbors helping neighbors.”

Paddy Inman

Mead