Technically, The Pilot is calling for the Board of Commissioners approve new bonds to increase the budget of the Moore County School District, but since bonds are paid for with taxes, our blog title is accurate. As there is little or no increase in student enrollment (depending on the data examined) and the school district has not been forthcoming with the information concerned activists have requested (is it hiding something?) the "need" for more of the citizens' private property is anything but clear.
Further, Sheriff candidate Steve Adams* is proposing a plan to save millions of dollars from new schools construction projects. He asserts that Moore Co. should create a general contractor "company" within the county's government, rather than contracting one in perpetuity. Rather than be bound by the details of a contract, a city employee could flex plan details on-the-spot (ex., if the plan calls for 500 walnut doors but a supplier finds oak doors at $200 less, a contractor must pass on the opportunity so as not to breach the contract, thus loosing $100K). Additionally, he is proposing a plan to earn millions of dollars for the county, as part of his bid for sheriff. Both proposals are sound objectively enough to deserve serious study, and those studies can be done quickly.
Whenever you hear the call for immediate spending of the citizens' money, you should be skeptical. So The Pilot's editors asked the seemly rhetorical question, "If not now, then when?" Our answer is, only if the school district stops stonewalling requests for information and proves the need for more money, and only if the county studies Mr. Adam's proposals and finds they are not feasible.
*this is not an endorsement
Further, Sheriff candidate Steve Adams* is proposing a plan to save millions of dollars from new schools construction projects. He asserts that Moore Co. should create a general contractor "company" within the county's government, rather than contracting one in perpetuity. Rather than be bound by the details of a contract, a city employee could flex plan details on-the-spot (ex., if the plan calls for 500 walnut doors but a supplier finds oak doors at $200 less, a contractor must pass on the opportunity so as not to breach the contract, thus loosing $100K). Additionally, he is proposing a plan to earn millions of dollars for the county, as part of his bid for sheriff. Both proposals are sound objectively enough to deserve serious study, and those studies can be done quickly.
Whenever you hear the call for immediate spending of the citizens' money, you should be skeptical. So The Pilot's editors asked the seemly rhetorical question, "If not now, then when?" Our answer is, only if the school district stops stonewalling requests for information and proves the need for more money, and only if the county studies Mr. Adam's proposals and finds they are not feasible.
*this is not an endorsement