Cast your vote Dec. 9

Cast your vote Dec. 9

Ye Olde Gas Tax Revolt of 2003

As stated in a previous editorial, this newspaper does not love the Monroe Board of Education’s proposal to build a new high school in Thompson Park. We feel that the park belongs to all the residents of Middlesex County, and many of those residents would rather see a school built somewhere else, regardless of the land exchange that would occur under this proposal.

However, we do realize that Monroe will benefit more from approving this proposal, and that its denial will needlessly cost the town a great deal of money and time. Defeating this plan will not bode well for the township.

There remain a few sticking points. We have questioned, for example, why the current proposal does not include the cost of renovations that will be needed at the existing high school and the middle school. This will cost millions, and will be paid by Monroe taxpayers down the line. Residents should know this.

We have also asked whether the school could be built somewhere else, and officials insist they have looked everywhere else, and there is no "perfect" place to build this school. Regardless of whether that is the case, at this stage of the game, one must realize the plan is what it is.

As for the land exchange, Thompson Park would in fact get more acreage than would be taken away. And the soccer fields that would be lost to the school will be replaced on county land that has been acquired. The cost associated with their relocation remains unknown.

What is known as fact may be reason enough for residents to vote yes Dec. 9.

Monroe Township faces a very unique situation that other school districts do not. As seen in its September 2002 referendum, the senior population in Monroe can single-handedly decide an election. Their vote essentially turned away Monroe’s chance to build a high school on private property.

As school officials are well aware, the senior vote in Monroe means they must take an unconventional approach to solving this problem. The plan they have come up with is unique, and it does address concerns raised with the previous plan. The new plan costs less (even when you include its unknown or hidden costs), and it provides a more central location. The high school itself was also scaled back somewhat.

Another fact is that Monroe must do something now, or the school district will be forced to waste more money on short-term solutions, including providing dozens more classroom trailers.

Regardless of how one feels about building a school in the park, one has to realize this plan will address dire facility needs in the most timely manner and at the least cost to its residents.