By Andy Beauerle

Magee Senior High School

On March 11, the School Bond Steering Committee held its 3rd Annual “Public Bond Forum” in the historic auditorium of Pinola High School. As with previous forums, Dr Holloway argued for the bond issue, which will be used to either pay for new school buildings and after-school facilities if passed, or, if not passed, will simply buy a new school. Dr. Holloway was the only speaker there, saying, “I’ve decided to let the others do spring break so I can stay here and work.”

Over the past 3 weeks these forums have been held where Dr. Holloway, Dr. Sanders and several other people from the District Council have been talking about the advantages of voting for the bond issue and the disadvantages of also voting against. But at the Pinola Forum, it wasn’t Dr. Holloway who caught my attention.

After the forum ended, I hung around, talking to two older gentlemen who I will be talking to and John and James. John and James are two people who strongly oppose issuing bonds, citing waste of resources and high taxes. Stephen is a former education official who champions bond issuance, for the same reasons Dr. Holloway explains each time. Lately, when an article is published on consolidation, we see people fighting, breaking ties and burning bridges. Everywhere what? A stupid misunderstanding about money. MONEY.

But I watched James, Stephen and John (these are not the men’s real names, just made up names for privacy and security reasons) talking to each other, one thing I noticed was that there was so much difference between their points, they never insulted each other. They kept their words under control, only speaking louder from time to time. I really admire the way these men handled their differences and kept their cool. I think that’s something we should all be looking at. We shouldn’t let these petty political ploys separate us. It’s the best in towns like Magee and Mendenhall. Everyone is so tight. Face it. Consolidation is underway. We can’t help it happening like this. Yes, many of us are also upset about the end of the Simpson County Super Bowl, I am one of them. But we can’t let this tear the county apart. And no, I am neither for nor against, I am in the middle. I know Simpson County is too strong to let something like this tear us apart.

Also, some people who are part of another committee that looks after the maintenance of the Pinola auditorium asked me to mention an upcoming event and I told them that I would be more than happy to do so. . Friday, March 18a Jam Session will take place at the Auditorium at 7:00 p.m.. Local musicians and singers are welcome to come and perform.

“Andy is a senior at Magee High School and plans to attend four-year college”