Opponents, Supporters Argue Cases In Issue 2 Debate

GROVE CITY, Ohio -- A passionate debate in the South-Western City Schools District continues with just four days until voters cast their ballot on Issue 2. Voters must decide whether to pay more to save school activities, athletics and high school bussing. The 8.3-mill operating levy would last four years, with homeowners paying an extra $254 in property taxes each year for every $100,000 of property value.

Both sides are making a final push before Tuesday's vote. On Friday afternoon, nearly two dozen opponents made a direct appeal to residents to vote with their bank accounts in mind. The group of roughly 20 protesters stood outside Grove City Hall, urging passing drivers to honk in opposition to the tax increase. Their message was simple: save more, spend less.

"I think everybody has been cutting back, except the school district. And I want them to start cutting back too." said Judy Starrett, a retired teacher who joined her husband in the group of protesters. The
Starretts say the expanded tax would cost them an extra $497 each year.

Starrett worries some residents in the South-Western City Schools District might not be able to afford their homes or might have to cut back on medications if the tax increase passes.

"That matters to me whether the people in this community can afford this, and a lot of them can't," Starrett said.

Issue 2 opponents are going so far as to ask residents to boycott local businesses that have shown any support for the tax increase. The tactic reflects a community deeply divided.

"We're fed up with high taxes, we just can't take any more of it, " said Terry Jones, organizer of the opposition group South-Western Alternative to Taxes, or SWAT.

Supporters counter that the investment in kids is worth the extra cost to property owners.

"I understand nobody wants to pay more taxes, but we haven't had an operating levy in 15 years and that's something that we dearly need," said Mark Mayers, co-chair of the group supporting the tax levy, Citizens for South-Western City Schools, and a father of two. "For us to continue to be a viable community and for our community to continue to grow along with our schools, this is very important."

After moving into the South-Western City Schools District in 2007, former Ohio State Buckeye football player Rodger Cooper said he cannot understand the argument against investing in kids.

"If it would have been 2.5 years ago that this would have happened, I would not have chose Grove City to move here," Cooper said. "People pay three, four, five dollars for a bottle of water at the county fair or sporting event, or up here at the local bar pay three or four dollars for a beer. What is an extra hundred dollars annually to give the kids a great opportunity and start in their lives?"

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