DCI web site poll question

Last weeks poll had a great response, and wanted to share the results and comments.

Question: Would you be in favor of a referendum to take down the 1918 school in Kasson and replace it with a new public library?

A. Yes, that would be the best use of the space (34.6%)

B. No because I am not in favor of taking the school down (52.34%)

C. I'm tired of hearing about it. I don't care what they do. (13.08%)

Comments provided through the web poll:

Kelly     -
I love seeing the old elemenatry school still standing. Can't imagine Kasson without it. How sad it would be to see it missing.

Amy     -
SAVE THE SCHOOL! It has a lot potential...don't let the City of Kasson make the decision.

Sherry     -
HHmmm, I am pretty sure that there already WAS a referendum that we voted on to take down the school OR reuse the school - several years ago. Everyone was invited to vote at that time, there were no exclusions - all Kasson residents of voting age were asked to vote. The vote was in favor of tearing down the school that time. Would it do any good to have another vote?????

Kent     -
Sherry,
The Nov 2006 vote had nothing to do with tearing down the school. No where in the ballot language was the work Demolish used. The first vote was supposed to have occured in July 2006. The poorly worded language on that ballot, which did mention demolition, was deemed illegal by the MN attorney general!! Yes, an illegal ballot OKed by Kasson's city hall So a new ballot was formulated for Nov 2006. By that time the citizens were very confused. The entire process has been poorly managed by the city staff from 2006 until recently.

Kathy     -
Reuse of the school can create a couple of positives for the community as a whole>
1.) Go green-reuse-recycle...what are we communicating to the younger generation. It is OK to tear down something that is historic, and able to reuse. That anything "old" is not good, productive. Even without a current plan in place to even reuse the area. (no vote for a new library has taken place or approved). What message about "when it gets old, just get rid of it, don't repair or try to help it along so it can survive into the next generation. The memories, the majestic of the building should be considered.
2.) Teamwork: A little team work between the city, KARE, and the community this could be used for the library, senior center, meals on wheels, a live theater production center, shops, and the list can go on and on. Teen center...something this community has needed for a long time. Get the youth involved. Teacher's, bring this question to your classes, what do the youth think of this school and ideas?
3.) Tax credits, grants, we can obtain both with the reuse of a historic building. Is the city interested in this? Ask your Mayor. Why not?
4.) Jobs for the community, new life to main street. Lets get the blood line back to our main street. Keeping this building going will help with this as a whole. Bring in people from out of town to visit the area. Make this an example of what a productive town we can be, by pulling together to help other's remain in this community to do the shopping. Make us the destination of other's, not our towns people leaving to go visit other towns of interest.


Kathy     -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasson_Public_School
Information on the school available for you...