9/6/2012 - West Side Leader
     

To the editor:

Well, here we go again. Bath Township trustees have provided $30,100* of our tax dollars to fund the removal of another 7.5 acres of taxable property from our tax base. (“Bath finalizes settlement with local nursery,” West Side Leader, Aug. 23, 2012). Little thought is given to the future cost. How much will this cost the funding of our local schools over the next 20 years? How much over 20 years will the maintenance be to the township? What percentage of Bath Township is now nontaxable green space with ongoing maintenance costs? Are we on the same path as the repeated school levy failures at Woodridge, where the National Park devoured their tax base?

I am all for protecting the environment, but the most precious element in our environment is our children. When the future levies to support our schools rise, these decisions to “green” our township will be one reason failure occurs. 

Chris VanDevere, Bath

* Editor’s note: The referenced West Side Leader story indicates the township’s share for the $150,608 National Scenic Byway grant to purchase the 7.5 acres is actually $39,100.

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