Sunday, February 12, 2006
District 300 Tax Hike Committee Head Nancy Zettler Takes Aim at Algonquin Republican Precinct Committeeman John Ryan
Asked about his opinion by a constituent--because he was the Republican Precinct Committeeman--Algonquin’s John Ryan sent a reply by email that has gotten legs beyond my and CRAFT’s post.
Now there is an “open letter” of attack posted by Nancy Zettler on the Advance300—the newest name of the District 300 tax hike committee--web site. Zettler is listed as the committee chairman on the State Board of Elections web site.
Zettler intimates that Ryan is incapable of acting on his own, instead is acting “on behalf of a small group of individuals from outside of our District who want nothing more than to defeat our referenda.”
But, regardless, his analysis must be a threat because Zettler has written her “open letter” attacking him.
Zettler is a lawyer and says that Ryan called her “a liar.” Not only that, but Ryan “personally attacked me and my colleagues on Advance 300.”
Pretty strong language for a political disagreement.
She says her group only puts out “fair, truthful and accurate information.”
I wonder if that information has been revised upward since last Wednesday when District 300’s finance person admitted that only an additional $50 per pupil had been forecast in state aid to education.
Somehow, I doubt it.
When Huntley School Board member Larry Snow pointed out the State Board of Education had recommended $170 per pupil, Crates admitted that amount was not in the District projections.
Having served in the General Assembly for 16 years and watched it since the late 1960’s, my guess is that the state aid increase will be higher than recommended by the State Board of Education?
Why?
Because giving more to schools than was recommended will make the legislators and governor—running for re-election—look good. After all, most say education is their highest priority and how better to substantial that claim than to provide more money than is expected.
Of course, I don’t think this information will be included in the District 300 referendum projections or in its tax hike committee’s “fair, truthful and accurate” information. The reason given will be because it hasn’t passed yet.
But, as a former Executive Office of the President budget examiner, I would point out, none of the projections of either the District 300 or its tax hike committee has occurred yet. That’s the nature of budget forecasting. You have to guess what the future will bring and hope that your guesses are reasonable.
So far, for state aid, the tax hike advocates’ projections are not reasonable for this year’s state aid to education increase.
That certainly allows people to question whether its information is “fair, truthful and accurate,” doesn’t it?
Now there is an “open letter” of attack posted by Nancy Zettler on the Advance300—the newest name of the District 300 tax hike committee--web site. Zettler is listed as the committee chairman on the State Board of Elections web site.
Zettler intimates that Ryan is incapable of acting on his own, instead is acting “on behalf of a small group of individuals from outside of our District who want nothing more than to defeat our referenda.”
But, regardless, his analysis must be a threat because Zettler has written her “open letter” attacking him.
Zettler is a lawyer and says that Ryan called her “a liar.” Not only that, but Ryan “personally attacked me and my colleagues on Advance 300.”
Pretty strong language for a political disagreement.
She says her group only puts out “fair, truthful and accurate information.”
I wonder if that information has been revised upward since last Wednesday when District 300’s finance person admitted that only an additional $50 per pupil had been forecast in state aid to education.
Somehow, I doubt it.
When Huntley School Board member Larry Snow pointed out the State Board of Education had recommended $170 per pupil, Crates admitted that amount was not in the District projections.
Having served in the General Assembly for 16 years and watched it since the late 1960’s, my guess is that the state aid increase will be higher than recommended by the State Board of Education?
Why?
Because giving more to schools than was recommended will make the legislators and governor—running for re-election—look good. After all, most say education is their highest priority and how better to substantial that claim than to provide more money than is expected.
Of course, I don’t think this information will be included in the District 300 referendum projections or in its tax hike committee’s “fair, truthful and accurate” information. The reason given will be because it hasn’t passed yet.
But, as a former Executive Office of the President budget examiner, I would point out, none of the projections of either the District 300 or its tax hike committee has occurred yet. That’s the nature of budget forecasting. You have to guess what the future will bring and hope that your guesses are reasonable.
So far, for state aid, the tax hike advocates’ projections are not reasonable for this year’s state aid to education increase.
That certainly allows people to question whether its information is “fair, truthful and accurate,” doesn’t it?
Labels: Advance 300, District 300, John Ryan, Nancy Zettler
