Dear Residents of the Galion City School District:

 
 Throughout each of our lives, certain pivotal moments occur which help to mold us as individuals and build our character. These events which defined our history also define our future and who we are to become. Events which define us as a nation could include the United States landing a man on the moon, our efforts to defeat Nazi Germany, confronting communism with subsequent fall of the Soviet Union, and confronting terrorists after the attacks of 9/1l/2001. On a more local level, who will ever forget Galion’s business and financial success of the 1970’s and the State Championship Football team of 1985. Each of these national and local events stirred our energy, our emotions, our love of man, our spirit, and our deep passion for success which few words can ever describe. These historical times and events are memories now, but the future is ours to define. A future filled with success, pride, and progress will only come with the effort of citizenry and teamwork, and no one should be left behind.

 
    The residents of Galion and its school district now stand at one of those defining moments. Galion is not at “a fork in the road” or even a “dead end” road, but rather now stands at a “T - shaped intersection”. A “fork in the road” implies that initially there is no clear, distinct, or better choice, but the outcome will only become obvious once we travel down either of our choices. A “dead end” implies just that – that there are no choices for the future, but only to remember the past and the frustrations with which we will continue to live. By definition, a “T - shaped intersection” provides two distinct options for the future of our travel: left or right, failure or success, “more of the same” or change!  Galion has now approached this “T – shaped intersection”! Making the “right” turn is obviously voting “YES” for the 0.5 mill maintenance levy!

 
    Primarily, this levy is about “Pennies for Progress”, but secondarily, and probably more importantly, this levy is about each of us defining our character and moral responsibility to someone other than ourselves. This campaign to unite our locally funded money of $20 million with $38 million non-tax money from the Ohio Schools Facility Commission is serious business, and the campaign has been just that. We have focused on unity, integrity, honesty, and most importantly – community. We have reached repeatedly and respectfully to every quadrant of this city. If you continue to have doubts or questions about support of this levy, can you honestly say to yourself that you have constructively engaged in dialogue with those who support it?

 
    Proverbs 29; 18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” What is my vision for Galion City Schools? To provide a healthy, modern, safe, secure, and 21^st century education not only for my children, but for yours and those not yet born! Please join me and vote “Yes” for the 0.5 mill maintenance levy!

 
 Tyler K. Huggins, M.D.

I had the fortune of working the 6.84 mil campaign in 2003 and was privileged to work with talented educators, brilliant students, and proactive-minded community members. I was aware then, as I am now, of tight economic situations, and for some the thought of paying approximately $1 per month to pay for the maintenance for new schools is difficult. I am also aware that many people are uniformed about the facts surrounding the .5 mil and have responded to false rumors and disinformation circulating throughout the city.

As a co-chair along with Dr. Ty Huggins and a visionary group of individuals on the levy committee, we want to INFORM all of you of the facts and benefits of the .5 mil maintenance levy. We will be presenting as many facts as we have about this levy in the next two months. Please take time to ask questions and/or dispel any disinformation you have heard. In addition to the speaking circuit we will have in the community, most of the facts about this levy can be found at www.supportgalionschools.com. This site also contains information on the Homestead Exemption Application Form for senior citizens, disabled persons, and surviving spouses. If you do not have access to the internet, please call Dr. Huggins at 419-468-1580 or me at 419-468-1055.

I believe it is our civic duty to support our schools like we do our firemen, policemen, hospital and other city services. My children more than likely won’t benefit from the new schools, but I comforted by the knowledge that your children will. Generations before me supported levies and schools so my/our children today could have the best education in the world. Likewise, those same people who paid to support today’s children were once supported by a generation before them. The cycle continues; it is now our civic duty to support our schools and no better time than now – a time when the state is prepared to release $38 million once we pass the .5 mil levy on May 3.

I ask for your support and I ask for all of you to become informed. I also ask for those who are opposed to this to, at a minimum, to become part of the SOLUTION and not the problem by actively AND positively giving your recommendations to our committee and the school board. The opportunities for better education and a brighter future begin with these new schools. Please call with any questions or concerns.

Respectfully,

Philip Brown

620 Alayne Avenue