Fairfield County Council addressed a millage request from the School Board and heard public comments relating to the Schools at their recent meetings.

Council heard public comment at the beginning of their Sept. 28 meeting relating to petitions for School Board election referendums.

The comments were wide ranging but all agreed that unity is needed to address the problems and do what is best for the children.

Council then held a Special Called meeting on Oct. 6 to further address the millage issue as requested by the Fairfield County School Board.

At the meeting on Oct. 12, Council voted unanimously to approve the requested millage for the schools.

The millage change is from 194.4 to 203.1, an increase of 8.7 mills.

Basically, this breaks down to taxpayers in Fairfield County who own a second home or rental property valued at $100,000 will see an increase of around $18 on the taxes for that property.

The issue of the increase prompted Council to send a letter to tax payers across the county explaining their decision.

A part of the letter reads, “After Council reviewed the information provided by the School District, Council’s first reaction was to deny the request; however, the children are not responsible for the different budgets -- it is the School Board’s responsibility.”

The letter ended with the following in all capital, bold letters, “Please join County Council in demanding better accountability of your elected School Board and that the results justify the expenditures.”

The letter resulted in public comments at the most recent meeting of Council by Thomas Armstrong who said, “Our leaders in the elected population should work together for a better Fairfield.”

“I realize today that the leaders we elect are no better than gangs on the street,” Armstrong continued, “we know the school system has

problems but instead of working together, you kick them when they’re down.”

Armstrong concluded by saying that his point was to ask Council where all of the tax income received from the V.C.Summer Station has been spent.

In a break with tradition, several council members responded to Armstrong’s comments at the end of the meeting.

Council member Carolyn Robinson was first to respond and said, “over 62 percent of that money every year goes to the school system, and only one eighth of the population uses that money, those are our students.”

“I have no problem with those students receiving that money,” Robinson continued, “because we need those children to be educated, so that we can have a better place to live.”

Further response came from Council member Dwayne Perry who said, “I have worked with the Fairfield County Sheriff's office and seen the

impact of gangs in our community, I take exception to being compared to a gang member.”

“We are doing this for the children,” said Council member David Ferguson. “the millage increases year after year and I think we all agree that we are increasing this to benefit the children of Fairfield County.”