Neosho Junior High Proposal - UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL.....

 

 

This is an illustrative EXAMPLE ONLY and not meant to serve as a FINAL example of the proposed Junior High.  I include this picture, simply to assist the reader with orientation to the land, involved, and the design to which we are proposing. Actual road design and building location, may change in the coming weeks.

 As many of you are well aware, our Neosho School Board has voted to place a bond issue on the April 8th Election Ballot.  As the Issue draws closer, I will be posting additional statements, to my Blog, in the hopes of answering questions.  HOWEVER, today's blog is about Me and the Great People of the Neosho Community.  This IS about our future.  

This is the great flag of Missouri.  If you look closely, at the seal, in the center, you will see the words; "United We Stand Divided We Fall".  We, the People of Neosho, must pause and seriously think about this, as we consider the Bond Issue, for a New Junior High.

I have heard from people, who preferred the "Taylor Property", as the location for the building.  Some of these people have told me they will oppose this issue, because it is not being located there.  I liked the Taylor Property, as well.  It has many great benefits and features that would be awesome, for any structure, but the reality is I am one vote of seven and it was clear the majority liked the property, near George Washington Carver Elementary.  So, let's have an honest discussion about that property AND our core beliefs....................

I have not yet heard from anyone who disagrees Neosho has an overcrowding problem that MUST be addressed.  We all, for the most part, seem to agree on that!!!!

IF we each intend to only vote for a plan that suits our specific desires and needs, we will NEVER build a school and improve our community.  In every community, people have to compromise and work together to each get some of what they want.

I share concerns about the traffic congestion around the Carver Property, BUT I want to assure you all, we have seriously considered this and here is what I know today; the City of Neosho and The Neosho Transporation Development District have declared a truce.  The TDD project IS moving ahead.  With that said, soon, Hale McGinty Drive, by the Neosho Middle School, will soon be a through Street to an access point with US 60.  Once that happens, there will undoubtedly be improved traffic flow around the Middle School.

In addition to the improved flow around the Middle School, we will be shifting some traffic from that facility to the New Junior High, as Seventh Grade students will no longer be attending the Middle School.  The ONLY new traffic, into the area, will be from the Eighth Grade students.  Looking objectively, at the Carver Property, there is access, from the south on Kodiak Road, the West on Norway Road, and the North on Kodiak Rd., from say the area of Old Seneca Road.  Point is, there are relief points to the traffic in this proposed area.

Can I promise you will not wait a few minutes in traffic??? NO, I can not make that promise.  BUT, can I promise we will alleviate overcrowding and build a Junior High that will suit our needs into the foreseeable future?  YES!!!! I can promise you that.  I can also tell you, our plans include the new Junior High being built with a Tornado Safe Room large enough to house all the students on the campus.

We will never come up with a perfect plan, for everyone.  But, everyone can perfectly plan to improve Neosho.  

The time for bickering is past.  Has our School District made mistakes?  Yes, I believe so.  The District is operated by human beings, who are not perfect.  Do all of the people associated with our District have the communities best interests at heart?  YES!  I do not question their heart and desire to do the very best by your children.

We can complain about the past, the plan, and the cost, BUT it will not change our needs.  The cost will only get greater, the past will always be in the past, the plan will never be 100 percent for everyone.  

Open your mind, step back and dream about what YOU want for Neosho....... now, tell me do we get to your dreams by uniting together or dividing, from one another???????

If we can't agree, can't we at least be civil..............................................