Project opponents explain process (06/22/07)

To the editor:

To explain why you have not been contacted to sign the remonstrance against the Jay School Board's auxiliary gymnasium proposal, I will try to explain the process and rules quickly, if possible.

Time and numbers are of the most importance. Because of the new laws, both qualified registered voters and property owners may sign these petitions. Previous petitions required property owners' signatures only. Now registered voters may also sign, and only 100 qualified signers are necessary.

We want to make a quick statement to the Jay County School Board that the people in Jay County were opposing their plans. When more than the required number of signatures were obtained, we began preparing for the second phase of this matter if the school board decides to continue their unpopular plans.

The Jay County clerk's and auditor's offices must verify a minimum of 100 qualified signatures to detain the process temporarily. Then the Jay County School Board must decide if they want to pursue another option.

The other option (and they probably have more than one) is to ask the property owners and qualified registered voters in Jay County if they want or do not want this auxiliary gymnasium.

Qualified registered voters: If you have moved and failed to report your new address, you are not qualified. You must go to the courthouse and properly register your change of address. Or, if you have failed to vote in recent general elections, your name may have been dropped from the registered voter rolls as required by the State of Indiana, making you an unqualified signature.

Property owners: If you are listed as the owner or joint property owner, your signature(s) will count on the current or upcoming remonstrance against the Jay County School Board even if you are not a qualified voter.

Check with the county clerk or auditor's office if you have questions or doubts about your qualifications.

Then another process will begin. It will be the Blue and Yellow (like Fort Wayne and South Adams) petitions to determine the outcome. In the process, the side with the most qualified signatures will win.

This will be a race horse registration. Each side will have 30 days to complete and turn in their list of signatures for qualification.

Notification will be published when the balloting or registration will begin.

To defeat this plan, it will take many people in every city, town, village, and countryside to obtain the needed signatures to deter the Jay County School Board of this senseless and unnecessary expenditure.

If you want to send the school board a message, this will be the time, if they continue.

If you oppose the decision of the Jay County School Board and want to participate in defeating their plans and are willing to carry the many Blue petitions needed against their plan, please contact us at home, in the streets, or leave us a message.

A list of volunteers is being compiled and we need your help. Contact us and we will be contacting you.

Hope this makes a little better understanding of this process.

Jim R. Sanders

and Rex Carpenter

Portland[[In-content Ad]]