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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Well then, why would Bradbury have told the
District to re-run the levy prior to his issuing his judgement? If the
funds for this year are gone, and that part of the issue is null, why make
the District do anything relative to this year's budget? Seems
strange, doesn't it?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>And of course Gerry will keep this going.
He's having too much fun to quit. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Sue </FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=ringoshirl@moscow.com href="mailto:ringoshirl@moscow.com">Shirley
Ringo</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=vision2020@moscow.com
href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, November 20, 2007 10:14
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [Vision2020] Judge rules March
schoo levy null and void</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Visionaries:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p>What a
morning!<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>My phone has been
ringing with questions dealing with the Moscow School District Levy.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">First, the Tribune headline by
itself has been horrifying, because many people think it deals with the
November levy vote.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For anyone in
doubt, the <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">judge has ruled the March
levy vote null and void.<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p> </o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">This is not surprising, since
the judge ordered that we revote in November with clarified language.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, it does create a serious
dilemma.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The March vote was
certified.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Treasurer</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> was forced to send property
tax bills based upon that fact.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Now, she has the information that the judge officially declared the
March vote null and void.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>She is
creating a special line showing revenues from property taxes that specifically
and separately accounts for the funds provided as a result of certification of
the March levy.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>At this time,
Treasurer Ferguson will await direction concerning the how and whether to
disperse those funds.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The possibilities include the
following:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><st1:place w:st="on">School
District</st1:place> Attorneys and Weitz attorneys could meet with the judge
and seek resolution.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I am told
that in a civil suit, the judge could possibly give no further directives
unless the plaintiff asks that he do so.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Given the track record of Gerry Weitz, I am sure he still intends to
hold the district hostage on the issue of vocational education.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He also wants the District to pay his
attorney fees.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It seems unlikely
that there will be a meeting of the minds that will help the District.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I am told that the judge could
unilaterally give further direction concerning these funds, but that is
unlikely.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Treasurer Ferguson, who is in a
very awkward situation, could ask the judge for direction.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Undoubtedly, she would prefer that
this not be necessary.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Apparently the District lawyer
is challenging Judge Bradbury’s jurisdiction in the matter.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This issue may conceivably be
pursued.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">As is stands, because of deadlines that
must be met, the funds from the November levy election cannot be collected
until the next school year. (2008-2009)<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Unless there is some intervening
action, the District will have to live with adverse actions taken to save
money this school year.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN></B> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">This is
my best understanding of the current situation. Let me know if you have
questions.</SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN></B> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">Shirley
Ringo</SPAN></B></P></DIV>
<P>
<HR>
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