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Excellent schools are good for local business. We all know that is true, and we know that Steamboat's schools are among the best in the state. An affirmative vote for referendums 3C and 3D will keep them that way.

As all business owners know, growth, be it from new families moving in or established families remaining, leads to a strong business environment. And, as sales tax figures show, historically the Steamboat economy has been strong and vibrant over the long run. Whether a resident is new to the community or if they have family roots that go back generations, the superior quality of our schools more often than not is one of the primary factors in deciding to make a home in Steamboat Springs. In fact, one of the first questions that new residents ask is, "How are the schools?" Therefore, in order to continue along the prosperous path that Steamboat has enjoyed, replacement of aging facilities and retention of quality teachers is of utmost importance.

A "yes" vote for 3C will give the Steamboat Springs School District the financial resources necessary to develop strategies to retain and attract quality personnel. A "yes" vote for 3D will replace an aging and inadequate school - Soda Creek Elementary - with a new and up-to-date facility as well as improve, expand and modernize the over-extended building that is Strawberry Park Elementary School. As all business owners know, retention of quality staff as well as facilities that are modern, effective and efficient are cornerstone to a successful enterprise. Through the passage of 3C and 3D, we as a community can step forward and give our school district the tools and resources necessary for continued excellence long into the future.

We as business owners know that through ownership of our commercial property or our leases, a disproportionate share of property tax assessments are shouldered by us. That is not the fault of our school district. The unfortunate disparity that exists in property tax burdens within our state needs to be taken up with our state senator and representative, not the school district. The annual incremental tax burden that will be imposed by 3C and 3D has been kept to an absolute minimum. In fact, the mil levy override that 3C imposes will simply replace an expiring mill levy with no incremental cash flow effect on taxpayers. While 3D increases annual property taxes slightly, I propose that the benefits to our economy that are derived from up-to-date, quality elementary school facilities will more than outweigh the incremental cash flow burden long after the debt is retired.

Outstanding schools contribute to our outstanding business climate. Let's keep Steamboat Springs schools outstanding. Please vote "yes" for quality Steamboat Springs schools. Vote "yes" for 3C and 3D.

Tom Ptach

Steamboat Springs