Public forum scheduled on CFCC bond request

I have read all of the posts on this topic, and collectively each of you have a valid point. Especially about neighboring counties helping foot the bill... However, your comment about the reason you moved here for lower taxes just pi**es me off. First of all, a community college system is for LOCAL people...sorry you chose to "retire" here, but I have lived here all of my life and feel that this could benefit alot of local people and give them an opportunity for prosperity. I just registered my daughter for fall classes and was pleasantly shocked at the low tuition rate. A community college system is designed to educate local people that can not afford the tuition of a 4 year institute. And yes, I feel that we the tax payers should pay for this. I have an idea, why doesn't GE pay for expanding programs...after all, they aren't paying any taxes to the local economy, and they have a curriculm designed especially for them...

I agree. You have to look at the big picture. It's an investment that will ultimately pay off for everybody. CFCC is the best deal going for local taxpayers. If you are going to invest in something, invest in something you can use. Community colleges are the key to a vibrant economy. Read this from USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2008-07-22-comcol-main_N.htm As for the crowding...I was at registration this week and it was packed. They need more classes and they need more space to do it.

Cape Fear Community College turned away over 900 students last year alone because they did not have enough classroom space to meet the growing demand, especially in skill trades, and other vital services like nursing and health care professionals. For many students, crowding has delayed graduation and job placement. The proposed bond will provide funding to CFCC to build additional classrooms and labs to eliminate overcrowding on both campuses, and to provide space for important programs and essential student services such as financial aid, job placement, disability services and counseling. Cape Fear Community College’s enrollment is expected to increase well over 30% in the next five years. A recent study showed that CFCC has 40% less space per full-time student than does the average North Carolina community college. CFCC strong job training programs returned more state and local taxes annually than required to operate the institution, keeping our local economy strong by enabling businesses to locate and expand right here in our area.

N-O

Is the $164 MILLION a typo? Are they asking for $16.4 MILLION? If the reported number is corrct then this is dead in the water.

Hmmm....some brilliant investigative reporter needs to take a hard look at the facilities plan. Let's see if in fact this desired money would be more of a gift to the local construction industry versus actually benefiting the students and classroom teachers. Seems to me what the college needs is not more "bricks and mortar" but higher teacher pay, more online/distance learning, and increased use of existing empty classrooms between 2 and 5pm. Further: I'll bet there's some un-used commercial real estate around town which could be rented and converted to classroom space - much more cheaply than new construction. Taxpayers need to really analyze this......

...and this one is a WHOPPER! Here's another opportunity to destroy one of the reasons you moved here - low taxes! Vote no - keep your taxes low.