You can and should vote "NO" on Davidson GO Bonds...here's why

While the all important municipal elections this cycle are sucking up all the oxygen, let's not forget that Davidson voters will also be deciding on the town's first ever General Obligation (GO) Bonds when they go to the polls.

These bonds total $15 million in new spending divided into three separate ballot questions.  Important to note, these Davidson Bonds are separate from the CMS Bonds that are also on the ballot.


The Davidson bonds are divided into the below categories.

These bonds, if passed, would likely be issued on the proposed schedule below.

So, should you the voter vote yes or no on this spending?

Here at aShortChronicle the answer to that question is a resounding "NO"!!!

The reason for that answer is simple, take a look at the dates in the second picture.  The first of these bonds aren't planned to be issued until 2019.  A big part of the reason for that is answered by how Davidson is planning to pay for these bonds as well as the new Town Hall.  Davidson is planning to use the money from the 2019 property revaluation to raise everyone's tax bill by 25% to pay for all of these projects.

There is no reason to approve these bonds in 2017 if they aren't even scheduled to be spent until 2019 and beyond.

All of these decisions are linked together and voters need to treat them as such.  This election is primarily about restoring trust in Davidson Town Hall.  Under this Board and Town Administration trust has been falling fast due to this group's flawed decision making. However, until the election day results are known, one has to assume some or maybe all incumbents will be re-elected.  People can and should work hard to ensure at least a new majority is put on the Board.  If that doesn't happen though, do you want to give this current group $15 million of your money to play with?

Why on earth would anyone vote to give this Davidson Town Hall more money to spend when they have proven they can not be trusted with the responsibility they already have?

The good news is this.  Voting "no" in 2017 does not mean any worthy projects on this list won't get built and in most cases they might not even be delayed. If a new Board is elected on November 7th that you trust, the new Board can put Bonds back on the Ballot in 2018.  At worst, some of the 2019 projects might be delayed a bit.  That would also provide the opportunity for the citizens to have some real input into what projects are funded.

So, to be very, very clear, this recommendation is not about opposing spending on parks or greenways or other things voters may want.  This is about first ensuring Davidson elects people who can be trusted to spend the money wisely on those things based on the people decide.

So, get ready to head to the polls and vote for a new set of elected officials but vote against the Davidson Bonds.