OPINION: On BHS levy issue, Les(s) is more

In more ways than one, Les(s) is more. 

First, I speak of Les Saari and his letter published in the Friday, Sept 18 Inter Lake.

Les is more correct than any of the other comments I have read on the subject of the $14 million expansion/upgrade to the Bigfork High School. In earlier letters from Les Saari and others, it appears this effort is another effort to build a monument to someone’s ego, or enhance their resume for future larger school employment opportunities. 

I have known Les Saari for over 20 years. He is a wonderful and successful father of grown children and one still teenage daughter. Les knows children, he knows teaching, hand e knows the Bigfork school far better than most members of our community. But beyond those wonderful characteristics and traits, Les knows “EDUCATION.” I trust Les Saari to understand what will contribute to the better education of Bigfork High School students. He understands and has hands-on experience with the development of students and with their education. So, I am listening to Les more than I am listening to the other, I believe biased, voices speaking for the “multimillion dollar” mistake.

I believe the Inter Lake published that ballots were going out to over 3,800 registered voters. I am listening to “Les” when he states that a broad spectrum of the community giving input should be greater than 25 or 26 persons. I cannot help from being persuaded that this proposal is more about ego than education.

Secondly, LESS IS MORE, in that less money, a smaller dollar program of school improvement seems to be able to focus on what contributes to the student education. What will help them want to learn? What will motivate them to want to study? What will capture their hearts and minds to be their best, to excel, to prepare to be the most they can be when they graduate from Bigfork High School. I am convinced that LESS IS MORE, less money more student benefit is what the next proposal will offer when wisdom defeats this effort at a major mistake. 

I suggest that you also listen to Les more than the other voices and defeat this ballot issue. —James R. Eddington, Bigfork