Trend makes her vote yes on mill levy override

Editor,
    I am a business owner in Brighton, and I want to tell you why I am voting yes on the mill levy override. I have numerous professional contacts in Brighton as well as our neighboring communities. During our discussions, I have begun to notice a concerning trend.
    Brighton schools constantly battle with a lack of resources. As a community, we have done very little to improve that situation. Not passing a mill levy in the last 10 years has contributed to a steady decline in the quality of our children’s education.
    I am not talking about the teachers or their efforts. Whether it is textbooks, choir risers or science equipment, much of our “stuff” is outdated, ancient or broken beyond repair. As a result, many parents, especially those from affluent neighborhoods, have placed their children in neighboring school districts or private schools. This should concern everyone.
    When those parents take their children out of our schools, then they also take their children out of football, gymnastics and piano lessons. Next, those parents stop coming to our grocery stores. It’s easier to just stop on the way home from school or karate than to make a special trip to Brighton. They stop coming to Brighton to eat out or pick up a pizza. Those families don’t shop in our stores because they don’t know what is available in Brighton . They no longer have a reason to come to Brighton. Before long, those families are more comfortable in Thornton, Broomfield, or Westminster.
    Here is the fact of the matter: As a community, we need new shoppers, new diners, new PTA members, new volunteer coaches/assistants and new business owners. We need the community members of Brighton to support Brighton, and we need to invest in our education. A critical first step begins with our schools. In order to thrive, Brighton must change the resources available to our schools.
    The mill levy override 3D is on the mail-in ballot. We must pass the override. Our children and our schools have done without for long enough. We can’t keep asking our schools to make something out of nothing. They have paid the price long enough for our lack of support. Now our community is starting to pay the price. Brighton business is at risk of a slow death if we are unable to attract and keep our students.
    Please vote yes on 3D.
Support Brighton.

Gina Von Ah
Owner of La Estrellita Mexican Restaurant, Brighton