SCHOOL BOND: Opponent says bond lacks focus

Karl Neathammer, who adamantly opposed the failed 1998 school bond and made news when he switched to support the 2000 bond, is speaking out against the 2010 bond issue.

Neathammer, who served on the bond committees in 2000, 2002 and 2008, said this year's committee has done too little too late.

"There has been no education on this bond whatsoever," he said. "A couple of town hall meetings 33 days before the election? That doesn't play well with me."

However, Mark Rotter, chairman of the citizens advisory committee for the 2010 bond, calls the criticism "hard to swallow."

Although the bond committee wasn't formed until August, he points out that the master plan committee began working in November 2009.

"There's been tremendous input into the bond," he said. "We've been open from day one."

Neathammer called his time on previous committees, "hard, dedicated work." In comparison, he said this year's committee speaks in "glittering generalities."

Rotter said he was surprised to hear of the opposition because he and other committee members have been met with support during their presentations to a variety of clubs and groups, including the Carson City Board of Supervisors last week.

"As we've educated people, we've received questions, most of which have been relatively minor," he said. "Most people understand and see it as a benefit. So far, the public response has been very, very positive."By Teri Vance

tvance@nevadaappeal.com

Karl Neathammer, who adamantly opposed the failed 1998 school bond and made news when he switched to support the 2000 bond, is speaking out against the 2010 bond issue.

Neathammer, who served on the bond committees in 2000, 2002 and 2008, said this year's committee has done too little too late.

"There has been no education on this bond whatsoever," he said. "A couple of town hall meetings 33 days before the election? That doesn't play well with me."

However, Mark Rotter, chairman of the citizens advisory committee for the 2010 bond, calls the criticism "hard to swallow."

Although the bond committee wasn't formed until August, he points out that the master plan committee began working in November 2009.

"There's been tremendous input into the bond," he said. "We've been open from day one."

Neathammer called his time on previous committees, "hard, dedicated work." In comparison, he said this year's committee speaks in "glittering generalities."

Rotter said he was surprised to hear of the opposition because he and other committee members have been met with support during their presentations to a variety of clubs and groups, including the Carson City Board of Supervisors last week.

"As we've educated people, we've received questions, most of which have been relatively minor," he said. "Most people understand and see it as a benefit. So far, the public response has been very, very positive."