Pledge collections wrapping up in '08

Enterprise Editor

clydenews@bizwoh.rr.com

That $1 million pledged nearly five years ago by local civic groups and resident toward the Clyde High School Auditorium is almost paid off.

Clyde-Green Springs School treasurer Alan Binger said there are about 18 groups or individuals who have one more payment on their annual pledge.

"We've got the (school) employees, all their pay roll deductions end June 30," he said about staff pledges on the project.

"We're getting close," he said, noting only about $10,000 of the $1 million pledge remains to be paid off by donors.

"I can't wait," he added.

"There are 16 other people have at least have one payment," he said. "There are a couple that have two."

"Generally speaking, most everyone will be on there fifth payment," Binger pointed out. While those with pledges can make the payments anytime, the school treasurer said has mailed reminders out in September.

"For the most part, it will be wrapped up this calendar year. Most of them will be done by the fiscal year," he said noting the school fiscal year ends June 30.

When the drive began to raise one-third the cost through donations of the new $3 million Clyde High School Auditorium hundreds of people participated as individuals or in groups.

"There were 161 initial pledges not counting employee pledges," Binger pointed out. "A few of them paid in one payment. The rest of them all were five years."

Officially, the five years is up June 30, Binger noted, but said those needing billed started payments in September through December.

"It's been amazing how well the people had paid them. We had one or two who died before the pledges were completed," he said, noted there was one default.

Along with the $1 million pledge made by community members five years ago, the community also voted in May 2003 to pay a 0.8 mills property tax to cover the remaining $2 million expense for the building over 29 years.