But the bond amendment is "high drama for us," Suarez said. MECC will receive $564,000 to build a needed maintenance building on campus. "I know, there is nothing so glamorous as stormwater control," he said, laughing. "But today we have several small shacks on the campus for maintenance. To be able to build one large maintenance building will free up other space to use for instruction."
UVa-Wise would receive $9.5 million, most of which would be used to expand the college's performing arts facility. "This money would help create a state of the art performing arts facility, with enhanced space for the music program and areas for students to practice instruments," Kaplan said. Today, the program is housed in two trailers, offering little space for students to practice their instruments, he noted.
Southwest Virginia Community College in Richlands would receive $6.3 million to build a $5.8 million library and learning resource center and a $545,000 maintenance services building.
Suarez and Kaplan said they fear that voters in Northern Virginia and Tidewater, who will decide whether to implement local transportation taxes for their regions, may vote a blanket no to anything regarding bonds or taxes. People opposed to the local transportation taxes in those areas may say no to any money question, Kaplan said.
"People have a limited understanding of the issue," Kaplan said. "In fact, this will strengthen the economy of Virginia for the long term. It will create 14,000 jobs. It takes 15 minutes to vote, but the long-term results are immeasurable."
The bond issue is not a tax increase and does not raise tuition for students, he stressed.
Passage of the amendment will build a stronger education system, here or anywhere else in Virginia, he said. "People forget that college students are the backbone of the economy 10 years later," Kaplan said.
How much time has Kaplan spent talking to people about this issue?
"Easily a thousand times more than it will take one individual to vote," he said.
Suarez said he has taken "every opportunity, whether it is the purpose of the meeting or not, to comment on it when I speak to the public."
Kaplan said he has talked to hundreds of people who say they are in support of the higher education bond issue. "If someone wants to help, I tell them to get 10 others to join them in voting yes," he said.
Suarez and Kaplan said higher education affects the local economy - by employing and educating people who need housing, food, water, electricity, clothing, entertainment. And the majority of graduates of UVa-Wise and MECC are from this area and stay in this area, adding to the potential job pools for new industry and helping boost the economy over the long-run.
"Communities use colleges, not just students," Kaplan said. "The community participates in athletic events, cultural offerings, library offerings, uses meeting space and our computer labs."
And the bond issue will help fund research at colleges and universities, Suarez noted.
"This will fund research at life-saving facilities," he said. "This is the way we find a cure for cancers, that we train people to give enhanced medical care. We want to support health care and that supports economic development."
Suarez and Kaplan said the public has reacted very favorably to the bond amendment. Both men said they have talked to one person who was in opposition to a separate bond amendment question for recreation. That amendment will give $119 million for state parks and recreation facilities. About $400,000 would come to the Breaks Interstate Park for renovation of the Rhododendron Restaurant and other improvements.
The Virginia Campground Association, made up of privately-owned campground operators, is opposed to the parks and recreation amendment, fearing they will lose business to public campgrounds.
