Fact: Nine years ago, Union 29 consolidated into RSU 16 (Mechanic Falls, Minot and Poland).

Fact: The Union 29 budget was $22-plus million.

Fact: The first year RSU 16 budget was $17-plus million.

Fact: This year’s budget is $21.7 million.

Fact: After nine years of RSU 16, the school budget is still less than the old Union 29 budget.

Residents now need to spend money on an addition to Whittier Middle School and Poland Regional High School — notably, $7.1-plus million.

I will vote “yes” on Nov. 7 for that project.

Carl Beckett, Mechanic Falls