I am 80 years old, and I want to direct this letter to my peers.

It is true that most of us worked actively for 50 years. It is also true that when you were young, someone paid for your public education.

I lived in Auburn for 52 years and during all those years, voters have supported good public education. Many local families have supported good public education. Two families who come to mind are the Scarff and Peckenpaugh families.

Our public schools have produced many good and effective citizens. We even helped educate the governor of the state of Washington, Chris Gregoire.

So now, older citizens can help some more. I understand that times are tough. But these economic conditions are a cakewalk compared to 1929-35, the Great Depression. Older citizens do not have the energy and health to help in the many ways we used to. But for 45 cents a day, we can have the school roofs repaired and the heating systems fixed.

So I urge my peers to vote for the Auburn schools levy on Nov. 3 and enjoy the sight of young students going to well maintained and repaired schools.

– Dr. Harold B. Valentine