Monday marks the climax of a two-year process of formulating, designing and creating plans to renovate Clay Community School Corporation buildings.

The 1028 Preliminary Determination Hearing has felt like a figment of my imagination, an impossible dream. There has been so much work and debate put into this project.

The time has come for the community to make a decision, and it is a big decision.

But nothing can happen until the school board knows how the taxpayers feel.

There have been a vocal group of citizens who have attended every meeting, spoken at every opportunity and jumped at many chances to have letters in The Times.

Their voices shaped the scope of the project into the proposal that is on the table today.

If you want the renovation, speak up on Monday.

If you don't want the project, speak up on Monday.

If you want more from the project, speak up on Monday.

The board is giving the community every opportunity to speak its mind. Now is the time to use your voice.

It doesn't matter if you are not eloquent, or if you don't have anything written out. What matters is that you speak.

Time after time I've heard, "If you didn't vote, you can't complain about the President." I believe that applies now: If you don't speak up now, you can only blame yourself for the outcome.

If you don't feel comfortable speaking, find someone of similar thought to speak as a representative. It doesn't matter.

The board has listened to those who have presented their ideas about the project so far -- be heard!