Editor's note: To those of you new to Pencilstorm, we mostly shy away from political commentary as the world already has too much of it and takes precious time away from our debate about who belongs in the rock n roll hall of fame. However, as a citizen with a family and small business in Upper Arlington, I do go on the record before every election day. You can agree or disagree or whatever, but this is where I stand. - Colin Gawel

I'm not going to get into numbers. To me, that is irrelevant. I've read all the stuff and yes, building and fixing the Upper Arlington Schools is going to cost money. A lot of money. It's going to cost you and it's going to cost me. There is no way around that fact because accomplishing great things takes sacrifice. Nothing worth doing comes easy. 

Sacrifice is the key word. Somebody built the original schools before us. And the roads. And the sewage and the power grid. And the parks, pools, tennis courts, and the libraries. And half the sidewalks. That took sacrifice. 

Recently, I was up late and caught the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan on some random channel. Charging out of the boats into machine gun fire on D-Day was sacrifice. First responders charging up into the World Trade centers on 9/11 was sacrifice. We are quick to praise Americans who sacrifice for the greater good but when the time comes for us to do our part do we answer the call? Or do we just sing the National Anthem and wave mini flags at the 4th of July Parade?  

Or more specifically, do I answer the call? 

Yes, the extra money is a bite. But I welcome and accept the opportunity to give something back to a community that has been so good to me and my family. I am ready to roll up my sleeves and chip in a little extra for a project that would benefit the kids of Upper Arlington for the rest of my lifetime. I've never been asked to storm a beach or charge into a burning building so this is my chance to stretch out of my comfort zone and contribute to a greater good. 

Imagine one day standing in front of that glorious, new Upper Arlington High School and looking around at your neighbors and saying "It was hard, but we did this together." Seriously, imagine how amazing that would be. The legacy that would live in the community. 

We have a chance to make history on November 7th. Real history with real buildings and real kids. I say we take it. It's a little scary no doubt, but I'll help you if you help me. We can do this together. It just takes a little mental toughness. A little grit. A little teamwork.  It takes sacrifice. Please join me in voting "yes" on Issue 43 and I'll see you standing in front of that new high school one day. - Colin G. 

Colin Gawel plays in the band Watershed and is the owner of Colin's Coffee. He is the founder of Pencilstorm and his favorite two records are Dream Police and Darkness on the Edge of Town. You can read about his life in the book Hitless Wonder.