To the editor:

This is regarding the rebuttal by Mehlville School District Superintendent Eric D. Knost concerning the solar project initially published in the May 24 edition of the Call.

It is not surprising why Mr. Knost is exceedingly troubled by my questioning the merits of his solar project. He clearly has not been challenged very often in his career as demonstrated in the June 21 issue of the Call.

Mr. Knost once again offers not one, but two new numbers.

First, he writes: “… Mr. Ringering attempts to define a savings of $26,000 per building — five total — as insignificant.”

One might ask how $26,000 equates somehow to the initial total of $150,000 over a 20-year period. I would again demonstrate, but it would be redundant to those proficient in elementary math.

Interestingly enough, the second number is $130,000 over 20 years, downgraded apparently from the original total of $150,000 according to the June 21 article. I am interested to see how often the numbers change as time progresses.

Mr. Knost says a cynic is “one who thinks they know the way but can’t drive the car.” He is correct to call me a cynic — that is, one who believes that human conduct is motivated wholly by self-interest — who isn’t cynical about changing numbers to fit a plan? An attempt to protect one’s self-interest, perhaps?

Mr. Knost, maybe I’m not the best person to drive the car, but I’m thankful not to be a passenger of yours.

Good luck, Mehlville schools.

Allan M. Ringering

Crestwood