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A letter to
the editor...
Proposed
Sales Tax Hike
February 14, 2012
Mr.
Robinson,
After
reading your blog piece on the County’s proposed sales tax hike, I
would offer
a few comments:
There has
been much revisionist history about the jail, like the statement “It
was built
to last 25 years, and it has cast iron pipes.” I’m sure the local
officials who
approved the design would disagree, and I guess some people today think
the
pipes should be plastic.
When the
jail was designed and built in 1982 it was “state of the art” and the
only type
of facility that the state and local officials could or would approve.
(check
the names on the bronze placque in the entrance) There have been many
changes
in jail design over the past thirty years, as expected, and no, the
jail does
not match modern design. As to the doors, they were built and installed
by an
area firm and, as in all jails, were a proprietary design and
fabricated at
their facility. I believe the company went bankrupt a few years later
and that
is why parts are not available--they must be fabricated.
If the jail
is proposed to be “fixed”, then what is the scope and estimated cost?
Complaints have been made about the facility for many years, but no
specifics
have been offered as to needed repairs or changes.
Most
recently, a Commissioner has proposed nearly $4 million of new taxes
but only
$1/2 million of stated, defined need. Anyone who has money in the bank
in CD’s,
etc. will scoff at the “interest-bearing account” statement, since $1
million
in passbook today earns about $1000 per year, and a $million in CD’s a
whopping
$4000-$5000.
Lest anyone
become confused over the “capital improvements” statement, there is not
one
cent of this tax that is proposed for roads and bridges. Besides 9-1-1
equipment, (which is within the Sheriff’s Department), and the jail,
the only
other specifics are the purchase of new Sheriff’s cruisers and a
vehicle for
the EMA.
The
Sheriff’s Department is the County’s most respected and supported
governmental
unit, and as such may be granted the additional money by the voters.
Even so, in
the current economic conditions for most taxpayers, it would seem
obligatory
for any government official to clearly specify what this nearly $4
million will
be used to enhance or correct, not to languish in a slush fund awaiting
a new
political epiphany. Additionally, a specific time limit should be fixed
and,
most importantly, honored upon its arrival.
Expectedly,
some of the proposed purchases made from the new taxation will relax an
equal amount
of burden from the County General Fund and the disposition of these
amounts
should be known as well.
For what’s
it’s worth, I think these things are important and should be addressed
before
approving this issue.
John Q.
Taxpayer
Editor’s
Note: The legitimacy/identity of the author of this letter has been
verified per CNO policy. Questions, concerns or responses may be sent
to County News
Online
at editor@countynewsonline.org, and will be forwarded to the author.
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