Key issues will be decided next Tuesday
For weeks there has been tremendous discussion over several issues that voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, March 15, and decide. The first is the countywide Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) issue. The second is a decision on whether or not to close Fourth District Elementary School.
With regard to SPLOST, it is the opinion of this newspaper that this is the most important SPLOST the voters have voted on in the history of the one-cent tax in our county. The economic conditions at this particular time have proved that the county and city are receiving less funding for necessities/infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, from the state. A whopping $11 million (or nearly two-thirds) of the 2012 SPLOST would be set aside for roads and bridges, which will certainly be needed in the coming years as more roads and bridges will require attention.
In addition, The News-Banner believes that sales tax is the fairest form of taxation. As stated several weeks ago, when a person purchases a product in Appling County, they help to fund improvements in our city and county. At some point, all pay sales tax! Let us also point out again that this would not be an increase of the sales tax rate, it would simply continue the current level of sales tax, which is seven percent.
As for Fourth District, let us simply say that we understand both sides of this issue. Fourth District is a great school, with exceptional students and staff, and has a deep history in our community. We also understand the economic difficulties that the Appling County Board of Education is facing.
Regardless of your personal convictions on these issues, we encourage you to remember to do one simple task. Go to the polls on March 15 and VOTE!
-Jamie Gardner
In addition, The News-Banner believes that sales tax is the fairest form of taxation. As stated several weeks ago, when a person purchases a product in Appling County, they help to fund improvements in our city and county. At some point, all pay sales tax! Let us also point out again that this would not be an increase of the sales tax rate, it would simply continue the current level of sales tax, which is seven percent.
As for Fourth District, let us simply say that we understand both sides of this issue. Fourth District is a great school, with exceptional students and staff, and has a deep history in our community. We also understand the economic difficulties that the Appling County Board of Education is facing.
Regardless of your personal convictions on these issues, we encourage you to remember to do one simple task. Go to the polls on March 15 and VOTE!
-Jamie Gardner
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