Letter to the Editor

Just tell me where the money went

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

To the editor:

I am not a big tax person. I am very conservative politically, just a little to the right of Rush Limbaugh. And I realize that sales taxes can drive local sales elsewhere. I don't like the thought of encouraging shoppers to go somewhere else to shop (like Jonesboro). But what I do like are good clean safe streets, nice parks, youth sports complexes and all the things that make a community a good place to live.

I am not alone. These things are great for the local economy. People like to live where these things are available. Think how much better our local economy would be if a few more of the people that work at the mills lived here. I want more of these things for my local community, and I certainly don't want to give ground and have any of the quality of life things that we do have threatened. Sales taxes are one of the ways these things are supported. They also are a great way to get folks who live outside of town to help pay for these good things. And on a local level, I get to see my taxes at work, unlike much of the state and federal taxes I pay.

I think we now have a mayor that could be a great leader for Blytheville. James Sanders has given every indication that he has Blytheville's best interests at heart. Mr. Sanders came into a very difficult situation and has performed beyond admirably and gentlemanly. I don't follow local politics as much as I should, but Mr. Sanders could change that. I want to get behind him and help him move Blytheville forward. He doesn't deserve to be held down by the payroll taxes owed to the IRS. I even want to get out and press a little shoe leather to get the 1-cent sales tax passed so that Mr. Sanders can focus getting the things done that will make Blytheville a better place to live. Mr. Sanders deserves our support.

That said, I cannot bring myself to support the tax if I don't know what happened and know that procedures are in place so that it won't happen again. I am pretty sure Mayor Sanders has taken care of the second one. I have confidence in him. So that leaves just the first thing. And I will literally accept any explanation. Be it incompetence, stupid mistake, even fraud or theft. Just tell me what happened and that it won't happen again and I am good to go. I pray that on March 13 I can vote yes and convince a few others to do likewise.

Randy Jefferis
Blytheville