PUBLIC VIEWPOINT: Beware Sales Tax Proposal

Posted: November 25, 2009 at 3:46 a.m.

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Rahm Emanuel says, “Never let a crisis go to waste.” Bella Vista’s mayor and aldermen have picked up the mantra, using fear to scare residents into voting for a 1 percent sales tax before something awful happens.

Alderman Doug Farner says the new tax is on anything “sold or delivered” in Bella Vista, including all utilities. It includes your phone service, propane, electric, water, cable and grocery bills, plus any services you buy, whether local or not. The state Legislature wants to reduce grocery sales taxes as “onerous.” The city of Bella Vista wants to increase them.

Mr. Farner calls it a “penny tax.” Add up your utilities and grocery bill for the month.

Match 1 percent of that to your cost-of-living raise.

Many have had cuts in hours, no raises or lost jobs. Spending is down for fear they won’t have a job. The city should be cutting, too. No raises. Look at layoffs.

Delay purchases.

Show me the budget. I can find enough fat to get the police and fire personnel we really need without raising taxes. The mayor and aldermen won’t do hard things because of political consequences. Do what’s right, not what’s easy.

Bella Vista, BEWARE, voting for the sales tax opens Pandora’s Box. Government never reduces taxes, it only raises them. It’s easy to spend someone else’s money. Buys you a lot of votes, too! Remember that Dec. 8 when you vote on the sales tax.

ROBERT D. WERNER

Bella VistaTHANKS FOR HONOR FLIGHT Our dad, along with 89 other dedicated veterans, recently had the esteemed privilege of being part of the first Honor Flight from the great state of Arkansas. This trip provided an opportunity to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., which was built in their honor. To Mr. Bill McKenzie and Tyson Foods for all their support and hard work, to Wal-Mart and to the countless others who volunteered their time, effort and money to make this dream come true: Thank you beyond words.

LINDA WILLIAMS MOONEY

Tulsa, Okla.

NANCY WILLIAMS

Bella Vista

Opinion, Pages 5 on 11/25/2009

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