Supporting the tax with caution

Supporting the tax with caution

Both my wife and I are re- tired and feeling the money pinch on our pensions. We also agree that the renewal of the half-percent sales tax is the fairest and easiest way to go for Mahoning County citizens.

However, we both share the nightmarish vision where a half dozen or so beady-eyed vultures, all cloaked in black robes, are perched and drooling, just outside the courthouse on a dead tree limb called the “judicial branch.”

We also feel that many voting elders share our fears, that these vultures will come swooping down from their perches just as soon as the news spreads that the sales tax has passed.

Many of these so-called elected judicial servants, indicate anything but servitude by their willingness to use Ohio courts and laws in demanding whatever amount of money they feel is proper homage for the dignity their judicial surroundings.

Since when has a person appearing in front of a judge wearing working cloths been offensive? Especially since the man or woman judges, wearing the collar tight robes up on the bench, may possibly be wearing undignified clothing or even underwear, for all the public knows.

Mahoning County voters are well aware from past experiences that some Mahoning County judges have had no problem with stuffing thousands of dollars into pockets under those black robes. Perhaps the Vindicator columnists or the judges themselves can ring in to the newspaper or television stations before the upcoming elections to vow not to raid the half-percent sales tax.

David and Jane Metzler, North Jackson

Running the numbers of BOGO

I laugh when I see the Austin- town school levy signs that advertise, “buy one, get one free.” Unfortunately, that’s not true. The state will pay 23 of 50 million cost, that’s 46 percent — not exactly a buy one, get one.

But let’s delve further. We already built a middle school that we were promised the state would help pay for its construction. Now after it’s built, we’re not eligible for funds for that building. So we paid 100 percent for one school, and will pay 54 percent for two other schools. So that means we would pay 69.33 percent of the school’s actual costs.

Some may still consider that a good deal, and it probably is, if you think we need new buildings. That’s for the Austintown voters to decide.

David Markovitch, Canfield

Good schools are good investment

I am a 54-year-old, lifetime res- ident of Austintown. I do not have children in the school system, never have. Am I voting for the levy? Yes.

If you have children, do it for them. If you don’t then do it for the community. Not only is the state paying half the cost of the new buildings but it will tear down the old ones too. Please don’t let Austintown become a community of old, run-down building. We need to keep if fresh and clean. We need to keep it updated and well maintained. We need to take pride and the best place to start is with the schools.

If you have children you do what is best for them. If you want to live in a great community you have to do what is best for it too. Please vote yes.

Karen Biggs, Austintown

Levies must face renewal votes

First I would like to openly commend all of the people working at the Hubbard library that have been holding it all together with the budget reductions over the years. For this you need thanked and supported.

That said, I have one large issue with me supporting the levy. I cannot nor will I ever find it correct to support a continuing levy.

This should not be taken that I am against the library. I am not. It is a philosophical difference with how the public sector handles taxpayers’ money. I firmly believe taxpayers should have the ability to review and to hold accountable those who tax us. With the continuing levy I do not have this option once passed. This levy proposal should be for a specified duration of time and subject to renewal based on performance of established benchmarks outline in the article. If the library is performing admirably future levees should also pass.

I would challenge the levy lommittee to tell the people of Hubbard how they will assure future board members will have the same commitment to the taxpayers as the current group.

I therefore will vote no for a continuing levy.

Michael D. Flaugher, Hubbard

Loss of state funds for library means local support needed

Tuesday, May 4, is the day Hub- bard voters decide the future form and features for the Hubbard Public Library. It’s Election Day. As you have heard or read, the library has depended solely on funding from the state; funding which has continued to decline by over 40% through the past decade. It is clear in all indications from the state sources that there will never be a return to previous funding levels. Our Library must find other sources in order to survive and serve in a manner we have come to expect.

The Library has never had an operating levy — ever. The proposed levy of 1.9 mills, which will cost a homeowner $29.09 in new taxes for every $100,000 of market valuation (less for those eligible for the Homestead Exemption) will provide a stable, sustainable financial foundation for trustees and staff to use in planning the library’s course in the near-term. Isn’t the cost of a new book or feature movie DVD worth the resources available from your library? Aren’t the rewards priceless?

There has been some discussion about the fact that the levy is continuous, rather than time-certain. The board of trustees chose this path after much careful consideration and deliberation. They determined the need for an ongoing, constant income stream is absolutely necessary to assure the library’s services continue uninterrupted in the future.

We have received many individual contributions of money and time to carry on this campaign, for which we are very thankful. No library funds can be, or have been, used for this purpose. A large number of people have volunteered in numerous ways to help in this grass-roots effort.

Please continue this great tradition of Hubbard citizens taking care of Hubbard’s needs. Vote yes on May 4. Support your library. It’s long overdue.

Sue Kelley and John Manhollan, Hubbard

The writers are co-chairpersons, Hubbard Public Library Levy Committee.