Triple play views

In recent years, I have written most of my stories about past local history. This week, I am addressing three local community issues, through the lens of "Pros and Cons."

The first political concept I want to discuss is that of Vernon County's township system of government. In a recent letter to the editor, former State Representative Barney Fisher, detailed his standing on that issue.

Fisher outlined his efforts during his tenure in the legislature, to end this archaic form of geographic governing. He also made a good case, as to why we should all unite to change this very dysfunctional form of local bureaucracy.

Vernon County voters had the opportunity to do away with this system in an election many years ago. In those days, there was little sentiment to change, because of the property tax issue.

Until the 1980s, all tax assessments were completed in each township, by a local assessor in each township. Your assessor was someone who lived near you, as each township was only six miles by six miles square.

In today's property tax system, all assessments are completed by the county assessor's office, and most of their guidelines are strictly prescribed by state law.

I agree with Rep. Fisher. This is a poor and old-fashioned system of government, especially where road maintenance is concerned. It is high time this question is put to the county voters once more.

The second political question involves the proposed 911 county sales tax issue that will be on the upcoming August ballot. This is a tough proposal for me to judge.

Our area is well served by sales tax collections. Vernon County has lots of daily traffic through our area. I-49 and Highway 54 carry more people each day, than there are citizens in the county. Many people drive here each day from surrounding vicinities for work.

All of these visitors spend money in our county. Every purchase adds funds through sales taxes. Local governments use these revenues to provide needed services. We also have many citizens who don't own property. Sales taxes lessen the tax burden on property owners, by simply spreading tax collections more evenly among all citizens.

My problem with this latest sales tax proposal, is the same that I voiced against the last sales tax, that was passed to fund the building of the new city hall. My issue is not with the need for the tax, but with the eternity of the tax itself.

I do not like any sales tax, that does not have a time (sundown) limit. The bonds that were secured by the city to build our latest facility were designed to be paid off in less than 20 years. When the facility bonds are retired, the tax will continue, because the sales tax we voted to support those bonds has no corresponding end date.

City council members and county commissioners are all elected to set terms. These current officials may do a credible job in managing the tax dollars we collect, but will future politicians do the same? This begs the question; can these taxes be used for other expenses besides the original stated intent? We should hear the answer to that question.

A "sundown" period for any sales tax is always a good idea. It is almost impossible to end a tax that has no time period. I fully support the reasons for the 911 tax proposal, but not as it is currently stated. Send it to us with a "sundown" requirement. It should also have set guidelines as to what the tax can be used for.

There has been a lot of buzz lately, regarding the future of the Bushwhacker Days events. Once more, I am conflicted over what is the right course of action for this festival.

In a recent online conversation on Facebook, there were many differing opinions offered. Here are my thoughts about Bushwhacker Days.

I have not attended Bushwhacker Days for many years now. I was once a regular, and enjoyed the annual event. All that changed, when the yearly programs altered their slant.

The Bushwhacker Days that I remember best were those I attended in back in the 80s. I was a member of the Optimist Club back then. Our club had a booth on the south side of the Square. We sold a special brat type of hot dog, which we grilled. Our sales of these dogs, plus chips and soft drinks, raised most of the money for our annual budget. All Optimist Club funds were dispensed for local kids projects in our area.

It was such a local and friendly venue back then. The Dianas Club had a booth next to ours each year. All day long, people went from booth to booth, sampling the local food offerings. The key word there was "local."

When I visit with many friends from that era, they all say the same thing. "Everything changed when we began letting in outside vendors." The reasons for those changes are obvious.

To pay for all the current (very expensive) attractions, the Bushwhacker budget has to have lots of money. Back in the old days, there were no fees for local clubs to set up on the square.

This new system offers lots of entertainment and activities that we didn't have in the old days, but the local flair and community feeling is no longer there for many of us.

I doubt that Bushwhacker Days will ever return to the "good old days," but the current system is definitely experiencing some growing pains.

Perhaps a compromise is needed. A mixture of the old and new approaches to Bushwhacker Days might actually enhance the event. Change comes to everything in life, and Bushwhacker Days is not immune. If you want to get everyone involved again, listen to their concerns. Put "local" back in the mix!