Thank you for passing tax levy

To the Editor;

On Tuesday, April 8, the community of Poplar Bluff voiced their approval through the power of voting for the new school (levy) issue. Two thousand eight hundred plus people felt it necessary to show their support for this much needed issue to pass and for that I say thank you. The 2,200 plus who voted against it really baffles me. Of course, they could have been folks who do not have children who attend the Poplar Bluff school system. But I assume there are some who just do not like the idea of taxes being raised for anything, who does? I personally voted for the proposal to pass. I do not have any children who attend the Poplar Bluff school system nor do I have any grandchildren who attend as my grandchildren attend the Naylor School System. I had someone tell me something which I thought to be very interesting the other day stating, "We can build new schools but that will not change the education of our children". They have a valid point but one thing those people have to understand is we currently have some wonderful educators in Poplar Bluff and I feel those who have taught here for years are now going to get proper available school grounds to teach on. This new school proposal will also draw in potential new educators into the Poplar Bluff area which will aid in easing the burden of overloaded classrooms we now see on a daily basis. More educators plus more room and better accommodations and tools, equal higher quality education to your children now and in the future, your grandchildren. That is one thing that is always nagging at me is the proverbial, what can you do for me now attitude. Nothing happens NOW...much like a plant, you have to plant it, feed it, water it, nurture it and watch it bloom which as we all know does not happen overnight, some may want it to happen like that but trust me, it will not. I too am not made of money and I too will feel the little harder pinch at the end of the year but it's a pinch that will heal quickly and we will have a valuable asset available to all who call Poplar Bluff their home. If you really want to try and figure out something then think about this, why is it a State like the State of Texas pays NO PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX and look so good with its roads, schools at all levels including colleges, lakes, rivers and streams? How do they do it? I lived in Texas for almost eight years and paid zilch in PPT's, it was great. So why can't Missouri do it too? In closing, I want to thank all of the people who put in a lot of time and effort into making this once upon a time dream, a soon to become reality. Congratulations Poplar Bluff, be proud of who you are, where you live, what you have and what you accomplished by turning out this past Tuesday. In a couple of years you will drive past the new high school on the bypass and say...man, that sure looks good and you 2,800 plus....made it possible.

Roger Burton

Poplar Bluff, Mo.