Speak Out 4/24/14

Reader's, city's

equations differ

After reading the article in April 2 DAR "City Growth Spills over to P. B. Schools," it would seem if we have all this wonderful growth, the surplus of property tax should compensate the growth of our schools.

More businesses = more taxes.

If you go back to the Middle 60s, P.B.H.S. had more than 1700 students with much less buildings. Our city manager, police chief, and numerous other citizens were a product of the 60's.

As Poplar Bluff grows so does our tax base and the R-1 school get their share of it. Simply, more tax revenue, not higher taxes is the answer. So lets grow Poplar Bluff, not taxes. Higher property discourages new business yet new businesses generate new revenues.

Yes to new businesses and NO MORE TAXES.

Opposing

viewpoint

I have no interest in the debate the publisher wrote the scathing editorial, but he should know with the federal government all executive appointments be confirmed by our elected officials. In other words, these people should be okay to have the governor appoint them but they should be approved by the legislature as of Senator recommends. I think the publisher was entirely out of order to write such a scathing editorial against him. It must be a personal, vindictive and I don't expect you to publish this. Thank you.

Taxes vs. jobs

Hi, I never thought I would call speak out, but as I choose to remain anonymous for fear of being labeled a "children hating backward thinking person." By the time this actually makes Speak Out, the voting will already be done. But, I disagree with this property tax increase. I do commend the school, however, on the fact they have sold it to the public and pulling at the heartstrings by saying, "Our children are our future." I do agree. I agree the school needs new buildings. The part I have trouble with is our schools make so much money. It even shows it on the front page of the paper this past Sunday. I understand we may have the lowest property tax, but we actually pull property tax from a larger area. We had more money than a lot more affluent schools. The one thing I did notice is the disparity between the free and reduced lunches, so what that tells me is our kids social and economic status at home is worse off than these other places so the school have to spend more money on those aspects. My problem with that is I think that our businesses in town are being penalized. The local, home-grown businesses that we've had. We get these other businesses that come to town we give a tax incentive to just to come and justify it by saying that this place is thing that produces jobs. Well, they may produce jobs, but it looks like the quality of the jobs isn't even enough to pay the kids' parents enough money that those children can afford a few bucks for lunch. So, next time you're out shopping and saving a few bucks at that big box store I want you to think about which businesses in town have really supported your kids throughout the year and the ones that have a tax exemption status and have never helped them one little bit. That's my opinion. Thank you.

Take care

of animals

People who own dogs should either train them not to bark constantly, keep them indoors or not live inside city limits. I live on Ethel Street here in Poplar Bluff. At least three of my neighbors on this block have dogs chained outside that often bark off and on day and night. Even worse, during our recent bitter cold weather and winter storms, these dogs were left outside and ignored howling in misery. The police department doesn't want to hear about it. If there is some other officers that can be contacted in this local area, I would appreciate someone calling Speak Out to inform the public about the phone numbers or addresses where this can be reported. Thank you.

Unhappy with Wallingford

I think it's terrible that Senator Wayne Wallingford from Cape doesn't think bigotry and intolerance should be left in Arizona, but wants to bring it to Missouri and make that the law of land as well. That's discriminatory and terrible! Thank you.