I am somewhat aggravated with myself for not attending some of the County Council meetings. The Hampton County Guardian has been keeping the public well informed but there is nothing like having an opportunity to voice an opinion to those holding the purse strings – County Council.
I strongly disagree with one of the projects in the proposed Capital Projects Sales Tax program. A council member stated recreation is an enhancement to economic development. I believe this can be done by utilizing facilities already in existence. Churches, municipalities, rural communities and SCHOOLS already have facilities that can accommodate tournaments without placing staffing and maintenance upkeep on the taxpayers. Perhaps those owning some of the recreation fields could charge a fee.
I have some friends that attend most of their grand daughter’s tournaments. They take their chairs, umbrellas, coolers, bug spray and whatever necessities they think may be needed to make their day a pleasant one. They have stayed in motels when necessary. What’s wrong with spending a day like that? Absolutely nothing.
Regardless where a recreation facility is built, transportation will always be a problem for some. Will it be built in the heavier population of the county? If so, how will children from the outlying areas get to the facility? Busing? Some want pool tables, video games and other recreational games. I’ll bet most homes, with children, have recreational games. And, I bet most children have playmates in their own neighborhood. After school programs offer a study time with staff assisting with homework.
It’s time to realize we have many people in our county on limited incomes. Taxes continue to rise and we need to save where we can. Budget cuts passed down to states, counties and towns have made it necessary to implement fees. It’s a hard pill to swallow but when there is no place to cut, added fees become necessary.
I choose not to comment on the needs of the libraries since I have not visited the Estill library in a very long time. I know the Hampton library is quite busy. For shots, I have utilized the health department and I know of others who have used the services offered.
As most of you know, the previous Capital Projects Sales Tax expired at the end of December 2009. What happened to the renovations on the B.T. DeLoach Building and the Parker Building to be funded under that seven year project? Will the same thing happen again? How many times and how much did we pay architects to draw one design after another? And the James DeLoach medical building – do you recognize the building after all the changes?
I appreciate County Council postponing a decision to have a referendum placed on the November ballot. But why spend money on a spring election? The priorities listed in the projects list can’t be so important that the question can’t wait until a regular election to be placed on the ballot.
Council, please think about your plans and tread carefully … sometimes the taxpayers get it right at the ballot box.
Marcia Wood
August 23, 2010
P.S. Sabrena Graham, County Administrator gave me a very good explanation of the plans for the law enforcement center. Made sense to me! If it happens, let the architect draw the design one time! mw
Marcia Wood
Varnville, SC
Sound Off by Marcia
Capital Projects Sales Tax
