Letter To The Editor: May 3rd Is A Date We Cannot Be Complacent

Editors Note: The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are not necessarily the views or opinions of Oskaloosa News..

For those of you who call Oskaloosa and Mahaska County home, May 3rd is a date we cannot be complacent. Please get out and vote “Yes” for continuation of the optional local 1 cent sales tax. The one cent sales tax has been in place for 15 years and has been used to help fund the library, Oskaloosa and surrounding schools, law enforcement center, and a variety of other important projects.

This year’s vote not only includes “yes” to the continued sales tax, it funds three separate projects with your vote. First of all, it has a portion to fund county and city roads. With a yes vote, funding for rural roads is increased $320,000 annually which is a 19% increase toward roads when added with the new gas tax.

Additionally, portions of the 1 cent sales tax would fund two other projects; a Recreation Center/ Early Childhood Learning Center near the Elementary/Lacey Complex and an Environmental Learning Center at Caldwell Park. A new pool in the Recreation Center would provide a regulation sized pool so swim meets could be held in Oskaloosa. The current pool is over 50 years old.

As a concerned citizen, please recognize the importance of improving roads and growth in our community by providing services to families and support future progress for Oskaloosa and surrounding areas. Your “Yes” vote for funding the Recreation Center and Early Childhood Education and Environmental Learning Center will add value and attract new citizens and businesses to Oskaloosa. As the Mahaska Community, recognize the importance of health and recreation for all families in Mahaska County.

A NO vote means the 1 cent sales tax would not be continued without another vote at some future time for other specific projects. Do not delay progress in Oskaloosa, support the 1 cent sales tax now!

Vote “Yes” on May 3rd.

Cheryl Lockwood