Editor, Gazette-Journal:

I would like to take this opportunity to clarify information to the citizens of Mathews County on the upcoming ballot proposal to institute a countywide meals tax. In my nearly 25 years on the board, we have attempted to keep taxes as low as possible in order to retain the flavor of life we all appreciate about Mathews.

I would also be the first one to say that when it comes to real estate taxes, I have remained conservative when it comes to raising the rate. That said, I will be faced with the inevitable decision of voting to lift the property tax higher if the meals tax is not implemented. Like many other localities around Virginia and the nation, we have been forced to make very tough decisions over the last few years, all the while shelving areas that need improvement.

This is not a unique tax as Mathews would be one of the last counties to adopt this voluntary tax in order to relieve more aggressive options. The funds received will go towards improvemen...