Editor, Gazette-Journal: As a retired Mathews County Public Schools employee, I feel compelled to share why I will be voting “Yes” on the 1 percent sales tax referendum on the November ballot. I spent over 30 years working in our schools, and I can honestly say I loved every minute I spent within those walls. Our schools are much more than buildings. They are places where our children grow, learn, build lasting friendships and begin preparing for their futures. They are also an important part of the very heart of our community. We are blessed to call Mathews County our home. We welcome visitors and tourists throughout the year who come to enjoy our waterways, our restaurants, our shops and everything that makes Mathews special. I believe the sales tax provides an opportunity for those who come to enjoy our community to also contribute, in a small way, to the schools and children who are such an important part of our community. I understand that no one enjoys paying additional taxes. I ...