Editor, Gazette-Journal:

We have before us a unique opportunity to vote on the 1% Sales Tax Referendum for Capital Improvements for Gloucester County Public Schools. I commend the efforts by Dr. Clemons for taking these issues of disrepair to Richmond and working with Senator Norment to afford us this opportunity. While many may only hear “New Taxes,” I feel it’s vital that the residents here understand that this minuscule one penny on the dollar, has the ability to fund the necessary repairs and improvements to our schools without raising our personal property taxes to do so.

The Board of Supervisors has already approved a Capital Improvement Plan and thus, must find the resources to pay for them. Where will that money come from? They have essentially thrown us a bone here to make the decision ourselves by voting YES to this referendum. If the residents vote NO, then we have left the choice up to the board to unilaterally increase personal property taxes to fund these repairs.
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