Editor, Gazette-Journal:

I encourage everyone to vote YES for the 1 percent Sales Tax Referendum for Gloucester on Nov. 3—both to support critical needs at Gloucester schools, and to minimize your tax exposure.

The proposed 1 percent increase would exclude groceries, prescriptions, cars and fuel and other essentials, and it would expire in 20 years or less. If approved, Gloucester would still have a sales tax rate less than or the same as most surrounding counties.

All funds from the 1 percent will be used to pay for the debt associated with $48 million in much-needed improvements to Gloucester school facilities—including an HVAC replacement at Gloucester High School and at other schools where needed.

Two key points are: 1) This small sales tax increase provides a great alternative to raising real estate taxes by 7 or 8 cents/dollar to raise the same amount. 2) At least 20 percent of sales taxes collected would be paid by visitors to our county, likely more! If you own or ...