Chamber board in favor of ELOST

The board of directors of the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce threw its support behind passage of the next round of Education Local Option Sales Tax (ELOST) Friday.

The board voted unanimously to promote the passage of a March 15 referendum that could pump up to $100 million into the county’s three school systems over the next five years. The current ELOST expires in 2012.

The Jefferson and Jackson County systems will also use most of their funds for debt.

The Jackson County School System would use up to $30 million to pay on its 2005 bonds, which among other things helped build East Jackson Comprehensive High School. It also plans a fourth middle school.

Jefferson would use its share to make payments on the $25 million bond issue it hopes to pass that same day. Its plans include a new gym, academic building and kitchen at Jefferson High School and a new kitchen, cafeteria and academic building at its elementary school.

For more information, see the Feb. 23 issue of The Jackson Herald.

Comments

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#1 Dave in Commerce on 02/24/11 at 04:49 PM [Reply]

Vote no to ELOST.

#1.1 NOT Dave in Commerce on 02/25/11 at 07:17 AM [Reply]

Wow Dave, what a well thought out comment.

Any reason why you would like the masses to vote "no" or do you just want to see your taxes go up to cover the improvements that the Commerce Schools have already done?

I guess you are right, why let all the visitors to the outlet mall help pay down the debt when you can take care of it all through a property tax increase.

Good thinking Dave.

#1.1.1 Jefferson Resident on 02/26/11 at 03:25 AM [Reply]

This is not just a Commerce issue, nor just a Jackson County issue. If it were, then Dave and "NOT Dave" and their fellow Commerce residents could vote on it. Instead, it is county-wide. Therein lies the problem.

As for the position that property taxes must increase, if the elected school board voted to build that building, then the property owners within that school district are obligated to pay.

The idea that "visitors" should pay for local projects may be the result of thinking, but it is misguided thinking. What obligation does a visitor to the outlet malls have to educate the offspring of "NOT Dave" and his neighbors? The E-Splost is a tax, and while the idea of making someone else share the tax burden is popular, it leads to overspending.

Anyone who has ever given a credit card to a kid can identify with the problem. Spending is always more fun when someone else pays the bill.

#2 a tax is a tax on 02/26/11 at 08:25 AM [Reply]

NOT Dave wants to reach in pocket and STEAL my money. The problem is he is too chicken to do it himself, he knows I will fight back and possibly kill him. So his cowardice leads him to make government reach into my pocket and steal my money for him.

Vote NO to ALL taxes and make government responsible to those they are already stealing from.

#3 Harry Beirsten on 02/26/11 at 09:52 AM [Reply]

Here we have the elitiest Chmaber seeking to impose a tax on hardworking people during these difficult times. Tell governments to cut back. How many small businesses are members of the chambers. Are the sellers at flea markets?

#4 Bob Mcmillen on 02/28/11 at 07:23 AM [Reply]

SHAME ON OUR CHAMBER

The recent ELOST endorsement by the JCCOC was as predictable. By precedent, the local Chambers of Commerce are to be comprised of local business leaders who represent the best interests of the community and who implement countermeasures to address civic concerns for the overall good. The paying on bonds by the local districts is another example of the spending of money that was not at hand. In particular, the JCCSD has made minuscule, lethargic efforts to minimise expenditures. The new Board, as predicted, as it is comprised by members trained and associated with prior members and district employees has made no attempt to address top-heavy departments, over-compensated administrators and under-utilized classroom and title staff.
Mr. Hopkins' subtle threat of property taxes having to pay 100% is a situation that neither the County Commissioners nor the school district personnel want to face. The Chamber would have performed a real service to the County by endorsing the ELOST with detailed real fiscal overhead reductions from the school boards.

R. McMillen

#5 informed citizen on 03/05/11 at 08:10 AM [Reply]

Thank you Mr. Mcmillen as you are spot on. The JC school system continues to spend w/out making any type of substantial cuts. They cut teaching positions and before the ink dries, hire coaches. They are top heavy in every sense of the word. 5 administrators at JCCHS, whereas most schools with that same population have only 2. Informed citizens will vote NO.

#5.1 Just about there on 03/06/11 at 08:47 AM [Reply]

No to Esplost till the Jackson county bd can reel in the waste it provides for us. Plus don't fall for that crap about raising taxes they've already pushed that marker about as far as they can. Even if it does pass and they don't curb their lust for over paying the elite they will be back begging again from poor old pitiful taxpayers. I'm not saying no forever but get their house in order before making another effort this is our chance to force them to do what's right

#6 Jason McDonald on 04/08/11 at 10:28 PM [Reply]

One way to cut spending would be to encourage more Internet education, online opportunities, etc., for today's youth. There is so much "old thinking" in the educational establishments today.

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Chamber board in favor of ELOST

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