BELLA VISTA — Property tax is a better way

As a 15-year resident of Bella Vista, I’m painfully aware of the needs for more money for our Police and Fire departments, but I still have a problem with the proposed sales-tax increase.

My feeling is that a sales-tax increase would be a bad idea for Bella Vista businesses, as it would only be collected from the people who choose to purchase in Bella Vista.

There is a reason why all those stores are located on the other side of the state line. Their owners realized that people would cross the line in order to pay lower sales taxes. A city sales tax would make sense if we lived 10 miles from the state line, but with it so close, our citizens - many of whom are the first to complain about our city services - flock across the state line to save a few cents on their purchases.

Now, you ask, how would I propose to get the badly needed money for these important services? Glad you asked, but my idea will also not be popular with everyone, especially those who are choosing to travel those few miles to save a few cents. Why not ask for a property tax instead?

Now stop screaming and hear me out. A property tax would be charged to all property owners in the city no matter where they live, be it Arkansas or California. If those people own property here, they expect to have it protected by our Police and Fire departments; but with asales tax, they would not be contributing to paying for those services. Far more money could be collected by collecting from every property owner in the city than would be collected from the portion of the population that is loyal to the businesses in the community.

Having said that, if a property tax failed to pass, I will be one of the first to say OK, let’s go for a sales tax. But let’s try a property tax first!

Don Harris Bella Vista Dear senators

An open letter to Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor:

The Democratic Party believes they were put in office not to represent us but be our bosses.

The health care proposals Democrats are working on are going to cost Americans dearly. The current proposals require taxation and fees for several years before it takes effect. The government has shown it cannot be trusted to place these fees into a health care savings account and keep their hands out of it. Look at what they have done to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

The unfunded liability placed on the American taxpayer is unconstrained thoughtless and unbelievable. Congress’ fiduciary responsibilities are beyond terrible - they’re criminal.

Why are the health care bills being written in secrecy and rammed down our throats? We would expect this of dictatorial-style governments, not in a democracy.

I am surprised at thelock-step vote on health care legislation being considered in both chambers of Congress. I cannot envision the Democratic Party disregarding the opinions of the majority of the American public and deliberately interfering with and devastating the health care for 80 percent to 85 percent of Americans.

Over 20 million will not be covered with the new health care legislation. Are American citizens disqualified and illegal immigrants qualified? Will the debts in union’s health care programs be paid-in full?

Does the fear/intimidation of President Obama outweigh the integrity of the Democratic Party? Is your constituency irrelevant? Have either of you considered the impact on your own family members, now and in the future? This is disgraceful, to say the least.

The sinister partisan secrecy writing of this bill strikes me as Marxism. You choose to blind yourselves to this and the needs of your constituents. Open your eyes, your Christian hearts; listen to the people, not the president.

Hiram B. Cooper Jr. Bella Vista Students looking for information

The fourth grade at Aviston Elementary School, located in southern Illinois, is learning about the United States and the different environments, climates, resources and highlights found in each region.

The kids in the class think it would be fun to receive postcards, souvenirs, resources or any information about ourgreat country from each of the 50 states.

We hope that people who read this letter will be interested in mailing our class items pertaining to their state. Our address: Fourth Grade at Aviston Elementary, 350 S. Hull St., Aviston, IL 62216.

A sincere thank you to anyone who is able to contribute! We appreciate the excitement you will add to our learning experience.

Mrs. Niemeyer’s fourth-grade classTrip to D.C. was beyond belief

I wish to thank both Walmart and Tyson for sponsoring the Honor Flight that I was privileged to participate in last Sat

urday (Oct. 17).

The treatment that some 90 of us World War II veterans received was beyond belief, from the salute by the XNA fire engines to the crowd that greeted us on our arrival back at Bentonville. It was certainly humbling to us all, and I do want to thank everyone who had a hand in the necessary preparation and the gifts that we were given.

The World War II Memorial was beautiful and impressive and a fitting tribute to anyone who served. A sincere thank you to the caregivers who accompanied us and all who worked so diligently to make the trip possible and successful.

Don C. Whittlesey Bella Vista Vet says ‘thanks’

I want to say ‘Thank You’ to everyone whocame out for the American Legion Post 341 Ranch Style Steak Dinner. We exceeded our expectations of success!

However, ‘Thank You’ doesn’t quite seem like enough. If I were to list everyone who worked, ate and just came to show support, we would be here for days. I am so proud, honored and humbled to serve as the Post 2nd vice commander when we hold events such as these.

We, together, as a family, have taken on this endeavor to build this new Post building - not just because we want a shiny new building where we can hang out and tell stories to each other. We want and need this building for the community of Bella Vista.

Because regardless of what war, age, branch ofservice, or part of the country we came from, we chose to come to the community of Bella Vista, Arkansas, to live.

This building will only be a small token of our appreciation that we can give back to the community. It is not just for the members’ use, but the community’s use as well when needed.

To the boys on the grill, parking and bussing (Doug Grant looked sonifty wearing an apron and carrying a bussing tray), to the Ladies Auxiliary who did an outstanding job serving and bringing the desserts - once again, THANK YOU!

There are three things that I am proud to say I belong to: motherhood, the Marine Corps, and American Legion Post 341.

Semper Fidelis Shelaine Coleman

Opinion, Pages 6 on 10/28/2009

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