Choices, choices

By Published by The Editorial Board

Published: May 8, 2008

Voters in Rockingham County last Tuesday had a lot of choices.
In Mayodan, voters got it right in passing liquor by the drink. The county, however, got it wrong by failing to approve a quarter-percent sales tax. And the margin of victory for the “against” side – some 8,000 votes – means people simply didn’t understand the issue.
Really, how many people are going to vote “for” a new tax without understanding why officials are asking for the money or to where the money is targeted? The ballot issue simply asked people whether they would approve a tax increase, and unless people took the time to learn about the issue, the natural reaction was to vote no.
County officials probably waited too long to launch an information campaign regarding the tax. Commissioners chair Bert Jones Jr., for one, was against the tax from the start, and he voiced his opposition with the informational pamphlet as well as the general idea of the tax. He took a strong position, and that’s what we, as residents, should expect from our leaders.
We didn’t like the idea of a tax increase but thought it the best option in trying to build and renovate Rockingham County schools. The use tax would have allowed Rockingham County to get revenue from people passing through the county and would have only taxed those who chose to buy here. A property tax increase, which could have been avoided, is now a near certainty.
Committees were formed to fight the tax and to lobby for liquor by the drink. Regardless of whether we agree with their particular stand, we appreciate their efforts to inform the public and to fight for what they believe.
The tax issue failed by a large margin, and that’s not surprising. But getting the mixed-beverage issue passed in an area populated with preachers and congregations espousing the evils of alcohol is quite an accomplishment. A statement from the Yes FOR Progress committee appeared in Wednesday daily papers.
On Thursday, committee co-chair Norma O’Steen told us:
“We’re very happy. We accomplished what we set out to do, to get this passed. We’re excited about the prospect of lodging moving into the area … Mayodan is the headquarters for three major corporations, and it will not only benefit travelers, but people with extended families, as well as business use.
“We would like to attract a mid-level chain restaurant. We can’t guarantee that any of this would happen, but we could guarantee before (that) it wasn’t going to happen.”
Well said.