Supporting Scales

By Published by The Editorial Board

Published: July 18, 2008

Though I do not live in his district, I would like to urge every one who can to vote to re-elect Tim Scales to the Rockingham County Board of Education.
Mr. Scales proved by his comments at the July 14 board meeting that he is one of the few elected representatives in the area who is truly in tune with the needs of the public. Scales was quoted as reminding school board members that the public “shot (the sales tax) dead” at the ballot in May and that school officials need to move forward with the money they have. That shows a wisdom rare in this county, where for too long elected officials and power elites have had their way despite the will of the public.
More leaders like Scales are needed in this county. Leaders who aren’t afraid to tell the truth and listen to the common people who work day in and day out to provide for their families and support local businesses despite the economic hardships we’ve all been burdened with in recent years. What we don’t need are elected officials and well-placed special interests like the woman I heard at the Board of Elections on primary night in May, bemoaning the public rejection of the sales tax by saying “they just didn’t understand what it was for.”
What is clear is that the people understood all too well that increased sales taxes are an unnecessary burden on local families and businesses and that the county government and local schools have millions of dollars at their disposal. That means local government has millions of choices to make. A choice they should not make is to thumb their nose at the will of the people and place the sales tax increase back on the ballot. If current elected officials chose to do that, local voters will hold them accountable at the polls this fall. Like Scales, I believe the county needs to “get moving on what we got.”
Jeffrey Sykes
Reidsville