Keep the sales tax at 3 percent

I am not a resident of the City of Wasilla, but I do shop extensively in the city limits. I have lived in the Valley over 20 years. I buy as much as I can in the Valley in general because I believe in supporting our local merchants as much as possible and, yes, that includes the box stores because the workforce is local and contributes to the local economy too.

With that I would like to ask the folks who are against maintaining the 1 percent sales tax, why?

If the tax goes away, who do you think will pick up the slack? It most likely will be property owners (you). A one percent sales tax is enough to continue the services you and I enjoy now and we all share in the costs. It is great that after 20 years we are finally getting a new library, but how are you going to turn the lights on? Snow cleared? How is it staffed? I enjoy security with police and fire when I am in the city and by the way, these folks that are employed too. I use the library, park and other services such as the roads and do not think three percent is too much to pay on anything I purchase. Large ticket items, remember are on a cap.

The argument from a sitting council person saying the city said it would sunset the tax is not viable. If you actually look at it, it will be sunsetted. The city wants to continue to operate at the service level it has currently; it as a way to pay for needed costs (see above) and be able to provide services for you and me, the citizens of the Valley. They are asking you as the city residents to vote it back in as a way to help offset future costs. Being a purchaser of goods in your fair city I am encouraging you to vote for this to enable the level of services we all enjoy now to continue for everyone.

Thanks for listening.

Eddie Ezelle

Mat-Su Valley