Letters policy: Send by e-mail to letters@gainesvilletimes.com (no attached files, please, which can contain viruses); fax to 770-532-0457; mail to The Times, P.O. Box 838, Gainesville, GA 30503; or click HERE for a form. Include full name, hometown and phone number for confirmation. They should be limited to one topic on issues of public interest and may be edited for content and length (limit of 500 words). Letters originating from other sources, those involving personal, business or legal disputes, poetry, expressions of faith or memorial tributes may be rejected. You may be limited to one letter per month, two on a single topic. Submitted items may be published in print, electronic or other forms. Letters, columns and cartoons express the opinions of the authors and not of The Times editorial board.
If not today, then when? The children of our community should always be the "today" and not the "then when." What we put into our educational system today is guaranteed to be representative of its future. If approved, education SPLOST will undoubtedly continue to provide our children with the necessary tools to become devout members of society.
Education SPLOST has been overwhelming beneficial for the past 14 years. It has enabled for new schools to be constructed reducing overcrowding that haunts so many school systems as well as provided enhanced technology within classrooms, ensuring students are prepared to function in the technology based world that now exists.
As a one-penny local sales tax, education SPLOST allows for equitable payment by all consumers whether residents or nonresidents. It is estimated that over one-third of the education sales taxes collected in Hall County is paid by visitors and nonresidents.
Also, unlike many other taxes, this tax focuses solely on education that yields positive and tangible results. These results can only continue with your vote to approve this tax. If approved, the education SPLOST would not take effect for two more years (2013) and would be in place for five additional years.
Education SPLOST has received strong support in the past by voters in 1997, 2001, and 2006. Why should 2011 be any different?
Please support this tax and vote "yes." Your vote is needed to ensure your child, niece, nephew, cousin, or grandchild's school system continues to excel to provide and maintain an educational environment they so deserve.
Kelvin Simmons
Gainesville