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Kevin Jarrard's view in The Times on Feb. 2 was right on the money, "What SPLOST starts, county tax dollars finish."
I am sure the county government thinks every one of their projects are for the good of the county. However, once those projects are finished, they must be maintained. This will be a larger tax burden on county residents.
Trevor Thomas' view in The Times on Feb. 3 also was on the money, "SPLOST is one tax too many." In my view, this SPLOST tax vote should be put on hold.
We are already facing a very large tax increase. Our governor has proposed adding a 1.6 percent tax to hospitals and insurance companies. This tax is sure to be passed on to the people.
He wants to do away with our homestead exemption. These two proposals alone mean hundreds of dollars of backdoor taxes. Yet, he refuses to put many of his pet projects on hold, while we cannot even fund Meals on Wheels for our elderly in need.
Our SPLOST tax, no matter how nobly intended, is just another burden on county residents who are already struggling more than the county and state are struggling.
George Roshau
Gainesville
Tax board could use a fresh perspective
I read with interest the comments made by Duane Ware in the Wednesday edition. I believe Commissioner Ashley Bell stated that Belinda Lipscomb was recommended by city of Gainesville officials after serving on various boards, as well as being a Realtor who is familiar with property values.
You should recognize that the fresh perspective this lady will bring to the tax board has nothing to do with race. She actually has experience in property values in Hall County, which will bring much-needed expertise to this board.
I am unable to find any comment made by Commissioner Bell that indicates the basis of this appointment is based on race. The diversity of having two women on this tax board is a needed component.
I certainly hope no one is biased toward two ladies serving on the tax board. After all, if the demographics of Hall County indicate 48 percent of the Hall County population is women, what is wrong with the tax board having 40 percent of the board members being qualified women?
Te Hall
Gainesville
Spout Springs area needs to be preserved
For many years, I had hoped for a lovely little park to be developed at Spout Springs. Those springs are the only ones like that I know of in the Southern part of the United States. They were important history and were how the wonderful area got its name.
Now that the fine businesses are being built at that location, the historical springs would be a lovely important attraction to all who trade there. The 81 acres across the way was my parents' farm when I was young and is one main reason I am sentimental about the springs. But most importantly, spout springs are very rare.
On our farm, we also had a group of spouts that sprang up approximately two feet, but that area was never developed or preserved, to my regret.
It actually breaks my heart to see such important Georgia history destroyed.
Phoebe Vickers
Flowery Branch