Our Opinion: Volume of letters advances community conversation

Allow us this opportunity to thank our readers who have written their opinions concerning the Transform Jefferson City proposal on Tuesday's ballot.

The stack of letters - hundreds of which we neglected to count, but now wish we had - has been voluminous.

Which is as it should be.

The proposal is among the most significant to come before city voters in many years.

Its origins can be traced to public meetings that attracted volunteers to participate in action teams formed by the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce.

The recommendations were presented to the City Council, which approved the ballot issue voters will decide Tuesday.

Voter approval would create a half-cent economic development sales tax for 10 years to generate about $41 million for 30 projects.

Letters from both proponents and opponents have touched on every conceivable facet of the proposal. And, for the most part, they have addressed issues and avoided insults.

The vigorous debate on a timely topic is the reason we offer the "Your Opinion" forum and encourage our readers to continue to participate.

The venue is an opportunity to express your viewpoint, argue a different position or offer a rebuttal.

Each of our writers has joined a comprehensive, engaging discussion ultimately designed to clarify the issues and inform the voters.

We appreciate your submissions. Writing a letter takes time; affixing your name to a viewpoint that will be read by thousands of people requires courage.

Each letter articulates an opinion held by a member of our community. By sharing it, you have advanced a community conversation on an important issue to be decided Tuesday.

Publication Note: The influx of letters on Transformation has been steady and strong. We are no longer accepting letters to the editor on the subject for publication, but we will print all of the letters we have currently on hand. The final letters will appear Sunday in print and online. But you can still share your view by posting comments online at www.newstribune.com/lastword.