Dear Editor:
Although serious arguments can be made that we are already overtaxed, I believe it is important that Jefferson Citians approve the Transformation sales tax on Feb. 7. The vast majority of our taxes go to Washington, D.C., to be spent in ways over which we have precious little control. It would be a great mistake to vent one's general frustration about taxes by voting against a small local tax increase designed for specific and laudable purposes in our own community.
The Transformation economic development sales tax would be imposed, for a limited period of time, for the purpose of promoting our city's future growth and development. The purposes of this tax have been carefully developed by our neighbors during a lengthy and very public process.
It would be a tragic mistake to miss the singular opportunity of putting the old penitentiary to productive, modern uses, both public and private. The time to do so is now. A convention center is long overdue. I believe it should be downtown, within walking distance of the Capitol, but the prison site would be far better than continuing to have no suitable site for organizations to bring their periodic meetings to the state capital. I have also long lamented that Jefferson Citians have no meaningful access to the riverfront. These are among the issues to be addressed by the Transformation sales tax.
We have raised five children in Jefferson City and want the city to continue to grow and attract young adults and families to stay or to return. The Bible admonishes that, "Without vision the people perish." The vote on the Transformation tax is a clear opportunity to show whether we have a vision for the future of Jefferson City.
I encourage the citizens of Jefferson City to vote yes on Feb. 7.
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