Dear Editor:
For nearly eight years it was my privilege to serve the citizens of Jefferson City as a Third Ward City Councilman. For many of those years I served on the Public Works and Planning committee, serving four years as the chairman; on the Capitol Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Board of Directors, (CAMPO) two years as vice-chair; and for four years as council liaison to the Chamber of Commerce. I also served on the Finance Committee for four years and the Budget Committee for eight.
I have had a voice in every decision to allocate funding to new projects such as the Frog Hollow improvement, McCarty Street, Lafayette enhancement, sidewalk repairs, increase in stormwater funding, street overlays, etc.
In other words I have first-hand experience and knowledge of the challenges the city faces funding stormwater control, street and sidewalk maintenance, the funding of public safety efforts by the police and fire departments and animal control. I know first-hand the challenge faced by the council each and every year as they work to set priorities and allocate funding to meet the needs of the public.
And I can tell you without reservation or hesitation the half-cent sales tax renewal is absolutely necessary if the city is to maintain the current level of service and improvements the citizens have come to expect and demand. Help keep our city moving forward as a great place to live, work and play. Just as you have for the past 30 years, vote to renew the half-cent capital improvement sales tax on Tuesday, Aug. 2. I know Betty and I will. Thank you.