David Jenkins: Be informed when you head to the polls in April

I was once told that it is a privilege to vote and with that privilege comes the responsibility to be educated on the issues I’m voting on. I’ve taken that to heart.

So I was interested in the Sikeston R-6 town hall meeting Tuesday night at the high school where school officials discussed a $21-million bond issue that would be used to build a new Lee Hunter School and a new C Building at the high school. Anytime a number like $21-million is thrown around, it’s going to pique my interest.

I thought there would be quite a few residents there, eager to ask questions and find out how it would impact them. There were only about 50 people in attendance.

Since the meeting I have read social media comments or heard from about the same number of people who are screaming out against any new taxes being imposed on Sikeston residents. Not one of those people do I remember seeing at the meeting.

I realize that many people oppose any new tax, even if it raises their taxes a penny. Nothing that is said at a town hall meeting will ever convince them to vote yes and that is their right. Others though, see the $21-million price tag and immediately are opposed, without knowing how much it will actually cost them.

And who can blame them? With our continually increasing electric rates, raising prices on nearly all goods and the talk of a recession on the horizon, taking on any extra in taxes is an unpleasant thought. It certainly is for me.

However, I encourage all voters to attend a town hall meeting, talk to a school board member or discuss the issue with a member of the bond committee. Don’t be manipulated by the “it’s only 25 cents per day” reasoning many will give because we all know we aren’t taking a quarter out of our pocket every day and putting it in a piggy bank to pay our real and personal property tax. At the same time, just because it is a $21-million bond issue doesn’t mean you will be paying thousands more in taxes either.

There is information on the R-6 website and Lori Boardman, director of business services for the district, said she is willing to talk to residents to help them figure their costs. Also, there are tax breaks for senior citizens who meet a certain criteria.

At this point, when I walk into the voting booth in April I’m not sure whether I will blacken the “yes” or “no” box and I’m not encouraging anyone else to vote one way or another. But what I do know is I will be informed when I go to the polls and I encourage all Sikeston voters to be the same.

David Jenkins is co-editor of the Standard Democrat.