Dear editor:
I am so sorry to see the people of Hot Springs didn't turn out to refuse the bond issue for the MASM. It seems that our community fails to recognize when "the wool is being pulled over their eyes." The misrepresentation of this issue will now cost the citizens of Hot Springs 10 more years before they can reject another bond issue for the MASM. As I am sure there will be another reason to extend the 3 percent "hamburger tax" on the working class.
Steve Arrison and Diane LaFollette did a great snow job to get this bond passed. I recall in a past letter that I asked the public to review Mr. Arrison's statements in The Sentinel-Record for last month, oh that's right, my letter never saw the light of day. Then of all things, after last month stating that the money was there to build the addition, without the bond, Mr. Arrison had the nerve to state that it would not be built if the bond failed to pass.
My question is, if the MASM gets a bond to add on to its business, why not issue a bond for other businesses to expand to meet the tourism trade? Would the Alligator Farm, the duck rides or perhaps the mini golf places qualify in Mr. Arrison's "Visit Hot Springs" category? How about the bath houses or the race track, should we issue bonds for them also?
Property taxes are raised for the schools, how much more taxes is the average family in Hot Springs supposed to pay?
Why should Hot Springs be called a "tourism town" and not a nice place to live with your family? Let's attract real businesses that pay good wages, so the people of Hot Springs can afford to live here.
Tired of paying taxes,
L.J. Gibson
Hot Springs
Editorial on 09/16/2018