Opinion

Discussion

July 29, 2012

Go vote!

Dalton Daily Citizen

— It seems like we hear this each time we vote, but Tuesday’s general primary election is important.

For one, Whitfield County voters will decide whether to impose a 40 percent tax hike on themselves.

The county’s current sales tax rate is 5 percent. But the Whitfield County Board of Education and the Dalton Board of Education have decided to place a five-year, 1 percent education SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) on the ballot. They project that SPLOST will collect some $105 million. The city school system would use its portion, about one third of the total, to pay for renovations at Fort Hill School to house Morris Innovative High School and for renovations at Dalton Middle School. The county school system would use the remainder to pay for various building projects and to pay down debt.

Meanwhile, Whitfield and Murray counties will join with 13 other counties to vote on whether to impose a 10-year, 1 percent SPLOST to fund transportation projects across the region. Officials project that tax will bring in some $1.2 billion. If a majority of voters in the region approve the tax, it will become law, even in counties where it may have been defeated. Many experts believe the turnout in Whitfield County will determine whether the tax succeeds or fails.

Meanwhile, residents in Murray County and Whitfield County will vote on a dozen contested races. Both counties will be voting on nonpartisan Magistrate Court races.

There are no contested races on the Democratic side in Whitfield County. But Republican voters will pick the party’s nominees in contested races for a number of offices, including two seats on the board of commissioners and two seats representing the area in the state House of Representatives.

Murray County Republican voters will pick their party’s nominees in races including sole commissioner, sheriff and clerk of Superior Court. Democrats have a contested race for clerk of Superior Court.

With so much at stake, residents can’t afford to sit at home. If you haven’t already voted in advance voting, you should make sure you vote Tuesday.

Text Only
Opinion

Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
AP Video
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness "Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs