County will lose out if it rejects tax extension

Many of us in unincorporated Linn County do not like additional taxes but before anyone votes no on May 3 on the 20-year extension of the local-option sales tax, consider the four possible combinations of the outcome. We “win” in three out of the four and lose really bad in the other one.

1. The big cities and the county both vote no. We win, i.e., no tax extension.

2. The big cities vote no and the county votes yes. We win in a small way like Prairieburg and Bertram.

3. The big cities and the county vote yes. We win because we get our share of the tax for the items proposed by the Board of Supervisors.

4. The big cities vote yes and the county votes no. We lose big time because we don't get our share of the tax.

I will vote yes because in three out of the above four possibilities the county “wins.” Above all, be sure to vote.

Lewis Staley

Marion