Tax-free sign story a bid for attention

Kudos to The Gazette for its brilliant page 2 coverage of “Sign-gate” on Aug. 19. This insightful story caused the city to take down its sign at Gardner Golf Course pro shop telling people that they don't have to pay sales tax on most items they might buy there.

And, congratulations to Ron Corbett for confronting the city on this hot-button issue. He says it's “ironic” that while the city is raising taxes, it's using its tax-free advantage to sell against private business.

But wait a minute. The city didn't raise taxes - the people voted to do it to help their neighbors.

Ron also said that they should start collecting the option tax at the city's shops. That sounds to me like Ron wants to use illegal means to raise our taxes. Boy, now there's a story.

In his hunger to get attention, Corbett has, in effect, taken out a $1,000 “ad” in The Gazette to let everyone know about this great advantage for the city's golf shops.

Bottom line: It's easy to keep your hands clean when all you do is sit back and criticize everything. Ron, what have you done for our city since the flood?

I'll be voting for the candidate who has helped us get through the toughest times in our history: Brian Fagan.

Mike Wyrick

Cedar Rapids