Those of us opposed to the SPLOST (additional sales tax for Fayette county residents) have chosen not to organize. We believe voting citizens are aware of the Sept. 21 ballot measure. We do not know the names of all those who will vote against it, but we do know what groups of people will be voting “no.”

Anyone living on a fixed income will vote against SPLOST. If it passes, those people will need to learn to live with less for the next five years. Older residents get a school property tax break, but there will be no break for them at the checkout counter. How many of us have parents we already help out, but will need even more help if this thing passes?

Anyone whose children have finished school won't be voting for SPLOST. They have already paid their fair share and are forced to continue paying, anyway, through their property taxes.

Any childless individuals or couples will vote against SPLOST. If they are homeowners they are already paying for something they derive no benefit from. To pile more on top of that unjustified burden would be foolish.

Home school parents won't be voting for SPLOST. The district has repeatedly rebuffed any attempts by them to be a part of extracurricular school clubs, bands and sports. They must pay for a service they aren't allowed to utilize while still buying all their own books and supplies.

Private school parents will be voting against SPLOST. These parents know that entrusting the public schools with the job of educating their children is much too scary. For what is, often, large amounts of money, they send their children to private schools where education and family values are the emphasis, rather than dumbing down and political correctness. Their sacrifices are large enough already without adding to them.

Business owners will not be voting for SPLOST. They will lose income from those of other counties who come to Fayette because of our cheaper tax rate. They will then shop where they live and those in our county will have 1 percent less to spend at local businesses.

Fayette County citizens who want to slow the out-of-control growth that has flooded our schools will get their vote in. They have not been able to get their elected officials to stop the rampant growth. This will be their chance to at least slow the relentless development.

The largest group opposing SPLOST encompasses those who believe the 5 percent sales taxes, the gas taxes, the property taxes, the ad valorem taxes, the inheritance taxes, the utility taxes, the federal income taxes, and the state income taxes are enough.

The school board didn't want general election voters voting on SPLOST because they knew it would be defeated. So they scheduled a special election, at a cost to the taxpayers of over $20,000, hoping only the PTA moms and teachers would show up and pass the tax.

We need every voting member of all the above mentioned groups to show up on Sept. 21 and kill yet another tax.

Victoria Webster
Peachtree City

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