First, I would like to say that I am in favor of the "idea" of what SPLOST taxation is supposed to be and have in the past voted for it because used properly this is truly the fairest form of taxation there is. The problem has been (and still is ) that instead of using the money to reduce the burden on property owners like we're constantly told it will do, it’s being used to make government bigger and to remodel buildings that probably should have long ago been torn down.

I don't know about other property owners in Sumter County, but my property taxes have increased dramatically over the past few years. A past newspaper article about the 7 percent sales tax collected in Sumter County stated that 4 percent goes to the State and the rest stays here. This may be wrong, but it seems like it has been more than 30 years since we paid only 4 percent sales tax in Sumter County. Whenever it was, we were told that this "new" form of taxation would: 1. Reduce or keep property taxes from going up and, 2. last less than five years.

The newspaper can’t hold everything I could write about this, but I think anyone reading this knows the rest of the story. As for the hospital and the need this community has for an adequate medical facility, I for one, do not believe that the hospital deserves a free ride at taxpayer expense; however, other than spiritual medicine, I can't think of any greater need this community has at this time than a GOOD medical facility. I don't want to sound cruel, but the last time I had to go the hospital for care, I was asked if I had insurance. Surely there was some property insurance and by now, if the insurance companies have not paid, it’s time to turn them over to the insurance commissioner to get something started. I believe that local or state government should make short-term, no-interest loans available upon approval of an acceptable, permanent, rebuilding plan.

During the last several months, I have read newspaper articles that said the county commissioners are: 1. Asking for a millage increase in property taxes, 2. Asking for us to vote for SPLOST tax to keep property taxes from going up, and, 3. Refusing to offer any assistance to our hospital for what I think 99 percent of Sumter Countians would have supported. I don't know about other Sumter County taxpayers, but I for one know the difference between someone pouring water out of a bucket on my head and trying to tell me its raining outside.

Remember what I said at the start, it's not the tax that’s not fair, it's the people spending out tax dollars! Only the voter can do something to change this. Get out and vote!

Al Johnson

Americus

On June 4 my husband had a heart attack and I took him to Urgent Care from where he was transferred to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany. The staff at Urgent Care was sensational. They understood that we were handling the heart attack badly and that we were very scared. After all, how many 48 year olds have a heart attack? They really cared about not only his survival but also the effect this was having on our family.

The only way Urgent Care could have been better was if we had the option of a full-service medical hospital with a complete cardiology unit. I hope none of our county or community leaders have an urgent need for medical care. If so, they could lose their lives by having to be transferred out of town.

How very typically shortsighted of our county commissioners to put unusable "historic" buildings that will still be unusable after spending millions of dollars on them before the truly important needs of our community. Why don't they go back to the cities and county departments for new priority lists of projects? If they really care about our community and its citizens they will all agree that a hospital is much more important than renovating any buildings regardless of their non-monetary value. This issue alone shows that our elected officials don't care about growth or renewal of Sumter County or its cities. If they did then they would certainly have already told everyone but the hospital to come back in 2015, and not have told the hospital authority that ridiculous time frame. By the time 2015 comes around, Sumter County and its communities will be nothing more than shells without a hospital. This community cannot withstand the loss of another employer. Small businesses are already in trouble due to the loss of Collins and Aikman, whether they admit it or not. What will happen when the hospital has to let nearly 700 more people become unemployed? We have a Lowe's opening soon. How long will it be open without employed people in our area to shop there? How long will any of our businesses stay open or here in Sumter County without employed people to pay their bills or purchase goods and services?

It’s time to take the blinders off. We need a hospital and we need employers. What we don't need is to frivolously spend our tax dollars on buildings that still won't be safe to use or permit anyone to have a long-term permanent job. This comes right after they have voted to raise my property taxes by over 44 percent.

What are our County Commissioners thinking? It certainly isn't about what is best for the citizens.

Terri Crawford

Americus