Your Opinions

By Staff
We don’t need a property tax
Editor:
It is truly refreshing to see a member of our governing body say “Wait a minute! Does Hartselle really want to have the highest taxes in Morgan County? I don’t think so and I believe the homeowners of Hartselle will agree with me. I will not support a vote for higher taxes.” Two other members of their council have expressed their opposition to higher property taxes but are willing to let the people vote. Isn’t the council supposed to support their constituents and vote likewise? Why do we even need a council if they will not vote for the good of the people?
A new high school has been on the drawing board for at least 15 years yet nothing has been put back to pay for it. Now, a group of fine citizens have the responsibility to convince everyone in town that raising our taxes is a good thing. Isn’t that how we got into the Iraq war?
We need a new high school. Money must come from somewhere. A Texas-based marketing firm has quoted a financial windfall if the city were wet. But Mayor (Dwight) Tankersley said the city will not approve alcohol sales. That seems like a waste of the $63,300 Hartselle is paying the firm.
That leaves only an increase in sales tax. Decatur has a nice reserve built up from their alcohol tax and seems to be doing quite nicely from their 9 percent sales tax. Apparently, the 9 percent sales tax base does not deter Target, Kohls and others from coming into the new shopping center at Highway 31 and Beltline Road.
Max Merrill
Class of 1955
Morgan County High School
Soldier thanks
teacher
Editor:
I was talking to my dad the other day when he mentioned that Wal-Mart was giving an award to the teacher of the year. I told him I would like to make a nomination but he told me the deadline was passed. I would like to take this opportunity to make my nomination for a teacher who made me the man I am today.
I am a 2003 graduate of Hartselle High School. When I was in the 11th grade, I, like a lot of teens, was having a difficult time in my life. There is always a lot of pressure on you when you are in high school and I was having my fair share of it. I was in my English class not wanting to do my work and it was only the second day there. My teacher asked me to do my assignments but all I wanted to do was be a pain to him and not do anything he wanted.
He called my parents and talked to them about what was happening and told them he knew I could do the work he had for me and I was a very smart individual and could do anything I wanted. He took the time to make this call to make me a better person instead of letting me be just another student in school that didn’t have a sense of direction of where my life would go. I had been told by another teacher that I would never amount to anything so I figured I could make her right.
My parents talked to me about what happened and that my teacher had called and asked if there was anything he could do to help me. If not for this kind of support from him I may not be what I am today. More than likely I would be another person heading down a dead end path in life. I sit here in my room and think about him sometimes and wish I could let him know how much I appreciate what he did for me.
I am in Al Jaki, Iraq as a member of the United States Army. I just wish I could be there to tell him in person that I would like to nominate him for teacher of the year. My vote would be for Mr. Jerome Ward, teacher at Hartselle High School. Mr. Ward, I would like to personally thank you for what you did for me as a student and as the man I am today. Mr. Ward, I salute you and wish you the very best. I am one graduate of Hartselle High School that is proud to say you were my mentor and will never forget what you did for me.
Sgt. Jantzen Frazier
United States Army
2-8 Cav., 1st Cavalry Division