WCTA Position On Hwy 331 Bridge Referendum

[Annie66]

The WCTA obviously didn't get their way. I voted for the tax. I hate toll roads and I avoid the Mid Bay Bridge. Some of the people who work in the south end of the county live north of the bay and a toll would really be a pain in the butt for them.

 

[Andy A]

I'll only say I'm glad my prediction was wrong, mputnal3.

 

[mputnal]

Andy A, I admit I was not only holding my breath but making promises to the big man upstairs. I want to pass on my business to my son one day and I believe that a toll bridge would jepordize the future success of our location. I love Walton County but a toll bridge would have created a bad situation for us. I held my breath, made promises to be a better citizen and steward of our resources. As my blood pressure climbed higher and higher I decided to check Sowal for information on the vote. It was like a shot of adrenalin to my faith in the system and people. One of my older customers just told me today that he and his wife do not use that bridge very much but really worried about the people who live North of the Bay and work South of the Bay and therefore took the time to go vote for the tax because he understood there would be a toll if not the tax! I told him thank you, thank you and thank you...

 

[Annie66]

The slick way to get a tax increase is to have it on a referendum all by itself like the school tax last year. Both issues would have been voted down if they had not been a stand alone issue. Just another trick used by creative politicos. I find it disgusting when efforts are made to discourage voters from going to the polls although I voted for the tax.

 

[mputnal]

Politics and big business is rapidly becoming a problem for the free market system. The tolling agency has friends in the governor's office. Fairness in commerce and trade is being manipulated by this relationship. I read where it would take 30 years for the toll to be paid off. Many of us will not be around in 30 years and it is very possible they will need bridge improvements by then requiring more tolls (never ending). I believe we will have a chance to see the end of the tax. I am very proud that Walton County was able to see through the maze of mirrors to understand what was happening. As a society and now more than ever we will need to pay closer attention to policy and not rhetoric and party affiliation.

 

[Bob Wells]

The slick way to get a tax increase is to have it on a referendum all by itself like the school tax last year. Both issues would have been voted down if they had not been a stand alone issue. Just another trick used by creative politicos. I find it disgusting when efforts are made to discourage voters from going to the polls although I voted for the tax.

I think the tax for the school was a swap and not really a new tax as I understand it, as to whether they would have failed under different circumstances is just to funny. Do you write your own stuff or do you pay someone to do it for you.:roll:

 

[Annie66]

I think the tax for the school was a swap and not really a new tax as I understand it, as to whether they would have failed under different circumstances is just to funny. Do you write your own stuff or do you pay someone to do it for you.:roll:

If you want to call it a "swap" that's fine. I voted for that as well. My point is that the idea of putting a single issue on a ballot by itself is a sneaky way to get as few people as possible to vote. That way the promoters of an issue are more likely to sell the issue to the people who do turn out. The low turnout bears that reality out. We should be doing everything possible to encourage ALL our citizens who are eligible to vote to exercise that right. But I'm clearly against anyone voting who isn't an eligible voter.

 

[Bob Wells]

It was.

And you really believe a tax will be removed?