Clarksville Now publishes opinion pieces representing both sides of a variety of topics. Opinions presented do not necessarily reflect those of the newsroom or management. To join the conversation, email your opinion piece to news@clarksvillenow.com.
Contributed commentary from Stephen Baird of Clarksville:
Clarksville City Council, please reconsider the mayor’s original budget proposal and approve the 20-cent property tax hike so that Transportation 2020+ can become a reality!
Citizens of Clarksville, look at the benefits of the Transportation 2020+ Strategic Plan and tell your council person that you approve of: the new Spring Creek Parkway from Crozier Boulevard to Trenton Road, a new bus terminal and many other improvements to vehicular and pedestrian traffic in every ward in Clarksville!
The time for half-stepping is past. So many times, our city has come to the point where we begin to act like a community in the present but ultimately just stand around with our thumbs in our ears hoping for challenges to melt away as we have always done. Drive on any major thoroughfare between 3 and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and tell me that “everything is fine.”
In regard to paying property tax, it appears to me that citizens are in three categories: the first are those on fixed income who might qualify for government relief or assistance from non-governmental organizations; next are those like me, able to pay our taxes and are comfortable with an increase for new and upgraded infrastructure; and finally, those who own lots of property and may see an increase as a drain on their personal wealth.
Please let us demonstrate that Clarksville is a forward-thinking community and worthy of being rated the best place to live in the country (unless you want to get from point A to point B at certain times of the day).
Stephen Baird