Truth and consequences
The 5/8¢ tax opposition continues to bang its drums about procedures and people. While these rantings make for juicy headlines and soap-opera-reading stories spiced with misguiding quotes bandied about as the truth, they are not the issues on the ballot for the upcoming election. For or against the renewal of the existing 5/8¢ tax and establishment of the 3/8¢ tax to support our police and fire first responders, are. And by extension, the consequences of the election results rise to the level of public concern.
Continuation of programs and initiatives funded partially or in full by the 5/8¢ tax, and the first responder’s 3/8¢ salary and benefits along with departmental improvements are the ancillary impact issues. The opposition noisemakers conveniently fail to point out what our community stands to lose if the 5/8¢ renewal and 3/8¢ first responder measures fail.
Defeat of the 3/8¢ first responder tax sends a dire message to those who risk their lives to protect us. It tells those brave folks the community they serve does not give a **** about them. It puts out the welcome mat to first responder recruiters from communities who have demonstrated that they do care. Voting for this measure sounds like a no-brainer, but support for it from the aginners has yet to be seen or heard. A vote against the 3/8¢ tax is a vote against our first responders.
The King Cotton Classic, touted by many as one of the best holiday prep tournaments, and a point of pride for our community, will die without support from the 5/8¢ tax. Game over. It was fun while it lasted. A vote against the 5/8¢ tax renewal is a vote against King Cotton.
Ditto for the Teach Pine Bluff program that provides professional assistance for Pine Bluff teachers seeking to achieve certification by the Arkansas Department of Education. By and large, teachers who have attained certification through this program sing its praises. Likewise for school administrators. This program benefits our entire community by improving educational resources. Should the 5/8¢ tax fail, it’s adios Teach Pine Bluff. A vote against the 5/8¢ tax renewal is a vote against Teach Pine Bluff. And by extension, Pine Bluff schools and school children.
If the 5/8¢ tax renewal fails, mortgage down payment assistance provided by the 5/8¢ tax for prospective new low and moderate-income ALICE Housing Program homeowners is history. Dozens of Pine Bluff families are now in their own homes due to this direct down payment help. A vote against the 5/8¢ tax renewal is a vote against mortgage down payment assistance for low and moderate-income families.
The Pine Bluff municipal grant writer has brought in $6.3 million with more pending. The grant writer’s salary is provided by the 5/8¢ tax. If the tax fails, either the position is in jeopardy, or the city picks up the tab. A vote against the 5/8¢ tax is a vote against the Pine Bluff grant writer.
Blight removal in Pine Bluff will grind to a tragic halt if the 5/8¢ tax fails. More than 200 dilapidated, rat-infested, drug-friendly structures have been demolished leaving clean lots, all funded by the 5/8¢ tax. The remaining inventory of eligible structures for demolition is staggering. A vote against the 5/8¢ tax renewal is a vote against blight removal. Rats, druggies and certain opposition supporters will rejoice.
While opposition organizations and their leaders allege that there is nothing to show for the 5/8¢ cent tax, as you can see, there is plenty to show that has helped many deserving Pine Bluff individuals, families, and the community as a whole with worthwhile projects and initiatives, all of which will be completely eliminated or suffer cutbacks if the 5/8¢ tax renewal fails. A vote against the tax is telling those folks, “You don’t count and we don’t care.”
From a brick-and-mortar perspective, the 5/8¢ tax and public generosity enabled completion of the Pine Bluff Community Center. Also when construction of the aquatic center was about to stall because the supporting penny tax did not generate enough funds to complete the project, the 5/8¢ tax provided funding to finish the center, one of the finest anywhere. The center was later named the Pine Bluff Carl A. Redus Aquatic Center. A vote against the tax eliminates our backup when traditional sources are not enough to get the job done.
The new 6th and Main Restaurant and Retail Plaza is under construction. Scheduled for a 2024 completion, the project is jointly funded by private funds and the 5/8¢ tax. Without the tax funding, this new project would not have happened. A vote against the tax slams the door on future cooperative projects.
Also slated for completion in 2024 is the new state-of-the-art Pine Bluff Go Kart track, mini-golf, paintball, and restaurant complex on East Harding Avenue, paid for by the 5/8¢ tax. A vote against the tax is a vote against future developments that provide new hometown opportunities.
For the new Flats on 6th Avenue Multi-family apartments, 5/8¢ tax proceeds funded acquisition of the land and development of the plans. The mayor, Go Forward Pine Bluff, and other local supporters teamed up to recruit a developer who is investing $8.2 million in the project. A vote against the 5/8¢ tax is tantamount to telling outside investors, “We’re not interested.” A crying shame.
I’ve lived in Pine Bluff now for 60 years. I’ve watched the conditions develop that now plague us and I’ve seen more committees, studies, plans, and alleged solutions to our problems than you can shake a stick at. Go Forward Pine Bluff and the 5/8¢ tax stand alone in making significant, measurable steps in the right direction with services for people and new brick-and-mortar projects.
The organization, Go Forward Pine Bluff, like all of our businesses, clubs, jobs, and other gatherings falls short of perfection. That said, its accomplishments speak loudly and are beneficial to our community, providing help previously not available, and on-the-ground projects heretofore not possible.
Renewing the 5/8¢ tax will keep Go Forward on the job, continue ongoing programs, and provide the platform for continued developments. Passing the 3/8¢ first responder tax will help us recruit and retain first responders and strengthen departmental capabilities. Defeat brings it all to a screeching halt. Which do you prefer?
Failure of these taxes does not bode well for our community. There’s a lot to lose and absolutely, positively, nothing to gain.
PS: To date, Go Forward Pine Bluff has brought in $31 million in new money to our community. How ‘bout them apples?
Joe Dempsey
