Council asks for 'yes' vote on use tax

On Tuesday, Poplar Bluff voters will decide whether or not a local use tax should go into effect, a measure barely defeated a year ago.

As your representatives on the City Council, we unanimously encourage you to support this measure.

Communities nationwide are facing declining revenues and are unable to provide essential services their citizens rely on and deserve. Here in Poplar Bluff, we are starting to feel this pain.

Our police and fire departments are both professional and courteous and are committed to the public safety principle -- to serve and protect. We have good people risking their lives daily and they need their community to support them. Just recently, we had a local police officer shot while in the line of duty. This underscores the importance of having adequate resources and the most up-to-date equipment for public safety personnel to do their job.

Maintenance and repairs to our streets are also important and it takes manpower, equipment, and resources, to keep them in good condition!

By voting in favor of the Poplar Bluff Proposition, this also helps level the playing field for our local merchants, which is only fair and helps support the men and women who have invested their time, talent, and finances to grow Poplar Bluff's economy.

The City Council is proud of our city and genuine in its belief that passing this proposition is something good for Poplar Bluff. There are no selfish intentions and we each want what is best for our fellow citizens and our employees. Your City Council wants to be able to provide you the best available services.

To the citizens, we ask for your help in keeping Poplar Bluff strong and growing, by voting "YES" for the Poplar Bluff Proposition. It is the last measure on the ballot!

Respectfully,

-- Susan McVey

Mayor, Ward 1

-- Steve Davis

Mayor Pro Tem, At-large

-- Ron Black

At-large

-- Ed Degaris

Ward 2

-- Barbara Horton

Ward 3

-- Shane Cornman

Ward 4

-- Robert Smith

Ward 5