We received a flyer in the mail from the town wanting us to vote yes for the penny tax this year. It listed all projects the tax would cover, and most of them are really good. Ex: New county and city fire trucks, new EMS ambulances, road paving, acquisition and removal of distressed structures. These and more are well worth the penny tax, and I have no problem with that.
What I do have a problem with is none of the things listed have to do with increasing the police department or a plan to reduce crime in this town. Not one word on how we can improve on making the streets safer.
Here is $8.1 million that could be directed to our police and street safety:
Penny tax includes: $2.8 million to build pickleball courts
$3.8 million to build sidewalks (They don't take care of the ones they already built. The ones by my house are terrible; usually covered by grass)
$1.5 million to Mayesville to build a gathering place with covered seating, an eating area and an upscale farmers market (How many farmers markets do we need in Sumter?)
On a side note: $2.6 million to improve Dillon Park. The last time they did improvements by building a dog park, it was never maintained. Never any doggie bags and the lights in the overhead fans were broken within a short time and the water fountains didn't work. It was said they could not afford to put in cameras. With a penny tax, they could.
Pickleball, a sidewalk and a farmers market are not going to control the crime in this town. Give this $8.1 million to the police department. Hire more cops, get updated police equipment, and set a sweep on crime. Then maybe we will all feel safe enough to go play pickleball or eat outdoors.
SANDRA SELLAR
Sumter
More Articles to Read