Editor, The Commercial:
I went to the Go Forward meeting the other day and all the presenters did a great good. My concern is that they want to tax the people to fix the Masonic Temple and the Saenger Theatre. I have a real problem with that.
First of all, if you all loved that theatre and temple so much, you all should have put some money in it. I love history, believe me I do. When I go out of town I go to historic districts and just absorb all I can. But, if you love the people of Pine Bluff I have another alternative for you all. Let’s talk about the Jefferson Hospital Association. It has enough money in it to do what needs to be done to our city.
The meeting started off by saying we have a shrinking tax base, but you want to tax us some more. Isn’t this money in this association tax money? Seems like no one wants to talk about this money. If it is private money, I am sorry. If it is not, I would like to know.
They gave money to Pine Bluff Country Club. Why not spend some of it to fix downtown? They gave some to Seabrook. Why not the Merrill Center? Wasn’t it owned by Seabrook once upon a time?
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Then they talked about the tax money going to the city but the private 501 c 3 going somewhere else. I work here, I volunteer here, I go to church here, I live here. I want progress like the next person, but we are taxed enough. Can someone give us an update on the Jefferson Hospital Association $118,000.00 monies? Thank you for your time.
Albert J. King Jr.
Pine Bluff