Editor, The Commercial:
Sherwood is building a new state-of-the-art library at a cost of $5.8 million. It is to be 14,244 square feet and will be on 14 acres with ample parking, walking trails and outdoor instructional programs.
Now, let’s compare. Pine Bluff is building a news library at a cost of $14 million It is to be built on two lots next to a crumbling building that fell into the street more than two years ago and onto another building only recently. And the asking price for the two lots is $385,000. I didn’t realize that the property in our crumbling downtown came with that price tag!
I am not against progress. I am a voracious reader and am in the library at least every two weeks to check out books. I voted for the one cent tax (Redus administration.) The first thing Mr. Redus and the City Council did with that money was to give themselves a raise. I voted for the library tax. But two lots next to a crumbling building and with a price tag of $385,000?
In addition, city leaders want another 5/8 cent city sales tax increase, which proponents say will generate $32.5 million over seven years. With a dwindling population? And, who is to manage the money generated from this tax and what are the downtown improvements to be made?
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
To go along with the new money, proponents want to raise another $20 million in grants and donations. We can’t seem to get enough donations to meet the $1,200,000 United Way dollar target. Unfortunately, we no longer have Mr. Jim Caldwell.
Pine Bluff has lost so many middle and upper-middle class citizens. We have an older population, and many of our citizens are on welfare or barely making it. Where are the millionaires?
Jeanette McGrew
Pine Bluff