Editor, The Commercial:
I hope all of you read the editorial in the November 20th Pine Bluff Commercial — “When Fairness Isn’t Fair.’ Unfortunately, our local newspaper didn’t go far enough in its rebuke of the Pine Bluff city council, specifically, the members of the Ways and Means Committee. This committee voted to redistribute money tagged for public safety to include all other departments in the city. The people had already spoken in this matter when they voted for the 5/8-center tax (this was part of the package).
The Pine Bluff Commercial complimented Mayor Redus for holding true to the intent and purpose of the voters. According to the Commercial, Redus asked the city council to honor the wishes of taxpayers and give larger raises to employees of the police and fire departments. Whoa, Mr. Mayor, but this does no hold true to the intent and purpose of the voters. We did not vote to give large or small raises to other departments, only the police and fire departments.
I had a yard sign when this tax was proposed. I voted for it, and I encouraged my friends and neighbors to do the same. Many of them voiced fears that the tax would not be used the way the voters intended. I am sorry to day that they appear to have been right. Vote them out of office. Power to the people.
Jeanette McGrew
Pine Bluff