Wording within a promotional Web site seemingly indicates a proposed half-cent sales tax for economic development might not directly profit White Hall and Redfield as much as Pine Bluff. The levy will be decided Tuesday in a special county-wide election, with early voting already under way and continuing through Monday.
The Committee for Jefferson County’s Future, affiliated with The Alliance of Jefferson County and largely comprised of members of the Greater Pine Bluff and White Hall Chambers of Commerce, has a questions-and-answers Web site.
Among the questions is, “I hear that the tax proceeds will be used primarily in White Hall and Redfield. Is this rumor true?”
“That rumor is simply false,” reads the response. “White Hall and Redfield are primarily residential in nature, while Pine Bluff is residential AND industrial in nature.
“Pine Bluff has abundant industrial space, including fully developed industrial parks and properties with industrial level utilities with available space. Pine Bluff has a port and the Harbor Industrial District with available space. Pine Bluff has excellent rail facilities. Pine Bluff has an airport capable of handling corporate jets.”
White Hall Mayor James “Jitters” Morgan, a committee member, authored a letter to White Hall residents urging them to support the tax. The letter appears on Page 4.
Morgan was advised by telephone of the Web site wording. He asserted, “What’s good for the county is good for White Hall and good for everyone.”
He accused The Journal of “trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill.” He was told that the newspaper is simply reporting fact and that he was being given an opportunity but was not obligated to comment.
Pine Bluff Mayor Carl Redus Jr. opposes the tax. After winning re-election in a Nov. 25 run-off against Greg Gustek, Redus reaffirmed his opposition.
Redus said the 59 percent of voters casting their ballots for him were illustrating their opposition as well. Redus and several Pine Bluff council members say that not enough public input was received during the proposed tax’s planning, a charge that the committee denies.
Following his run-off victory, Redus said he wants county residents to wait on President-elect Barack Obama’s proposals for job development.
Redus said Obama’s plan could create 2.5 million jobs without the tax hike, which he maintains is the product of “a special interest group.”
Redus said he might favor a local levy if one is crafted with more input from him and other Pine Bluff elected officials, a group he believes was purposely disregarded.
The tax, which would annually generate an estimated $4.5 million, would expire in 10 years. A second public vote would then be necessary for the levy to continue.
The monies would be overseen by a panel appointed by the county judge.
Wording within a promotional Web site seemingly indicates a proposed half-cent sales tax for economic development might not directly profit White Hall and Redfield as much as Pine Bluff. The levy will be decided Tuesday in a special county-wide election, with early voting already under way and continuing through Monday.
The Committee for Jefferson County’s Future, affiliated with The Alliance of Jefferson County and largely comprised of members of the Greater Pine Bluff and White Hall Chambers of Commerce, has a questions-and-answers Web site.
Among the questions is, “I hear that the tax proceeds will be used primarily in White Hall and Redfield. Is this rumor true?”
“That rumor is simply false,” reads the response. “White Hall and Redfield are primarily residential in nature, while Pine Bluff is residential AND industrial in nature.
“Pine Bluff has abundant industrial space, including fully developed industrial parks and properties with industrial level utilities with available space. Pine Bluff has a port and the Harbor Industrial District with available space. Pine Bluff has excellent rail facilities. Pine Bluff has an airport capable of handling corporate jets.”
White Hall Mayor James “Jitters” Morgan, a committee member, authored a letter to White Hall residents urging them to support the tax. The letter appears on Page 4.
Morgan was advised by telephone of the Web site wording. He asserted, “What’s good for the county is good for White Hall and good for everyone.”
He accused The Journal of “trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill.” He was told that the newspaper is simply reporting fact and that he was being given an opportunity but was not obligated to comment.
Pine Bluff Mayor Carl Redus Jr. opposes the tax. After winning re-election in a Nov. 25 run-off against Greg Gustek, Redus reaffirmed his opposition.
Redus said the 59 percent of voters casting their ballots for him were illustrating their opposition as well. Redus and several Pine Bluff council members say that not enough public input was received during the proposed tax’s planning, a charge that the committee denies.
Following his run-off victory, Redus said he wants county residents to wait on President-elect Barack Obama’s proposals for job development.
Redus said Obama’s plan could create 2.5 million jobs without the tax hike, which he maintains is the product of “a special interest group.”
Redus said he might favor a local levy if one is crafted with more input from him and other Pine Bluff elected officials, a group he believes was purposely disregarded.
The tax, which would annually generate an estimated $4.5 million, would expire in 10 years. A second public vote would then be necessary for the levy to continue.
The monies would be overseen by a panel appointed by the county judge.
