By By Chuck Bodiford Publisher
December 9 is a date that is well known and fast approaching. This date will allow the residents of Escambia County to voice their opinion on whether they will support a 3-mill renewal and 10-mill increase of the current ad valorem tax. There are both supporters and non supporters of the tax increase each with their own opinion on the matter. Friday afternoon Mayor Howard Shell voiced not only his thoughts on the matter but one last appeal. This appeal asked the residents of Atmore to really weigh the facts when deciding whether to support the referendum.
Shell said, "The City of Atmore would like to make one last appeal to each of our citizens who has an opportunity to vote in Tuesday's election. Your vote is going to make a very crucial impact in our educational system for Escambia County. The city of Atmore has always been a strong supporter both vocally and financially of our school system. Even though we have had to reduce the amount that the city can contribute to the school system, they have not been completely cut out of revenue from the city of Atmore. We are still able to provide them a strong show of support through the ad valorem tax. We feel that we have always supported the school system even with inflation as it is today. The cost of everything is going up. Both school buses and city vehicles require fuel, its price is going up. We as concerned citizens need to understand that as we adjust our budgets at home, both the city and the school board have to adjust ours as well."
Shell closed with, "Please look closely at the pros and cons of this issue and we ask that if at all possible please support this vote for our children."