The turnout for the city of Ironton’s first town meeting to discuss the proposed municipal income tax increase was disappointing.

Friday, October 05, 2001

The turnout for the city of Ironton’s first town meeting to discuss the proposed municipal income tax increase was disappointing.

Very few showed up for the meeting and those who did were mostly city employees. With voters going to the polls on Nov. 6 to decide whether or not to accept the .45-percent increase city council has proposed to help bail the city out of financial problems, it is of the utmost importance they understand what they are voting on and why they choose to vote the way they do.

Ironton City Council has been open about the financial problems the city is facing. The board has not met in secret but in the light of public scrutiny. Serious times calls for serious people and it’s time for Ironton residents to drop the political lines and start working with the government to move, drag, pull and force this city into better days.

Feedback is one of the best resources of government officials. Not only can you ask questions at these meetings, but you can have input. If you don’t show up, don’t criticize the outcome of the vote or the consequences of it.

Also, hearing what the city officials have to say may change your mind on how you plan to vote – no matter which way you are leaning.

Taxes, increases and the like often scare voters, but find out what the increase would mean to you. Find out if it is something you would be willing to sacrifice for the city. Find out if the money you would save by not having the increase imposed would be better for you. The choice is yours, but make sure you make that choice with the knowledge of what ramifications you will face by making that choice.

Town meetings will be held every Tuesday through Oct. 23. The next town meeting will be held Oct. 9 at Operation Be Proud, followed by Oct. 16 at the First Baptist Church and Oct. 23 at Ohio University Southern Campus.

Residents need to look at their responsibilities when it comes to the city’s financial situation. We live in a society where the right to rule is based on the right to vote and city residents will be called upon this coming election to determine the financial course of this city. In order to make an informed decision, voters should attend every town meeting called to discuss this issue in order to hear the issues the city is facing.