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2% Sales Tax
Is the Jeff Davis Parish Police Jury Selling us Out?
Don't overlook this one?
The Hathaway community is what it is in part due to it’s infrastructure. Any person will tell you that the Hathaway School is essentially what defines the community. Over the years the community has seen growth that could be defined as moderate. If you noticed, along a few of the paved roads, or roads near pavement within a quarter mile, sub-divisions have popped up. This is part and parcel to some of the growth. With paved roads, sub-division and new housing opportunities abound. It is universally agreed that paved roads will improve property values. That being said, there is no way to prevent those who’s property values improved, from cashing in.
Sources tell me that one of the major drivers behind this tax proposal is not the desire to get paved roads for as many tax paying citizens as possible, for school buses, safety or any other catchword. The major driver is pressure from real estate developers and property owners, looking to build sub-divisions, trailer parks, and individual home sites. Hurricane’s Rita and Katrina, displaced a large segment of the Louisiana population.
Real estate developers and wealthy land owners are anxious to cash in. In district 8, Hathaway, if you put pavement on Lantz road, Ponderosa road, Hines Road and improve a few others that are already paved and you got yourself some prime real estate. A major driver is the same as it has always been. The almighty dollar. It’s all about sub-divisions, trailer parks and with a little luck maybe some government funded housing projects. And all you wanted was some lousy black-top, unfortunately others have much loftier goals!
If the 2% sales tax passes, it could set the stage for unprecedented growth in the Hathaway community. You can expect landowners to cash in on the action. With growth comes families, with families come school age children. This growth could deliver more revenue to the school system and to Hathaway’s Maintenance fund. Unfortunately for Hathaway High School, it cannot support much growth. There are several options. None of which anyone is going to like. Re-drawing of district lines is an option and school consolidation is another. And all you wanted were paved roads!
It is
possible that within 10 years, with the passage of the road tax, the areas that
were once unattractive will now be commercially appealing. We could begin to see
wealthy landowners striking deals with HUD to bring in our very first housing
projects, with taxpayer dollars helping families to make Hathaway La. their new
home. With growth comes more cash for the Police Jury in the form of permits
and taxes. All they have to do to get there....is pass this tax, then sell us
out!
A Vote of No is a
vote against corruption, bad decisions,
and the attempt to sell us out to wealthy landowners and real estate developers.