Letter: Don't take anger out on citizens

To the Editor:

Dean Adams, in his letter (R-E, Oct. 24) urged a “no” vote on the local option sales tax because he was upset about the lack of transparency in the city staff. He wanted information about salaries of city staff and the city did not provide the information as quickly as he wanted.

This is a little like “Cutting off your nose to spite your face.” If you vote “no” on the sales tax issue. you are punishing the mother with three little kids who are trying to cross main street and go to the YMCA before the light turns red again. You are punishing the folks that enjoy the Sheldon and want to preserve it as a city jewel as it certainly is. You are punishing the many seniors that are looking for a Senior Center home. You are punishing the visiting boaters that need a floating dock to stop in Red Wing and shop our stores, eat in our restaurants, and discover how neat Red Wing really is.

The half-cent sales tax, which is so very small, will pay for improvements in four different areas. The tax will not be used for anything but those projects and will end when they are paid for. Those four projects were chosen by a citizens committee, not by city staff.

There are many more things that are going to happen to make Red Wing's future brighter because of the local option half-cent sales tax. We ask that you become informed about the sales tax issue.

We don't know why the city staff did not provide the information Adams needs. But please don't hurt the citizens of Red Wing for something city staff might have done or didn't do.

We urge all the registered voters of Red Wing to vote yes for the local option sales tax. It's a good investment for the future of Red Wing. Be informed. Vote yes.

Local Option Half Cent Sales Tax Marketing Committee

Dean Massett

Jerry Borgen

Dan Mjolsness

Nancy Swanson

David Hallstrom

Diane Hallstrom

Tom Schooley

John Hanson

Robin Wipperling

Red Wing

Tags: opinion, letters