Vote yes on ballot issues

Weston County voters are being asked to cast their vote on three different ballot propositions in this year’s general election surrounding different taxes. As residents head to the polls, it is important that they understand that answering yes to these proposed propositions will not cost them any additional money. 
While it may look like the voters will be approving three different taxes, that is simply not the case. Each of these taxes, whether it is the lodging tax, 1% optional sales tax, or 6 mills for the Weston County Hospital District, is already in effect and approval by voters at this year’s election will only continue them for four more years. 
Casting a vote in favor of both the optional sales tax and the 6 mills for the hospital will help fund a variety of services and accommodations in the community, including senior center services, programs for children and youth, and helping to keep the local hospital and long-term living facilities operating. For the most part, this money stays completely local and benefits community members in a variety of ways. 
Now more than ever these taxes are essential to continuing operations at the quality level we have come to enjoy in our small community. It is no secret that the economic condition in the state, country and across the globe is questionable, and budget cuts from the top are continuing to funnel down the pike. 
As for the lodging tax, that money goes to funding the Weston County Travel Commission, a local entity tasked solely with bringing people to the community. This includes advertising Newcastle and Weston County in an array of ways to helping promote local events and businesses, which benefits the community and those who live here, although they may not realize it. 
This tax, according to Norma Shelton, treasurer of the travel commission, is applied to hotel rooms and other travel accommodations. She noted that this means that the tax is paid by those visiting the community and not necessarily those that live here. 
Here at the News Letter Journal we encourage residents to continue to support the proposed ballot propositions. Your vote of support for these propositions will continue to provide support for entities that may be facing funding cuts and reduced services. 
With support for these taxes dwindling through the years, with more and more individuals voting against the taxes in the last election than ever before, individuals must remind themselves of what these funds go to and how this money could benefit themselves, their family and their neighbors in the long run. 
And, as always, don’t forget to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Let your voice be heard! 
Newcastle voters will cast their ballots at the Weston County Events Center in Newcastle, in Osage at the Osage Fire Hall, and in Upton at the Upton Community Center. Absentee voting has already begun and early ballots can be cast at the Weston County Courthouse.