Local option tax will drive away shoppers

In midst of the worst economic conditions in 70 years, 8.5-percent county unemployment, faltering recovery from longest, worst recession since Great Depression, it’s ludicrous to propose that additional sales taxes would be considered to fund mostly non-essential projects. Further, local option sales tax is thinly-veiled attempt to saddle county residents living outside Sandpoint and Ponderay, shopping there for necessities, with costs of projects of no benefit to them, they will probably never use, without ability to vote.

Reviewing these projects reported in the Daily Bee (Aug. 15) I would consider all 11 of Sandpoint’s non-essential; never use eight. Three of Ponderay’s seven might be essential for Ponderay but of no benefit to a rural county resident; five I would never use.

Should this tax pass I would shift my purchases to Coeur d’Alene/Hayden. With greater competition, selection, already lower costs, would be gratifying both on principle and pricing. Often gasoline pricing already .10 to .20/gallon less than the unjustified fuel “rip off” in this area, adding to feasibility of travel there. I have talked with a number of rural residents in this area, all say they would do the same.

Sandpoint and Ponderay, to fund non-essential projects , in current economy, having little benefit to rural county residents, propose a means of taxing only your own residents, the primary beneficiaries and voters. Don’t ask rural residents to help pay for something they wont use, can’t vote on.

To drive away local year-round business, particularly large ticket purchases, increased taxes are a good way to do it.

PHIL POUTRÉ

Cocolalla