Illinois

Here's a nice letter-to-the-editor that appeared in Monday's Journal Standard:

This is for our eight aldermen and aldermen-at-large. Take into consideration the following before you rubber stamp the proposed 0.25 percent sales tax increase. Yes, 35 percent of sales tax revenue generated in Freeport comes from out of town.

As we are currently expanding the bypass around Freeport, remember this road will assist in taking our town business to Pecatonica, Winnebago, Rockford or Lena, Stockton or Galena, with greater ease.

You may wish to clear up an issue with my fellow residents. How dare you give thousands of dollars in tax incentives to a multi-billion dollar company for expansion on our south side. An expansion that would have happened without said incentives. All the while, we residents take it in the neck, while you are looking at a $500,000 budget deficit.

I wonder, with this tax incentive, these companies promise so many jobs over a period of time. Who monitors this? You? What happens if the company does not apply? Another tax incentive I would suppose. See? I always thought tax incentives were for small business. I guess Wal-Mart is a small employer in Freeport.

Yes, you need to think this one over, as you sit at the Visitors Center, watching the cars heading east, I hope you think Shop Freeport First.

Neal Toepfer