More courtrooms, improved roads and a new county government center. What is not to like about Adams County Issue 1A? A lot!

First and foremost, Adams County wants to tax us for 20 years. Think about that. You and I will pay this tax. Our children will pay this tax. Our grandchildren will pay this tax! We all pay until the year 2028. If we vote to approve this tax, three generations of Adams County residents will be paying for it. Are we truly prepared to lay this tax burden on not only ourselves but two future generations as well?

Second, despite the ballot language, this is a tax increase and is much more than an "extension" of an existing tax. The existing tax is due to sunset on December 31, 2008 and thus our taxes would go down on January 1, 2009. Thus 1A is an increase over what you would pay otherwise! Also, the current tax is for roads and infrastructure - nothing more. 1A throws in numerous county facility improvements in addition to roads, all new items. If the tax is not for the same thing, then it is most certainly not an extension, at least not by any reasonable definition of the word.

This IS a new tax! The existing tax ends and 1A then starts. It is for a totally different period of time and it is for different items. 12 years after we approved a tax increase for the justice center, Adams County now needs more money for the same thing. If they couldn't plan beyond 12 years, do we really want to give them a tax increase lasting 20 years?

Recent mailings we have all received from supporters of the measure lead voters to believe funding for roads will be cut if 1A does not pass - this is not true! The current tax doesn't expire for over two years from now. So why is Adams County coming to voters now? That way they have plenty of time to take two more runs at the voters should 1A be defeated this year. Make no mistake, when it is defeated, the county will be back in 2007 and 2008 with their hands open.

Say no to 1A and make the county get it right - separate issues for roads and county facilities and certainly not for 20 years worth of taxes! Roads are one issue. County facilities are another. 20 years is too long. Make the county understand we are not necessarily opposed to these projects but we are opposed to county greed and the taxing of three generations of residents.