It’s inevitable that during the course of a day, we spend money - whether it be for a meal, a golf club or a new 52-inch television. Where we spend our money is our choice. If passed, the 1 percent (one cent for every dollar) sales tax will have a positive impact on our city’s fire, police and other municipal services.

So, where do we Bella Vistans currently shop? If I decide to buy that new television, I might go to Best Buy in Rogers or Wal-Mart in Bentonville. A percentage of the sales tax (6 percent) goes to the state of Arkansas. If the item is delivered to Bella Vista, 1 percent goes to the city of Bella Vista; if we carry it out of the store, the remaining sales tax goes to the city of Rogers/Bentonville.

Gosh, how benevolent of us to contribute to those cities’ coffers even though I don’t live in either town. I would think the least the mayor and council could do is send me a thank-you card for supporting their city.

Oh well, at least 6 percent isgoing to the state, of which I am a proud resident. I could have shopped at the Wal-Mart in Jane, Mo., like most Bella Vistans do.

Not only are we supporting McDonald County, but we are also supporting the Great State of Missouri, just to save a few cents.

Next time you decide when and where you are going to spend your money, think about the options that you have.

The Weekly Vista stated Bella Vista is the only first-class city in Benton County that does not have a sales tax. I think it’s about time that we and others financially support our city for a change.

JACK FELLENZER

Bella Vista A REASONABLE REQUEST To add my small yip to the howls about the traffic on Cleveland Street: I have lived at the bottom of the street nearSang Avenue for 35 years now. I have seen cars land upside down on my neighbor’s hedge, crash into the yard on Sang (one even flipped and burned) and many other remarkable sights. A month or so ago I was crossing the street with my golden retriever (both of us are getting on in years) and a car turned left from Sang and missed us by only a foot or two - I could feel the rush of air as he passed. Game traffic I can endure stoically, and even the Bikes, Blues & BBQ visitors are tolerable.

But desperate situations demand draconian measures. I would put three-way stop signs at Sang and Cleveland, put a stop sign and a speed bump on Lewis, and another speed bump at Cedarwood (well marked, of course). I have no desire to see anyone killed or injured; on the other hand, I would like to be able to cross the street without fearing for my life.

CATHY BOYD

Fayetteville

Opinion, Pages 5 on 11/09/2009

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