Raves, Rants & Roses

RESPONSE: Well, the Smith County jail bond got beaten down again. Perhaps commissioners need to find an alternative way to pay for housing our criminals other than making property owners foot the bill. It just doesn't seem fair that only real estate holders would have "ownership" in this facility.

I can't be certain, but I would bet persons who own property make up a smaller percentage of the criminal element in Smith County than non-property owners.

If this rationale is correct, it would seem that expecting property owners to pay for the jail is disproportionate to their actually ever having the benefit of ever using it for themselves.

Why not adopt a 1/2 cent sales tax like the city has to pay for this jail. That way all will have to pay for "ownership" in this jail. Sheriff J.B. Smith says we are paying for Gregg County's jail. Maybe with a 1/2 cent tax, we can get some of Gregg County's money back when their constituents do business in Smith County.

N.J. Neeley
Tyler