THE PUBLIC MIND: CAPE COUNTY SENIOR CITIZEN TAX DESERVES `YES' VOTE TUESDAY

Dear Editor:

For almost two years, I have served as chairman of a committee working toward getting the Senior Citizens' Service tax levy on the Cape County ballot.

After House Bill 351 was passed by the 85th Missouri General Assembly, the committee appeared before the Cape County Commission on three occasions asking that voters be given the opportunity to ballot on the tax issue. The Commission, by unanimous vote, placed the tax levy on the April 2 ballot.

Since January, our committee and other volunteers have worked hard to educate the public on the need for this tax and on the services it will provide. The question which voters will ballot on April 2 is: Shall Cape Girardeau County levy a tax of 5 cents per each $100 dollars assessed valuation on all taxable property for the purpose of providing services to persons 60 years of age or older?" We hope every taxpayer will vote "Yes."

There are a few facts I would like to impress upon voters. They are:

- This is NOT a nutrition center tax. This is a senior citizens' service tax. Any money for this tax will go into Cape County revenues. The County Commission will appoint 7 directors to represent all areas of Cape County. These directors will make all decisions on services to be funded with the tax money.

- None of this money can be used for building purposes or for entertainment at the Nutrition Centers.

- Any of about 20 agencies providing services to senior citizens in Cape County can apply for funding through this tax money.

- Some of the services that tax will help fund are:

1. Home-delivered meals to shut-ins, especially in the rural areas, and contracted transportation for these meal deliveries;

2. More available transportation for medical care and shopping, particularly for seniors in rural areas who never learned to drive or whose physical condition prevents them from driving;

3. Personal care, respite and in-home work services for the frail elderly; and,

4. Adult day care services such as Eldercare.

The above services for senior citizens have been discussed many times in the past few weeks, so I will not go into depth on the services per se.

However, I would like to impress upon taxpayers the necessity for the services. For those who have used any of these services, there is no question but what the tax money is badly needed and that this is a worthwhile cause.

For those of you who have never cared for a disabled loved one or never needed the home-delivered meals or other services, I say these services are the most beneficial things you will ever have if and when you do need them.

To the younger generation, I point out that they may see their parents or grandparents in need of the services at some time. If they have to care for their parents at a future date, they will quickly learn the importance of the service. They, themselves, are the future senior citizen generation.

To senior citizens who say they are in good health and don't need the services, I ask, "What about tomorrow? Next week? Next year?" There are no guarantees that they won't have a stroke, heart attack or other disabling illness or accident, maybe, even tonight.

The Missouri Assembly has done its part. The Cape County Commission has done its part. This committee has done its part. Now it is up to the voters to do their part by marking their ballots "Yes" to the tax issue question.

We can do so much for so many for so little. Let's do it!

Glenn W. Lampley

Committee for Senior

Citizens' Service Tax

Cape Girardeau