— Kelly Thrift, Republican candidate for Thomas County Commission District 5, has a great idea. I don’t usually give much credibility to ideas from Republicans, but her suggestion that “Thomas County commissioners should seek ways to generate revenue other than from taxes” is pretty good. Now just exactly how do we do that?

The millage rate may have been the same for three years, but the commission makes us pay more taxes by manipulating property appraisals. Check your tax bill.

Cable TV for the rural areas is a great idea. At one time, it cost $10,000 a mile to get cable to new areas. With all the backroads in the county, the commission could provide county-wide cable service for, uh, let’s see, uh, (carry the 4), uh, leave out the dirt roads and it could probably be done for $10 million or so. But then think of all the revenue it would generate. You have to spend money to make money. OK, well, maybe that isn’t such a good idea. Grants are just your tax money called something else.

There are lots of ways to raise money without raising taxes. The county commission could have a bake sale. Just think of it. It could sell Kelly’s Famous Cookies (if she’s elected),  Elaine’s Elegant Cakes or Mary Jo’s Lemon Meringue Pie.

Maybe Claude and Moses and Ken could do a barbecue. Everyone else could sell tickets and folks could come by and pick up their plates. It works for other civic organizations, and what’s any more “civic” than the county commission. Do that every weekend!

How about a car wash? Every Saturday, people could take their car to the nearest fire station and get it washed and vacuumed for $10. They already have hoses.

My favorite would be “Commissioner Candy” and “Citrus Fruit,”  just like the high school band sells. The commissioners and all the county employees could sell candy and citrus to all their friends and family.

Of course, the proceeds from all this would be go to the county budget.

One thing I know without a doubt. If taxes are cut, “services” have to be cut to match. The candidate needs to decide what “services” she thinks the citizens can do without to reduce taxes. Can we do without county police or fire protection? Maybe stop providing Dumpster and recycling sites, or mowing on highways. Turn off lights and the AC at the county jail and courthouse. Maybe people would be willing to stop raises for county employees or stop repairing the streets and roads for a few years, or reduce the number of county employees and vehicles. Stop carrying insurance on people, vehicles and buildings. The commission could sell some of the fire trucks and sheriff’s cars.

Are people willing to give up services to have a tax reduction? Maybe that question should be put on a ballot to find out.



Edward Marshall

Boston