In a recent edition of the Times-Enterprise, Ed Marshall had another in a long series of letters calling for cutting taxes in Thomas County. Over the years, he has been a persistent critic of county government. He has opposed every sales tax referendum for county government and the school systems. At times, he even presumes himself to be a spokesman for the people. That is his right as a citizen. However, if he is going to challenge the actions of county commissioners, I believe he has an obligation to the people of Thomas County to get his facts straight.

Marshall is correct about the tax increase approved by the board of commissioners in 2013. All commissioners at the time agreed that a tax increase was necessary. However, three commissioners wanted a smaller increase than the one eventually approved by the majority. Marshall is wrong to give the impression that the taxes raised were only used for employee pay increases.

Thomas County government’s main priority is protecting the health and safety of our citizens. The major share of the tax increase Marshall refers to went to the purchase of equipment, vehicles and building improvements for the sheriff’s office, Fire and Rescue, 911, emergency medical and other county services. In the period from 2012-16, Thomas County has purchased patrol cars, ambulances, fire trucks, dump trucks, motor graders, bulldozers and other capital items totaling more than $6.2 million.

Nobody likes the pay taxes, but when the safety of your home is threatened, when your home in on fire, when you are sick or injured, when a tree falls across your road or a culvert is washed away in the middle of a violent storm, everyone, including Marshall, expects county workers to be there, fully equipped and prepared to do the job — and we are, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Yes, Thomas County makes an investment in its employees as well. Most of our 350 employees could make more money doing something else for a living. They stay because they believe in what they do. County employees take great satisfaction in serving the people of this community. Very often, we serve you when you are at your lowest,. That is when county employees are at their best. During the same period from 2012-16, county employees received pay increases that amounted to less than one percent of the total county operating budgets.

Concerning criticism of county commissioners, we know we are fair game and it comes with the territory. Marshall’s most recent critique, in addition to being factually wrong, does a great disservice to Thomas County employees who work everyday to help make our community a better place to live. As a retired employee of the federal government, he should understand this better than any one.

J. Elaine Mays

District 8 Thomas County commissioner