EDMOND — Four city-related entities this week put forth a “Shop Edmond” campaign, reminding residents of the importance of spending their dollars, and therefore, their sales tax dollars, inside the city limits. While this is certainly not a new campaign for the city to undertake, this year the reminder is more relevant and pressing than ever before in Edmond’s recent history.
The Edmond City Council this week announced $745,000 worth of adjustments for the fiscal 2009-10 city budget. It’s the first time in about 20 years that Edmond has not seen a steady increase in its sales tax revenue collections, with the city 7.4 percent below its projected budget so far this fiscal year.
The City of Edmond, the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce, the Edmond Economic Development Authority and the Edmond Convention and Visitors Bureau have all chipped in to get the message out. They put together a list of 10 reasons why residents should shop locally, and that list is pretty on-target, especially in noting Edmond’s low 7.75 percent sales tax rate. It’s the next-to-lowest sales tax rate in Oklahoma County, with 4.5 percent of that amount going to state coffers.
Many may see this campaign as government trying to keep up excessive spending. We don’t believe that to be the case. City Manager Larry Stevens for the past five years has stated in his annual city budget message that while Edmond has experienced phenomenal growth, the city must be prepared for that situation to change. After five years of predictions, Stevens, along with the council, must now guide how the city responds to that reality.
If you ask an Edmond resident why they moved here or why they continue to stay, most will respond with reasons such as Edmond’s great schools, its green spaces and wonderful parks and several other amenities. Those green spaces, amenities such as Arcadia Lake, walking trails and the dog park as well as important city services such as police and fire are paid for out of city sales tax revenue.
Essentially, if you ask yourself the reasons why you live in Edmond and continue to stay here, you have to also realize that your sales tax dollars are what make those nice things possible for you, your family and your neighbors to enjoy.
If you enjoy what the city has to offer now in the way of services, if you want Edmond to continue to be a leading community in the state, and if you want the city to accomplish new goals for a better community experience, then think about shopping locally this holiday season.
“Shop Edmond” is one way that each one of us can make a difference in our city’s quality of life.
Opinion
11-27 Editorial: our view
‘Shop Edmond’ makes a difference
- Opinion
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OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
If you read any of the letters to the editor in the past two weeks regarding Tuesday’s District 2 Edmond school board race, then you already know that this election is not about the individual candidates so much as it’s about what type of school board do Edmond residents really want governing their school district?
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What are your presidential 10 Commandments?
As we brace for the upcoming presidential campaign, we should be honest about our responsibility in the process. Before we get pushed, pulled, bribed, frightened, bullied, flattered, fooled or charmed into voting for a candidate, let’s take a mature thoughtful look at what the profile of the president should look like. In order to do that, let’s do an exercise. Sit down with a pencil and paper and draft your proposal for the Ten Commandments to be obeyed by the president. Let me share some of my suggestions.
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What would Reagan do today in Oklahoma?
As we celebrated the 101st anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth on Feb. 6, several of us at Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs started discussing what Reagan might do today. Here are some of the ideas we came up with.
- LETTER: School counselor says Roy ready to help all students
- LETTER: Supporter calls Duncan 'a firecracker'
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Consequences of an overregulated nation
Overreaching government regulations are costing jobs and killing our economy. They are a heavy burden on our nation and its citizens — in some cases worse than our nation’s increasingly out-of-control debt.
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LETTER: Supporter: Duncan shows passion for children’s needs
To the Editor:
The families in the Edmond Public School District are fortunate to have Kathleen Duncan as their advocate on the Edmond Board of Education. Duncan has worked tirelessly for the welfare and benefit of the Edmond schools’ students. -
LETTER: Teacher supports Duncan’s re-election
To the Editor:
On Feb. 14 patrons of District 2 have an opportunity to re-elect the current president of the Edmond School Board, Kathleen Duncan. Duncan has served as a board member for 10 years. When people move to the Oklahoma City area, they buy a home here because of the exceptional quality of Edmond Public Schools. This speaks to Duncan’s goal of “Excellence in Education for All Edmond Public School Students.” -
LETTER: Supporter: Duncan understands diverse issues
To the Editor:
Kathleen Duncan understands the diverse issues that effect our schools. She carefully studies the district’s issues and works tirelessly as an advocate for all students. Her votes as a board member have an impact for years to come and she takes that responsibility very seriously. - LETTER: Reader says incumbent's personal agenda in the way
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OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
