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North County Inc. Endorses
Ballot Issues
From time to time the board
of North County Inc. (NCI) is asked to Take
a stand on issues that come before the community.
This is not something that we do lightly,
because of the diversity of opinions on our
board of directors who come from all over
North County. However, when we do take a stand,
it is because we feel strongly that the issue
is of the utmost importance. Such is the case
with three issues on the November ballot.
Proposition 2 is a no-tax
increase bond issue in the Hazelwood School
District that will be used to improve school
libraries, early childhood, gifted programs,
out-of-date facilities and overcrowding.
Proposition K is a no-tax
increase bond issue in the Pattonville School
District that will be used for much needed
improvements in the school buildings throughout
the district. NCI feels that quality schools
and educational programs are vital to the
quality of life in north county and asks you
to support these ballot measures.
Amendment 3 is a state-wide
proposal to increase the tax on tobacco products
to fund trauma centers, restore Medicaid benefits
to the 90,000 people who were removed last
year and fund anti-smoking education programs.
Two years ago, we saw the need for funding
of trauma centers when Christian Hospital
did shut, and SSM DePaul Health Center nearly
shut its trauma center due to a lack of adequate
funding. Likewise, there are many persons
with disabilities who work at the sheltered
workshops in north county who have lost all
or part of their Medicaid assistance because
they make $200.00 a month working in the workshops.
Finally, even though Missouri has received
a sizable amount of money from the tobacco
settlement, those funds have been placed in
general revenue to balance the state budget
rather than to support the anti-smoking problems
they were intended for.
For these reasons, we ask you
to vote "yes" on amendment 3.
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