This is in response to several comments I have read and heard recently on the proposal to raise the sales tax in Scott County by one-half percent, putting it back at 1 cent. Although I can understand a person's hesitation to vote for more taxes right now, it seems these people aren't looking at the big picture.

I live in rural Scott County. There are no city police patrolling my area. I rely entirely on the county deputies for protection and security for my family. If I have an emergency in the middle of the night, I don't want to have to wait for a deputy to be called out from home to assist me. That's the way it used to be, and I would rather not go back to those days. My family's safety is definitely worth the half-cent tax. I think most rural citizens of this county would agree.

The county has offered an abatement of our county property tax. I feel this is a fair deal for property owners. The surrounding counties already charge at least a one-cent sales tax. How much do most people who live in Scott County really pay in sales taxes to the county? Wal-Mart and Lowe's are in New Madrid County. So you think a person is going to decide to go to Food Giant and Walgreen's just because they would be paying a half-cent less in sales tax? I doubt it. Will they decide to shop C&K and House of Color rather than Lowe's just because they will spend a half-cent less in sales tax? Probably not. I mean no disrespect to the local businesses mentioned, because they are all fine businesses and worthy of our money. But the fact remains that most people in this county spend most of their money in another county.

So who does spend the most money for sales tax in Scott County? Four of the largest producers of sales tax in the county are Lambert's, Drury Inn, Boomland and the outlet mall. Who do you think provides most of the business for these places? Locals or visitors? I would venture to say visitors. Since we pay most of our sales tax money in other counties, why shouldn't our county benefit from visitors?

I hope people will focus on the real issues. We have chosen to live in this county. Shouldn't we provide ourselves with the same level of law enforcement and the same level of income from visitors that other counties enjoy? Many people I have spoken with don't realize that there was a change in the sales tax. But without the income in our county, I'm afraid the safety of the county, especially those of us in the country, will decline. Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.

Mindy McCormick lives near Scott City.