Exercise your right to VOTE on Tues., April 6

The year 2010 for the City of Rolla and many cities throughout Missouri is significant not only because of the budgetary and economic challenges we are facing, and the quality of life we are trying to secure for our children and future generations, but because it is a Census year and a year of many important considerations.

I have mentioned often, as have other members of our community, of the importance of filling out and mailing in your 2010 U.S. Census forms, and what a difference it will make to our community in the years to come. We are counting on you, so please be counted. An equally important action you can take in 2010 as concerned and active citizens, is to exercise your right to VOTE this coming Tuesday on April 6 during the Rolla General Election.

In addition to the Rolla Municipal Election, which includes numerous contested races, please remember that you will be asked to also vote on two other very important ballot issues that will have a long lasting impact on our community. The two ballot issues I am speaking of are the proposed Phelps County Emergency Dispatch Sales Tax known as Proposition 911 and the Rolla Public School District Proposition.

Proposition 911 is the Phelps County Sales Tax of ¼ of one percent being proposed by the Phelps County Commission to REPLACE the existing 15% land-line surcharge applied to local telephone service. The Rolla City Council approved at the March 1 City Council meeting a resolution endorsing the Phelps County Emergency Dispatch Sales Tax, and more information on this proposition is available online at www.rollacity.org.

The Rolla Public School District Proposition, which is a no tax rate increase proposition, will require a 4/7 majority vote to approve the current debt service levy to remain unchanged at 25 cents which will fund an $8.3 million bond proposal to construct and improve three important projects at Rolla High School, Rolla Middle School and Rolla Junior High School. Funding for the projects will include $8.3 million from the bond proposal and $1 million from the RPS district capital projects fund. More information on this important proposition is available online at www.rolla.k12.mo.us.

Polls will open on Tuesday for the Rolla General Election at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. For more information regarding polling locations and ward maps, please visit www.rollacity.org/wards/voter. You may also contact Carol Daniels in the City Clerk’s office at Rolla City Hall, 901 North Elm Street, at (573) 426-6942 or online at cdaniels@rollacity.org.

Please do your part as citizens who care about the future of our great community, and VOTE on Tuesday, April 6.