Group Formed to "Market" Tax Referendum

Renovations at LCSH Likely to Be "Gorilla" in the room.

A group has been formed to market the sales tax referendum, but it faces two challenges--what they are selling and the clock. When the group convenes for the first time tomorrow morning in a private meeting at the Chamber of Commerce, it will have only 34 days to reach agreement on a campaign to sell the 1/4 cent sales tax, raise funds, and conduct a marketing campaign. And the issue of LCSH is a gorilla the group will have to face.

Appointees to the group include:

• Commissioners--Jamie Kelly and Linda Shook
• School Board Members --Shawn Williams and John Bonardi
  
• CCCC Trustees--Ed Garrison and Jan Hayes
• Board of Economic Development--Tommy Mann, Jr. and Harry Miller
• Chamber of Commerce--Jerry Pedley and Chip Mann
• Friends of Lee County High School--Kathy Briggs and Arlene Jackson

Representatives of the School Board and Friends of Lee County High School are at odds with the County Commissioners over the decision by the county commission to delete specific references to renovations at Lee County High School from a resolution indicating how the new tax revenues might be spent.

The organizational meeting will deal with a name for the organization, determining its mission and role, identifying an entity to administer the committees funds, and a schedule of work. A big gorilla--the unresolved issue of listing specifically funding for Lee County High School is also likely to be sitting at the table and could consume considerable time and effort during the meeting. Meanwhile, the clock will be ticking.