Forum Held On Proposed Baldwin Tax Increase

Will people in Baldwin County approve a one cent sales tax hike for public schools?
Proponents of the plan held a forum Tuesday night to answer questions.
Some people said the issue may come down to a matter of trust.
More than fifty people turned out at Bay Minette Middle School for the forum.
Baldwin County Director of Human Resources Lester Smith told the group, "You've got more positions at risk if it doesn't pass."
There was a give and take between people attending the meeting and school officials.
One person asked, "How is going to be decided how the funds are going to be appropriated? We want our kids to get an education, not a brand new football stadium."
Baldwin County School Board Member Robert Wills said, "Our priorities are teachers and education above athletic facilities."
Another person said, "Spanish Fort can't go one year without a football stadium."
Wills told her, "In Spanish Fort, the city helped contribute funds toward all their athletic facilities."
Another person said, "I want some accountability in the school system on where our money is going. How are we going to know?"
Smith said, "There's not going to be one dime that's going to go to build a new classroom or new building anywhere."
And one person attending the forum said, "The people that I talk to (say the reason) they're not going to vote for the tax is because, quite simply, they don't trust you and all the school board members. They don't trust you to do what you say you're going to do."
Smith said he agreed with her and that, "People in Washington DC aren't trusted, people in Montgomery aren't trusted, and people in Bay Minette, Alabama, aren't trusted, and I'm one of the ones in Bay Minette, Alabama."
The referendum will be held March 23.