Yep---I am voting on a tax.
Actually a renewal.
And yes, you can tell your friends, email this column to the world and put out in social media.
On the Tuesday ballot—somewhere—is the Caddo Parish Commission’s Public Facilities and Recreation Renewal.
It’s a .83 millage. In “dollar speak” it will cost me about 50 cents a month.
Goodness, a good ole Snickers costs more than that. And in fact, it's darned hard to find any vending machine that takes less than a buck. (Unless you consider the downtown parking meters).
This millage expires every 10 years. It funds 98% of parish parks operations—for over 30 years.
The parish operates and maintains 14 park sites throughout the parish.
Want a second confession?
Guess who has never visited a parish park?
I know shame on me, and rightly so!
I have just added to my “do before I die list” a visit to highly acclaimed Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park.
Parks are for people….and these parks are enjoyed by lotsa people. If you are a “numbers person” consider these:
• 17 park improvement projects completed;
• 129 special park events;
• 72 number of schools served by a nature park;
• 370 number of classes served by a nature park;
• 200 groups other than schools, served by nature park staff;
• 245 offsite speaking engagements, interpretive programs and special events;
• 175 naturalist calls for professional assistance;
• 27,505 visitors/outreach contacts - Walter B. Jacobs Park Staff.
Soo…mark it down. Settle supports a 50 cent tax. A whole half dollar, which is sometimes referred to as “the half”.
Speaking of which, when is the last time you have had one of those in your pocket?