By Mary Welch
Clinton

The city's proposed $7.75 million loan obligates every homeowner in Clinton to pay $1,548 each. Do the math. The total $7.75 million loan, plus $5.1 million interest, is $12.85 million.

Divide that by the 8,300 Clinton households per U.S. Census, and it equals $1,548 per home.

Unfortunately, the $5.1 million in interest payments does nothing to help our community. The $1,548 is above what we already pay in taxes. This loan finances parks and city buildings that generate no revenue. Therefore, the money must come from tax collection.

We are 1,000 signatures short on a petition to authorize a vote. Otherwise, the loan goes into effect Sept 21.

For once, you have a voice. We are placing the petition outside our home on 218 Kitchings. It is the street between O'Reilly's auto parts and the credit union off U.S. 80. You can simply stop outside our home and sign. We could also use more volunteers to gather signatures.

Surely, there is a better financial plan for improving our parks and city buildings that does not waste millions of taxpayer dollars on interest payments alone.

Don't forget, we are also facing a possible $24 million school bond, $2 million library bond and other projects in the near future.