To the editor:

Our tax dollars are being wasted. When Wal-Mart’s request for the Sixth and Wakarusa store came before the Board of Zoning Appeals in September of 2003, it should have been approved. I was on that board and after looking at the information provided by both sides, there was no reason to deny it. Look at the tax dollars spent in blocking zoning because some people didn’t want a big box store in that location. Wal-Mart sales bring a lot of tax revenue to the city.

Discussing the first attempt to pass the school bond with a school board member, the local construction industry was mentioned. The school board member said the bond needed to pass because local construction firms needed work. Are we paying more taxes to benefit educational needs of Lawrence students, or the needs of local construction industry?

At the last school board meeting, discussion included building a tower entrance to a high school gym to eliminate confusion of which door to use. One school board member’s response was that we have the money, it should be built. Sure, money is available, because our real estate taxes were raised again.

I know people are starting to struggle with paying real estate taxes. Real estate taxes are a cash cow, because taxpayers don’t have a choice on paying it. Raising sales taxes gives taxpayers a choice. With the cost of living rising, better decision-making is needed when spending the taxpayer’s money.

Scott Henderson,

Lawrence