To the editor:

Page 1A: Officials say county cannot afford not to seek 16.6 percent increase (in the ad valorem property tax).

Page 9B: three notices of sheriff’s sales, one notice of plaintiff’s motion to extinguish defendant owner’s redemption rights.

Curious.

The reason for the tax increase is to raise a million dollars to inject money into promising bioscience companies, plant protective preservation into farm fields, historic sites and other culturally sensitive areas and bankroll community objectives that have languished more than a decade without specific financing.

I do not see the term essential governmental services here although there was mention of roads and infrastructure for economic development. This from governments that think a two-lane bypass beginning at Haskell Avenue will be sufficient to carry traffic through the 21st century though, by the time it is built, a bypass will need to start about Eudora, cut south of the Wakarusa and be at least four lanes.

I would suggest specifics and public comment before such an increase is passed or considered by Douglas County.

Earl L. Haehl,

Lawrence