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Searcy Mayor David Morris discusses the 1-percent tax election in the city using the new promotional materials purchased by the Vote “Yes” for Roads and Jobs Committee. The committee was officially formed on Tuesday morning and is being funded through private donations, Morris said. A committee of Searcy businesses and residents has been formed to promote the 1-percent sales that will come before the voters on Dec. 13. The committee, entitled the “Vote ‘Yes’ for Roads and Jobs Committee” is being headed by Stuart Dalrymple, with Searcy Chamber of Commerce President Buck Layne serving as treasurer and Brooks Davis of Simmons First Bank serving as a third committee member. “The committee met at the chamber [of commerce office] [on Tuesday morning] and discussed ways to market the upcoming sales tax,” Layne said. “We want to educate and explain to people the positive sides of the tax.” Layne said that the committee has officially registered with the Arkansas Ethics Commission, as required by state law. The group had to register with the commission once donations reached $500. According to the commission’s website, the committee filed earlier this month. The committee now has $4,100 in its account, which will be used to purchase promotional materials for the tax election. Layne said Dalrymple is “leading the charge” in regards to getting volunteers together to help educate people about the tax. “We’re all trying to work together to get this tax passed,” Layne said. “We feel like the tax is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and one that we feel we can’t let slip by. We are trying to do everything we can to communicate the need for this tax. We are really emphasizing the need for jobs, road improvement, and the fact that the tax will sunset after 15 months.” Searcy Mayor David Morris spoke about the committee and the tax during the Rotary Club meeting on Tuesday at the Searcy Country Club. “This is the most important decision in our lifetime,” Morris said. “If we don’t come up with the matching funds, it will be a long time before this kind of opportunity comes around again.” Morris emphasized that public money has not been spent — and will not be spent — on the pro-tax campaign. He said he is especially interested in the improvement of Main Street and Davis Street, which will connect to Arkansas 13 to the city. “I plan to personally oversee that project because those two roads really need to be improved,” Morris said. At the conclusion of his presentation, Morris addressed questions from the audience. One member asked the mayor about the direction of Arkansas 36/67 route, which has not been determined yet. “The route hasn’t been finalized yet, but the City Council passed a resolution that was as stout as horseradish saying that we wanted them to use the most northern route,” Morris said. Morris passed out fliers to the Rotary Club members that were made possible by the Vote for Roads and Jobs Committee. Layne said donations are still being accepted to make possible promotional materials for the committee. He said persons can make donations to the “Vote for Roads and Jobs Committee” at Simmons First Bank or through the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce. He said there are still opportunities available to help promote the tax and anyone interested should call Dalrymple at (501) 305-4257. Local residents and businesses that have voiced their support of the committee include Bud Gillam, Walmart Distribution Center, Conley Bulk Services, A to Z Truck Repair and Sales, Harrison Truck & Trailer Inc., First Security Bank, Retired United States Marine Corps Maj. Dennis J. Yecke and Denny and Diane Barrett. |
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