Fremont County is large, diverse, and filled with opinions, or “talk in the 10.” “Talk in the 10” is an opportunity for you, our readers, to articulate and share your thoughts about what is happening in the community with the community. Letters may have been edited for clarity and length, but generally have been published exactly as received. The views expressed in the following are solely those of the author. Send your letters to our editors by emailing opinion@county10.com
Dear Editor,
Come the general election, we will decide to renew several self-imposed taxes, including the half cent economic development sales tax. I want to address concerns I have heard within our community and provide perspective. Taxes are to self-rule what pulling teeth is to dentistry; no one likes it, but they are necessary to ensure the whole system is healthy.
There is concern our governments distributed funds to businesses in relatively unfair programs. We could cherry pick examples of questionable distributions. I want to cherry pick an example often omitted that might change minds.
Speaking as a board member, but not for the board, of the Riverton Medical District, our organization has directly benefitted from this tax, in excess of $1,200,000. We combined that infusion with donations from the community, accumulating $2,000,000. This was enough credibility for the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, through their business entity, to donate additional land worth $2,400,000 to our hospital in Riverton. This was compelling enough for the State of Wyoming to allocate $15,000,000, bringing this much needed medical facility into existence. Combined, this equity secured a USDA-backed low interest loan for a facility that will be worth more than $30,000,000 when it is complete.
No tax will ever be perfectly allocated. Undoubtedly, this one needs some fixes. Our leaders know and are working on it. But don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
Is a functional hospital worth it? Does it bring benefit to the health of our community? Politicians ask, ‘are you better off now than you were 4 years ago?’; is your community better off now than it was 4 years ago? For me, because of this tax, I answer yes. Please consider renewing the half cent economic development sales tax in November. The best is yet to come.
Sincerely,
Mick Pryor
Hudson