By Patricia Morris
May I take this opportunity to thank all of the citizens in Consolidated District 1 who exercised your right to vote yesterday, both the "yes and no" votes.
Voting is a privilege that many people died to have happen for all citizens in this country. While it would have been interesting to see more go to the polls, it did not happen, and yesterday is history. It is believed during the next school board tax election, more people will exercise their right to vote, because a mere 5.1 percent should not dictate what the 94.9 percent of citizens should have to pay in taxes. It is important that we as citizens vote.
Consequently, we begin afresh in this fight, and will continue to do so until all that should be done is done to equate justice with equality, and until fundamental fairness is given to every child in this school system.
I especially want to thank those who support the efforts of the NAACP. It means much, however, this fight is far from being over. As I perused the Louisiana Secretary of State Election Website Result's Page last night, I did notice the school system only carried 13 of 29 percincts with a yes vote, while the no votes carried 13 of 29 precincts as well, with three precincts not voting either way, and no three digit numbers in each of the precincts who voted either way. Although the school system carried the early voting 2 to 1, there is yet an indication this school system is in trouble for getting their massive tax passed, especially if they allow their history to be repeated in not doing as was promised, and doing so expeditiously in rolling back the 9 mils to 7.5 mils, and repealing the Crystal Street 3 mil tax. All that need be done is to send this promised commitment via a letter to the Tangipahoa Parish Assessor's Office, and in doing so, correct the inequities of people whose taxing lines overlap across Tangipahoa Parish. This would be fair.
As many may know, the local NAACP has asked the Department of Justice for their assistance, this being done with us and for us through our State NAACP Office, as well as our National NAACP Headquarters.
Much needs to be done to settle this school debacle, and until such time as it is completed, we will continue to forge forward until it is done.
Until the April 2, 2011 tax election, please remember to Geaux Vote.