A ballot to vote for or against the establishment of a 9 month 1% Sales Tax exclusively (?) for a U.S. Marshal’s Museum constructed on the Fort Smith riverfront. March 2, 2019
Beware of a Bill to be voted on March 5-12, 2019 to pass or reject $16 million in taxpayer monies for allegedly building a structure to be known as the U.S. Marshal’s Museum.
First of all it was advertised heavily that there would be “not one cent of taxpayer money spent” for the above project. This was the lie that supports the MM concept which was started circa 2009.
The Ark. General Assembly, in the year 2011, passed an SB 244 (changed to Act 25 in 2014) for the Dept. of Parks & Tourism—U.S. Marshal’s Museum grant appropriation for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.
“Section I, Clause (A) to develop, implement, and administer a grant program that provides funding to assist with the development, construction, and maintenance of a U.S. Marshal’s Museum in a sum not to exceed $25 million”, sponsored by Senator Jake Files.
Another significant part of the ballot is the fact there is NO language present to state that the issue cannot be presented again after the 9 months are passed, which is the stated duration shown in the ballot.
The ballot’s third paragraph is the paragraph that states in a circuitous manner that if the ballot passes the MM is sold to the brand new unknown 5 member Public Facilities Board which has no financial obligation, nor the city of Fort Smith at which time the MM, Inc. will lease it back for a nominal fee and a long term arrangement to do what?
It appears that if the MM, Inc. (a 501 c 3) fails to pass, it will allow Sicard, Griffin, Westphal, et al also to be free of any financial obligations.
If the ballot fails the owner’s state they will continue to raise funds, which means they will go back to a government source to get the $16 million. No private citizen will be foolish enough at this point to invest in a project whose foundation is built on a lie and lack of citizen support.
Joe McCutchen
Arkansas Freedom dot com