Letter to the editor: Sugarcreek Township asks voters for approval of Issue 15

The Sugarcreek Township trustees, Tuscarawas County, ask the voters in Sugarcreek Township to vote yes for a five-year 3-mill levy for road and bridge operating expenses Nov. 3. It is Issue 15 on the ballot, which amounts to an additional $70/year on a $100,000 valuation. If approved this would replace a 1-mill levy that has been in effect since 1984.Since 1984 the township has operated on the current 1-mill levy. Operating and material costs to maintain the roads have more than tripled and continue to increase. At the same time, state funding has dramatically decreased to the townships. Local government funds have been cut by more than half since 2007, and estate tax has been completely eliminated.Approval of this levy is vital to the amount of roads and bridges to be maintained a year. Only about 30 percent of roads can be maintained a year compared to 30 years ago. Fewer roads maintained a year will cost more in the future. Various pieces of equipment need upgraded to maintain the roads. For example, a mowing tractor needs replaced as it covers approximately 100 miles per mowing cycle three or four times a year.Approval of this 3-mill levy is important if the trustees are to continue to maintain and improve roads in Sugarcreek Township. Most of the 25 miles of roads are hard surface and we want to keep them hard surface. We do not want to put these roads back to gravel.The trustees greatly appreciate the past support of the voters. We need your support for Issue 15 on Nov. 3 for current and future expenses for our roads and bridges.Sincerely,Titus Slabaugh, trusteeDave Shutt, trusteeEd Wilson, trusteeSugarcreek Township112 Factory St.Sugarcreek, OH 44681