Trustees urge voters to support Issue 23

Dear Editor,The Sugarcreek Township trustees, Tuscarawas County, ask the voters in Sugarcreek Township to vote yes for a five-year, three mill levy for road and bridge operating expenses Nov. 8. It is Issue 23 on the ballot, which amounts to an additional 19 cents per day on a $100,000 valuation. If approved, this would replace a one mill levy that has been in effect since 1984.Since 1984 the township has operated on the current one 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. Estate tax has been completely eliminated.Approval of this levy is vital to the amount of roads and bridges to be maintained. 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 1973 road grader, backhoe, dump truck needs upgraded. A mowing tractor needs replaced that covers approximately 100 miles per mowing cycle, three to four times a year.Approval of this three 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. Without additional funding more roads will be put into gravel roads.The trustees greatly appreciate the past support of the voters. We need your support for Issue 23 on Nov. 8 for current and future expenses for our roads and bridges.Sincerely,Titus Slabaugh, trustee Jim Harrison, trusteeEd Wilson, trusteeStan Gerber, fiscal officerSugarcreek Township112 Factory St.