a:10:{i:0;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"10";s:4:"slug";s:23:"contact-the-island-news";s:4:"name";s:23:"Contact The Island News";s:4:"type";s:8:"fieldset";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:0:"";}i:1;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"14";s:4:"slug";s:4:"name";s:4:"name";s:4:"Name";s:4:"type";s:4:"text";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:10:"ANN UBELIS";}i:2;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"15";s:4:"slug";s:13:"business-name";s:4:"name";s:13:"Business Name";s:4:"type";s:4:"text";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:0:"";}i:3;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"16";s:4:"slug";s:7:"address";s:4:"name";s:7:"Address";s:4:"type";s:7:"address";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:73:"11 Marsh Dr&lt;br&gt;Beaufort, SC 29907&lt;br&gt;United States of America";}i:4;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"17";s:4:"slug";s:5:"phone";s:4:"name";s:5:"Phone";s:4:"type";s:5:"phone";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:10:"8435240443";}i:5;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"18";s:4:"slug";s:5:"email";s:4:"name";s:5:"Email";s:4:"type";s:5:"email";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:16:"inkspot@islc.net";}i:6;a:7:{s:2:"id";s:2:"19";s:4:"slug";s:15:"how-can-we-help";s:4:"name";s:16:"How can we help?";s:4:"type";s:8:"textarea";s:7:"options";s:0:"";s:9:"parent_id";s:1:"0";s:5:"value";s:1943:"Letter to the Editor

Re: Local Option Sales Tax

On a low voter turnout off election year, Beaufort County Council placed on the ballot the 1% Lost Option Sales Tax.  Hilton Head and Bluffton leadership are pushing for it.  But they are not telling you the whole story.

Under Title 4, the County, “MAY” use the 29% of the tax for the administration of LOST.  This means, they can use it for any purpose they choose.  This begs to question, why Council held a vote to increase their own pay, during the pandemic, while many of you lost your jobs and homes.

As inflation hits, the amount of tax per item you pay increases.  They want to add an additional 1% Tax?  Is County Council “Tone Deaf”?

The poorest get hit the hardest.  Those, who rent and struggle just to put food on the table.  They see no rebate, or rent reduction.  In fact, under inflation, they will see a rent increase.

Property owners expect a windfall.  They’d be foolish.  There is no formula in Title 4 which dictates how the funds are distributed.  In fact, as prices increase, the tax you pay increases.  In the end, you’ll pay out far more than you recoup in a rebate.

Council wants to change our form of government by taking away your ability to vote for Treasurer and Auditor.  Council wants it to be an appointed position.  The reasoning is, they can fire them for reason, where as, it would take an election to vote the person out.  Do you trust them?

We have seen past employees/appointments retain their positions under scandal. Any attempt at obtaining employee info for disciplinary issues was met with privacy policies.  We can always vote the bums out, but we cannot trust County Council to hold our best interests first and foremost.

Do not relinquish your power of your vote to a bureaucrat and career politician!  Vote NO! To Referendum #1 and #2.


Ann Ubelis
11 Marsh Drive
Lady’s Island, SC 29907
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