The Shell Rock River Watershed Board of Managers will conduct its final informational meeting allowing residents to ask questions about and offer comment on the half-cent sales tax at 7 p.m. tonight at Riverland Community College. We hope city residents will take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about the issue, especially if they have reservations about it.

We hope more people attend than attended the previous informational meeting a couple weeks ago &045; though supporters showed up, no one showed up seeking information.

The watershed district has made every attempt to ensure residents have as much information as is available about the tax issue, its priorities for the money and what it will be used for over the course of 10 years.

If residents have concerns, they have failed to do their part in seeking information to make an informed decision at the polls by attending the meetings.

It would appear everyone in town, with the exception of a few writers of letters to the editor, is planning to vote yes on the tax issue.

There are a number of reasons to vote yes, including:

– After a couple of decades of neglect, our waters must be attended to. Lack of attention will eventually effect the quality of life now enjoyed here. It’s difficult to imagine how cleaning up the lakes will directly affect us, but what good are dirty lakes for future growth? The benefits of economic growth affect everyone. Unfortunately, the watershed district won’t have a civic center for residents to point to and say &8220;isn’t that grand?&8221;

– When we visit several surrounding communities, we help pay for their special projects through a sales tax. As potential users of our amenities, why shouldn’t our visitors help us? Certainly our southern neighbors will appreciate our stewardship.

– Perhaps more compelling: Why should only a few pay through higher property taxes for the benefits many will reap, even if indirectly?

Please attend the meeting tonight and get your questions answered.