News-Record.com

Thursday's lead editorial.

McCain versus Obama may be the main event on the Nov. 4 ballot. But don’t forget to read the fine print.

As compelling as the main event may be, dozens of other races and initiatives probably will have a more profound effect on local voters’ daily lives.

Among other items on the second-longest ballot in the country are critical bonds in Greensboro and a second attempt to add a quarter-cent to the sales tax in Guilford County.

Proponents of the sales tax increase argue that it will raise revenue to pay for school construction and would help relieve the burden of those whose property taxes provide the lion’s share of the revenues. They also remind voters that an estimated 40 percent of the revenue would come from nonresidents.

Opponents say voters already said no to the increase in May and will say no again, but this time it has a champion.

A group calling itself Citizens for a Better Guilford on Tuesday announced an organized campaign that will press its case.

Then there are the city bonds, which will ask voters for a second straight election to invest in the community’s future. They will be asked to approve:

-- $134 million for street improvements;
-- $50 million for upgrades to War Memorial Auditorium;
-- $20 million for parks and recreation projects;
-- $1 million for affordable housing programs and assistance.

Each item consists of multiple pieces. For instance, the street bonds include a variety of projects: streetscaping on High Point Road; parts of the city’s proposed downtown greenway; sidewalk improvements. But the vast majority of the money ($94.5 million) will go to road construction, $26 million of it to fix snarled traffic on Horse Pen Creek Road.

The parks and recreation bonds include funding for parks, city athletic facilities and swimming pool upgrades. But more than half would go to a $12 million competitive swim center that was added at the 11th hour.

Some questions voters should consider:

-- What qualifies as a want versus a need?
-- Does the impact justify the investment?
-- Must it be done now or can it wait?

If voters approve all four bonds, the city property tax rate could increase by 2.5 cents, or an extra $50 per year for the owner of a $200,000 home.

That’s a lot to consider and not a long time to consider it. Early voting begins on Oct. 16.
Wherever you decide, it’s important to be fully informed and not so dazzled by the light of the presidential race that you get burned in your pocketbook right here at home.