When you think about sales tax in a small community like Marshall it sounds pretty strange to some people because groceries and merchandise bought in the stores of a rural village are much more expensive than those bought in a larger community like Bethel or Anchorage. In bigger communities sales tax is more normal because things aren't as money guzzling in the first place. But sales tax can help a village community in many different ways.

A general sales tax is an extra charge on the sale of goods and other items. The sales tax is always at a fixed percentage rate but some people say that it takes money from their pockets that could be used for something else. Other people think that it is no big deal and wouldn't mind it.

Now that Marshall is getting a new dump site they will have the choice of paying for the garbage services through sales tax or an extra charge on their water and sewer bill.

A sales tax would be more convenient for Marshall because the village would be able to make more money when people from other communities come in during events like the annual dog races, Fourth of July festivities, or other events. During the Marshall races there are always a lot of people in town. And everyone knows that people like to go to the store to buy things when they are in other places. This would provide revenue for Marshall from nonresidents as well as from the people in the village.

The community would probably even have money left over from the sales tax after paying for the garbage bill. For instance, it could help pay for water and sewer projects and therefore reduce the water and sewer rates. It could also help pay for fuel for the community buildings, help pay cash matches on grants that were made to the city, and other public related activities.

So even though a sales tax might not sound like it's made for a small village, it can be very helpful to the community. As Marshall grows, money will be harder and harder to get from the legislature, and a sales tax would be one easy way for the community to get some revenue to pay its bills. When you think of the sales tax you have to think of its advantages as well as the disadvantages.

Charlotte Alstrom

Guest Editorial

How do you think children with FAS/FAE (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effect) feel? They know they are different from the other children around them because they are always getting teased for the way they look or because they can't do a simple problem in school. They also know their parents are responsible for their problem.

Children with this disorder should not be teased. They should be treated just like other children that surround them. They should also get the same amount of attention from their teachers and other adults around them, especially their parents.

To prevent this problem in the first place, women who use alcohol and tobacco should stop drinking and using tobacco. They should also plan ahead so that they will be ready to take on the responsibilities of parenthood. If they don't think they are ready they should forget about having children. It is very important for parents to realize what could happen to their children if they drink while the mother is pregnant. Parents should always think ahead about the child they are going to have. Mothers especially should think about what kind of future they would like for their children, one that does not include FAS.

Everyone knows that this problem can be prevented but many people don't seem to care. As long as there are some people who don't really care about the problem, it won't be solved. In some cases of FAS the woman might be a prostitute who is high on drugs or alcohol and may not know she is pregnant. So she will keep on drinking. But in most cases the woman knows that she is pregnant but is too careless to watch out for what she does.

Women should remember that their fetus is really sensitive and will get damaged whenever the mother drinks. Even one glass of wine can effect the unborn child. Pregnant mothers and expectant fathers should not get carried away and forget about their still unborn child.

If parents don't care and drink before conceiving or after pregnancy, someday when their children get older they will be sad to find out that they are different from their playmates. And they will hold it against their parents. So to prevent this sad thing from happening, parents should stay away from all drugs, including alcohol both before and after they conceive their children. Like they say, "if you get drunk while you're pregnant, your child will have a hangover for a lifetime." Think about that!