Posted by: Sandy Jones on April 7, 2008 11:22AM EST What good is 'Left Turn' if they are going to be hit with paying state taxes in Kentucky for living here.

Posted by: Iwillbhigh on April 7, 2008 4:09PM EST They will not be more attracted to living in a dump to begin with. It is a crock of sh*!. Let them live in Clarksville and pay all those taxes on everything they do. When they finally wise up they eventually start shopping in Ky. If they are not going to give the tax break to all Kentuckians then they don't need to pass a bill even considering tax exempt status for one specific group of people. It is discrimination and every legislator who votes in favor of it should be voted out of office and the Chamber of Commerce should be run right out of town for trying to push a trash bill like this through the legislature. The Chamber should be run out of town to begin with for sticking their nose where it does not belong in other areas of this community and trying to play politics.

Posted by: Funny Girl on April 7, 2008 4:46PM EST The military families for one would not be able to find affordable and desired housing in our community as they can in Clarksville. I have heard many young women upset that they cannot afford any of the housing options in KY because their husbands do not make enough and they cannot work as their husbands are typically over fighting in Iraq and they are home with small children. The focus needs to be on what we can offer them housing wise before we want to pass a tax exempt bill. I mean what about the farmers that hold on to their land with blood, sweat and tears to keep it in the family yet they would not dare think of being tax exempt. It not only isn't fair but it isn't a well thought out choice. It seems to me that anything they chamber has a hand in is never well thought our or organized. When our own residents in Christian County prefer to drive to Paducah, Bowling Green, or Clarksville to shop instead of local then we know we have a bigger problem than few want to realize.

Posted by: Kentucky Girl By Heart on April 7, 2008 6:11PM EST Yes I think they should be exempt. I am a military wife that is from Kentucky but is stationed in Delaware. I think it would bring lots of soliders into Kentucky. Clarksville to me is just over crowed. It would really help out the soliders. People think that military makes money, but let me tell you they don't, they need all the help they can get. Our men and women over seas fighting for our right to even post this answer or ask this question. Support Our Troops!!!

Posted by: Iwillbhigh on April 7, 2008 11:01PM EST Kentucky Girl by heart, I didn't ask anyone to pick up a gun and fight for me, I am quite capable of taking care of myself. Don't play the "Little Miss Patriot" BS. The military does not deserve a tax exemption anymore then any other job in America deserves one, and lets all remember, it is a job one volunteers for, knowing good and well what they have gotten into when they sign the papers. Just because I don't run around with little, magnetic ribbons all over my mini-van, doesn't make me any less patriotic then anyone else. Patriotism plays no part in this decision, it is a discriminatory bill and just flat out bad government. As Funny Girl said, "It seems to me that anything the chamber has a hand in is never well thought out or organized." They are the main proponets of this piece of trash legislation and are making the biggest push, when what they really need to concentrate on is recruiting businesses and manufacturing to the area, not creating a tax free zone for the military, while spitting in the face of the residents who are here and have been for years and will continue to be long after this stupid war is over.

Posted by: Anonymous on April 7, 2008 11:43PM EST People in the military should only get tax free status during times of war , not during peace-time duty service.

Posted by: Kentucky Girl by Heart!!! on April 8, 2008 6:24AM EST This is to Iwillbhigh, no you didn't ask for anyone to pick up a gun and fight for you, but my husband choose to so you can write you stupid comment on here. Okay you are capable of taking care of yourself, will why don't you go to Iraq and fight for yourself then, so they don't come over here. What happens if they come over here, then you will be crying for the military to save your a**. All Kentucky (Hopkinsville) wants is people to come there to shop and live and the easy way to do it is the military, so they have to offer something to get them there. By the way I can play the "Little Miss Patriot "BS if I want to cause guess what its a free country & why is it free again? So take your stupid comment and shove it. You said that the military volunteer for there jobs, will you choose your job didn't you? So if your job was offering this you would love it. I just wanted you to know that my husband is over there now, away from me and everything else he knows to fight for you and everyone else & yes he choose to.

Posted by: Iwillbhigh on April 8, 2008 8:47AM EST KY girl get over yourself and that self belief that he did it out of duty, when in reality he did it out of need. His family needed money, he needed money for school, whatever the case may be it all boils down to money and what the military was offering. There is no one in Iraq deserving of the ignorance put forth by this administration. Iraq is nothing more then a playground of hate being played out on national T.V. terrorist were non existant in that country before we arrived, now thanks to the good ole' U.S. of A. they are around every corner looking to bag them an American. Iraq is a hunting ground much like Afghanistan was during the Russian invasion back in the early 80's, where future terrorist are going to cut their teeth and gain their followers much like Osama did. Speaking of Osama, has the military taken care of him yet????? No, so don't talk to me about little hubby picking up a gun and fighting for me or my rights to do anything. That is the only war that should be going on right now. I will not be calling on the military for a thing, don't you worry about that. I am more then capable and fully stocked to take care of myself should a terrorist want to play here in the homeland. The whole problem with the Chambers plan is they deny reality and substitute their own. They need to stick to what they are supposed to be doing and that is recruiting business and manufacturing jobs rather then trying to create a tax free zone in Hoptown. They look at things backwards and try to play politics. Rather then taking care of the residents who are here already and will remain here no matter if they are military or not they seek to pander and have yet to propose a real solution to the problems this county faces. Military people already shop in and around here because they don't have to pay the outrageous sales taxes they pay in Tennessee, at least the ones who have any sense or know anything about money. I could not and would not in good conscience back anything even remotely close to this if it were offered to me because I have a sense of duty about me that everyone should pay their fair share no matter who they are or think they are. It spits in the face of every local here. I am so happy you are a "flag waving" military wife. Good for you. Just like your hubby though you knew what you were getting into and to expect to be treated as a rockstar because of it isn't going to happen, at least in my eyes. It isn't a matter of me disliking the military at all. It is a matter of everyone is created equal and therefore responsible for their share in the economic progress or regress of a community. To try and pander a city away because your own plan is ridiculous to begin with undercuts the very people you are here to serve. By that I mean the Chamber is in control of this town right now and will sell out whenever possible in order to save their collective as**s, otherwise they are a non factor and should be disbanded. Believe me when I tell you this. The military is an important cog in the machinery of this nation, but they are by no means on task when it comes to Iraq. Iraq did nothing in the time prior to the attacks on the U.S. , that has been well documented and the only reason it is important right now is because it has served as a lightning rod for all Islamic extremist. Whether we are there or in some other country there will always be someone trying to kill Americans in the name of God somewhere. The attack on this country came from Afghanistan along with the Taliban, Al-queda was responsible for taking more lives then Pearl Harbor. I realize hubby is just following orders and that individual thought is not something they like people to have in the military. Just because someone tells you it is so does not mean it is. Sometimes individual thought is the best tool one has when it comes to defusing a situation that should not even be, to begin with. So you keep believing what they feed you and I will be waiting for the terrorist to pop up here, and will handle my business when it is neccessary to.

Posted by: Kentucky Girl at Heart!!! on April 8, 2008 8:58AM EST To Iwillbhigh, you are full of yourself. You thank you are the greatest person on earth. I bet you are a rich person that wouldn't give anyone a dime if they asked for it, just with the attitude you have. And for the record my husband didn't join the military for the money or the education. Let me tell you I work in retail and make for money then he does, so don't even go there. They don't get paid s**t. For the record you will be calling on my husband like ever one else if the terrorist came over here. I'm not the flag waving wife either, I don't even have a ribbon on my car or hang a flag. I will not get over myself either. I am just saying I am proud of the military and always will be.

Posted by: Nashvegas_commuter on April 8, 2008 9:34AM EST I do not think the military should get a tax exemption as an incentive to move to KY. The men and women in uniform VOLUNTARILY signed up for their position - they knew they would be sent overseas at some point, deployed to war zones, etc. Giving them an exemption would be like giving me a gas allowance because I VOLUNTARILY work in Nashville and have to commute every day. Obviously, that's ridiculous. The military will make the left turn to Hopkinsville and shop at our few stores to save money in taxes. If you want to live here, too, great - but you'll join the ranks of the rest of us and pay a state income tax.

Posted by: Walter Joslin on April 8, 2008 11:22AM EST I would like to say I'm currently in Afghanistan. I'm also from hopkinsville I'm not asking for a hand out from anyone. I don't think we should be tax exempt when I'm living in the state because yeah I use the road school etc. just like everyone else. I just don't think it fair that I pay Kentucky taxes when I don't even live in the state of KY. When I'm stationed at Fort Campbell living in Hopkinsville then yes I should pay taxes just like everyone else. I would like to add I don't want anyones handout I will work hard for everything I have. I don't really care how some of you people feel about the military because I know what I do everyday will make a difference I hope you all can look back at your life and say you made a difference.

Posted by: Tryingtogetby on April 8, 2008 12:08PM EST Our military is all volunteer! That means they applied for and accepted a job for pay just as I did. To select a certain job and make it tax exempt is simply dumb and probably illegal to boot. I think a tax exemption for when they are out of country would be a far wiser and fairer choice. I am against the war in Iraq, have been from the first. I am NOT however, against our troops. They are following orders and doing their job. It is a job of great peril right now, and as such I think a better solution would be to look at their pay and give them hazard pay when they are placed in harms way. Our state troopers and other workers who deal with hazardous situations are given hazard pay and their retirement funds are greater as well.

Posted by: Anonymous on April 8, 2008 3:27PM EST I think people need to realize what a resource that the military is. I have lived here all my life, and the community hasn't really grown that much. That being said, Ft. Campbell could help to grow this community as it did Clarksville. The fact is until the population increases significantly the stores and restaurants--for the most part-- aren't going to come. I see that the big shopping center at the corner of Lovers Lane is for sale. Did that fall through too? Anyone ever been to the Great Escape at exit 1...Was going to be on 41 on the Hopkinsville side until city council screwed that up. Tie breaker park... had much bigger plans, should have been a nice park..city council once again. The water park.....had major cuts...city council once again. I have an idea lets plan something really nice then give it to city council for them to screw up. Sorry for the soap box, I understand fiscal responsibility and for a community this size it's even more important, but the fact is until Hopkinsville has something to offer, no one is coming here. So give the military tax free status, this has a whole bunch of upside and very little down side.

Posted by: Anonymous on April 8, 2008 5:30PM EST Everyone is saying Hopkinsville will grow with the tax exempt status of military residents. Why do we want growth like Clarksville, Nashville, or any other large city for that matter. All growth brings is crime, congestion, accidents, gangs, etc. The money that would be brought into the community would be forfeited to pay for more police officers to work accidents and crime, more fireman to cover the additional residence, and yes more city councilmen to pay. Some people like small towns.

Posted by: Iwillbhigh on April 8, 2008 11:16PM EST Ky Girl you need to stop taking things so personally. Unlike what you think I am not rich and never had a thing handed to me. I have worked for everything I have ever gotten. So don't go jumping to conclusions. Like I said you knew what you were getting into and so did your hubby. I have placed life and limb in harms way saving individuals just like yourself and in the process I lost the means by which to make a living, so don't sit here and preach to me about a hard life. I have already lived it sweetheart!!!! As you can see by the other post on this board I am not the only one opposed to this trash legislation being pushed by our incompetent Chamber of Commerce. I am not opposed to the soldier I am opposed to the fact that they are being pandered to by our Chamber and this backwardsa$$ legislation. I pay taxes and have almost paid the ultimate price and I'll be damned if someone is going to be granted tax free status because of a job title and not grant it to everyone. It's ludicrous and against everything that this nation stands for. You know, that all men are created equal crap you seem to forget about when you ask for a tax break. This community is not going to get any bigger then it is due to the fact that it is located so close to Clarksville. Sure there will be some spill over but it is not going to become a metropolis ever. This town is run by idiots who do everything a$$backwards. They deny any problems that exist and act as if the town is all hunky dory. Just look at the top story of the day for God sake. Beautification is not going to solve anything. Go out and arrest some of those criminals that the Chamber denies we have. There is too much within a resonable distance for people to travel to for this town to see any sustainable growth without any jobs that are worth a crap, which is what the Chamber is supposed to be doing. Not pushing tax free legislation, but recruiting manufacturers and business that will sustain what is here already. Then when that is dealt with worry about growth and tax free crap. Until you can solve the problems for those who live here already, don't worry about what you don't have. Trying to get by, they recieve combat pay and insurance and any ammenities the military can get them in touch with. I agree that hazard pay for civil servants is a much better deal then what they get but those are the breaks when it comes to accepting a job. I have benefitted from my hazard pay and earned every penny of it. Tax free is not the answer to anything at this point though especially when the city can't even pay to keep up the sidewalks they laid in the first place.

Posted by: Nunya on April 9, 2008 9:49AM EST Tryingtogetby - First of all Cops do not get Hazard Pay. I am a cop. That includes Troopers. Heck, State Troopers have to pay for the insurance on their Cruisers out of their own pockets. Cops in KY are lucky to make 30 grand a year or so on average. Then they have to pay for retirement (8.5% out of each check, Medical $300 to $700 a month, taxes, etc.) That being said I also see why Military people choose not to live in Hopkinsville, It's not because of the taxes, it's because most of them feel unwanted in Hopkinsville.

Posted by: Whatever on April 9, 2008 10:59AM EST I believe "Iwillbehigh" is indeed high. And I will tell you why. He was a military reject. He wanted to join, you can tell by his contempt and jealousy towards them, but because he is sorely lacking somewhere and because he couldnt pass the pee test, he was rejected. One thing I notice, those who hate the military and all it stands for are jealous- for some insane reason I do not know. And they are all Hillary supporters too. I never asked my husband to fight for people like pothead here, but he does it anyways, and they wont say thank you ever, so you just keep on keeping on doing the job for the children. It is obvious to everyone they are shameful in thier attitudes. They believe things are owed to them and they dont have to appreciate anything. I think its too bad we dont deport people like that. Oh- I can see America now, full of patriotic people with pride and dignity with the faint cry coming from some island with all the haters on it asking for help because they are in a civil war. HA! A loser is as a loser does. I can spot them easily nowdays. HOMER SIMPSON IS THE LEADER.

Posted by: Iwillbhigh on April 9, 2008 1:36PM EST Whatever I want some of what you are smoking. I think for myself and always have that is why I was smart enough not to join the military. I did not nor have I ever needed anyone to tell me what to do or how to do it, unlike your hubby. Don't be a hater just because neither one of you had the foresight or where with all to get a job worth a crap. Your hubby goes to fight because more then likely he is an ego maniacal sort who is biting at the bit to kill someone legally, as you sit at home taking care of the brood he has left you with. I love how you automatically judge me as a pot smoking, Hillary supporter. ROFLMAO The facts could not be further from the truth. I will just leave it at that, because in the end this is not a discussion of patriotism nor is it one of presidential politics. It is about creating a tax free zone for people such as yourself and the family"Whatever". You also might want to check or edit your messages before typing mad and posting them because they tend to make little sense. In the end the tax free zone is rubbish, just like the Chamber of Commerce pushing it. Why not stop with the personal attacks and argue the point at hand????? That being why a military person should hold a higher position in a free, tax paying society and how that would benefit Hoptown. In the end I believe you will find you don't have a leg to stand on.

Posted by: whatever on April 9, 2008 9:14PM EST Dear Pot Smoker, I never said anything about the tax exempt. I just cant get over your anger. My husband didnt join for the "money" or for any exempt. And I wont justify why he joined, I am proud of him and I can go to bed everynight knowing he is a good man, doing something productive. Im a paralegal by the way besides raising my kids and showing my support for those who have the guts to stand up for this country. What do you do, besides smoke pot all day and posting angry hate email towards everyone? You do it alot. There is counseling, you know.

Posted by: Nunya on April 9, 2008 9:17PM EST What you guys are missing in this discussion is: Most Soldiers keep their home of record, meaning they stay a citizen of whereever they are from, so if, for example, a GI is from Florida, he is a Florida citizen and won't pay taxes. The only people a income tax freeze would help are soldiers who are from KY. Most of them will do what I did anyhow. While stationed in a state that did not have an income tax, I switched my citizenship to that state for many years until I separated. So an Income Tax break for soldiers will only affect very few, the soldiers that are from KY to start with.

Posted by: Iwillbhigh on April 9, 2008 11:15PM EST Nunya you are absolutely right, which is one of the many reasons this legislation spits in the face of the locals who live, work and do business here everyday. It will not do what they think it is going to do for this community except take away money from the government that they can ill afford to get rid at this point in this cities history. Yet again Whatever calm down and breathe this is a discussion about taxes, the personal attacks do nothing for the discussion. If I say "I'm Sorry", will that make it all better. I am glad you are proud of hubby and I am sure he is a fine, outstanding citizen. However he is no better then anyone on this discussion board nor are you, so to get back on topic I will ask again what leg do you have to stand on when it comes to a tax break or tax free zone created specifically for military only as opposed to all other tax paying citizens??????? Counseling is for people who cannot or will not think for themselves and need someone to tell them what they feel. I deal with my emotions quite well. Thank you for your concern though Whatever.

Posted by: Daniel on April 10, 2008 10:49AM EST Soldiers deserve our respect but not a hand out. You can give tax breaks to just about any group and they will be inclined to move here, duh. People don't want to live in Hopkinsville because it's a glorified ghetto with crime and violence rising. People don't want to shop in Hopkinsville because most of the businesses are run down and the service is horrible, most of the time. You want people to live in Hopkinsville? Boot out your corrupt judges and politicos, replace 80 percent of the police department and quit blowing money on water parks, for a start. Not to mention Tennessee already has no income tax and I doubt many people will move based on a 4-cent difference in sales tax. This will sound mean, but we already have thrown away billions of taxpayer dollars in Iraq, not sure how much more money our country or state can afford to give away.

Posted by: been on both sides on April 10, 2008 2:27PM EST I was born in this great state and have lived in Clarksville. You think crime is high here...move to Tn. As for the water park ,everyone complains about it costing so much but our youth deserve a place to go .Every one in Hopkinsville complains about our stores and resturants well wise up.Its the people that think Clarksville is better ;therefore they prefer to spend their money in Tn that has a high sales tax then wonder what happened to our stores in the mall. Our mall used to be full of shoppers ,but the Tn shoppers let it die. There is one area that does need brought to every military person thinking of moving here ..Very few Drs. here in Hopkinsville don't take Tricare and most military ,retired and active are forced to go to Clarksville for their Health care. Its a slap in the face to the military. My husband for one is retired after spending two tours in Vietnam .His health is bad thanks to Agent Orange and our Dr in Clarksville said they were never taught about agent orange. You want to talk about corrupt judges here..well Clarksville's worse. If all of you love Clarksville so much then its time to haul a*s*s out of Ky. I look around our town and its nice to *not *see all of the traffic Clarksville has. If I need to go someplace I at least know how to get there and don't need to leave home 30 minutes to an hour hoping you don't run into a wreck making you late for your Doctors Appointment and to find out you have to reschedule because you never made it on time. You people that complain about what Hopkinsville doesn't have then stop running else where to shop and keep your hard earned money in Hopkinsville.

Posted by: Daniel on April 10, 2008 3:19PM EST Oh contraire, I was born and raised in Hoptown and you're right, I hauled my butt right out of town and remain so to this day, though I was offered a nice job to return. Mainly because Hoptown is no place to raise a family. But this article isn't about high teenage pregnancy rates, high crime rates, teachers afraid to come to school because of the criminals in the classroom or the horrible service you get around town, which, would keep anyone with dignity from coming back. It's about military taxes. OK, I for one am sick of hearing "my so and so joined the army to protect you". I doubt it. They probably joined to get a pay check, the same as most people do when they accept any job. If they just want to serve for the greater good, join the Peace Corps for a quarter of the salary. Second, they aren't protecting us from anything right now, only making it more dangerous for Americans around the world. Not saying its their fault, but still its the truth. Third, render unto Caesar what is Caesars. Everyone should pay taxes, everyone who at least is working. If the Chamber wants to get behind something, maybe it should be the crummy downtown area or the fastfood express blvd.

Posted by: Anonymous on April 14, 2008 4:36PM EST Just a curiosity question?? Does it really matter what any of us think?? Is it going to change it one way or the other??

Posted by: Anonymous on April 14, 2008 5:26PM EST I think every person that lives in KY should be given a tax break of some kind, my goodness, I don't know how the good people of Kentucky can afford to live in this state. My husband to served the Army and retired, we kept our state of residency as Ohio, but my husband took a teaching job in Eastern Kentucky and my goodness, Kentucky taxes its citizens on everything. I don't think that anyone should get a tax break the military is no different than anyone else, I can say this because I am a retired Army wife, and served all 21 years beside my husband. Giving anyone a tax break is not going to draw them to live in Hopkinsville, I to worked in Hopkinsville while my husband served at Fort Campbell, and no tax wouldn't have drawn me there, I just preferred TN. All you military wives fussing online here it won't affect you, it will only benefit your husband, if you work in hoptown you'll still have to pay. Guess what the military is gone to much to enjoy any kind of a tax break. Oh, also don't let the soldier who got the tax breaks on his vehicles get out and live in KY when he retires, cause guess what KY is going to get the tax money out of you. My husband bought our vehicle in TN while on active duty, guess what happens when you move to KY after he retires you get to pay the sales tax. So I personally think if one person has to pay taxes all should pay them. AND ALL KENTUCKY FOLKS NEED A BREAK!!! No tax break isn't going to help Hopkinsville, they need a big rehaul first as does all of Kentucky. Western and Eastern is no difference, CORRUPT!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: scott on April 15, 2008 10:56AM EST The only thing that a tax exemption will do is get more Kentucky seats in Congress. The whole reason the State wants this is so they can capitalize on the 2 Army base in Kentucky. Kentucky property taxes are lower than in Tennessee, but that doesn't really matter much when most soldiers are renting. Sales tax is lower in Kentucky, but that really doesn't matter because there are not that many choices compared with Clarksville. As for the school tax that is paid on property taxes and utilities, that goes to pay for schools that the soldiers don't use. Soldiers who have school aged children typically send them on post to DoD schools, because they are ranked the highest in the nation. So, that is a freebee to all the locals. The base brings high paying jobs to all the contractors who work on post, so that is a freebee to locals too. Infact almost every business in, and around the area either directly or indirectly benifits from the base, and its soldiers. Soldiers have their choice of where they register to vote, and where they pay income tax. So, the only thing tax exemption would do is incurage soldiers to register in Kentucky instead of Tenneessee. With more votes the state might be able to get the appropriations it wants from the federal government to fix the roads in Kentucky or more money for schools. If Kentucky had more registered voter it would get more votes in Congress, and everyone in the state could benifit from that. But all I hear from the locals is that it is a slap in the face. No one has mentioned how they benifit from the base. I am in the Army and guess what, I don't pay any state income taxes, but I am registered to vote in another state. I own a house both in Tenneessee and Kentucky of which I rent one of them. While I am deployed, I don't pay any federal income tax either. I shop in Oak Grove, because the lines on post are usually long, which by the way there is no sales tax on post. So all a tax exemption would do is encurage more soldiers to live on the Kentucky side, and register to vote there. To all those who are jealous of the Army benifits, we are still hiring. The bonuses are bigger than ever, and the tax free deployments are longer. The VA housing and education benifits are growing as well. The way Hopkinsville is going, its the best place to work in the area. If your mad now, don't worry I will be home in about 14 months to buy a new car, buy another house, eat at your restaurants, watch some movies, all while you will still be complaining about how "we voulenteered" for this and then I will be back over here. Clarksville will still have more benifits for me as far as choices, and my state of record will still get my vote, and my Congressional seat as far as appropriations goes, and the Kentucky side of the line will still be suffering. God Bless

Posted by: funny girl on April 15, 2008 2:19PM EST All I can say Scott is this---I really could care less what you are doing and how you are doing it, military and their offsprings are still pieces of crap around here and I would rather step in front of a truck than walk pass them!

Posted by: Roderick Rugg on April 21, 2008 1:38PM EST I'm not sure what all this is about with soldiers and taxes or whatever but I don't think anyone should have to do anything they don't want to no matter what. So I guess it just depends if they want to.