Dear editor:

During May 2012, 3,681 of our Chilton County neighbors collectively received the equivalent of $1,182,712 in food assistance. In June, our unemployment jumped 1.9 percent to 8.5 percent from the previous month, so our picture is not pretty. Collectively, in May $1,115,418,560 in food assistance was provided statewide.

The state owes over $16.2 million in tax returns across the state. Most of us know of someone who has lost their job in the private or public sector. State departments are being evaluated to sustain cuts of upwards to 20 percent. State parks are closing and vital state services are being reduced or eliminated.

The state, Chilton County, and every municipality in the county is financially hurting and the future does not look much better than now.

Therefore, how can we be asked to give another nickel or dime to the state to buy more government land in this dismal economy? Forever Wild wants more land while Chilton County struggles. By voting “NO” for Forever Wild on Nov. 6 we are demanding better use of our money.

Please visit www.notforverwild.org to learn more about casting your vote on Amendment 1, Nov. 6.

Barbara Hall, Verbena