Avery County will hold a special election February 3 to determine whether or not citizens want – well, to read Avery County Schools’ web site the vote is about children. “Our Children . . . Their Future.” It’s about “an investment in our most precious asset, our children.” And just as the bumper sticker reads, “It’s a child, not a choice,” This is not a child, it’s a land transfer tax.

The school system’s web page states, “The majority of Avery County residents will never be effected [sic.] by this tax. Most full time [sic.] Avery County residents have lived in their homes all their lives and do not plan to sell. Gifts of land or land inherited by your children is [sic.] not taxed.”

Currently, the school system has a debt of $6,998,144 “as well as a commitment of approximately elementary school [?].”

Unfortunately, should the tax pass, “these funds will be used to meet immediate and long term [sic.] capital needs in each individual [sic.] school,” and not go toward education. After repeating that the land transfer tax will only be used by a few people, mostly transients, the site threatens, “The revenue generated . . . could relieve the pressure on future school construction and possibly prevent a property tax increase.”