Under appeal

Dear Editor,

One article in the Open Forum on Oct. 27 stated that 701 "was implemented last year and was a one-year deal." Nothing could be further from the truth. The State of Nebraska (Lincoln and Omaha) and the NRDs are appealing the ruling of Judge Merritt, who declared 701 unconstitutional. Should they be successful the tax will be in full effect. The last request the NRD made has cost the town of McCook $135,304, and Red Willow County $778,831. They are still holding the funds they collected because the law prohibits their use.

Another practice that taxpayers are funding is the transfer of water. At the present time, if the allocation of 12 inches or any saved-up inches are not used, they can be sold to another person and the money pocketed, a practice that sure doesn't help the water table in parts of the area. There are areas that are still decreasing.

Tom Kiplinger,

McCook