Just a few thoughts after receiving my 2012 St. Mary’s County property tax statement in the mail:

Ÿ Red light cameras — Only if management and administration of these units is the responsibility of county employees not associated with or under control of the county sheriff’s office or any state or federal law enforcement agency, and only if revenues above costs that may be generated are earmarked for property tax relief.

Ÿ Three Notch Trail, or any other trail — Only if toll gates are installed and/or a user-fee arrangement is set up that is managed and administered by county employees, and only if revenues above cost that may be generated are earmarked for property tax relief.

Ÿ Speaking of user fees — Everyone who attends public school class or public school activities or who utilizes public school facilities should pay a meaningful fee administered by county employees who are not controlled by the school board or the public school system, and all revenues above cost that may be generated should be earmarked for property tax relief.

Ÿ Build a better jail and they will come — What can I say here except that there has just got to be a better place for my St. Mary’s County tax dollars than in a new jail ... or a new library building ... or yet another new school complex ... or more red lights or a road extension. Perhaps that money should be earmarked for property tax relief.

David Taylor, Mechanicsville