HORTON LOBBIES TO KEEP SALES TAX; CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAS MANY USES FOR THE 1 PERCENT TAX, THE COMMISSIONER SAYS.(LOCAL/STATE)

Byline: Jim Waymer STAFF WRITER

A hurricane evacuation route for Cape Haze peninsula is the best reason for Charlotte County residents to approve a four-year extension of the 1 percent sales tax in November, County Commissioner Mac Horton said Friday.

But it's also an important step in keeping the county moving ahead, he said.

"Three years ago I decided to run for this job because I thought Charlotte County was at a crossroads. We can't go backwards," Horton told representatives from 18 local community organizations.

Creating an escape route for the peninsula - estimated at $11 million - would consume the first year of income from the 1 …