Letter to the Editor: When It Comes to Taxes 'When Is Enough Ever Enough?'

As voting taxpayers we enter our decision on Election Day with the expectation of good stewardship with our monies. We also embrace the notion that as challenges arrive they will respond in a fiscally responsible manner. Taxpayers know that unchecked or irresponsible spending does not solve the problems.  Actually it compounds distrust with all the taxpayers.

Our 1^st installment due on our property taxes has arrived. When we first received that bill I saw many writers vent their anger.  Taxpayers question their home values going way down, and due to elected taxing body’s decisions tax rates up and up. There is no evidence that a notion came to mind to cut spending and hold the tax rate for the taxpayer. My pockets run as deep as my neighbor’s who is working hard at keeping a roof and food on the table for their family.  We personally cut or trim our budgets. Why not the taxing bodies? 

I have a few questions for my fellow taxpayers. Are you going to write out that check and simply go back to your seasonal barbecues?    Are you going to attend 1-2 hours a month at a department meeting or converse with your neighbors/friends on the awareness of this lavish spending? Your vote is very powerful.  Your knowledge is very powerful. 

We now have a remarkable firehouse shed on Woolley Road. There were salary increases being requested on 5/9/11. They meet the second Monday of each month.  When is enough, ever enough? Shall we allow them to tax us out of all our homes? What is this sense of entitlement?  This applies to all taxing bodies.  This past election voters looked for fiscally responsible officials.  I applaud the police station adapting and still providing services within taxpayers' means. 

I am providing my e-mail address for feedback. Powelljl4@gmail.com.

Here is a recent example of taxpayers efforts:

-We can stop this mad spending!! The Beacon-News headline on May 26, 2011 read: "Wheatland voters halt project plan".  Taxpayers showed up at the Wheatland Township Administrative Building in Naperville and voted to put the brakes on a proposal to build a new building.   

Taxpayers need to show up at these local taxing bodies and voice our disapproval on spend, spend, spend.  These taxing bodies must hear our frustrations and concerns regarding nonconservative spending.

 On Fox and Friends today, 6/1/11, they reported that a school district was building schools with no ability to fund their openings. They are broke also.  

Jerri Powell, Montgomery