Letters to the Editor: Supporters Look to Clear up Referendum 'Misinformation'

Lots of misinformation on senior service referendum question

Regarding the proposed senior tax referendum, there appears to be some misinformation floating about!

As stated in the “public question”, the funds would be “for the sole and exclusive purpose of providing services to senior citizens." The money generated from the tax
would go to Oswego Township.

It would, in turn, be awarded by the township, to agencies and organizations that can present compelling proposals for the use of the funds. These agencies would include Senior Services (all the services they provide are for seniors), Kendall County Health Department (one entire unit is devoted to serving seniors), Prairie Legal Services, KAT (transportation provider) the Oswego Senior Center, and these are only the ones I know about. I’m sure there are others.

Services provided by the Oswego Senior Center have been detailed in many previous letters to the editor. Please note that the Center is but one of many entities that would be eligible to request funds. All of the agencies named above have
suffered cuts in funding.

For only a few cents a week we taxpayers (yes I am one!) can help these worthy organizations. Please join me in voting YES for the senior tax levy.

Helen Baker, Boulder Hill

Helping fund senior services will cost you about 30 cents a week.

On Tuesday April 5, 2011 we are asking you to VOTE YES 4 THE SENIOR TAX LEVY.    

Some questions have been raised regarding the Senior Tax Levy. The first is if the levy passes the Oswego Township board plans to raise about $ 300,000 dollars in taxes or less each year. The money will be held by the township in a special senior tax fund. This money will not be given to any other taxing body.

The Oswegoland Seniors Inc., the parent company for the Oswego Senior Center will request funds from the senior fund. Any group that services seniors in Oswego Township can ask the Township Board for funds from the Senior Fund. Who receives funds is up to the township board.  

If they are not used in the year they are raised they can be held by the township board for the following year. Even though the Township Board can assess at a higher level they plan to only raise money to cover anticipated requests by groups servicing people living in the township.

A voter with a market value of $ 200,000 dollars would pay about $ 14.91 a year or 29 cents a week. We need your support and ask you to VOTE YES 4 THE SENIOR TAX LEVY ON Tuesday April 5, 2011. If you would like to help you can contact me at 630-554-3712 or JAMESFEELEY@SBCGLOBAL.NET or visit our website.

Jim Feeley, Member of the VOTE YES 4 SENIORS COMMITTEE