Why you ask? Our local governments have just improved our quality of life by the biggest margin in recent history.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I have had about all of the quality of life improvements I can afford.
Isn't it amazing politicians running for local government office try to portray themselves as conservative because that is what most people want in government. But when they get elected what do you get, a tax and spend politician, regardless of the party affiliation.
Let me give you a couple of examples. City Councilor Bill Blackman, has not voted against a spending increase since he has been in office. In a recent statement, Blackman said, "I am not for any type of tax increase," but then he goes on to say factors that influence people moving into the area are, you guessed it "quality of life issues."
Then there is County Commissioner Grady Robbins. When running for reelection, he ran an ad in the paper saying "he saved the taxpayers money," which was just after he had voted for one of the largest tax increases, up to that point, in county history.
He also was the commissioner who proposed the increase in sales tax. Does this sound conservative to you?
What is mind boggling is that city and county governments are apologizing because they didn't spend more.
The Wilson Daily Times ran an article recently trying to convince the citizens of Wilson that we have the lowest tax rate in the area. What is important is not the tax rate, but what is coming out of your pocket. There was no mention in the article about the increase in fees for services, and the increase in the electric rates. Years ago, the original intent of cities to levy taxes was to pay of essential services. What ever happened? Now we pay a fee (tax) for these essential services plus taxes. Essential services now means Rose Gardens, Arts Councils, Round House Museums, Bochie courts, Million dollar little league baseball stadiums, subsidized golf and the list goes on and on.
Oh! I forgot. My quality of life is being improved.
William E. Biddle
4919 Country Club Drive