By Beth David, Editor
Okay, this is it! Our last issue for two weeks. We will return on 7/20.
Oh, man, here we go again (page 4).
Hear this: The town is not a business. A business is structured to make money, to take in more than it needs from their customers. The difference is called “profit.” The town gets its money from taxpayers to provide services, NOT to make a profit. They are supposed to take in what they need, no more.
These departments are not supposed to support themselves with fees. That’s a red herring, to call them fees when they are just another form of taxation.
Parking fees should not support whole departments. That’s just another way of gouging us.
The recreation center, for example, is supposed to provide an affordable alternative to residents so we don’t have to pay top dollar at the top notch gyms. Their kids programs are supposed to provide an affordable alternative for parents who can’t afford the expensive camps and after school programs. We, as a town, are supposed to pay for that department, just like any other. Their fees should subsidize the budget, not run the whole department. That defeats the purpose of it being affordable for all.
The senior center, the animal shelter….well, you get the idea. ALL the money that these departments take in comes from the same households that pay property taxes and income taxes and sales taxes and meals taxes.
That was one of the biggest tricks of many an administration to cut taxes on the rich and hike up fees on the rest of us. We have to pay for this stuff, people. That’s just the way of the world. It’s coming out of us one way or the other, so let’s be logical and honest about it.
Let’s stop pretending the town is Apple, Inc.
Until next MONTH then…
see ya,
Glory to Ukraine!
Glory to the Heroes!
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Click here to download the 6/29/23 issue: 06-29-23 Homecoming_NFIA
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