Wuptdo
06-01-2005, 01:58 PM
HW (or Harold) has a LTE in today's N&O.
Cary's burden
Cary Mayor Ernie McAlister and council member Jack Smith, quoted in your May 27 article "Debt woes cloud Cary budget talks," continue to avoid responsibility and blame their failed fiscal policies on developer fees of the past. They fail to mention that the town has lost millions in revenue due to the lowering of those fees.
In addition, development is currently on pace for a 7 percent increase this year (more than double the national average) while overcrowded roads and schools are the norm. They defy logic by cutting the road budget while increasing debt on noncritical items. The developer subsidies they so generously provide on the backs of the taxpayers are not bringing businesses and jobs they predicted but instead are exacerbating the overcrowding of roads and schools.
One can only wonder what this Town Council is thinking as for the second straight year its members propose to increase debt, reduce revenue, while spending recklessly (the latest being $200,000 for bridge art). Maybe they are counting on the majority of Cary's population having an attention deficit disorder. Or maybe they are just simply courting developers for campaign contributions, since this is an election year.
One thing is for sure: while the developers prosper the citizens will suffer with a doubling of garbage fees this year and a promised seven cent tax increase next year.
Harold Weinbrecht
Cary
(The writer is a former Cary Town Council member.)
This may cause some gums to flap over at the COC!
Wuptdo B-)
Cary's burden
Cary Mayor Ernie McAlister and council member Jack Smith, quoted in your May 27 article "Debt woes cloud Cary budget talks," continue to avoid responsibility and blame their failed fiscal policies on developer fees of the past. They fail to mention that the town has lost millions in revenue due to the lowering of those fees.
In addition, development is currently on pace for a 7 percent increase this year (more than double the national average) while overcrowded roads and schools are the norm. They defy logic by cutting the road budget while increasing debt on noncritical items. The developer subsidies they so generously provide on the backs of the taxpayers are not bringing businesses and jobs they predicted but instead are exacerbating the overcrowding of roads and schools.
One can only wonder what this Town Council is thinking as for the second straight year its members propose to increase debt, reduce revenue, while spending recklessly (the latest being $200,000 for bridge art). Maybe they are counting on the majority of Cary's population having an attention deficit disorder. Or maybe they are just simply courting developers for campaign contributions, since this is an election year.
One thing is for sure: while the developers prosper the citizens will suffer with a doubling of garbage fees this year and a promised seven cent tax increase next year.
Harold Weinbrecht
Cary
(The writer is a former Cary Town Council member.)
This may cause some gums to flap over at the COC!
Wuptdo B-)