Self-centered taxing bodies will ruin us

The Arlington Heights Village Board announced that they are lowering their increase in the tax levy for next year from 1.9 percent to 1.2 percent. Maybe the word that the residents are not happy with them is finally getting through. But there is an election coming up in April so probably not.

We also have the park board astonished that their multimillion dollar referendum didn’t pass after a larger one a year ago was also voted down. So they haven’t gotten the word of our disdain for their spending even after two resounding rejections of huge additional spending.

The District 214 board is holding a town-hall meeting on Dec. 13h to appear like they are listening to the residents’ concerns with their proposed tax increase. How about them coming up with some ways to DECREASE spending other than increasing class size?

I will give them a very simple change that can save District 214 millions. Do away with the on-road instruction portion of driver education. The state of Illinois now requires parents to do 50 hours of on-road instructions with the child so why do we need this done in high school during school hours and at the taxpayers expense? Imagine how much money could be saved if this was implemented (cars, insurance, salary of instructors).

We need to speak up to these self-centered taxing bodies or we will be forced to move due to the tax burden that they seem to feel they have the right to increase year after year.

Start by going to the District 214 board meeting on Dec. 13 and tell them you are not happy and that they need to do a better job of decreasing expenses.

Jack Halpin

Arlington Heights