Candidates not tough enough on taxes

Candidates not tough enough on taxes

I’m writing this letter to the editor in hopes that I can reach and encourage as many Carol Stream voters to vote for neither Mr. LaRocca nor Mr. Christopher as our new village trustee in Carol Stream.

Their responses to the Daily Herald candidate profile questionnaire gives me enough evidence. While Carol Stream has wisely followed fiscally responsible and conservative principles of paying as we go, without a village property tax or inflated sales tax rates, Christopher has stated that Carol Stream should have a property tax and states that “People have to understand this money feeds all village and county assessments. Schools, park district, police department, fire department, forest preserve, water, waste, county, and the list goes on and on.” Either he didn’t understand the question or thinks that the taxpayers need to understand our tax bills better.

Also, there is his response to a question about one good idea to better the community: “I feel the village should look into purchasing and developing land to create jobs for the people of Carol Stream.” So, local government should now become a commercial enterprise and property owner in order to employ its citizens, perhaps as farmers?

Meanwhile, LaRocca has said, regarding a property tax, “At this time I don’t believe it is necessary. Our efforts for the future should attempt to maintain our current status however at some point a Carol Stream property tax may be necessary.” Carol Stream has weathered difficult fiscal periods without a property tax and needs a firmer commitment than that.

Confidently vote for Rick Gieser and Matt McCarthy, but don’t vote for any third candidate. Send a message.

Thomas Garvey

Carol Stream