Be informed before you vote Feb. 5

It is my opinion that far too often the election result for a funding increase is based on a knee-jerk reaction expressed by many as "I pay too much as it is."

I consider those individuals short sighted and ill informed. They have expressed a global generalization that is likely to be detrimental to their own quality of life.

The "yes/no" vote should be, to an informed citizen, a vote of trust. It is a civic duty and a personal choice. It should be based on how much you trust the individuals who have been elected to make the right decision.

It is disheartening that past election results indicate that only a small percentage of registered voters participate in the process. It is distressing that an even smaller percentage of eligible citizens are even registered to vote.

The decisions of the ballot have a direct relationship to our day-to-day ability to have a good quality of life. Voter support allows all of us to enjoy the benefits of our units of government by enabling them to move forward with the best possible funding.

Real estate taxation for the support of government is based on the premise of an informed citizenry. If you pay a tax then you should be knowledgeable as to who has asked for it, why they determined it was worth asking for, and what they intend to do as a result of receiving it.

When they made that determination were you part of the public meeting process open to you? Throughout the year there are public meetings held that provide the answers to those questions. Public officials are available to you, again throughout the year, for accountability on the direction they lead your unit of local government. The appropriate time for stating your feelings about their decisions should be when they are making those decisions.

If you hear anyone say "it is my opinion that you should vote 'no' for these reasons," you should listen politely and then I suggest that you do your own research before you decide if you trust their opinion on the topic as you make your own "yes/no" vote choice.

If you have been part of that open process and are informed you should vote based on your personal level of trust in the request. Even if you haven't been part of the open process, it is my opinion, that you should trust the increase question. There are many hours of decisions behind the request. There have been many chances for you, and others, to have been vocal about the potential of that choice being a 'bad' choice.

The value of a strong community should be measured in how your tax dollars are invested in your community. Are the results of this taxation a benefit to you, your children, your grand children, to your neighbor, to the resale value of your home?

This benefit may be immediate and direct. It may also be an investment in a future return. Shouldn't you then trust that those elected individuals who made the choice are working to make their unit of government even better, for you?

This letter represents my view as a citizen and registered voter. By profession I am a director for a unit of local government.

Beverly Holmes Hughes

North Aurora