Government needs to tighten belts, too

People are experiencing home values that are declining. But for some reason this has no effect on the government, local educational systems, i.e. school districts, colleges, county government, city government and those requesting more tax dollars.

It appears that no matter how the rest of society is suffering, meeting their bills and taxes, the above people are only concerned with increasing property taxes to meet their budget needs.

ECC is requesting an increase in property taxes to meet their budget. As long as they don't exceed the state limits of tax increases they can expect some sort of budget increase. Maybe not the level they are looking for, but they are assured of some type of increase.

What does that mean to the rest of us? It means that any hope of being able to provide for your families and retirement has just become almost an impossible dream. While those who receive the tax increase means more money in their pockets for their family and retirement.

That, my friend, is why your taxes will not go down. Even though your house is steadily losing value; your retirement money is being directed to special interest groups; and you could lose everything; these people don't care.

I have never experienced a more selfish group of people who only think of themselves and ignore what an impact they are having on the rest of society. You people know who you are. You are putting more and more seniors out of their homes and you all don't care.

William Swearingen

Elgin