Use your voice in Red Gate decision

On Dec. 22, I attended the Red Gate Bridge public hearing sponsored by the City of St. Charles. After leaving, I wondered how much of a voice does the taxpayer have?

St. Charles taxpayers are expected to pay for the $30 million bridge. So far they have $8 million to 10 million of your money. If they cannot get money from the state and federal government - no support - they will take out loans that taxpayers will pay back. It's not like the city of St. Charles has a surplus of your money. The Daily Herald reported "the city is facing a $3 million deficit for 2010-11," per finance director Chris Minick.

City officials informed us that the bridge will decrease your travel time by 10 percent. If it takes you five minutes to travel through town you will save 30 seconds. Is this how you want the city to spend your money?

Red Gate communities are expected to have this bridge built in their neighborhoods. City officials exempted other communities because it would "impact their residents" and "adversely affect their nature preserves." Do they think the Red Gate communities don't have residents or nature preserves? They will be "impacted" by two bridges, ramps, increase traffic, closed roads - Army Trail will be closed - environmental issues and noise pollution. People who use the forest preserve, dog park and the Fox River will all be "adversely affected."

Taxpayers who voted for open space are now expected to give that land away for a bridge. You voted to increase your taxes so the forest preserve district would buy land and keep it undeveloped for your enjoyment and to keep open space in your community.

I originally asked, "How much of a voice does the taxpayer have? " As much as the taxpayer uses his voice.

Terry Masterson

St. Charles