Naperville council reneges on pledge

If I recall correctly, several members of the recently elected and current Naperville City Council campaigned on a platform that, in large part, included the need to make Naperville more affordable, especially for senior citizens like myself.

The reasoning was that ever rising costs, especially in the form of increased taxes, were making it difficult for retired seniors to continue living in Naperville once they were no longer working and bringing in the higher income levels associated with being employed.

Many of the current council members were elected based, at least partially, on their promise to reduce costs for seniors. However, once elected, several have gone back on their campaign promises as evidenced by several recent tax increases for which retired seniors get no relief. First, a 0.5 percent city sales tax was unanimously approved. Next, city garbage collection fees were increased from $2 a month to $12.35. That's a 617.5 percent increase.

Who besides Donald Trump gets that kind of a raise, even when they are working? Now comes word that city electric rate increases have been approved in the amounts of 8.3 percent this year, and 3.6 percent in each of the following two years. Note councilwoman Gustin cast the only no vote on this increase. All the recent new taxes only make you wonder what's next. Whatever it is, it's obvious that many members of the Naperville City Council said one thing to get elected, but have now done the opposite after winning their seats.

It's unfortunate that people who were elected based on their stated desires to help retired seniors be able to remain in Naperville, have now felt the need to screw those same seniors they vowed to help.

Mark Anderson

Naperville