Let's fight high taxes as a community

To the citizens of Arlington Heights, your village board wants to raise your taxes by 3.75 percent which includes the village and the library board. I don't know what the park board will ask, but that will be an additional tax.

Everyone needs to let these governmental taxing boards know that this is not the year to raise taxes. We may have top quality in this community, but we should not be foolish spenders. We can live without, reduce, or at least postpone some of these budget expenses until America gets back on her feet.

The mayor hears complaints when a street isn't repaired or the snow isn't removed immediately. And so the trustees may be reluctant to make reductions in services or special events like Christkindlmarkt. If you would rather not have your taxes raised, then I urge all of you to phone or e-mail the mayor and trustees and let them know that you are willing to live with a lower level of service.

However, we then would ask that village employees also do with less - perhaps, eliminate or reduce overtime expenses, do away with the health center inside the village hall for employees only, halt all art and decorative purchases for the village hall, and postpone any beautification projects on government property.

I realize that the village is only 10.7 percent of our tax bill. So I encourage you to please write to your library board (5.1 percent), the park board (5.7 percent), and the school board (67 percent) and let them know that this is not the time to raise taxes/levy.

Those who work for the government in the village, park district, library, and schools do not face the same likelihood of a job loss or a business failing. So these government employees need to be sensitive to those whose incomes are vulnerable. The village should consider cutting, not raising taxes until the economic tide turns favorable.

Diane Crawford

Arlington Heights