Boycotting gas in West Dundee

I have anxiously been waiting for the decision from the village of West Dundee as to what they plan to do with their budget pending the imminent departure of the Target store on Route 72 and the projected loss of approximately $400,000 in tax revenue.

Would they take the high road and readjust their budget to take into account the assumed loss of tax income? Would they adjust their priorities and eliminate waste in government spending within the village? Or would they simply shrug their shoulders and tack on additional taxes to supplement the economic shortfall?

Yes, West Dundee decided to imitate the federal government and the state of Illinois by simply adding taxes to the purchase of gas and beverages to the tune of $440,000. And what is the extra $40,000 for? Why, they need to add administrative staff time to account for the influx of new taxes and further increase government spending, of course. And if other businesses decide to replace Target and Best Buy in the empty stores, will the taxes be repealed? My guess is no.

Well I, for one, am tired of paying extra taxes just because a village decides they need the money rather than trying to readjust their budget. I will not buy another gallon of gas or another glass of wine in West Dundee. My few pennies of protest might not seem like much, but if everyone boycotted this tax increase, West Dundee would feel the impact. Then maybe West Dundee would be forced to reduce spending rather than burden the taxpayer with these tax increases.

Dirk B. Fuqua

Sleepy Hollow