Citizens fight for no new taxes

[dimetime]

Local groups in South Bend have been comming together to fight the St. Joseph County Council as well as the Common Council's resolutions they have made. The resolutions they made coule raise local income taxes.
Just recently there were 6 groups who came together at the Countys City Building to tell the local goverment that they need to actually cut back on taxes rather then increase them. Asking families who are facing financial hardships already dont need the added tax increases as well.
These increases are being considered by the councils to help offset the revenue losses for 09 and into 2010.
Brian Frick who is the South Gateway Association President says that since july from his business he has given away hundreds of signs which read "no new taxes". He also believes that the councils should have held more meetings for the public before voting. Frick has also said that the idea behind property tax relief was so that the taxpayers would not have to pay so much in their taxes, and now to have the councils turn around and raise taxes, just makes no sense at all.
The people of this community dont make the money that they once did, and so trying to increase taxes for people who are barely keeping their heads above water is not going to help the situtation of those in the community.Its actully going to cause harm to the community.
In an area where the populations is not growing, and the citizens dont get many raises and some dont have jobs, makes the idea of tax increases unnecessary.
German Township Neighborhood Association Sandra Hochstedler says that she is shocked that this is happening during the holiday season. This is when most are distracted by the holidays and are dealing with their own issues concerning fiances. Sandra Hochstedler even has said that the local goverments are becomming the Grinch, and are attempting to steal Christmas.
Stephen Luecke Mayor has said that if there are no increases in the taxes they city will lose around 20 million dollars from the general fund by 2010, and there would be layoffs of city staff, police officers, and even firefighters. There will also be the possible closing of park facilities.
There has to be another solution to this situation, and hopefully soon its found. You cant tax people who are barely making ends meet as it is. That just isnt possible.

[dollardaze]

It is hard to pay more taxes with so many losing their homes, and jobs and financial security. I don't know why the government (federal, state, and local) think that we have the money to pay for all these expenditures.

I know that government needs money to pay for necessities, just like we do, but what government thinks is a necessity and what I think is a necessity are mostly two different things. I think it's time that government gets real and stops spending money on needless things.

[ClassyLady]

You said a mouthfull there dollardaze. I agree fully!! If they would spend our money wisely, we would not be in the shape this country is in.