I’d Rather Fight than Switch
A disturbing trend I’ve noted is families who are fed up with the city taxes and rules simply moving out of town, if they can manage to sell their house. I was one of the lucky ones when I managed to sell my house about a year and a half ago.
Unlike many, I stayed in the city as I want my young son to be brought up in a neighborhood. I want him to have parks nearby and be able to walk to school or a store, (or even a job a few years from now). I also enjoy having city services such as water, sewer, paved roads and sidewalks.
I don’t mind paying taxes (or anything else) as long as I feel I’m getting value for my money. Higher property taxes and 1% of my income? That’s OK, Just so long as my money is being spent wisely.
This whole thing with the city spending a million dollars of *our* tax money in some sort of land speculation gamble has made me re-think the value we’re getting for our tax money. Judging by the number of “For Sale” signs I see in people’s yards, many others feel the same way.
Here’s my point: You don’t have to move. You can make positive changes in the community if you just get involved.
I’m not a politically-minded person, but the latest actions by city council got me thinking: someone needs to do something. As I sat in the audience at the last city council meeting and realized I was one of two city residents left in the room not sitting behind a desk, it dawned on me that if anyone was going to try to change things, it was probably going to be me.
If *you* care at all too, contact Scott Frazee or myself. I can be reached at 517-743-5002 or tmanting at gmail.com. (Replace the word “at” with the “@” symbol and you’ll have an e-mail address.)
Thanks for reading my little rant.
-Tom Manting