To the Editor:

At a time when we are trying to take the tax burden off of the working class, it appalls me to think the city of John Day actually put an initiative (not on just the city but whole county) to raise taxes again. This is just a money grab to balance their budget in (unfunded) mandated line items. As I understand it, it is mostly retirement funds that somehow was left out of past budgets by being short sighted. Not a lot of thought and no input was put into the initiative. The reason for this being pushed through with little discussion was that it is a bad idea for the tax payers of the county. It is not only the price of a couple of pizzas but will allow requests in the future for more operating expenditures through the county. (So now the people have to watch two govt. entities) as a fee (tax) on the utilities that is in place at present in the city, the wording will allow them to continue taxing forever. Waaaay to many “could’s” are inserted among their own words. This seems to be a theme of the new city manager and apparently council and mayor!!! He is like a kid in a candy jar when it comes to “free” money. He will spend it wherever and want more.

My favorite solution is to “Vote No” and discuss all options. Outsourcing to a private firm would be the best bet as they are more responsive to keeping control on costs. Local control as it is, is not an option. It was proven that it was totally political when last year’s sheriff election was in progress. Local maybe under county control??? My point is – no other solutions were discussed. Maybe job sharing on the county level to make more efficient and less expense eliminating extra funds. This initiative 12-69 would most likely not be needed at all.

This is another case like the DR Johnson property purchase and a government attempt to enter the free enterprise system. Free money – over runs – ever staffed more unaffordable retirement for the city all are what drove that decision. Look at the property at Airport, as an industrial site. Under engineered for that purpose, and evidently no interest shown after several years. Even the state forestry chose not to relocate there.

Another option: hurry up and get your green house going within next two years and produce a profit and cover your 911 set up. Plain pure and simple. In the private sector we are required, in order to get a loan, to have a fiscal working sheet, and game plan at least 3 years and some loan institutions 5 years and strict requirements to adhere to the business plan. Governments use other “free money” to balance books.

I doubt the city has done that. Last but certainly not least this is pure taxation without representation and I (as a constitutionalist) believe that we as a community should not go down this road. If this passes does the whole county get to vote on all city elections – run for council – mayor??????

I urge everyone to make phone calls to vote “no” and then “hell no” on proposition 12-69.

Bob Pereira

John Day