It's no secret that we're faced with excessive taxes in Auburn.
Not just the outrageous city taxes, but also county and state levies. And let's not forget our school taxes which increase yearly, as well. Any regular reader of this column knows that we've been discussing this problem for years.
At first, it didn't seem like such a great idea to spend a $55,500 state grant and hire an outside firm to run an analysis of the local housing situation.
However it exposed some of the reasons why people are leaving this area in droves. The tax base is shrinking, the population is aging, and local manufacturing has all but disappeared.
Investors and taxpayers are fed up with being overtaxed and burdened beyond their ability to pay.
From where I stand the biggest problem here is the fact that our median household income is about $37,000 compared to the national median household income which is about $52,000.
That explains perfectly everything we've been saying about why we're having such a terrible struggle when faced with these yearly tax increases.
Most of us don't have the money to pay and we're getting hit from all sides. Meanwhile the elite can't identify with the struggling majority. Every time we try to reason with our elected officials and advocate for our position as taxpayers, we're shoved aside and ignored.
All they know is how to spend and tax. They use our money to fund their own luxurious lifestyles. We have good families who have moved out of the city and school district because they can't take it anymore.
The taxes are a big reason but it's also that they're not getting much for their money.
The schools are behind academically while we focus more on turf than we do on learning.
Some city council members continue to openly bicker and squawk instead of doing something good for the people.
We've got at least two different economic development organizations and nothing is getting done.
No matter how many new banks, dollar stores, restaurants and pharmacies go up, we never get anything back. Where's our benefit?
Where are our tax decreases?
We're always on the short end of the stick. We need you to fix the roads, teach our kids how to read and write, bring in some real jobs that will support a family and stop hammering us with new taxes.
If you can't get the job done than get out of the way and we'll find someone who can.
Ducayne's column runs Tuesdays in The Citizen and she can
be reached at sacredheart6005@hotmail.com
At first, it didn't seem like such a great idea to spend a $55,500 state grant and hire an outside firm to run an analysis of the local housing situation.
However it exposed some of the reasons why people are leaving this area in droves. The tax base is shrinking, the population is aging, and local manufacturing has all but disappeared.
Investors and taxpayers are fed up with being overtaxed and burdened beyond their ability to pay.
From where I stand the biggest problem here is the fact that our median household income is about $37,000 compared to the national median household income which is about $52,000.
That explains perfectly everything we've been saying about why we're having such a terrible struggle when faced with these yearly tax increases.
Most of us don't have the money to pay and we're getting hit from all sides. Meanwhile the elite can't identify with the struggling majority. Every time we try to reason with our elected officials and advocate for our position as taxpayers, we're shoved aside and ignored.
All they know is how to spend and tax. They use our money to fund their own luxurious lifestyles. We have good families who have moved out of the city and school district because they can't take it anymore.
The taxes are a big reason but it's also that they're not getting much for their money.
The schools are behind academically while we focus more on turf than we do on learning.
Some city council members continue to openly bicker and squawk instead of doing something good for the people.
We've got at least two different economic development organizations and nothing is getting done.
No matter how many new banks, dollar stores, restaurants and pharmacies go up, we never get anything back. Where's our benefit?
Where are our tax decreases?
We're always on the short end of the stick. We need you to fix the roads, teach our kids how to read and write, bring in some real jobs that will support a family and stop hammering us with new taxes.
If you can't get the job done than get out of the way and we'll find someone who can.
Ducayne's column runs Tuesdays in The Citizen and she can
be reached at sacredheart6005@hotmail.com
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cm wrote on Jan 26, 2007 2:27 PM:
Chuck Harris wrote on Jan 25, 2007 2:43 PM:
new idea wrote on Jan 25, 2007 10:09 AM:
More of the same, wrote on Jan 24, 2007 1:42 PM:
Unknown wrote on Jan 24, 2007 12:16 PM:
I agree with Catch wrote on Jan 23, 2007 8:07 PM:
Lets stop moaning wrote on Jan 23, 2007 7:07 PM:
Leon Kapowski wrote on Jan 23, 2007 2:33 PM:
Catch-22 wrote on Jan 23, 2007 12:44 PM:
Many thanks wrote on Jan 23, 2007 11:38 AM: