HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0533.036 2000-2002 Page 1 of 1
Curt6s `Tyler
From: "John Fife" <keenie@gte.net>
°fo: <cohmayor@interpac.net>
Cc: <ctyler@interpac.net>;
Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 1:13 PM
Subject: Tax rate proposal
Mr. Mayor:
I read with great interest your comments in today's West ~~~rw
Hawaii. I read your comments regarding the "band issue", ~~s~n-~..~._°-------~ 9v-•-_____________~
"east/west tax money distribution" and the "productivity of ~~°"~-•-•~-'~'•~----------°--°-°,,e...
county workers". I wanted you to know that I disagreed ~~~@~ ~
with your statements regarding these issues, and that you
seemed to be, from what I read, more concerned with
defending the status quo and avoiding the complex, heated
issues surrounding the tax proposal..
As far as the bands are concerned they are a luxury as
you said, and one that should be considered for cutting, if,
as you seem to believe, that the county and its budget
cannot be cut and raising taxes is the only option. If the
county finances are in such a "very solid state", why do we
need to only consider a tax increase? It seems to me Mr.
Yagong brought up many possible places to save money that
should be taken seriously.
There is an "east/west" disparity in tax money payment and
distribution the numbers alone indicate that. Avoiding
the issue does not make it go away, and should be a part of
any discussion about raising taxes. I believe this is an
important issue that the voters will not just lose interest
in.
Another issue that you seemed not to want to discuss, was
the chronic suggestion that county employment could be cut
because of the perceived feather-bedding in the county work
force. Maybe the issue continues to come up because there
is some truth to it, and should be seriously looked at?
The impression I have been getting since the tax increase
proposal first surfaced, is that little attention has been
given to possible cuts (ones already requested have been
ignored) and there is little desire to pursue anything but
raising taxes. I'm sure others have gotten the same
impression, whether it be true or not.
Mahalo for your time.
~ffe :~To.,..
Ref. 1''0:
fief. ®ate ~ ~
5/16/02
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