Published: July 17, 2008 12:04 pm         

Remember the men who increased your taxes

It's mid July, and we have our city and county tax bills by now. Our county taxes increased 9.5 percent ($1,583,602) over last year. According to Commissioner Jim Stakem, people don't care if they have to pay more taxes. Only six people have expressed opposition by phone, letter or testimony to increased taxes.

Our census in 2000 was 74,930; in 2006 it was 72,831; and then subtract 2,340 state inmates and 1,600 federal inmates and county inmates and there are fewer taxpayers (68,700 plus or minus) paying more and more taxes. People/businesses move to areas where they can keep more of what they earn - capitalism.

Water and sewerage rates have just gone up 8-10 percent because repairs and replacement have been postponed for years. Cumberland city taxes are increasing nearly 6 percent in part because of postponed street repair. Landlords will have to pass these increases to tenants and business owners will have to pass increases to customers. Two hospitals are consolidating into one. Schools are continually downsizing and consolidating.

Remember these names: Commissioner Stakem, Commissioner Dale Lewis and Commissioner Bob Hutcheson. County and city departments always ask for the moon and expect to get much more than last year.

We need elected officials with a backbone who will say, "No, We can't keep increasing expenses and expect the residents to pay. Our taxpayers are moving away."

If you ask them if they are the last people remaining in Allegany County, please turn out the lights at 701 Kelly Road, Commissioner Lewis will jokingly respond that he already did. He may have meant Kelly Springfield or was he talking about his power and his control on finances as commissioner and prophesying Allegany County's future.

Jim Brant
Cumberland