POOR LEADERSHIP - TAX AND SPEND ATTITUDE

By David W Grill

The Lompoc City Council has shown poor leadership by its continuing policy of TAX AND SPEND on every construction project and expansion of government.

1.New tax on dog ownership. Increases of 50% to 100%
2.New increase in drinking water rates of 50% over 5 years
3.New increase in sewage rates of 50% over 5 years
4.New Measure D increases sales taxes for 30 years

Now let us take a look at the recent bonds (past, present, and future). Bonds are taxes on real property such as houses, apartments, businesses, and land. The consequences of new bonds are several and impact the wallets of everyone. Property taxes on homes increase. Rents on apartments increase. Prices of purchased goods and services increase. Food prices increase.

1. 35 million dollars Lompoc Unified School District
2. 13 million dollars new swimming pool
3. 2 million dollars remove old swimming pool
4. 3 million dollars wireless internet
5. 28 milliom dollars fiber optics
6. 180 million dollars Hancock College
7. 75 million dollars new hospital
8. 70 million dollars new sewage plant

This is over $400 million. All of these taxes (plus interest) must be paid by us. Remember, whether you are young or old, working or retired matters not at all. You will pay.

There is a confusing wrinkle in all of this. Some of the city projects are sort of self financed. What I mean, for example, is the city "borrowed" money from the electric ulility department to pay for the wireless internet project. There was no vote by the people. The city council just did it; (You might call it government by Nike.) and you will just pay for it. I suspect the payment will be by means of utility bills and user fees.

Lompoc is a low income city. The idea of working people bearing this heavy tax burden is offensive to me. We are not serfs bound to the will of government royalty. Let us replace this TAX AND SPEND city council!