All THIS...For ONLY Ten Bucks...

Fort Wayne City Council "overwhelmingly" approved mayor Tom Henry's request to UNDO last year's $3.7 million property tax freeze. The intital freeze would have placed about $10 BACK into the pockets of every homeowner here (on a house assessed at $100,000). Council also voted 7-2 in favor of asking the state to INCREASE the amount of property taxes the CITY collects - called the TAX LEVY - (retain that nomenclature for future analogous references) by $3.7 million to $103.1 million for this year.

This vote overturns the previous (unanimous) decision made by Council LAST YEAR to freeze the levy at $99.4 million. Three of the current council members were not on THAT council. The tax increase will cost homeowners between $11 and $19, depending on exemptions (there goes that ten bucks we "almost" had).

Council spent most fo the discussion on the LEGALITIES of such an action as this. While Council attorney Jon Bonahoom stated the ordinance as written was illegal and inappropriate, city attorney Carol Taylor argued the action was legal (It really scares me when LAWYERS can't even agree on something worth a mere $10 per homeowner).

Mitch Harper (how did we get along without him all this time?) expressed concerns on approving a tax increase WITHOUT any public input. He said the state requires a public hearing when the city approves the budget and tax levy in the fall. If the city wants to increase the levy now, it should garner input from the public.

City Controller Pat Roller said the increase had to be approved QUICKLY so it fits into the state's schedule (all sounds a bit too shifty to me, Patty). And everyone points to HB 1001 (Governor Mitch's tax cut) as the culprit. This bill would cut homeowner's property tax rates by about a THIRD (Hallelujah!) and that doesn't play right with the city's (by comparison) "miniscule" cut for US (remember that $10?).

Now I said all THAT to say THIS:

Aside from Tom Smith and Mitch Harper, the rest of City Council needs an ENEMA!

I mean I could EXPECT all the DEMS to go along with mayor Henry (Democrat), but when some REPS go along for the ride, one has to question motives here. And you can always say: "Well, Bob, after all...it IS ONLY TEN DOLLARS". Yeah, and would you rather be DOLLARED TO DEATH; ten dollars here, another 15 there, and 5 over there just for the hell of it, or would you rather have that money IN your pocket to spend, save or apply to things needed.

Let's face facts, people...Houses will never be perfect until they can be made self-maintaining...for free. (yes, you may quote me now)

Now while MY particular house in MY particular part of the ghetto-esque SOUTH side of Fort Wayne is far-removed from the newer constructs that dot our city/county-scape, it's a nice house (just in a bad area surrounded by subhuman trash), and like any home with "character" (that would mean aging...like me), it needs repairs. How on God's green earth can I DO that when every city official wants in my wallet for another "ten dollars". I'm too busy fixing the REST of the city's problems to attend to MY house's problems in the manner I feel I should...WTF is wrong with that picture? And every one of you homeowners know where I'm coming from on this one.

((But it IS only TEN DOLLARS.))

Maybe you city "officials" should go ONE WHOLE YEAR without a paycheck...how's THAT for a "solution"? Maybe if YOU have to tighten the old belt a few notches, you won't be as prone to taxing the rest of us out the ass. And you should give up that paycheck WILLINGLY...with a huge SMILE on YOUR primate faces, knowing you've done right for the TAXPAYERS (for a change).

But you won't.

It galls me to no end when I see a city kissing the asses of the same people it should be encouraging to assist in making the city THRIVE.

Tax ABATEMENTS for any and all businesses that come to this city and tax INCREASES for all the citizens. Yeah, that's FAIR. When a city becomes more concerned with diversity (over inclusion), special "programs" and interests for a select few (instead of for everyone who should be ABLE to assimilate into the society), and having (by necsessity) to hire more public safety people JUST to MAINTAIN whatever status quo you enjoy, instead of actually IMPROVING public safety, I have to yank back on the reins, and whoa this buggy the hell up.

((Ease up, Bob...it's ONLY TEN DOLLARS))

I, along with so many other tax-paying, law-abiding citizens did not create the problems this city has fostered over the decades. We live our lives, conduct our business, spend out money, work at our jobs, and pay our taxes. We do what is expected of us as American citizens and enjoy the rights and privileges accorded us by the founding fathers. We did not create this burdgeoning financial debacle, nor do we wish to ADD TO IT by having our pockets rifled at every turn.

Cripes, if I wanted to be robbed in THIS manner, all I have to do is walk my neighborhood streets after dusk! (so much for that public safety crap I alluded to earlier, eh?)

This incessant dependance upon the dwindling numbers of homeowners for THEIR money alone has got to stop...and soon.

This "ten dollars" COULD have gone for the rising cost of heating my house...or maybe bought me a few more loads of laundry, Several gallons of gas to buy necessities, or maybe even a couple meals. We will never know, will we?

Hey, I've got a fantastic idea.

I should take a ten dollar bill, walk the hell into the FWPD H.Q., slap it down on the front desk, and tell the officer to "spend it wisely". THERE...I've made MY "added" $10 contribution to the city, now leave me AND my wallet alone for the rest of 2008, kapesh?

Oh hell, that would make just TOO damn much sense, wouldn't it?

Maybe we should ALL move back into the cave and stare at the reflections on the wall ,but you people would probably figure a way to TAX EVEN THAT. Being an "Indian-Giver" was an aspect of an immature childhood.

Christ, this city is becoming like a bawling kid who just lost his milk money....("waaaaaahhhh, we want our $10 back...waaaahhhhhh").

Time to grow the hell up, Fort Wayne.

You can do more with less.

Ask most ANY homeowner.

We HAVE to do more...with the "less" you provide us yearly. You might have to step on some toes along the journey, but it can be done. You just have to find the balls to do it, and be able to wipe the brown off your lips.

((We now return you to your regularly-scheduled lives))