Conversations
As I've been traveling door-to-door over the past few months, I've been asking people to have a "conversation" with me about the issues that matter most to them.
Today, however, I picked up a phone message from an anonymous caller who received my letter outlining my platform. He was angry because the letter did not indicate to which party I belong, making it harder for him to dismiss me or embrace me, depending on which way his politics swing. I wish he had left a name and phone number; I would have gladly called him back.
First of all, I believe that one should be elected on the basis of one's integrity, honesty, and work ethic, NOT on a person's party affiliation. Second, I am now a Democrat, but I once was a Republican who was never politically active. So what made me change sides?
In 2000, our Republican county commissioners tried to raise our taxes by 36% for the coming year. 500 of us angry taxpayers showed up at the evening meeting held in Henderson's auditorium to protest the 2001 proposed budget. Nothing was voted on that night. The commissioners announced they would vote on the budget the next day. So 40 of us showed up at the 10 a.m. meeting in Courtroom 1. Through Democrat Commissioner Andy Dinniman's efforts, the tax increase was reduced to 29.4% and the budget was approved 2 to 1. After that, several of us formed a taxpayer watchdog group to monitor the commissioner meetings over the next two years.
Then in 2001, those same Republican commissioners tried to bulldoze 11 historic buildings in the heart of West Chester Borough in order to expand the county courthouse. Again, several of us formed an alliance to save our historic town center and to push the project down the street so all courthouse functions could be under one roof. This solution saved county taxpayers money, improved court security, and increased economic development on the west end of town.
In both cases, the people I was working with, on the issues I cared about, were Democrats. Consequently, when I was asked to run for Borough Council, I decided to run as a Democrat. I just completed my four-year term on January 2nd.
The point is that we voters need to take a hard, close look at the people running for office. What have they actually done to solve problems? What is their track record for hard work, community involvement, and personal integrity? As voters, we need to be willing to start a conversation with those who want to represent us in government.
Comments
On the tax issue, mentioned above: my wife and I, as owners of our house in the Borough since 1986, have often expressed to Borough Council, including when Barb was on it, that we and many of our neighbors were willing to play more Borough taxes to get better services, especially enforcement of zoning regulations and police protection.
The Borough went through many years without a tax raise, thanks largely to income from the sale of the water works (back in the Clinton years of good investment returns) and then it became necessary to raise taxes. Borough Council was serious and professional about it, and most residents accepted it as a necessity. People who live outside the Borough shouldn't speak for us on this issue.
By the way, the School taxes are by far the largest part of our real estate tax burden, in my case 63% of the total; and County taxes are 16%. If anyone wants to complain, talk to the Republicans who have long controlled the School Board and Commissioners, rather than blaming Barb and other Democrats for the mere 21% of our real estate taxes that goes to improve life in the Borough.
While I'm talking, also consider that the residents of the Borough get nothing from all the business that goes on downtown. All we get is real estate tax and 1% income tax (basically, on people who live in the Borough), but nothing but a tiny business privilege tax for all those nice (and profitable) bars and restaurants.
Posted by: Nathaniel Smith | September 13, 2006 6:59 PM