To The Editor:
I am writing about the "requested" tax hike of 80 percent.
When the Connellsville school district raised the taxes by 33 percent, I was angry. It makes me angry because I am almost a senior citizen and don't have kids in school any more, so why should I pay school taxes?
But, now the county commissioners want to raise the taxes by 80 percent!!!! How, in all good conscience, can they justify that⢠And the lame excuses being that the courthouse needs so many repairs and the insurance premiums have increased. Excuse me, but the courthouse, like any house needs repaired when it needs it. By waiting years to repair what needed done, the cost has become outrageous. Why should we, the taxpayers, have to pay for someone else's stupidity by not repairing the courthouse when it needed it?
And as far as the insurance premiums go, why should we be responsible for the increase in their insurance premiums⢠Join the club. My insurance has gone up to. Why can't they pay their own premiums⢠I have to, along with thousands of others. Why should we pay for their insurance, when we can barely pay for our own⢠Not to mention the thousands of people who don't have insurance because they simply can't afford it!
That is almost like the representatives giving themselves raises every year because they believe their constituents want them to live the excessive lives they do. No. I want them to live like the real people. Having to worry how the bills are going to be paid, not living where they have no worries.
Do we, the taxpayers of Fayette County have emblazoned across our foreheads Federal Reserve Bank of Fayette County⢠And can only the commissioners and the many other people who want our money see it⢠Is that the reason they feel they can "extort" this money from us?
Do you know what I see when I see the people of Fayette County⢠I see many people who are barely getting by. People who worry that they may lose their homes because they can't pay their taxes, people who don't have insurance because it is too high, and people who most of all, have no jobs.
How can an 80 percent tax increase be justified when Connellsville just lost a major industry putting 350 more people out of work⢠Added to the thousands already unemployed.
This county is nothing but a bedroom community any more because there are no jobs here. Yet, you still want more, and more money from us. How do you think we are going to pay for that⢠Where do you think unemployed people are going to get the money⢠Do I go to my neighbor who may have a job and say, "Excuse me, but my taxes went up and I don't have the money to pay for them. Can you give me some of yours?" I don't think I'd get any money from them. And what about the elderly on fixed incomes⢠Yes, they do get a check every month, but some are barely getting by on that check. How do you think they are going to pay for more taxes?
Most of us aren't cash cows, or have money trees growing in our back yards, all we are, are people trying to make a living and trying to survive in this world. That's all I want.
Please, please, please, reconsider what you are asking of the taxpayers. We are already under such a heavy burden that some of us don't know how we're going to make it through the year. You are asking way too much from us. We can't afford it. Already too many people have to choose between needed medication and food. What do you want us to give up next⢠What are you willing to sacrifice⢠And will it really be a great sacrifice for you in the long run?
All I can say is that I hope you enjoy your term in the office, because chances are that you won't be returning. This country needs another revolution, and I just hope I live long enough to see it.
Patricia J. Zelmore
Mount Pleasant
