Comments on: City Council Showdown on Oct. 8

By: Rick Gardner

Rick Gardner — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:48:43 +0000

Thanks to Mike Phipps in pushing for a 7 pm meeting time for the public hearing on the county tax increase,others on the democrat side badly wanted a 4 pm hearing, I believe to keep the crowds away. Let us attend in great numbers. Mike is a great asset to the council. If we can elect one more in the next election the council could do great things

By: Wayne Huffman

Wayne Huffman — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:59:41 +0000

Jim Steele is still projecting that 92% of people will pay their taxes. My guess is it will be around 90% if trending rings true. That will put the city even further in the hole. Are they going to come to us again next year asking for more money?

By: Todd Baldridge

Todd Baldridge — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:30:40 +0000

Jim Steele was quite the comedian last night! When he complained about the taxpayer delinquency rate, I almost heard a rimshot:

“If people just paid their taxes, we’d be in good shape.”

Way to go, Jim! His report shows 18.38% were late in paying their taxes. Unfortunately, as the tax rate climbs, so goes the delinquency rate.

Any substantial gains from a tax hike will evaporate as people (1) fail to pay and (2) avoid the tax by moving out of the area.

By: Todd Baldridge

Todd Baldridge — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:41:42 +0000

Until recently, I never really paid much attention to the goings-on in city and county government, but “it’s” getting really deep — and the stench is overwhelming.

After a heated exchange between Ollie Dixon and someone, I heard Ollie say:

“I know what’s best for Anderson – and you don’t!”

If that ain’t egotistical and elitist, I don’t know what is. Rodney Chamberlain was standing by and showed a nervous smile while shaking his head in disagreement.

Chamberlain showed a lot of courage for opposing the tax ordinance. Mike Welch checked his guts at the door, I guess?

By: Wayne Huffman

Wayne Huffman — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:20:57 +0000

One more comment. I would like to thank our REPUBLICAN Councilman Mike Welch for voting for the LOIT. Seriously…Why do we have a republican councilman supporting a tax increase? If Councilman Welch wants to vote with the democrats, as he does most of the time, maybe he should change to democrat.

By: Wayne Huffman

Wayne Huffman — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I agree with Tom. This was a chance for the republicans to seperate themselves and stand up for the people. I think that the republicans have missed a excellent chance to make a statement and start the wheels of change rolling.

We still have a chance of stopping this. The county council still has to vote on this as well as Elwood or Alexandria. Call your friends and family and tell them to call their representatives and tell them NO on the LOIT/COIT.

The few of us that are leading the charge will continue to be engaged but we can’t do it alone. Get up off the couch. Quit making excuses as to why you can’t help and get out and do it. If we can have 100 people show up at a luncheon, we should be able to get some folks to help stop a tax increase.

Thanks to Todd for his support.

By: Thomas Morgan

Thomas Morgan — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:11:12 +0000

Well it was a sight tonight. I guess most republicans are for this tax because they sure DID NOT SHOW UP!! Do you people want this? It has to be overwhelming to stop this. They need to know the job on the line is THEIRS! The old ways will not work anymore. You actually have to show up and participate or you cannot complain about what happens. The old sayings goes lead follow or get the heck out of the way…. Well getting the heck out of the way is no longer an option! You need to lead or follow but you have to do something!!

By: Dana Scott

Dana Scott — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:24:36 +0000

I was there tonight, interesting.