Dear Editor:
When choosing our elected officials, how often do we take into consideration how they view financial decisions? Will they make decisions based on what they believe to be affordable, or will they make financial decisions based on who will be negatively impacted the most by those decisions?
Inflation is taking its toll on our community and many people can barely afford the necessities, let alone the extras. Although homeowners received some relief in property taxes this year, that relief has been surpassed by the increase in cost of homeowners’ insurance, medical insurance and cost of care, car insurance, groceries, auto fuel and the cost of electrical, propane and natural gas for your home. Many have cut out all but the basics to be able to meet their monthly obligations and often are still running short.
While the amount of the previous school levy and the proposed increase may seem insignificant to some (I heard this when speaking out against the last levy) with all the other increases people are facing, it is one more financial hit that can contribute to someone’s breaking point.
The school district knew seven years ago that the track would need to be replaced and no fundraising steps have been taken to pay for it. While I fully support our students and would love for them to have a new track and a new field house, asking the taxpayers who are already facing financial uncertainty for more money because of poor planning is not the right thing to do. I think this should be put on the back burner until we find out what is happening with the promised state funds and our community members are on a solid financial footing.
My vote is no.
Chrisitna M. Stanley
Weiser, Idaho
