City Council Conundrum

If you don’t live in the Kansas City metro area, you probably haven’t heard of the quiet, little suburb of Roeland Park, KS. If you thought that fiscal insanity and pigheadedness is reserved for the corrupt politicians in Washington, D. C., and the state houses around the country, think again!

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In today’s tepid economy and with the gates on the dam of taxes ready to be raised upon all with earned &/or inherited income, the Roeland Park, KS, City Council’s initial 2011 Budget Proposal included an eye-popping 86% increase in the Mill Levy! This is NOT a typo – 86%! Instead of demonstrating empathy for the residents of the city, pet projects (local earmarks) have been placed above the fundamental needs of the city and its residents. Shouldn’t members of the City Council listen to the tax-paying residents, instead of trying to justify maintaining ‘business as usual?’ What planet are these people on? Are they trying to make the Obama regime look credible? When challenged on this budget, a majority on the Council stiffened in its resolve that there was little or nothing that could be eliminated from the budget without creating a‘hardships,’ or stealing from programs designed to enhance the ambiance of the city. Wouldn’t you think that in an economy that is as skittish as this one is, these nice, but not fundamental needs would be left on the cutting-room floor of the budget committee? Following extended debate, and the courageous leadership of a minority on the Council, the Council returned with a 22% increase, but with several items and key issues left untouched. Among the issues are a reduction in pay, a reduction in benefits, and possible furloughs for city employees to reduce the money needed to conduct the business of the people in a fiscally responsible manner. Of course, asking city employees to absorb a cut would demand Council members to do the same. Some are willing, others aren’t. Pay and benefit cuts &/or furloughs aren’t exciting, but isn’t that better than not having any income at all? When questioned about specifics, some on the Council want to slink away from being held accountable in front of the tax-paying residents. What is rarely mentioned by Council members and marginally acknowledged when addressed by city residents is the fact that many residents are going to see a significant increase in their taxes for the next fifteen (15) years to pay for wastewater drainage improvements. These improvements were needed, but now the residents have to pay the piper! Just like every other community in the U. S., with the pitiful economy we have been subjected to by many in our Federal government, on Wall Street, and in all of the peripheral industries, Roeland Park has its share of people who have lost their jobs and are treading water as the Obama regime places anvil after anvil on the toothpick of our economy. Increases in local taxes, coupled with the tidal wave of increases coming at the Federal level, will be devastating to almost all within the City of Roeland Park. How can those who campaigned for people’s votes turn on those who elected them? Isn’t the ideal democratic republic, one in which elected officials serve their constituencies, not repress them? I don’t know if some on the council are looking to use their ‘political experience’ to catapult themselves into higher office, but if they are, they need to more responsive to their constituencies. Tea Partiers will use the ballot box to eviscerate those who abuse them!