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Show SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS Opinion WEDNESDAY AUGUST 20, 2003 Guest Editorial Tax and spend By Brad E. Hains worth There is something seductive about it, a rhythm that seduces elected official, especially the inexpeeven the most rienced. All of us have faced its consequences over and over again. You can hear it in any legislative body across the land, the congress, state legislatures, city after city, and you can hear it right here in our own county commission. It goes something like this: tax and spend, tax and spend, tax and spend. Just keep repeating it and the rhythm can put the taxpayer to sleep. The lullaby is always sung for the most wonderful of public purposes: foreign aide, the war or police action of the day, welfare, roads, sewer, water, desperate county needs, you name it. This time, here in Kanab, it is for remodeling the city and county building. Well, it is time for the taxpayers of Kane County to wake up and demand that their county commission break this expensive habit. Commissioner Ray Spencer certainly has caught the rhythm-probabl- y picked it up in the last commission, of which he was a member. He has been at it now, lets see, what is it? Well, should it prove necessary, this will be his third tax hike, if memory serves correctly: tax and spend, tax and spend, tax and spend. He apparently has it down pat. Out of the last one, he got a pay raise. But the really disheartening thing is that Commissioner Dan Hulet, a candidate who ran ostensibly as a conservative, seems to be picking up the rhythm and getting right in line with Mr. Spencer: tax and spend. For him, this is the first opportunity, but you have to wonder if this will be the last. For those ofus who voted for him, his vote for a possible raise in property taxes is a severe disappointment. On this critical point, the only commissioner to live up to the expectations of many of those who elected him is commissioner Mark Habbeshaw. His was the single laudatory vote against this eventuality. One hesitates to say it, but this probably is only the latest tax hike in what is proving to be an endless cycle. In the future, Mr. Hulet would do well to listen to and follow Mr. Habbeshaw. His is proving to be the only voice on the commission to be heard speaking for fiscal sanity. But, with only one commissioner so far willing to live up to expectations, on we go: tax and spend, tax and spend, tax and spend. How much longer can those ofus on fixed incomes endure these continuing raids on our standard of living? Frankly, the condition of the city and county building, whether public employees are feel i ng crowded or whether the members of the county commission have no personal office space or whether prisoners in the county lock-uare not as comfortable as they should be, has precious little do to with the taxpayers standard of living. Wouldnt it have been something if one of our Commissioners had made a motion to forego their raise in pay and to retract the last tax hike? Some of us, however, have weak hearts, and the shock may have proved to be too much. Perhaps a rule of thumb for those elected officials to follow would be this: would your tax hike pass a referendum? . well-meani- ng p Letters to the Editor materials and labor, built a walk through at the Wire Pass Trail Head. 2. The material and labor to construct the fence in question was not paid for by taxpayers monies. However, thanks to Mr. Mike Salamacha, who took it upon himself to have the fence removed, the taxpayers, us included, are having to pay for the removal, an EA and the replacement. Mike Salamacha should have to personally stand this expense. 3. At the present, due to drought conditions in the area, there are no cattle in that area. and I quote from Mike Salamachas report regarding this fence, Over time if a problem with cows develops, it can be addressed. Or, this could be the first step for removing grazing from this unique area. Dixie Northcott Thank you would like to clarify the following: 1. That fence, which she refers Dear Editor: I recently received a copy of to as a jumbled mess of wire, Amanda Gorskis Fencing the subject, which was in reply to my letter to the editor printed July 16, 2003. Amazing how a volunteer for the field office is suddenly an authority on BLM affairs. In order not to mislead the readers of the SUN, which I am being accused of by Gorski, I had been constantly knocked down by hikers. It would have taken one person, full time, camping at the fence site, to keep it upright. It was, however, maintained periodically. undiscovered treasures Dear Editor: This Central Utah Highway corridorreminds me of the mountain streams of California in the 1840s. Thousands of travelers would stop at those streams, lie on their bellies, and drink face See LETTERS, Page 5 . SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS AAA Deadlines AAA FRIDAY 1 PM However, there will be. I guess that the bottom line is, What is your opinion? This newspaper welcomes opinions from its readers concerning any subject. Anything of a libelous nature or defamation of character will not be considered for publication. Please limit your letters to 300 words or less. We reserve the right to edit for clarity or length. Letters must be signed and include your full name, address and telephone number. Limited Dear Editor: to one letter per person per month. I want to Fencing materials Utahs Heritage Highway 89, and its thank my friends and neighbors for their support at the funeral service of my son, Robert Judd. A special thanks to Harmon and Garda Judd for the use of their home for the reception after the service. Also thank you to the 4th Ward Relief Society for the delicious meal provided, and to Mosdell Mortuary for the service, care, and all they did for To avoid destruction of fences and me. gates constantly being left open, we, at our own expense for both ' Thank you all, Arthur Bud Judd COlOft COUNTWYS HOMEIOWN hewsfafeu The Southern Utah News (ISSN No. 0049-165is published every Wednesday at 26 N. Main St., Kanab, Utah 84741 . The SUN serves Kane County, Utah, and the Arizona Strip. Please address communications by mail to: 26 N. Main Street, Kanab, Utah 84741 ; telephone fax or sunews kanab .net. The entire content of this newspaper is Copyright 2003 Southern Utah News. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. Advertising rates available upon request. Second Class postage paid at Kanab, Utah 84741 . Newsstand price is 60c per copy. Yearly subscription rates to Kane County addresses and Fredonia & Moccasin, Arizona - $25; others - $35 (out of U.S. - $50). The Southern Utah News reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement or submitted items. 9) 435-644-290- 0; 435-644-29- uenms ana uixie Brunner Publishers and Editor Michael Evangelista Myma Cox Carol Sullivan SalesAVebmaster Rachel Tueller Brewer Hiscock Sharlotte Amber Ross Tracy Receptionist Reporters Postmaster: Send change of address cards to 26 N. Main Street, Kanab, UT 84741 . Now online at www.sunews.net -- |