GF wastes money, then wants more, no kidding…

I found this article in the letters to the editor today and it couldn’t be more right. The City Government today announced that they are not going to give the citizens of Grand Forks, ND a tax break. That is a sad shame and the reason I voted for Mac for mayor this past election. It is time for the city of Grand Forks, ND to stop sqandering our money and give it back to us… Right on James, you are spot on...

IN THE MAIL: GF wastes money, then wants more
James Oliver, Grand Forks Herald

Published Tuesday, August 12, 2008

GRAND FORKS — The recent vote by the Grand Forks City Council to approve spending $205,000 for sunflake lights shows just how wasteful and out of touch with the community the council is.

If certain members of the community want the lights, let those members pay for them. There is such a thing as philanthropy and community involvement, you know.

And now, we hear that the street department — which had a budget of $160,000 — is about broke. Furthermore, taxpayers are facing an increase in rates for essential services. You can bet this is just the tip of the iceberg. But, doggone it, we gotta have those lights! Got to show off!

To those who voted against the lights, thank you. As for the council majority: I think they have a real problem with fiscal and civic responsibility.

James Oliver

Tax relief not lights.

Yeah; this person should be applauded for asking all of the right questions. This person got it right when she said that we want tax relief, and we don’t want to pay for some silly lights. When will the Grand Forks City Council get it that we don’t need this silly fluffy project? Give us some of our money back. I am sick and tired of the Grand Forks City Council spending our money like a bunch of druken sailors.

In the mail: Tax relief, not Christmas lights

GRAND FORK — When will the City Council realize that it is not a myth that many of Grand Forks’ citizens would prefer lower property taxes (thanks, Terry and Mike) to short-term, high cost, fluff-type projects?

Spending this huge amount of money on Christmas lights, which also requires labor (possibly overtime) and extra electricity (I thought the mayor was supposed to be promoting a Green City .?.?. even using LEDs, the lights will still look like energy hogs) this only reinforces the City Council’s current image of “spending like drunken sailors.” It just adds to the endless saga that includes the $30,000 buffalo sculpture gift to our ex-sister city in Japan, the amazingly creative ballooning of the mayor’s office, the $180,000-something 10-year flood party, etc.

It’s nice to think that the lights would bring in visitors, which in turn would increase sales taxes. But it is too much like a health club that neglects its longtime members while soliciting new memberships. All of a sudden, the long-timers are gone, and the manager can’t figure out why.

I have a win-win idea regarding the Christmas lights. Let private donations create the Christmas Lights Fund. Let’s challenge the City Council members and city administration who believe this is a necessary and brilliant idea to write out the first checks to get the funds going. Citizens who have money to spare can add to the fund. Then, the city will be prettier for these six weeks out of the year, maybe visitors will come to add to the sales tax revenue, and, hopefully, the rest of us can get property tax relief.

Bev Benda-Moe