Open Space and Open Wallets

[Eileen]

While I like open space as much as the next person, wouldn't it make more sense to preserve the open space we have by fixing our township's zoning ordinances? Between the supervisors and the school board, I might as well just leave my checkbook open all the time. These tax increases just aren't sustainable.

[Bill]

I may be totally wrong but I think both of you (Eileen and Bill) have missed the point.

The meetings at the township are open to the general public; if you wanted to voice your opinion ---- you should have voiced it there, early on in the discussion phase. The last meeting about this was simply to educate the public on the issue that there was a vote to determine if this question should appear on the ballot.

Now that the vote was passed, in favor of placing the question on the ballot, the entire voting public will be able to vote YES or NO, for whatever reason they feel.

This is simply a way of saying the the township supervisors are/were asking for our input; why beat them up?

It just seems wrong that people sit behind keyboards and say things that normally would not be said person to person. I was taught at a young age; " if you are not willing to help with a problem maybe you are part of the problem".

My honest opinion is the township and school board members are doing what they feel is the best for this township and the residences; youth, teenage, adult, middle age, retired, and elderly. Heck; it was you, me, our neighbors, and friends that voted them into office.

Just my opinion;
Bill Hartman

[Eileen]

Actually, I haven't missed the point at all. (I was on my first real vacation in several years when the whole thing about open space arose, so I think that I can get a pass this time). I'm glad the supervisors are taking the issue to a referendum. A few other points, though:

First, I have had plenty to say. . .and not just from behind a keyboard. We both know that.

Second, while I may disagree with decisions made by both the supervisors and the school board, I have never accused either of not doing what they think is right for the community. Of course, they think they're making the right decisions, but that doesn't change the fact that these tax increases are unsustainable. Please don't tell me what I can afford.

Third, I think there are more pressing uses for our money right now. For example, do you think that the state police are going to want to respond to calls at the new shopping centers that are going up? Probably not. We need to take a look at where the township is going and what we need in that context. We can't continue to hope the "good old days" return. They won't. . .not matter how hard we wish.

Fourth, I think that dissent can be a good thing. Dissent helps bring new ideas to the table and keeps everyone more honest.

Finally. . .Bill, you and I should meet sometime. We seem to go back and forth periodically on the Villager. We should actually make time to meet each other and have a good discussion of the issues as we see them.

Thank you.