Mayor Clem Seifert this morning submitted the following comment to the post “Opinion: We hate tax increases, but …”
I know I am making a huge mistake by posting this but I’ve made ‘em before and I’ll make ’em again! I am one of the “bimbos” that help make decisions that affect the finances of the city.
Believe it or not, we are not as stupid as you may think. We have known that the library would have increased costs since the beginning. Tom Hannon is not the only one who knew that. The difference between Tom and me is that Tom tells us what our problems are but offers no solutions. I spend a great deal of time trying to identify solutions to the problems that face us. We don’t always get them right either! Just becasue the library wants more money does not mean that they will necessarily get it. Every department wants, and needs, more money. We have limited resources and a tax increase is the last thing that we want to consider. Contrary to popular belief, I pay taxes as well. I pay taxes to the federal government, the state government, the county government and the city government. All of these folks have a role in helping to fund not only the library, but many other things as well. We will uncover all possible funding sources to make sure all of our departments are properly funded. The library is no different. The library has presented us their budget and we will fund it to the best of our ability given the resources available. Everyone wants an answer and they want it now! The answers are not as easy as the questions. The only answer I know is that this project is crucial to the future of Henderson. Tom says (and I agree) that we do not want any tax increases and if we don’t know that then our “heads are in the sand.” I know that to avoid any future tax increases we must expand our tax base. That means attracting new businesses and new families to live here and buy homes here and pay taxes here. We have been told on many occasions what we need to do to attract these people and we are trying to do it. If you don’t know that we are competing with neighboring communities within a 60 mile radius of Raleigh, then you have your head in the sand! We are in competition to offer the best quality of life. We are losing and we must start winning. It will take some investment of time and money to accomplish this goal. We need to develop a winning attitude among our people. An attitude of offering solutions not just throwing up problems that have existed for years. I offer you my email address, cseifert@ci.henderson.nc.us, for ideas that will help us solve some of the problems. Don’t waste my time or yours by sending me the problems, I do know what they are. Send me some solutions and I promise you they will be looked at. At this point in our history, we need to make some changes. Changes that will alter our course from one of mediocrity to one of excellence. Most of us have a choice where we live. I want to live in the best city that I can. I am no different than anyone else. I want Henderson to be that place. I hope you do too.