Editor:
I am writing to express support for two items of particular interest to the citizens of Sweet Home.
First, I would like to express my support for City Council candidate, Scott McKee. I first met Scott in the Safeway produce department. Later I became better acquainted with him when he joined the Planning Commission.
Scott is affable, intelligent, motivated, full of ideas and has a desire to listen and gather information before making a decision. Though he is young, he is mature. If you read his thoughts about our city in the New Era, or if you have had the pleasure of speaking with him, you will see that he is a conscientious citizen that loves our community and will represent it well. I encourage you to vote for him.
Second, I would like to ask for you support to renew the police and library levies. These are not new taxes. The city staff was careful to make these extensions of what we have had for funding the police and library, and to not add on new taxes.
When the permanent tax base was established years ago by Measure 5, Sweet Home was one of three principalities in Oregon that did not get their police and library funding included. These levies are the only way we have to fund them short of taking funds from other programs. If we do not pass these levies, we will have to cut other services in order to fund a minimal police force and we will likely close the library again.
Someone out there is going to write, “There they go again, scaring old folks, etc.” Well, I’m 53. Not so old, not so young. If what I say scares you, it is because the truth can be scary. If you don’t understand what I mean about our permanent tax base not including funds for these services whereas the tax base in other cities does cover it, call Pat Gray at City Hall. She is eloquent in explaining why this is and its ramifications.
So yes, the truth of the need for the levies and what we would have to do if they are not passed before they expire is a bit scary. So vote for them. Don’t cut your nose off to spite your face.
If you have concerns and gripes about financial management in this city, come to the City Council meetings and tell us. But don’t say, “They charge too much for this and they waste that, so I’m not going to vote for this necessary funding.” It will do harm to you and to Sweet Home.
Thanks for hearing me out.
Rich Rowley
City Councilor
Sweet Home