Sign petition to put rural fire tax hike on ballot

By Jerry Bryant, Sterling

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Although the city of Sterling displayed a certain lack of courage and originality, I would like to commend the city for its ingenuity regarding the recent resolution to its embarrassing fire substation contract fiasco.

I can almost imagine their brainstorming session. A light bulb goes on, and someone pipes up: “Hey – I know how to get out of this public relations mess. Why not just raise rural fire service taxes by 130 percent?” And unfortunately, our appointed rural fire board seems inclined to capitulate. What a surprise.

I’m sure government is strapped for cash, but in times of sugar taxes on state and now possibly federal levels, and gasoline prices again on the rise, the working man doesn’t stand much of a chance. This extreme increase of taxation, when many local property owners are losing their jobs and their homes and are barely able to feed and clothe their children, may represent a new low in fiscal irresponsibility toward the public.

It seems to me the substation in question is of little value to west side communities, as the main station is more than 2 miles closer. That being said, this is yet another attempt to divide, conquer and implement this proposal before other levy increases are discovered. Why are taxes going up while real property values plummet? We must send an unmistakable signal to all our various taxing bodies: no more.

Alas, apathy, destroyer of societies and ally of tyranny, again looms its ugly head. Almost 500 signatures of affected registered voters are required, prior to the Nov. 18 deadline, to send this issue to a February referendum and thus allow those being forced to pay to at least have a say.

If you would like to help, please contact the Sterling Rural Fire District’s attorney’s office, Miller, Lancaster, Walker and Burall at 15 E. Third St., Sterling, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to sign the petition, grab a few additional petition forms, and go visit your neighbors.

If you don’t bother to at least sign this referendum petition, then don’t complain when your property taxes again skyrocket. Thank you for your time.