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| | Response
to  Editorial
Tax
increase: Council must step up to city's needs
Rafael
Rodriguez
4555 Black Rock Drive, Dallas, Texas 75211
Residence: (214) 337-2273 Cellular: (214) 808-2994
Business: (972) 925-1500
September
6, 2002
Letters From Readers
The Dallas Morning News
Box 655237
Dallas, Texas 75265
Fax: metro 972-263-0456
Re: Editorial, "Tax increase: Council must step up to city's
needs." Sept. 6
I sincerely believe the taxpayer citizens of the City of Dallas have the
"guts" to accept a modest tax increase this year. However, our
citizens must be assured their tax dollars will be spent in a balanced manner
finally addressing our many city infrastructure needs long ignored by our former
mayor, Ron Kirk.
If this assurance is maintained, one would be surprised just how willing the
average taxpayer would be to assist in meeting the long-term well-being of our
city.
As shareholders of our city, we are poised for a double whammy -- a maximum City
of Dallas tax rate increase and a 7.6 percent increase in appraised residential
property values.
I applaud Councilman Mitchell Rasansky for remaining steadfast to protect our
tax dollars. As an average citizen, father of one child in college, and three in
DISD schools, I fully appreciate Councilman Rasansky's focus on protecting our
pocket book.
That said, I remain totally disgusted with the reality of driving in a city with
streets that have caused me to realign my tires three times this year caused by
the "Ron Kirk Bumps" I encounter on a daily basis. Equally, I am
amazed at the number and magnitude of tax abatements our city has approved under
the watch of our former City Manager John Ware, present City Manager Ted
Benavides, and our former mayor Ron Kirk.
I am willing to roll up my sleeves and do my part to get this train back on
track, but I'm not about the business of accepting any more hoodwink tactics as
has been the norm the past six years. You know, citizen taxpayers and voters
also have the "guts" to force a vote for a tax roll-back once they
deem it crystal clear their elected representatives are not willing and able to
roll up their sleeves and do the right thing too.
Sincerely,
Rafael Rodriguez
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