Everything Bremerton

More taxes for streets ignores bigger picture

I recently received my property tax statement. I see Bremerton’s portion of my annual property taxes increased $27.33, 5.1 percent.

I share that information because today I read Colleen Smidt’s subject essay, “A Taxing Decision” (April 8).  And I note your encouragement, “I encourage Bremerton residents to look at the bigger picture and not just at the $20 out of pocket for each vehicle they drive on Bremerton streets.”

Consider these elements of the bigger picture:

(1) Why not substitute our annual property tax increases for our $20 out-of-pocket street repair tax?

(2)  Bremerton City Council members and others propose to pass an out-of-pocket street repair tax, but without a vote by “We the People” who will be paying such tax. Where’s government by the people?

(3)  If additional taxes are needed, why not seek our binding approval at the voting polls? In other words, my brand of good government is: elected officials are to manage government within government’s current authorized income and eliminate cost-benefit ineffective programs and replace them with cost-benefit effective programs.  If additional income is needed, then seek the people’s binding consent at the voting polls. And there’s the crux of the matter. Too many electbelieve government has the right to increase our taxes without our consent.

(4)  I drive on Bremerton streets, maybe three to five times a week. Some number of drivers have a use pattern like mine. Other drivers like my wife drive their automobile on those streets less than I do.  And other drivers drive on those streets many number of times per day beyond my weekly use.

(5)  More than 10 years ago and more recently, I appeared before the Bremerton City Council urging its members to implement a street repair plan within current authorized income. And so now we see,  more endeavors to increase taxes without our consent, rather than living within current authorized income, or creating a better solution.

I could go on and on. I trust the above helps Bremerton residents also see a bigger, better picture.

Gene Hart
Bremerton

Kitsap Regional Library

Libraries are vital for young and old

No matter how big or how small, libraries are an absolute necessity in an intelligent society. From a very young age little children can visit them with mom or dad, find little chairs and tables, exciting books to peruse and very helpful librarians to help them find just what they are interested in at the moment.

And libraries should be open every day of the week, especially when schools are closed.

Teens find it a very good place to study when there are too many distractions at home.

They are writing papers, studying for tests and asking for help from the librarians in charge.

Libraries are an invaluable aid to education for the young and old.

If there are persons who are retired or about to retire, check out our Kitsap libraries some afternoon and spend a couple hours and explore the possibilities.

You’ll be pleased.

Florence Meyer
Bremerton