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How about a calm and rational editorial Against the bonds? The facts are, 24% of Richardson residents are senior citizens, 8% are unemployed and another 8% are underemployed. That adds up to about 40% of residents in Richardson who would be adversely affected by another tax increase. A 10.4% hike in City taxes is more than a fat increase, and in troubled economic times. The fat, dumb and happy days are over for a while. We would be wise to hold off until the dust settles a bit. Don’t overlook the fact that those presumed “low labor and material prices” are going to evaporate over night when several municipalities get their accounts flush with cash from their similar bond elections. This is not a bargain. It is a trap that we can avoid. We would be much better off if we put the brakes on spending and give the public a tax break. Or, at least not raise their taxes.
Biker – I deleted you comment, as I don’t want the names of any specific citizens being slagged here. I respect your right to your opinion, but sorry, can’t go that way.
Cautiously – thank you for your opinion. I appreciate your participation.
Cautiously – I would agree with you that the ‘”fat, dumb, happy days are over for a while” — in fact, I’d say they have been over for quite a while, and will probably not be returning.
However, I draw a different conclusion. Richardson, Plano, and other older suburbs are, well, getting old. Richardson and Plano are already losing businesses and residents to places like Frisco, Allen, etc. — newer cities who often use economic development money we don’t have to draw business in. They also tend to have new, more modern amenities, which make them very attractive to new residents, new families, etc. We need new families moving in. We need to keep talented people moving in.
I’m sure you are aware of this. Just explaining part of my case.
In my view, these propositions are not extravagant. Certainly, spending the money maintain our infrastructure isn’t. Maintaining a certain level of excellence in our public amenities also isn’t extravagant.
I was accused by another commenter (whose comment I spammed because it pissed me off) of using scare tactics when i said without these bonds, Richardson would end up like Garland.
Perhaps I was being a bit over the top, but my point was this: when we stop doing the things it takes to keep our city a desireable place to live, we begin a downward spiral that even good economic times can’t turn around.
As the city becomes less desireable, people don’t want to live here. When people don’t want to live here, businesses don’t want to locate here. As both of these factors kick into play, property values decrease, tax revenues decrease, and there is less money to maintain what we have, which further aggravates the problem of people and businesses not wanted to be here, etc, etc.
At any rate, I’m sure we have both voted already. Whatever the outcome, best wishes for a healthy and vibrant Richardson.