Candidates Unified On Parcel Taxes
— by Jeffrey Wisniewski — 28 October 2008 — No comments yet »
All four City Council candidates voiced their non-support for any form of parcel taxes for residents. Mayor Joanne Ward cited current parcel taxes levied by the school districts, John Delgado mentioned the possibility for a special projects fund but ultimately stated he was against a parcel tax, Don Kuehne flatly declared that a parcel tax was unnecessary, and Councilmember Ed Balico made clear that he would never support a parcel tax…
Assuming that a budget shortfall is imminent, or that a project needs to be funded — say, an elementary school in the Waterfront or the purchase of open space for preservation — the correct response is (in my opinion), “How much, and for how long?” After answering those two questions, only then can the City Council make an appropriate decision and not mindlessly throw the option off the table. The issue must at least be discussed. (Especially if we want to independently improve the schools in Hercules, or at least be serious about it.)