Don’t hurt yourself

Well, here we are on the precipice. If we approve the 0.1 percent tax, we give ourselves a chance over the next 25 years. If we exhibit our anger toward the ex-mayor and vote no, you might say turn out the lights, the party’s over. Mayor Johnson and the four councilmen who voted for the construction of Town Toyota Center have moved on.

Another irritating political comment involved a councilman named Tony Veeder. He said, “I don’t want the local citizens to feel any pain.” We know there will be “pain.” Increased taxes are a “pain.”

I believe most citizens in the valley feel kindly towards Town Toyota Center. We love the Wild. Jennifer and Mark are doing a super job with a wide variety of events.

If Proposition 1 fails, we lose it all. Sure, we can vote no in anger and extract some revenge. What will happen to the $42 million debt? Will it, like magic, go away?

Sorry. Those investors will come after us like the hound of Hades.

Here is a little truth you seldom hear. The $42 million debt is “principal.” What about interest? Just $1 million at 5 percent for 25 years will cost us $1.25 million. Proposition 1 will add 0.1 percent to our sales tax, which will cost the average household in Chelan County $20 per year.

To Mayor Frank Kuntz: Some of the “pain” should involve the annual budget. Let’s get serious! A 10 percent reduction in payroll is realistic. Programs will have to be cut. Jobs will be lost. Certainly a tragedy, but this is what happens when you don’t do your due diligence. And please Mr. Mayor, get realistic about public employee compensation (union) and benefits. The whole nation — federal, state, city — is on the verge of bankruptcy in part due to much too generous compensation to public employees.

Please, my fellow citizens, this is not the time to “get even.” That won’t hurt anybody but us. What we have at TTC is a great asset, a community treasure. For $20-$60 a year we can keep it open. Vote yes on Proposition 1.

Charles F. Krueger

Wenatchee

Crunch time

It’s almost crunch time. For all of us who file income tax returns, the deadline for filing or extending is April 17.

It’s also crunch time for North Central Washington. By April 17, we will have decided our future regarding how the citizens of our beautiful region deal with a moral and financial crisis. If you have not already cast your vote on Proposition 1, which voluntarily imposes an additional sales tax of 10 cents on every $100 retail dollars spent, I humbly ask for you to consider filling in the ballot and voting yes.

A yes vote is such a smart move — it keeps control of our region’s financial future in our own hands, rather than yielding to the hands of attorneys and judges. We know what will happen if Proposition 1 passes — we will honor our debts and keep Town Toyota Center open. We do not know what the future holds if Proposition 1 fails, but even the most optimistic among us predict some very unhappy events.

Please vote YES!

Heidi Myers

Wenatchee

It won’t work

Vote no! The 0.1 percent sales tax is a 30-year tax. It is the second tax for Wenatchee’s Town Toyota Center. The first one that you did not get to vote on is for 0.2 percent sales tax increase, predicted to be collected for 30 years. These two new taxes alone will not generate adequate revenue for repaying the center’s debt. As stated in a recent Wenatchee World editorial, “The 0.2 percent tax already levied by Wenatchee on Wenatchee is enough only to pay for a third of the debt.” “It’s likely that the 0.2 percent in default will supply Wenatchee’s defense fund and perhaps little more, even if it is $1.5 million a year.” Mayor Frank Kuntz stated, “Wenatchee’s legal fees related to the debt have already topped that.” He acknowledged that even if this second sales tax passes, he expects tax revenue to eventually level off, creating uncertainly how the city will pay for it’s existing staff and services.

The center is a heavy, non-performing debt. It does not pay for itself now, nor does anyone see it doing that in the future.

The city of Wenatchee is not even attempting to be fiscally responsible now in it’s day-to-day operations. Its legal fees alone this year could have probably paid for this year’s debt owed on the loan.

Remember the Seattle Kingdome that was imploded in 2000? Seattle taxpayers are still paying millions for its construction. The center’s future looks to be the same. Vote NO!

Linda Stuart

East Wenatchee

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