The issue at hand isn't really whether to increase the Sales Tax or not. The voters decide that, not the council. Your job on Friday, as I see it, is to vote to give the residents the right to discuss, deliberate and ultimately vote on this issue. I would like you to come together with a unanimous vote to put this topic on the ballot. We as a community have spent hours discussing the topic, attended meetings sponsored by the city, done research and studied the topic, written and submitted suggestions for your consideration. Ending this discussion without the right to vote is simply wrong. I'm asking you to compromise and find a way for all Councilmembers to vote "YES" to put this topic on the ballot. I am in favor of a 4-year Sales Tax increase, and I would like to see further budget cuts and the implementation of reasonable revenue generation proposals! I live in District 3 and would like to specifically request that Kathy Tavoularis vote yes so that my family will have the opportunity to vote on this issue.
Thanks to all of you for your hard work and dedication!
Dear Mayor & City Council,
Our financial issues are what they are. With few, if any, other plausible suggestions as to how we can solve our deficit, a sales tax has been proposed as a possible way we can reduce our financial woes. No one likes taxes, but no one that loves Orange likes the deficit we're in. We need to solve this problem. Whether you are for or against a small sales tax increase, the issue should be put on the ballot, so that every citizen of Orange can have a say. That's democracy. Please allow the issue to be put to the voters of Orange. It has been debated as to the length of time the potential sales tax would remain in effect. Ten or more years may preclude some from being in favor of a sales tax increase. Perhaps a short-term sales tax increase of four years, or for the remainder of your terms in office, would be something the voters of Orange would be for, given the hole we're in. I'd like to thank Mayor Slater and the City Council for the actions you've taken so far in handling our budget deficit, and ask you to put the issue of a sales tax increase on the ballot so the voters of Orange can have their say. Thanks!
City Councilmembers and Mayor Slater,
The issue at hand isn't really whether to increase the Sales Tax or not. The voters decide that, not the council. Your job on Friday, as I see it, is to vote to give the residents the right to discuss, deliberate and ultimately vote on this issue. I would like you to come together with a unanimous vote to put this topic on the ballot. We as a community have spent hours discussing the topic, attended meetings sponsored by the city, done research and studied the topic, written and submitted suggestions for your consideration. Ending this discussion without the right to vote is simply wrong. I'm asking you to compromise and find a way for all Councilmembers to vote "YES" to put this topic on the ballot. I am in favor of a 4-year Sales Tax increase, and I would like to see further budget cuts and the implementation of reasonable revenue generation proposals! I live in District 3 and would like to specifically request that Kathy Tavoularis vote yes so that my family will have the opportunity to vote on this issue.
Thanks to all of you for your hard work and dedication!
Sincerely,
Doug Hamilton
Orange Resident 37 years
Dear Mayor & City Council,
Our financial issues are what they are. With few, if any, other plausible suggestions as to how we can solve our deficit, a sales tax has been proposed as a possible way we can reduce our financial woes. No one likes taxes, but no one that loves Orange likes the deficit we're in. We need to solve this problem. Whether you are for or against a small sales tax increase, the issue should be put on the ballot, so that every citizen of Orange can have a say. That's democracy. Please allow the issue to be put to the voters of Orange. It has been debated as to the length of time the potential sales tax would remain in effect. Ten or more years may preclude some from being in favor of a sales tax increase. Perhaps a short-term sales tax increase of four years, or for the remainder of your terms in office, would be something the voters of Orange would be for, given the hole we're in. I'd like to thank Mayor Slater and the City Council for the actions you've taken so far in handling our budget deficit, and ask you to put the issue of a sales tax increase on the ballot so the voters of Orange can have their say. Thanks!
Michael Ristig
Orange, CA 92865