WCTC Board Votes for 3.8% Tax Increase

Great.  Another unelected board decides to jack up taxes. 

Although not without opposition, Waukesha County Technical College trustees have given administrators the go-ahead to boost property taxes more than $2 million next year.

If implemented, the budget strategy would constitute a 3.8% tax increase and would raise property tax collections to nearly $59 million in Waukesha County and surrounding areas.

[...]

In planning for the 2009 budget, administrators presented trustees with a variety of options that included tax increases ranging from 3% to the approved 3.8%, or a difference of about $400,000.

Trustees endorsed the largest tax increase on a 6-2 vote Tuesday, with Trustee Barbara Soto-Ryan joining Neill in opposition.

1. You complain about the boards being apointed, but you wouldn’t run even if they were up for election.  there should be a seat opening up on the Moraine Park Board soon.  Here’s your chance.

   Posted by on May 15, 2008 at 0731 hrs




2. anon,

   Why the heck do you want me in office so bad?  Or are you trying to set up some kind of standard that one can’t comment on public issues unless one is actively pursuing public service?  Funny, I seem to remember the Constitution has something to say about “redress of grievances” or something.

   Am I to assume that you are an elected official hiding behind the “anon?” If not, you better stop commenting on these things.

   Posted by Owen on May 15, 2008 at 0751 hrs




3. Blogged about this myself.  Of course, something like a referendum would be too fair to the taxpayers.

   Posted by The Asian Badger on May 15, 2008 at 1103 hrs




4. I am not currently an elected official.  I have been in the past.  I will not be doing it again soon, because of people that feel that they have all the answers and yet won’t actively help to solve the problems.  No, I don’t consider commenting on a blog contributing to the solution.  Even though I am not elected right now i still watch and attend city council meetings.  Yes, I saw you complain about the mayoral issues and you could have run but chose not to.  All you did was complain.  You could have given Kris Diess a run for her money.

   To answer the question ahead of time.  I actively talk to my councilmen and the county board chairman.  When I do that i have ideas for solutions and not just complaints.  I then offer to serve on committees or come to board meetings to engage the full group.  In addition I have sat in those seats and know what kind of difficult decisions they have to make.

   Ultimately, and I’m not just talking about you, lots of people fit in this category, but I do consider it is somewhat cowardly to sit and complain and then never be a part of the solution.

   Posted by on May 15, 2008 at 1210 hrs




5. And you think Owen hasn’t done those things?  Mayhap you should hop down off your high horse for a moment and consider that Owen does a lot more than “commenting on a blog.” Then again, I’m guessing Owen probably doesn’t much give a rip if he lives up to your standards.  At least Owen has the guts to put his name to his comments.

   Posted by on May 15, 2008 at 1222 hrs




6. So what you’re saying is that you were once an elected official, but that it’s not right for you at this time.  Did it ever occur to you that being an elected official is not right for me at this time, but that I might do so in the future?  Am I allowed to comment now?

   Furthermore, I also actively communicate with my elected officials as every active citizen should.  I suggest solutions and ideas to contribute to he debate.  I have met with public officials personally to offer input on specific issues.  What happens on this blog is not the full extent of my political activity. 

   On this blog, I have offered solutions to many issues.  You may not like my solutions, but to say that I didn’t offer them is simply false. 

   Your sweeping characterization of people like me as “cowardly” who “sit and complain” is extremely condescending and insulting to those of us who actively engage in politics. 

   I think that you were an elected official for too long.  You seem to have that contempt for political discourse that too many elected folks develop over time.

   Posted by Owen on May 15, 2008 at 1224 hrs




7. I’m with The Asian Badger. Let’s have a referendum. Waukesha County taxes are high enough, thank you.

   Posted by on May 15, 2008 at 1241 hrs




8. How is it that the WCTC board can decide to raise taxes without it getting voted on? Chalk this up to my being a college punk but I don’t get it.

   Posted by Dave Jones on May 15, 2008 at 1722 hrs