TAXES: County's priorities misplaced

The way the county commissioners are raising fees (taxes) is absolutely horrifying. I went to their "budget" meeting where the deputy sheriffs were begging for some financial help, which, I believe, is badly needed. If any cuts are made all politicians cut first law enforcement, fire departments, the elderly and the children, while lining their own pockets.

Look at the annual salaries for the commissioners, and the other FEW at the top of the food chain. They wanted to even take away the aid to the senior center, which feeds housebound elderly people who would otherwise starve or be forced to eat dog food and then had the audacity in their letter to the center to call it, and I quote: SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE. I do not believe not having enough food is an inconvenience.

Now, they are raising permit fees to preclude all except big companies to build. When permit fees go from $4,000 to $14,000 something is drastically wrong. See Mr. Whipple's letter of Sept. 14. They use the excuse it will increase the cost of services, but leave out the fact they will receive property taxes to certainly more than cover those services.

I am fed up. THE ONLY WAY TO CURE THE TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL SPENDING BY ANY AND ALL POLITICIANS IS AT THE BALLOT BOX. If you, as a taxpayer, disagree with what they do VOTE THEM OUT. If we citizens do this for a few elections in a row, they will get the message. EITHER REPRESENT US AND NOT THEMSELVES FIRST OR LOSE THEIR JOBS AT THE BALLOT BOX.

PAT CULLY

Coeur d'Alene