To the editor:

Every time our elected officials vote to raise taxes, it points out that they do not understand that taxpayers are running out of money. What if they had to run the local governments and school system without raising taxes, no layoffs, and make budget. They would say it could not be done.

Homeowners do it every day. Homeowners can’t get a pay raise just because food and gas prices rise. They can’t tell a family member to live somewhere else because you can’t afford to house them. Homeowners have to make decisions every day based on need in order to survive in today’s economy. We should demand our elected officials do what we do every day: live within our budget.

The Aug. 31 article about city vehicles being driven home is a good example of waste. I have seen a city employee driving a city vehicle home at lunch time. Transportation for personal use should not be paid by tax dollars and it should stop! No one should drive a city vehicle home unless it has special equipment necessary to perform their job if they are called in after hours. Mileage can be paid when necessary.

Budgets can be met without cutting services or programs if our elected officials cut out the fat/perks. When it comes to cutting waste, there should be nothing that is off-limits. We elected our officials to do the right thing, so do the right thing!

Scott Henderson,
Lawrence