To the editor:

It is very evident that the school board and the County Commission have little regard for thousands of residents in this area living on fixed incomes.

Look at the cost-of-living increases forced on these folks in the past year:

1. Westar had a significant rate increase on electricity and is asking for more. They’ll get it.
2. Black Hills Energy wants a rate increase and, of course, they’ll get it.
3. State sales tax was increased by 1 percent.
4. City of Lawrence added a “benefit district” sales tax of up to 2 percent.
5. City of Lawrence has a planned trash rate increase.
6. School board property tax increase is 2.076 mills.
7. County Commission tax increase is 2.993 mills. (Remember, businesses will be forced to pass these additional taxes on to the consumer by charging more for their products so the price of food goes up!)

If you are on a fixed income, where will the additional money to cover these costs come from? The federal government chose not to increase Social Security, so they can’t go there. Dividend rates are next to nonexistent. The only choices you have as an elderly homeowner are to lower your standard of living or lose your home.

Great choices for Lawrence residents!