To the editor:

The kids aren’t the only ones coming to collect this Halloween; the city has also put out a request. The Nov. 7 ballot isn’t asking trick or treat; it’s looking for a “yes” or “no” on three separate sales tax questions. Stop and think before handing over the candy on this one, though — the 10-year result of a “yes” vote lasts a lot longer than that sugar high.

Public transportation, decent roads and affordable housing sure seem like a treat, but really we are being tricked into paying “special” sales taxes for basic city services. I should also mention that once you get past the sugar-coating of a good cause, the regressive nature of sales taxes means this burden will fall heaviest on those who can least afford it.

Don’t fall for the scary stories you hear about if these sales taxes don’t pass this year. They don’t expire until March 31, 2019, so there’s plenty of time to negotiate with the city during budget talks next year to reach a sweeter solution.

Forget zombies and werewolves, I’m most scared of the precedent we might set by renewing the same 0.55 percent sales tax rate that was supposed to be for a limited time only. Imagine if kids came to your door asking for more candy every day for the next 10 years.

In the end, this request for 10 more years of extra sales tax unravels like a bad mummy costume, so I’m not buying it.